Adam Reynolds insists memories of last year's 66-4 thrashing by Melbourne are dead and buried but South Sydney must shed their patchy form to prove a worthy foe on Friday.
The top-of-the-table battle will be curiously waged with the Rabbitohs questioning their own credentials despite boasting an identical 14-5 record to the Storm.
Add to that last season's pummelling and Anthony Seibold's men have plenty to prove as they make their case for NRL title favouritism.
Reynolds is aware of that but says they have a plan to topple the heavyweight club.
"Not at all, that's last year, that's done and gone," the halfback said of last August's thumping.
"New squad, new plan, new team."
That is the case for the Storm too, who have adjusted well since the departure of playmaker Cooper Cronk to the Sydney Roosters in a shift Reynolds observed as smooth.
"The halves are doing a great job, Billy Slater's in career-best form, Cam Smith's getting round as always and the big boys in the middle are running hard," he said.
"We've looked at their shapes, what you think might come and how you think you might break them down."
Souths were toppled by Wests Tigers a fortnight ago and only just beat bottom-placed Parramatta last round.
Reynolds sees Friday's clash at ANZ Stadium as the perfect platform to kick back into top gear.
"We've sort of been a bit patchy, I suppose, but in saying that there's a lot of upside in our squad," he said.
"We know we haven't been where we want to be but we aren't far away and can get back to playing our best footy."
Share
