Runway leaders Melbourne have welcomed facing Sam Burgess in Sunday’s NRL blockbuster in Gosford after the South Sydney enforcer escaped suspension.

Forward Brandon Smith had a typically straightforward response to the judiciary’s controversial decision to downgrade Burgess’ charge on the high tackle that left Cronulla’s Matt Moylan concussed and sidelined this week.

“To be honest I’m not really that surprised,” said Smith on Wednesday.

“I don’t really want to rap the jury but it’s been inconsistent throughout the year so anything could happen.

“I mean the Jake Trbojevic thing … that kind of opened my eyes to it.

“Anything can happen, calls can be reversed, as long as you plead a good case.

“But I reckon it’s better for us as a squad to be facing someone like Burgess so that we’re getting used to how they’ll be with a full-strength team.”

South Sydney will be desperate to rediscover their early season form and shore up their tenuous hold on a top-four spot when they attempt to stem Melbourne’s momentum at Central Coast Stadium.

Three wins clear on the ladder, Melbourne have won all three of their clashes against top-four sides so far – by 22-10 over Canberra in round two before close affairs against reigning premiers Sydney Roosters – 21-20 in round six and 14-12 in round 15.

But they have yet to face Wayne Bennett’s Rabbitohs.

Giant Storm forward Nelson Asofa-Solomona will need to play his part in stopping Souths’ talismanic skipper Burgess.

“I definitely prefer him to be out there,” said Asofa-Solomona.

“I want all teams to always be at their full capacity so no one has any excuses to say why they didn’t win or whatever.

“It’s definitely dangerous what he did and I think that’s something that needs to come out of our game but I don’t feel like it’s my place to talk about it.

“He gets to play and that’s who we’re going to face. … it is what it is.”

Smith took little from Souths’ indifferent recent form, much of which came with Burgess sidelined by a shoulder injury.

“They haven’t been outstanding but they’re one of those teams that you just cannot sleep on at all – they’ve got strike weapons everywhere,” he said.

We’ve got to be prepared for anything at any time.

“I think it will be a good game – it always is – and Wayne Bennett is a great coach. Him and Bellamy have had a rivalry for a while so I’m looking forward to it.”