- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Last night’s huge win continued South Sydney’s roll to a minor premiership and possible grand final.
There were three important factors in that win over the Broncos.
1. Big plays from big-time players in attack win matches
Forget the other stats. At halftime, the Broncos had made just one handling error to the Rabbitohs’ five. Big deal; the scoreboard read 24-6 and Souths had put together some superb attacking, with Sam Burgess and Greg Inglis delivering the biggest plays.
2. Crucial errors in defence are deadly
Again, forget the position and possession stats, in big matches missed tackles for breaks and tries kill your team’s chances.
The Rabbits found Ben Hunt on their left side and Ben Barba on their right for long breaks whenever they needed to – all too easy. A contested kick to winger Daniel Vidot, a noted target, resulted in a fumble, presenting the softest try to Lote Tuquiri.
Other errors by both wingers and later Barba on bombs all led to the flood of points in the final minutes.
Shocking errors in defensive situations.
3. Luke Keary
There is something about this young guy that makes footy look so much easier for his teammates when he plays. He has large doses of footy smarts which seem to rub off on everyone dressed in red and green.
No one should underestimate John Sutton’s ability, but what Keary offers is different. He is tough, can tackle, takes the line on in possession, and supports in both attack and defence like a real competitor should.
There are some big matches and many challenges to come for just about every team, but because of the importance of a premiership to this great old club, the pressure might be too much for them to sustain all the way to the grand final. This string of wins will ease that just a little.
That, and a bit of luck, may be the two most important factors at this time of year. Ask the Cowboys how much that pressure of sudden death and crucial decisions count at this time of year.
Manly can still bounce back, the Roosters still have time to find that high point of form and consistency they have not managed so far in 2014, and maybe another challenger can emerge?
Souths on the other hand are in the box seat at present and have a great opportunity to rest and re-surge after a Thursday night victory.
It looks to me like things are starting to fall into place for the mighty Rabbits.
Reckon you can pick the winning team? Build your own dream team with Draftstars daily fantasy and compete on any match. For great odds on the NRL head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.