At 12-0 down after just eight minutes it looked like it was going to be another long night for South Sydney. Mitchell Pearce had crossed for a very soft try and then Anthony Minichiello out-lept Greg Inglis for the Roosters’ second.
There’s been plenty of those in the last 43 years.
Just like last year at the same stage, when they were up 14-0 after just 11 minutes against Manly. They went on to concede 30 points to lose 30-20, helped on by a freakish try from David Williams.
Or in 2012 when the Rabbitohs were leading 8-4 at half-time against the Bulldogs at ANZ, but Adam Reynolds tore his hamstring and Canterbury ran away with it 32-8.
Another opportunity lost.
Or in virtually every season since 1971 when Souths last won a comp, beating St George 16-10. Forty-three years is a long time to wait for another grand final. A painfully, long, long time.
In that period the Rabbitohs have collected wooden spoons in 1990, 2003, 2004 and 2006. Since winning the minor premiership in 1989, the myrtle green and cardinal red have missed the semis in every year from 1990 to 2006 (of course not being in the NRL for the 2000 and 2001 seasons).
That finals drought was finally broken in 2007. Up until then Souths’ fans had become used to being crap, used to being bagged by other fans and used to see their team lose, lose and then lose again.
Things started to change with the takeover by Russell Crowe and Peter Holmes a Court. Money started to come into the club, star players were signed, the coaching improved and so did the culture.
A new era of professionalism started.
The arrivals of Greg Inglis, Sam Burgess and Issac Luke, as well as the emergence of local juniors like Reynolds, Alex Johnston, Dylan Walker and others has helped kick it a long. The capture of Michael Maguire in 2012 from Wigan, replacing John Lang, was the icing on the cake.
Now that Souths have finally killed off their grand final hoodoo, they just have to go and win the thing.
In the past two years the Redfern boys have been haunted and weighed down by pressure and expectation. History is a heavy burden to take on the field with you. This time round they looked focused and disciplined, pumped and ready to write their own history.
The character and discipline they showed to come back from a 12-0 deficit and out-muscle a very good Roosters side – last year’s champions – was impressive.
Built off a brutal forward pack, as they have done all year, they bullied the Tricolours off the park. Luke Keary was impressive, Reynolds solid and Luke pulled the strings in the middle as usual.
But Luke could miss the grand final after being put on report and if he does, it would be a huge loss.
Sam Burgess is on a mission to end his NRL career on a high, not to mention Ben Te’o as well, and they have seasoned pros like Inglis, Lote Tuqiri and Sutton in support. The time is now.
There was no dream rugby league ending for Sonny Bill Williams or Anthony Minichiello. That’s way the footy cookie crumbles.
But Souths can dream for another week. An oh-so elusive premiership is just 80 minutes away. Whether they face the Panthers or the Bulldogs, we are in for a great grand final.
Follow John Davidson on Twitter @johnnyddavidson
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