The first try of the 2014 NRL Grand Final was scored by Alex Johnston in the 20th minute.
After being denied an early try the Rabbitohs continued to push in the opening quarter of the match.
The Bulldogs defence stood strong, until Alex Johnston was able to sneak a try in close to the sideline following a quick pass from Kirisome Auva’a.
The first chance to score came in the fourth minute of the match when the Rabbitohs forced an error and came just metres from crossing.
In the sixth minute Lote Tuqiri crossed for what Rabbitohs fans thought would be the opening try of the match, however a high hit from Adam Reynolds in the preceding play saw the try disallowed.
The try would have seen Tuqiri become the first try scorer in two grand finals that were played 14-years apart.
The South Sydney Rabbitohs arrived at the 2014 Grand Final looking to break the NRL’s most famous premiership drought, having failed to secure a premiership since 1971.
They entered the match as strong favourites following an impressive 10-point victory against minor premiers, the Sydney Roosters, in the preliminary final.
South Sydney’s run into the 2014 NRL finals also inspired confidence, arriving off the back of a stretch of 10 matches during which they only dropped two games.
The Bulldogs entered the match without their leader, Michael Ennis, after he was ruled out of the match with a foot injury sustained in their preliminary final win against the Penrith Panthers.
charlie forova
Guest
Winner of the game is
Professor Rosseforp
Guest
I would have liked a replay of Tuquiri's grounding of the ball in the no-try -- my initial impression was it may not have been grounded, but would have liked to see it from another angle. Would also have liked some comment on the pass to Johnston when he scored -- looked forward to me -- but Canterbury has been throwing the ball forward from many of their play-the-balls -- euphemistically described as "fairly flat"