South Sydney coach Michael Maguire often insisted this year that the Rabbitohs NRL premiership drought did not weigh around the necks of his players, but with each passing year of near misses the expectation only grows.
The Rabbitohs bowed out at the penultimate hurdle for the second straight year on Friday night with a 30-20 preliminary final loss to Manly at ANZ Stadium – the barren stretch now 42 years and counting since the club’s record 20th and last title in 1971.
Throughout a campaign during which the Rabbitohs were regularly reminded that they could be the ones to end the drought, Maguire would defend his troops by saying they could not be held accountable for past failures.
This was a group for now he would say, not about the four decades that passed previously.
But as a team that now challenges regularly for a title, expectation comes with the territory for Maguire and the Bunnies.
After all, how many times during the four seasons which preceded Maguire’s arrival – when Souths finished 14th, 10th, ninth and 10th respectively – was the issue of South Sydney’s long wait for a premiership raised?
That title is now within touching distance for the Bunnies, but Maguire knows from what he saw on Friday night, there is still a way to go on the journey.
“… we’ll learn a lot. I’ve got a tough footy team in there,” Maguire said.
“Unfortunately you don’t get to walk away with the things you want all the time, but we’re getting stronger as a team, we’re getting stronger as an organisation.
“To have the fans, the people that keep turning up for us, we would have loved to have given them the joy of next week.
“We’re getting stronger and stronger as club and we’ve got to keep working hard at that.”
With no significant recruits for next season, that improvement will have to come from within.
Maguire said after the game on Friday night that the occasion didn’t get the better of his side, but it was a match that was the Rabbitohs’ for the taking when they had Manly on their knees at 14-0 after 12 minutes.
Souths failed to step on the throat of their opposition, two Issac Luke knock-ons and a forward pass – two of those errors coming within ten metres of the Manly line – indicative of wasted chances.
Halfback Adam Reynolds was solid without making the impact expected of the NSW No.7 heir apparent, while Greg Inglis was epic in defence yet quiet in attack.
And so the wait goes on.
“We’re a growing team,” a dejected Sam Burgess said after the game.
“Tonight is not what we’re after as a group.”
Devout Saint
Guest
I have been saying for over a year now that Adam Reynolds is over rated. He is the most over rated player in the competition. All he does is kick the ball. He did virtually nothing in the 2 semi finals. Pearce is way better than him. I would pick Tyrone Roberts, Albert Kelly and Sam Williams ahead of him.
Chris Martin
Roar Rookie
The fact the coaches mother died on game day , whilst never going to be used as an excuse by the club or players , was a HUGELY overlooked factor. When half time came and the team needed Maguire's full concentration , surely some part of his thinking just wasnt there. Such a tragic event to happen but the worst possible timing for Souths.
Glenn Innes
Guest
I just think a long hard season of playing at pretty close to their potential caught up with Souths at the back end of the season.The night the cowboys flogged them in Townsville was the first warning sign of what lay ahead.
Steve
Guest
Agree with you about the outside backs. Merritt especially is past it IMO. Great player in his prime, but sadly has gone on 1 year too many. Goodwin however had a pretty good year apart from the other night, and Walker?....well the kid has talent...you have to remember he's only 18. What they need is a couple of big fast wingers. Also they have Keary coming through in the halves so I would expect to see Sutton moving to the back row next year to accomodate him.
speedy2460
Guest
I think the big failure of Souths is the outside backs. Farrell, Walker, Merritt and Goodwin are only borderline first grade players. Manly exploited that side and it paid off. Also the forwards are to predictable. They need a forward leader. Burgess is not the man. Consideration should also be given to moving Sutton from 5/8. He is slow and is not up to the pace of the game. He plays more like a backrower.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Brad Fittler is a goose of a commentator. The only Channel 9 commentators who are worth anything are Sterling and Johns. As for Souths, they blinked. Again.
beachart
Guest
Isaac Luke was the Souths player whom I thought would make the difference to the team, through the finals,and he did. Not in the way I expected. His mistakes made it easier for Manly to get back into the game. Thanks Isaac, you were a help rather than a nuisance. Next year maybe, fairy tales come true. Also the DUMBEST post match question : Brains Fittler to Squirrel {was only 1 goat} Burgess," How hard is it to make the GF?" How would Squirrel know he hasn't made it yet. Keep up the intelligent line of questions, Brains.
turbodewd
Roar Guru
Bryce Goodwin, Souths #3, allowed 3 tries in. He did Souths in himself unfortunately.