South Sydney marked John Sutton’s record appearance for the club with a much-needed NRL win over St George Illawarra at the SCG on Saturday evening.
Sutton ran out for the 212th time for the Rabbitohs, surpassing Bob McCarthy’s milestone, and helped his side to a comfortable but scruffy 26-6 victory over the Dragons in front of a crowd of 24,368.
The result ended a run of three straight losses for Michael Maguire’s side with three of his giant pack getting on the scoresheet.
Luke Burgess and Jason Clark crossed from close range in the first period and the outstanding Sam Burgess punched a hole through the Dragons’ overworked defensive line midway through the second.
It was frustrating night for the Dragons with the penalty count weighted in Souths’ favour to the tune of 11-6, preventing Steve Price’s men from maintaining any sustained spell of attacking pressure.
Adam Reynolds opened the scoring after 10 minutes with a close-range penalty before Luke Burgess lunged over for his second try of the season.
The returning Josh Dugan almost reduced the deficit for the Dragons when he latched onto a Gareth Widdop kick under the posts, only for the officials to rule he failed to ground the ball correctly.
Souths’ dominance continued before halftime when Clark went over with Reynolds adding the extras to open up a 14-0 lead at the break.
The second stanza followed a similar pattern with the Dragons continuing to incur the ire of the referees as Souths looked the more likely to score, without ever really looking clinical in attack.
Dragons wingers Brett Morris and Jason Nightingale were both placed on report for shoulder charges on Clark and Apisai Koroisau respectively before Sam Burgess went over for a deserved four-pointer just before the hour mark.
Jack De Belin crashed over for a consolation effort for the joint-venture, with Widdop adding the extras, but Greg Inglis had the final word with a well-worked try that was converted by Reynolds, who finished with five successful kicks.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
But they didn't rake it out. If they did then that's a totally different situation. He lost control of it and at best a Souths player knocked his arm (but not the ball). He tried to regain control but was only able to just get both hands on it a split second before the ball hit the deck. I don't consider that regaining control.
planko
Roar Guru
I see only one problem with it DOW. If you get over the line it is pretty much do what you can to get him to loose it from a defensive teams perspective.. If it gets raked out what happens then ? Can you ground it then ... I think they were all (Souths Defenders) having a go at the ball so when he drops it you could argue it was raked out so why can't he just put his hand on it ? I think it is still a little grey. I just think if he scores that try the game changes.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
They discussed that on the Footy show and all agreed that previously it would have been a try, but all were happy that it wasn't under the new rules. I like how they have eliminated the grey area very well.
planko
Roar Guru
Too soon.
planko
Roar Guru
No need Souths won Points banked. LOL
planko
Roar Guru
Muzz I believe that under last years rules the try would have been given. St George had one of those nights. EVERY 50/50 call went against them to me it was a 70/30 night as I said above. However this year if you "lose control over the line you must regain it before putting the ball down"... Happy to be corrected but that is what I have been told ...
planko
Roar Guru
Renegade did you watch the game ? They had a 70/30 night. St George were pretty had done by. Not just refs lady luck was against them. St George had one of those nights where it was 70/30.
kit
Guest
Greetings This is MH370. Goodnight
Sean
Guest
It's bizarre that the referees reacted to Morris's "shoulder charge", but not to the spear tackle on Inglis.
KB
Guest
Russell's building an ark..he's taking two referees..cummins and badger.
jimval
Guest
No champ, ...it's "affluent" i.e. wealthy... NOT "effluent", which is "an outflowing of water or gas from a natural body of water, or from a human-made structure." ...but then again, there seems to be a lot of gas coming from you as evidenced by your comments :)
KB
Guest
Don't you mean effluent?
S.L.
Roar Rookie
Yep, I think there are wheels within wheels as far as the sentimental favorite is concerned
rossco
Guest
A more pertinent question is why weren't St George Illawarra players put on report for two spear tackles, one on Inglis and the other on Sam Burgess.
Muzz
Guest
Charles - Did you manage to watch the replay ?
Charles NSW
Guest
The Dragons cannot blame the referee for their penalties as that is part of the game. They need to have their best men on the field especially settling on who is their half back. Stop making fundamental errors and give more time before making crucial decisions such as the last tackle options. This team is youthful with quite a number of experienced players to ensure that they can make the top eight. The coach has to implement the discipline required to ensure that this happens.
Muzz
Guest
Do we have a referee in the house? Was Dugan's disallowed try the correct call ?Price has asked Archer for a please explain.Price also mentioned in the press conference that he could hear the ref coaching the second marker 30 odd times.Whats going on?
Jimval
Guest
Like "affluent" Redfern in previous years was something like the "battlers" of St Ives or Bondi Junction. I would like to argue the point some more, but it serves no purpose other than to bring my intelligence way way down to your level.
KB
Guest
For some bizarre reason the NRL think that having a horde of REALLY bad singers NOT from anywhere near Botany Road at games is good for Rugby League. I personally find it exceedingly distasteful. They are not a disadvantaged group...well maybe a bit of ARBD perhaps.
KB
Guest
Yeah.. like the conspiracy theory that Souths are "Battlers".