Many South Sydney fans were expecting to be watching their team contest the grand final today, but following their preliminary capitulation against the Sea Eagles, it’s hard to envision anything but a lengthy continuation of the premiership drought for long suffering South Sydney Rabbitohs fans.
The premiership window was open, the sun was shining, and the Rabbits just didn’t have the game to make any hay.
While the Rabbitohs are a genuine rugby league steamroller, once the engine is stopped, they simply can’t pull themselves back into the game against sides with the deftness of hand and fleetness of foot to attack in wide areas.
The entirety of South Sydney’s game is built on momentum through the middle of the park.
The team feeds off the huge fullback they have in GI winning the contact and providing a quick play-the-ball off a kick return, then using their big bodies to keep the opposition on the back foot.
The secret to John Sutton’s newfound consistency is a consistently retreating line.
As well as this, it is absolutely perfect for the game of Issac Luke, his burst of pace from dummy half exactly what this style of game plan needs. To Michael Maguire’s credit, he has built a gameplan around his players strengths.
When they get down into an attacking position, keep charging into the forwards, sucking attackers in, before a shift to the edge to see Sutton or Inglis straighten up, or through the hands to put Merritt or Farrell over untouched in the corner. If all else fails, roll it into the in-goal and start again. Barge, bash, wear and tear until the opposition has surrendered.
What if they don’t surrender? Plan B? Well, there is no plan B. And therein lays the problem for the cardinal and myrtle faithful.
If the momentum is halted or the opposition isn’t worn down quickly enough, there is very little to fall back on, apart from some Greg Inglis magic.
In comparison to the two sides contesting the premiership on the final weekend, for the Rabbits there is no Jamie Lyon, Steve Matai or Michael Jennings out in the far corridors of the field who can do damage just with a little bit of early ball and a little bit of space.
Chris McQueen and Ben Te’o are hard line runners, but do not possess the raw power of a Cordner, the ball playing of a Glenn Stewart or the footwork of a Guerra to create something when Plan A just isn’t working.
Perhaps most troubling, there is no real threat when halfback Adam Reynolds has the ball in hand unless the ball is there to be kicked, akin to Jamie Soward of the 2009 Dragons, which allows the defence to keep a sharp focus on the outside backs.
The Rabbitohs play strictly middle third football, rather than across the park. It’s great for the regular season, once again like the 2009 Dragons demonstrated, but there needs to be another gear in September which the Rabbits just don’t have.
The 2009 Dragons found the solution to their attacking ailments in the return of the prodigal son, Mark Gasnier.
This forced teams to be equally wary of both sides of the park rather than stacking the left for the trademark shift play, as well as giving Wayne Bennett’s side an attacking player with a bit of genuine spark about him.
The right edge was now potent, Gas’ arrival removing the stifling influence of Beau Scott in the centres and bringing Jason Nightingale back into the game. Just the presence of that one player completely changed the Dragons before the whistle was blown. The final piece in the premiership puzzle.
There doesn’t seem to be a proverbial Gasnier on the horizon for Souths, to bring something to the side rather than steamroll football.
In fact it’s almost the opposite. Souths are now bleeding valuable depth, with Roy Asotasi, Michael Crocker, Andrew Everingham, Dylan Farrell, Justin Hunt, Matt King and Nathan Peats notable losses to the Souths squad.
They are to be replaced by just Joel Reddy, a fair player in his own right, but certainly not the final piece in the puzzle to take Souths to the title.
Unless they can pull a rabbit out of the hat, 2014 is looming as an unwanted hat-trick for Souths – close, but no cigar.
Daniela
Guest
That is a great tip especially to those fresh to the blogosphere. Short but very accurate information… Many thanks for sharing this one. A must read article! Si quisi
Yorkie
Guest
I am not a Souths fan but I agree with the general tone of this articial - Souths have a great forward pack and a stella full back and for the majority of the season the half backs and backline fed off these 2 elements. BUT once it gets to the important end of the season and GI is carrying a bad knock and the forward pack plays against the other best forwards of the top teams in the comp who stop there dominance the half backs went missing and the back line was exposed for the average group of players they really are. Perhaps things can change next year with a couple of great buys in the center / wing position (or perhaps some great youngsters coming through!) and the young kid Keary might push for a play makers role and you never know next year might be Souths year - but I wouldn't bet on it!!
Peakhurst
Guest
I have watched plenty of football. Whether you have watched heaps or very little it doesn't change the fact you are off the mark. Do yourself a favour. Next time Sam Burgess plays, watch the amount of quality work he does. Better still, why don't you throw on a pair of boots and show us all how it is done lounge chair Larry.
