Following Friday’s victory against the Tigers, Souths find themselves second on the ladder, having won their last four matches and six of their last eight.
After a run of very ordinary form at the start of the year, a roar is growing from Redfern to Botany.
They are also undefeated during the Origin period, an amazing feat given the injuries they have suffered and absence of their Origin stars.
Of course there are still several games to play this weekend and by the end of it the Rabbitohs may have been overtaken by the Panthers, Bulldogs and Roosters, but Souths are amassing an extremely strong points differential, which is worth a win in the final weeks of the season.
While the Rabbitohs have not been spectacular in their recent performances, they have been super tough, and have played with real heart and strong discipline.
They have been led superbly by Sam Burgess and John Sutton. The young brigade led by Dylan Walker, who was sparkling against the Warriors in spite of a broken thumb, have responded in kind.
Against the Tigers we witnessed an efficient if not spectacular performance. Through the relentless go-forward of their pack, the Bunnies never looked like being beaten. A lot more will be required to win semi-final matches, but Souths fans can look forward to the return of stars the likes of Greg Inglis, Chris McQueen and Ben Te’o for the run to the semi-finals.
Meanwhile Alex Johnston, Kyle Turner, Tom Burgess, Kirisome Avu’u and Api Koroisau have seized their opportunity and emerged as genuine first graders, replacing the depth many thought was lost in the off-season purge.
The only concern remains the backline, although the introduction of Johnston and Avu’u has improved the wing situation. Dylan Walker is a genuine superstar at centre. Keeping all three on the field will be crucial as Bryson Goodwin does not offer much and Nathan Merrit and Joel Reddy, while an honest players and good finishers, are no longer first-choice players.
Lote Tuqiri is a ‘break glass in case of emergency’ player.
Of course any back line deficiency is more than compensated by a healthy Inglis, when he returns and whether it will be at full fitness or not remain issues.
The return of Luke Keary will either give Souths the x-factor and plan-B they have lacked in the last couple of years, or it will derail their attack as a result of Sutton shifting to lock.
If Souths have a seamless return of players from Origin and injury, they just may break the drought come October.
sean
Guest
You mean more than the 8 players we had out against the tigers (Inglis, Te'o, Macqueen, Walker, Goodwin, Reddy, Keary, Champion) ?
KiwiBear
Guest
As a "kind of" follower of NRL and with a "kind of" supporter of the Rabbitohs I am interested in comparing this year and last year. The Bears are getting whipped in NSW Cup so the depth isnt there as it was last year with the Bears in the playoffs. What happens when or if you have more losses through injuries? Are there sufficient strength across the two clubs/ squads?
BlakeM
Roar Rookie
I would take a win against the Tigers with a grain of salt.. I still have visions of the soft underbelly Souths showed in the Preliminary Final last year, leading 14-0 after 13 minutes to then be belted.
Nelson
Guest
And how many before that?? Haha
Nelson
Guest
20 premierships, you'll never catch us haha
KB
Guest
40 something years? We have won 2 since you been back Nelson...
Nelson
Guest
Yes,losing the next 3 games is a flying start... 28-8
Bearfax
Roar Guru
Not suggesting that Stewart is a better forward than Burgess. Burgess is outstanding. But Stewart adds a dimension to your attack that Burgess cant offer. For all Burgess' talent, he cant offer than alternative attacking pattern that Stewart offers. You will lose much by Burgress leaving, but I think the gain with Stewart will more than accommodate the loss purely because of the variation he offers..
KB
Guest
Souths are fast starters..but poor finishers I'm sorry to inform you Nelson...
Brendan
Guest
Yep that 17 point victory over the rudderless knights was so much more impressive wasn't it..
Nelson
Guest
Is that the same roosters side we pumped 28-8 KB? Let's put the roosters wins in perspective shall we....
MAX
Guest
If Souths do not have the continuing sevices of a fit GI ther premership aspirations are problematical. Worse still, NO SAM... NO SOUTHS... NO PREMIERSHIP. One of the toughest ever, Sam is playing injured.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
My point was more that people need to calm down a bit on the bunnies hype train than they won't make the 8 (realistically they should make the top 4, they have a pretty soft run home).
Epiquin
Guest
They also beat Penrith and only lost to the bulldogs by a last minute field goal. I think they'll be fine.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
While a team can only beat who is in front of them, put it in perspective, they have wins over a depleted Tigers, a Warriors side that ran out of juice in the last 20, the Dragons (AHAHAHA), and the NSW cup side the Sharks fielded -- this after getting completely and utterly mauled by Melbourne before the origin period.
KB
Guest
Refs are still being benevolent. They didnt beat much and received selective penalties...wait till they play the Premiers, we'll see whos boss then and how "brutal" they are...fair dinkum, that Sam Burgess has got a rough nut...CHOOKSBACK2BACK
BrumbyJack
Guest
The Bunnies were very good last night. They defended superbly all night and their forwards never stopped. A couple of points may have been lost in the speed of the game that I have to highlight to fellow Roarers, which makes Souths victory last night all the more impressive: 1. Souths devastating injury till to their outside backs meant they had to play Kyle Turner in the centers. Not many teams in this comp can play a solid first grader out of position in the centers and still score 32 points 2. The final score should have been 32-6. The break late in the second half through Tedescos break was when Souths had one player - Auva - seriously injured and unable to get off the field, an another - one of the Burgess boys - crippled by cramp and unable to get off the field 3. Souths ball handling on a dewy surface was a lot better than their opponents - yet still squandered 2 tried to slamming Sam Burgess though I'll directed passes 4. Souths body language is a lot better than at the start of the season, showing more belief and attitude. This team is getting stronger on you paddock, and it might have a lot to do with renewed energy and focus into off field activity which brings the team together. With the return of the sublimely talented Luke Keary imminent, and Sutton and Reynolds growing in more confidence with each match, look for the bookies to start seriously winding Souths premiership odds in.
Xman
Guest
So the rabbits have to fly to and from perth against the tough Warriors on a Saturday night and then turnaround for Friday night before Origin against Wests Tigers. Hmmm perhaps we should look at the rest of the Tigers draw to see if it is favourable the whole season..
River Lad
Guest
October 2014: TIMBER!!!!
Mitchoh
Guest
True. My point is that souths haven't put in a crisp 80 performance with their offence. When they do they will be just about unstoppable. They have been winning games recently by sheer power. Not finnese.