Junior Rep Report: Round 2 (U17's & U19's)

Melbourne Storm's U17's and U19's returned to Seabrook Reserve in Broadmeadows for the first time in 2025 as the Junior Representative season moved into it's second round of the new year.

After falling to the Illawarra Steelers last weekend, Storm's Harold Matthews outfit put in a much improved performance on Saturday against South Sydney and were desperately unlucky not to come away with the points.

After conceding the opening three tries of the contest, the Storm U17's flew back into the contest thanks to three straight tries themselves after the main break to draw level. Centre Wivenshalom Tyrell was instrumental, scoring a double while fullback Hunter Stokie's kicking was critical to levelling the contest.

A late Rabbitohs try to Anthony Mailangi thwarted the Storm comeback however the home side will take plenty of positives into their trip to Sydney to face the Bears in Round 3.

Matt Duffie's U19's outfit kicked off the double header in Broadmeadows with a fast start thanks to a second minute opener from Queensland Academy product Cooper Clarke. The early blow struck the visitors into action as the Rabbitohs scored the next three tries of the contest to jump out to a 16-6 lead before a rearguard action finished off by fullback Amaziah Murgha and interchange forward Kobi Floro saw the home side get their nose ahead at the break.

Unfortunately, a run of four second half tries from the visitors was too much for Melbourne to handle in the final 35 minutes of play as they struggled to thwart the Rabbitohs attack.

Storm U19's also travel to Sydney in Round 3 to face the North Sydney Bears at Hills Grammar on Saturday 15 February.

Originally published on melbournestorm.com.au