Tex Rabbitt
Guest
May be more Rooster games than others.
Tex Rabbitt
Guest
Spoken like a true roosters supporter...
Perry
Guest
I agree spider just burns me I may not see a GF win before I go, merro is. And has been my and everyone's favourite, butif his speed is gone he is no use, all these players leaving is the right move if it's to get newOnes that can step up and stay up,unlike the ones going who are really only replacements ,but if only the 2 we have bought come and no more we are in trouble,I cannot believe madge has cleared 1.8 m for nothing something's going on
Chasetheroos
Guest
Ive got to say...im a die hard souths supporter and I really agree with the article. It is very well put together and thought out....a good analysis. In 1989...... following the preliminary final loss to Canberra and I began to wipe away the tears, an old man put his hand on my shoulder, gave me a wink and said "Don't worry son, there's always nexy year!".........the next year we had a shocker. Walking out of the Preliminary final with Manly in 2013..... a woman stops me in the tunnel...."don't worry, there's always next year"..... "please don't say that" I said.......let's hope that history doesnt repeat itself!
Spider rabbit
Guest
I feel the issue with Souths is a media one. They dont concentrate soley on the game. Stop reading newspapers, Stop tweeting, facebooking, talking about themselves. This is about a game of football. Not about reading about yourself in a paper. That video about burgess is just plain stupid, Burgess hasnt actually done anything yet. All is not lost. They are young, the side is building they are learning. The shedding of excess players is a good move and i suspect a stratiegic one. They do need a powerful outside back and winger. The Burgesses need to develop a offload. The coach / management needs to get tough on getting the players heads out of the media and back on the game. Souths are only a few simple steps away from where they need to be. Ferguson under Maguire would be ideal. Just an idea. A couple of tough years together builds some strength and resilience they need to keep the core of the side together. Remember they are a young team.
John
Guest
Spot on.
John
Guest
Souths will never drop Merritt cos he's a crowd favorite. Maguire needs to make the tough calls.
John
Guest
Watched more games than you have had breakfasts.
Tater
Guest
Sadly, as a Souths supporter, this article highlights some failings of our team this year. I have also been concerned we do not seem to have a Plan B. Also since the second SOO I have been dreading the day an NRL side isolates Merritt like Qld did. Lo and behold, Manly learnt the lesson and she's all over red rover in the second last game of the year. Merritt has been a great servant but maybe his time has come. We still have great players, a great coach and will learn from this years hard lessons.
perry
Guest
This effectively is 100%correct, we do us too much on forward play,our backs are just for show,we missed. Champo big time,and I haven't seen Meerut run down from behind lime this year,he is a shell of his previous years he has lost all speed,his useby is up unfortunately,we need big wingers and a fast center,and quick,while we still have this forward pack,and we need to find mongrell,not good looks in tackles where we get pushed back,next year lucky to make the right,hope I'm wrong
Peakhurst
Guest
Scoring points is not where we need to improve. Have a look at our points for this year. Souths at time leak soft tries. Look at the defence of the two top teams. If we stick to the game plan our team will deliver points. Improved defence will be our key next year
Peakhurst
Guest
I think this article is very close to the mark. As a Souths supporter, I am hoping there is a plan to free up some salary cap to make way for one or two new troops in the areas we need to boost. However, anyone who thinks Sam Burgess goes missing obviously doesn't watch the games. True Souths supporters will remain positive and stick together. It has been a long hard road. Have a little faith in those employed to get the job done. We need to remember the depths we have come from.
Ret
Guest
Not sure if Phil Rothfield's opinion matters too much. From what I've seen the Burgess brothers give 100% to the team. The fact is that Sam and George are in a different class to Tom and Luke, who are honest toilers at best. I agree that Souths haven't developed an expansive game, which earlier in the year they were showing signs of doing. Still, finishing on the same points as the minor premiers, and going within a win of a GF appearance, is hardly an unsuccessful season, or any reason for "finger pointing".
Earl Park
Guest
Very true. The players just have bit parts. What will happen to Souths when Crowe goes?
John
Guest
Crowe needs to back off.
League_coach101
Roar Pro
I don't think the issue is with the Burgess boys ability - I mean George did win Rookie of the Year in the Dally M's. But maybe all the celebrity stuff is distracting them - and that's an issue that can be addressed next year. There's only one star at the Rabbitohs - Russell Crowe.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Well, if they are acting bigger than the team, that can be a problem. But one assumes they were being superstars when they were winning too so... In anycase, blinking is blinking, though I do think Bennett's approach is the safest.