Aaron Gray’s stunning rookie year has continued with the hard-running winger starring in South Sydney’s 20-8 win over Manly at ANZ Stadium on Friday night.
Gray scored two tries and threw the final pass for another as a gritty Souths kept the Sea Eagles anchored to the bottom of the NRL ladder.
Gray scored the Rabbitohs’ opener in the 28th minute after Peta Hiku had scored first for Manly two minutes before.
But it was Gray’s efforts early in the second half that paved the way for Souths’ win.
He flicked a pass inside, that did appear forward, to Bryson Goodwin to put the Rabbitohs ahead 10-4 after 46 minutes.
Gray then scored himself from a John Sutton kick two minutes later as the home side wrested control of the match, against a tough but unlucky Manly.
Gray has scored seven tries in his first eight NRL games and his emergence comes on the back of fellow Bunnies winger Alex Johnston’s sensational rise last season.
Souths’ win is soured somewhat by a concussion to Adam Reynolds who was taken off in the 24th minute.
Tom Symonds (cheekbone) is an injury concern for Manly.
Souths back-rower Glenn Stewart was solid in his return from a thumb injury against his former club, while Rabbitohs props George and Tom Burgess put in two of their better efforts of the year, playing against brother Luke for the first time.
Kieran Foran was one of Manly’s best after spending the week in the headlines due to his contract standoff with Parramatta.
Two first half hits from Jorge Taufua on Dylan Walker and Steve Matai on Dave Tyrrell were contenders for tackle of the year.
Matai gave Manly some hope when he crossed in the 55th from a clever short side play engineered by Foran.
But Luke Keary hit back for the Rabbitohs in the 64th minute from a hot potato pass from Johnston after he chased down the five-eighth’s kick.
Coach Michael Maguire was happy with the effort from Souths, after they recorded their heaviest loss under him in their last outing.
“It was a big turnaround in a couple of weeks ago,” he said.
“It was a tough effort out there, especially in defence when we held them back for 20 or 25 tackles in the first half.”
Manly mentor Geoff Toovey was unhappy Goodwin’s try was overturned by the video referee.
“I can’t talk about it and I can’t explain it,” he said.
Toovey said Manly’s error rate cruelled them.
“We let them back in with a some silly mistakes,” Toovey said.
“I thought we dominated them in the first half but they came out with more enthusiasm after half time and came away with the win.”
3 Hats
Guest
Not so silver boy At this time last year Souths are in exactly in the same position 20pts and one bye in hand Last season in Rd 17 smashed Titans, this year Penrith Rd 18 Bye, this year Bye Rd 19 smashed Parra, this year Dragons and so on We still have Turner and Auva'a to come back. littleredrooster your a joke, we will smash the Chooks also!
3 Hats
Guest
I have my referees ticket, the hands were definitely angled in a backwards direction. It doesn't matter if it floats forward or if it hits the ground and then bounces forward. I remember when I first become a ref, my mentor Keith Page told me to watch the direction the hands are pointing. If you watch the pass from the reverse angle, it is clear, he passed it in a backwards motion! The ref's missed many forward passes in this game, Manly's second try was from a dead set forward pass! S. Matai
silvertailboy
Guest
Hyperbole Steveng. At this time last year Souths were playing like contenders. Not so this year. They will make the semis but will not win the comp. Manly will not make the semis (and do not deserve to).
3 Hats
Guest
The second try was from a dead-set forward pass.
3 Hats
Guest
What are you going on about Jasper? I am a Souths man and those 2 tackles were fantastic. I just got up and clapped them. It remind me of some good hits from the Bygone eras. Isaac's new nickname at the Souths recovery session is Doctor Luke because of his hospital pass to Superman.
Tom G
Guest
Maybe they could use rugby golden oldie rules where the wearers of red and green aren't allowed to be tackled at all
Tom G
Guest
Amen to that! Annus Horribilus... And that doesn't mean nasty butt!
steveng
Roar Rookie
That's what everyone said last year about Souths but ill agree with you on Manly. Its too early to make those sorts of predictions.
Jason Hosken
Guest
I'm an Eagle sympathiser, V-Man but Goodwin's play had no bearing on the result. Manly too light up front to go with Souths over 80. Eags made in roads down the edges early but eventually the engine room has to engage their opponent in centre field. Can't fault the effort as all eyes look to the recruiting office. Special mention to Jorge - great yards in own half and Jake T another impressive outing.
Mike from Tari
Guest
Nor will the Rooters, sorry roosters.
littleredrooster
Guest
Neither Souths or Manly will figure in the prelims.
Dane
Guest
DCE played well.... $1 million well spent.
V.O.R.
Guest
I don't agree. The aerial I saw shows the ball land a hands length from the try-line. I know the video ref couldn't rule on a forward pass but Manly were asking for a knock-on. I was interested in the letter of the law. Pre video refs it was straight forward.
Jasper
Guest
My posts are, but what the NRL's rule changes have done to the game is no joke.
Buster
Guest
Is this a joke?
Bear54
Guest
The Souths winger threw the ball backwards and it bounced forward after hitting the ground. That's legal so the try was given. The camera view above the event displayed it perfectly. Of course Toovey blew up about. Had it been a try for Manly he wouldn't have said boo.
Jasper
Guest
And marty Tapau's fend needs to go as well.
Con Scortis
Roar Guru
You raise some good points EJ. I would go further and say we need to put padding on players' hips. Maybe a giant marshmallow on each leg. This would address issues like the way Feleti Mateo knocked out Adam Reynolds by deliberately putting his hip in front of Reyno's head. If Mateo had cushioning on his hip Reyno's head would have just bounced off.
Con Scortis
Roar Guru
They were ripper tackles Jasper and I saw no Souths players complaining. Dave Tyrell even gave Matai a compliment after the match. and Dylan Walker simply said he was hit by a great shot. If the Souths players weren't complaining then neither should you mate.
Steve
Guest
Well the bottom line is that if the ref thought it was a forward pass he should have ruled that live. The video ref can't rule on that. Cechin is a hopeless referee...seems he barely knows the rules. I thought they were playing gridiron for a while there with the amount of forward passé let go. One from Foran in the first half must have been thrown a metre forward.