South Sydney didn’t do much to soothe the nerves of their fans with last night’s win over Canterbury. The Bulldogs did more to lose the game than the Rabbitohs did to win it.
After kicking a penalty goal midway through the second half to lead 14-12, it looked like the Bulldogs racked the cue in attack and were banking on 14 points being enough.
Big mistake, even against a Souths side that was strangely out of sorts just two weeks out from the finals.
Last weekend, the Rabbitohs lacked intensity against North Queensland – despite the fact a win would have taken them to first place on the competition ladder.
Last night, Souths fumbled about and took wrong options for much of the game, before finally getting their act together well enough to come up with nine points in the last eight minutes and win 21-14.
The difference between the result last week and this week was that the Cowboys, with Johnathan Thurston in superb form and his teammates sharp in support, made Souths pay for their apparent indifference.
The Bulldogs, on the other hand, didn’t do nearly enough to make Souths pay and as the last 20 minutes wore on it became clearer only one team was going to score again.
That was obviously the Rabbitohs. The Bulldogs were only going to win if they could stop Souths from adding to their score.
Souths owe Sam Burgess a huge debt of gratitude for keeping them in the game while the Bulldogs were having the better of things.
The first of his two tries, coupled with the conversion by Adam Reynolds, pulled them back to 6-6, and his second, also with the extras from Reynolds, pulled them back to 12-12.
Canterbury never got more than six points ahead. They should have been more expansive in an attempt to stretch their lead, because while Souths were struggling to get their act together the Rabbitohs could at least take solace in the fact they were never too far behind.
It’s going to be very interesting now to see what Sydney Roosters do at home against Melbourne on Saturday night.
If the Roosters build on their form in thrashing the Warriors last weekend and score a good win over the Storm, they will no doubt start favourites at home against the Rabbitohs in the final round.
We could even see a scenario where that game is for the minor premiership, if the Roosters beat the Storm and Penrith win on the road against Manly on Sunday.
The Panthers have a lot of injuries, and would have to improve significantly on their discipline and last-play options from last Monday’s loss to the Storm, but an upset win over the Sea Eagles is a possibility.
The Sea Eagles are in a funk. They looked headed for the minor premiership for sure until the last three rounds, in which they have lost to Souths, barely beaten Gold Coast and lost to Parramatta.
The worry for Sea Eagles fans is whether it’s just a flat spot or whether the various dramas at the club have finally affected the team’s form.
If it is the latter, then there is precious little time for everyone to come together again in time to mount a finals campaign capable of taking the team all the way to the title.
The Roosters really do look to hold the key at the moment. They appear to be hitting top form at the perfect time and will be looking forward to playing quality opponents like the Storm.
Of course, if the Roosters lose that game, we’ll have to go back to square one and weigh things up all over again.
Brendan
Guest
Why dont you prove they were photos celebrating injuries? and actually come up with something other than "Its in several articles and the media"? Because no where have i found anything to substantiate your claims? You go on and on about Souths being cited by the judiciary and players being suspended and how they are coached to do it. So going by your theory, Toovey coached Fa'aso and King to tip Inglis on his head? As the truth said, you are a world class dribbler and a broken record... Go find a new stat to harp on about...
Gumbo Rabbit
Guest
You blokes who are employable talk down to Souths fans.
Alex
Guest
Some clubs have wrestling coaches, but only Souths have had 7 players on report over the last month for attacking the joints of opponents with illegal wrestling holds. That is a fact. 7 players from 4 games. Another fact is that Souths haven't won anything for 43 years and thus the sourness of long suffering fans. The roadkill photos were celebrating injuring opponents. Another fact.
