NRL 2023: Melbourne Storm should fear Lachlan Ilias’ coming-of-age South Sydney moment

The Melbourne Storm’s form line comes with a warning as they face a Rabbitohs side riding the wave of another Lachlan Ilias coming-of-age moment.

Wests Tigers great Chris Lawrence isn’t convinced by Melbourne’s last-start win and believes South Sydney’s form is the one to follow for their blockbuster clash on Friday night.

The Storm broke a two-game losing streak with their 24-12 home victory over the Wests Tigers last week, boosted by the return of star five-eighth Cameron Munster.

Speaking inside the Fox Sports Lab, Lawrence was blunt on the Storm’s form

“They won against an understrength and out-of-form Wests Tigers side,” he told host Eloise Sohier.

“Yes, Cam Munster back definitely does help, but I think they’re still a way off yet.”

South Sydney beat Manly 13-12 with halfback Lachlan Ilias kicking an 81st-minute golden-point field goal for a Rabbitohs side missing forwards Tevita Tatola, Jai Arrow, Siliva Havili, Liam Knight, Shaquai Mitchell and Hame Sele.

Lawrence said it was another coming-of-age moment for the 22-year-old.

Rabbitohs halfback Lachlan Ilias celebrates the golden-point win over Manly last week. Picture: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images

“He was a young halfback in his first full season last year in a side with a lot of dominant players in Latrell Mitchell, Cody Walker and Damien Cook,” Lawrence said.

“For a young halfback it takes time for them to find their voice.

“This year, he’s definitely found that and that’s going to give him the world of confidence, kicking that field goal.”

Souths have won two of their opening four games, but Lawrence said facing Cronulla, Penrith, the Sydney Roosters and Manly had a finals feel about it.

“They’ve played some really tough football over the last month,” Lawrence said.

“(They have) played some high-quality sides, some semi-final football and I think getting that tight win against Manly is going to give them a lot of confidence and I think they can get the win.

“It’s still going to be a tight game but I think the last month of footy is going to hold Souths in good stead.”

Originally published as NRL 2023: Melbourne Storm should fear Lachlan Ilias’ coming-of-age South Sydney moment