At 12-0 down after just eight minutes it looked like it was going to be another long night for South Sydney. Mitchell Pearce had crossed for a very soft try and then Anthony Minichiello out-lept Greg Inglis for the Roosters’ second.
There’s been plenty of those in the last 43 years.
Just like last year at the same stage, when they were up 14-0 after just 11 minutes against Manly. They went on to concede 30 points to lose 30-20, helped on by a freakish try from David Williams.
Or in 2012 when the Rabbitohs were leading 8-4 at half-time against the Bulldogs at ANZ, but Adam Reynolds tore his hamstring and Canterbury ran away with it 32-8.
Another opportunity lost.
Or in virtually every season since 1971 when Souths last won a comp, beating St George 16-10. Forty-three years is a long time to wait for another grand final. A painfully, long, long time.
In that period the Rabbitohs have collected wooden spoons in 1990, 2003, 2004 and 2006. Since winning the minor premiership in 1989, the myrtle green and cardinal red have missed the semis in every year from 1990 to 2006 (of course not being in the NRL for the 2000 and 2001 seasons).
That finals drought was finally broken in 2007. Up until then Souths’ fans had become used to being crap, used to being bagged by other fans and used to see their team lose, lose and then lose again.
Things started to change with the takeover by Russell Crowe and Peter Holmes a Court. Money started to come into the club, star players were signed, the coaching improved and so did the culture.
A new era of professionalism started.
The arrivals of Greg Inglis, Sam Burgess and Issac Luke, as well as the emergence of local juniors like Reynolds, Alex Johnston, Dylan Walker and others has helped kick it a long. The capture of Michael Maguire in 2012 from Wigan, replacing John Lang, was the icing on the cake.
Now that Souths have finally killed off their grand final hoodoo, they just have to go and win the thing.
In the past two years the Redfern boys have been haunted and weighed down by pressure and expectation. History is a heavy burden to take on the field with you. This time round they looked focused and disciplined, pumped and ready to write their own history.
The character and discipline they showed to come back from a 12-0 deficit and out-muscle a very good Roosters side – last year’s champions – was impressive.
Built off a brutal forward pack, as they have done all year, they bullied the Tricolours off the park. Luke Keary was impressive, Reynolds solid and Luke pulled the strings in the middle as usual.
But Luke could miss the grand final after being put on report and if he does, it would be a huge loss.
Sam Burgess is on a mission to end his NRL career on a high, not to mention Ben Te’o as well, and they have seasoned pros like Inglis, Lote Tuqiri and Sutton in support. The time is now.
There was no dream rugby league ending for Sonny Bill Williams or Anthony Minichiello. That’s way the footy cookie crumbles.
But Souths can dream for another week. An oh-so elusive premiership is just 80 minutes away. Whether they face the Panthers or the Bulldogs, we are in for a great grand final.
Follow John Davidson on Twitter @johnnyddavidson
robby
Guest
Souths played their GF against the Roosters- The Dogs will play 80 minutes not the 15 minutes the Roosters did in any case
jacksyd
Guest
Souths looked a little flat in some of their set plays and it was a good warm up game against the roosters to have them fully primed and sharp for next week. Lucky for the roosters we weren't at our peak, but thanks for the hit out.
Elma Dudd
Guest
Besides lifting a guy past the horizontal and driving him towards the turf. This is in the script ...he gets suspended , the rabbits lose their way and the dogs grind out a win .
Blues Recovery
Guest
I think time is coming for a purge at the roosters Jared has been a complete liability this year . Frank is gone and Maloney a shadow of the player he was last year Hope Robbo is thinking it's time for generational change especially young Horrie
bearfax
Guest
They look the goods to me. Souths look stronger than either Penrith or the dogs even though Penrith nailed them during the season. For mine they are equal to the dogs forwards and better in the backs and equal to the panthers in the backs and stronger in the forwards. Either way I see the bunnies winning this year by 10 or more
Avatar
Roar Guru
I didn't see anything malicious in that tackle. Importantly, the Roosters player he tackled didn't land on his head.
Tigranes
Guest
I can't believe how well lote is playing...I thought he was past it, at 35, marriag problems, wasn't great towards end of his rugby career...he is a big game players
Bunger
Guest
John Davidson, I'd suggest you check your historical facts before you blog. In 2012 the Bulldogs led the prelim final at half time. As for comments about the Luke tackle "looking worse than it actually was", perhaps they should ask Alex McKinnon about tackles which don't look that bad. Luke is one of the grabbiest players in the game with form doing this sort of thing, if the NRL are serious about stamping out these tackles he misses the GF.
Elma Dudd
Guest
Of course hell get off,
Slatibardfast
Guest
Easts were totally dominated by Souths forwards, All the burgess had great games. JWH confirmed the fact he is a fool. After Moa hurt Auva with a cheap shot JWH comes in with a hit while he is on the ground then jumps about like he achieved something. Absolute grub. Sam Burgess sorted him out a few tackles later hurt JWH in a great hit. Loved that. Ben Teo was brilliant, These Souths guys won't die wondering that's for sure. SBW Easts best, although Burgess boys took care of him all night. Easts we're strong, Souths way stronger. Better team won.
Fairy fairfax
Roar Rookie
If Luke gets off, then another level of farce will be added to the judiciary.
jimbob
Guest
South's where brutal .If they maintain that form in the Grand Final it is there for the taking. Great Game . Just hope Luke gets off it appeared worse than it really was. Go the Bunnies
Peter
Guest
Was game over even when Souths was down 12-6. They won the battle clearly. No Shayne Hayne there as a 14th man to help out the chooks this time. Oh well, now its time to suck it up, just as Cowboys had to last week by the refs. Best forward pack bashing i have seen in a long long time. Glory Glory to South Sydney after 43 years of suffering
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Cracking game, even 12-0 down I was confident they could get back in it, they had no ball at that stage. I think the game was won when Burgess stopped Moa right on halftime, what a tackle. T'eo was an animal, what impact he brought. Everyone chipped in with a really good shift. Important for the Bunnies to forget last night and start again. Madge will get there heads on. I thought Friend, $BW and Mini were the Roosters best. Pearce had a great first half. Congrats to Mini on a fantastic career.
Redneck
Guest
It was one of the two most wonderful things to see and that is to see the bottom feeding routers Easts and Manly belted and sent home with their heads down and their tails between their legs.
Jake
Guest
Apart from Gussy showing his extreme South Sydney bias, that was a ripper! I thought they were done at 12-0. I doubt Penrith or Doggies will touch them in that form. Channel 9 is a disgrace in Vic, immediately after watching that game, they cut straight to some 1975 movie. No post match, nothing, didn't get to see mini say goodbye, nothing, absolutely deflating.
NWR
Guest
What an amazing effort from Souths despite all the rubbish from East especially late in the game. Souths outplayed them across the park so much for the much vaunted Roosters. The final score flattered them. 32 points before a reply from the Roosters was very impressive with the Roosters simply having no answer.