Storm edge out Bunnies

The Melbourne Storm escaped a massive scare from the South Sydney Rabbitohs to record a 28-22 win at Perth's Members Equity Stadium on Saturday night.

Despite the Storm coming off a massive win over Brisbane Broncos and the Rabbitohs a thumping to the North Queensland Cowboys, an upset looked on the cards when the Bunnies led 10-0 early on and still 20-14 midway through the second half.

The Storm were their own worst enemy sin an error-riddled display that the Rabbitohs took full advantage of. However, the last 20 minutes saw Melbourne pile on 14 points to nil to come away with a win that puts it inside the NRL's top four.

Halfback Cooper Cronk was superb for the Storm and led from the front with a try and several other tremendous efforts. Greg Inglis also scored a try, set up another for Joseph Tomane and made some dashing breaks.

It was a brave effort from South Sydney and Jamie Simpson came in to replace Luke Capewell and made an immediate impact with two tries inside the first 20 minutes, however, they ran out of legs against the powerful Storm line-up.

Melbourne dominated the opening minutes but couldn’t capitalise and the underdog Rabbitohs soon made them pay as the Storm made some terrible errors.

Simpson crossed for the game's first try in the fifth minute after intercepting a bad pass from Brett Finch.

Melbourne fullback Billy Slater then dropped a high ball deep in his own territory and knocked it on.

From that turnover, Simpson got on the end of a good run of passes and ran hard out wide and just got the ball down inside the post.

Chris Sandow made the conversion and South Sydney had the Storm stunned with a 10-0 lead.

The Storm always looked like they were going to hit back at some stage, and did so through a try to Inglis after a tremendous pass from Ryan Hoffman.

Melbourne then looked certain of a second try to Will Chambers, but he was cleverly pushed in the back and his throw back pass was intercepted.

The Storm continued to dominate into half-time and Hoffman got on the end of a good pass from skipper Cameron Smith. Smith converted and scores were tied at 10 at the break.

The Rabbitohs started the second half strongly with David Fa'alogo scoring after a good pass from five-eighth John Sutton. Isaac Luke converted and Souths led 16-14.

Melbourne hit back in the 48th minute when Steve Turner made a good run out wide and it ended up with Wairangi Koopu who was able to get it over the line to get the Storm back within two.

Errors continued to riddle the Storm's game as a Craig Wing grubber kick was not grounded and Nathan Merritt pounced to lay the ball down. The Rabbitohs led 22-14 after the conversion.

The Storm hit back again when Cronk cut through the defence and got over the line and Melbourne was back within two after the conversion.

Melbourne was then in front when Turner scored a tremendous try that was set up from a massive break from Inglis from inside his own quarter.

Inglis then made a great gather and pass over his shoulder to send Joseph Tomane in for another try. Tomane also took the conversion, but missed as the Storm led 28-22 with three minutes remaining, and that's how