South Sydney's Best Chance Yet to End Decades-Long Melbourne Drought

For the South Sydney Rabbitohs, the upcoming match in Melbourne represents more than just another game; it's a chance to finally exorcise the ghosts of a nearly three-decade-long curse. The statistics are stark and, frankly, embarrassing: 20 attempts, zero wins. Since their Victorian debut in 1999, Melbourne has been nothing short of a graveyard for the Rabbitohs, a place where victory has remained perpetually out of reach.

The history of Souths' struggles in Melbourne is a tale of woe. From the early days at Olympic Park, where they were consistently thrashed, to the more recent encounters at AAMI Park, the results have been depressingly familiar. They've lost by huge margins, they've lost in golden point, they've lost season openers and finals matches. Every conceivable way to lose a game has been experienced by the Rabbitohs in Melbourne.

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We haven't spoken about it until you the media] brought it up. We're focusing on ourselves. I've had fun playing there. I think it's a good ground, I enjoy it.

This isn't just a losing streak; it's the longest hoodoo in the NRL, a persistent anomaly that defies logical explanation. Players who have represented the club over the years, including current stars like Alex Johnston and captain Cameron Murray, have all experienced the futility of playing in Melbourne. While some try to downplay the significance of the record, the weight of history is undeniable.

However, this season presents a unique, perhaps unparalleled, opportunity. The Melbourne Storm, a team usually synonymous with dominance, are currently enduring a rare five-game losing streak. This vulnerability, coupled with South Sydney's own aspirations, creates a perfect storm – pun intended – for the Rabbitohs to finally break their Melbourne curse. For the loyal fans who have endured decades of disappointment, this Saturday night could be the moment they've long awaited, a chance to rewrite a painful chapter in the club's history.

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I try not to think about records or hoodoos or anything like that.