The truth
Guest
All clubs have wrestling coaches, coaches that are trained in mma and they pass on this to the players. The so called crusher tackle in the manly game should never have been on report so that's 2 off that list of 5. Agree with the chicken wing but again all clubs do it. You're a dribbler Alex, the road kill photos are of players ironed out after big legitimate hits, not of defenceless injured players being hurt. It's like watching a big hit continually to rev yourself up.You want to stamp out something, stamp out the shite ennis carries on with and uneducated comments like yours.
jack
Guest
I WOULD LIKE TO ASK THE COACH WHY SOUTHS WITH A TALENTED BACKLINE CONTINUE TO BASH THE OPPOSITION UP FRONT, I AM SORRY BUT THE END RESULT IS MASSIVE INJURIES TO YOUR FORWARD PACK WHICH INCLUDES THE BURGESS BROTHERS, FOR GOD SAKE USE YOUR BACKLINE, LOOK WHAT HAPPENED WHEN YOU PLAYED NEWCASLE THEN TAKE A LOOK AT LAST NIGHTS GAME IN THE END FORWARD BASHING WILL FIND YOU OUT JACK
Muzz
Guest
The forearm/elbow to the face has to be rubbed out OR you should be able to defend yourself.As it stands, it's an a easy way to hurt someone laying defenceless on their back.
speedy2460
Guest
Is there a conflict of interest when the referee in charge has his brother as the 3rd umpire?
Alex
Guest
The last 4 game period is being selective? How so? Souths have had 7 players charged over the last 4 weeks....more than any other team. You are being ridiculous saying that this isn't relevant. The difference between us is that I am talking about proven charges warranting suspensions, while you are whinging about trivial allegations that nobody has been charged with and at worst earn a penalty. You should stop clutching at straws, Brendan, because you are not doing it very well.
Liatrevlis
Guest
Mate it's simple , watch a game , listen to the same ole on ch9 and the conclusion is there , NRL sold it's soul to ch9 and Fox , and are to busy counting there $$$$ to notice the games gone south , wrestling rubbish , refs rubbish , rule change rubbish , scheduling rubbish , ASADA rubbish , etc etc
Brendan
Guest
You have selectively picked a 1 month period and keep banging on about it like a salvation army drum. Give it a rest. The judiciary record of most clubs is appalling. And dont tell me every penalty in a game is for "offside". Its often for foul play. Did you see Ennis rubbing his elbow into Reynolds face last night? Isnt this just as grubby as the antics you keep highlighting again and again?
Judge Holden
Roar Guru
Speak up Ralpie, I'm a little hard on reading.
Judge Holden
Roar Guru
When will the judiciary get it right. They threw the book at McClean but since then there has been a spate of players let off easy. The officials need to grow some cajones and stamp this out. Another example of the N'SW'RL conspiracy. Ridiculous ruling.
Alex
Guest
The broken record is Souths...7 players charged over the last month. You are talking about penalties for off-side. I am speaking about foul play. Wrestling holds that injure players by attacking their joints. The judiciary record of Souths under Maguire is appalling.
steveng
Guest
Rubbish you must have had your one eyed glasses on or the +45 magnified Bulldog specs
Jake
Guest
Haha, I dunno, while I was reading that whole comment, I was screaming it in my head.
Parrafan
Guest
Lol I said it last night Eagle. 1 week, 2 weeks maximum as he is from Souths. The judiciary are incompetent.
eagleJack
Guest
Just saw that Squid. Grade 1?!?!? Absolutely ridiculous. I have often defended the judiciary because their hands are tied by the incompetent MRC who consistently get the gradings wrong. And they have stuffed up again. Now ANY player charged with a Grade 2 will show video evidence of Reynolds' tackle and get a downgrade. That was not a Grade 1 dangerous tackle. I was thinking it was a Grade 3 based on other tackles from this year. But would have understood a Grade 2. However, a Grade 1 is just plain wrong. Obviously stamping out lifting tackles has gone of the "To Do" list.
Alex
Guest
Souths have had 7 players suspended in the last month. Disgusting. Roadkill Maguire should hang his head in shame.
cedric
Guest
pity Reynolds wasn't there. It would be worth it just to watch him and Ennis. Luke lay upside down for a while waiting for the ref to call something dangerous, I'm sure bunnies forwards thought a penalty was coming cause they didn't rush in to help Luke, nothing happened so he got mad and kicked out. I think the judicury should look at 3 things; 1. maybe a crusher from Ennis. 2. and then dangerous kicking by luke. 3. and then a ref who wasn't aware of what was happening in front of him. Lastly it appears if you bug the refs they leave you alone they just don't want the dramas that you give them. And how far is Inglis allowed to walk off the mark, I'd say 2 metres!
Alex
Guest
The bogan dwarf was on stilts and jumped into it.