South Sydney have vowed to put Sunday night’s golden-point agony behind them when they attempt to get their finals hopes back on track in Friday night’s clash with Wests Tigers.
The Rabbitohs thought they had beaten Gold Coast in Perth on Sunday when Adam Reynolds nailed a 20m field goal in golden-point extra time.
But South Sydney’s ecstasy quickly turned to agony when the video referee denied the winning point because of a Nathan Brown obstruction.
Minutes later, the Titans were celebrating a 29-28 win when Ash Taylor kicked truly in the second half of extra time.
The result put a major dent in South Sydney’s title hopes, with the Rabbitohs now precariously placed in ninth position with a 5-7 record.
South Sydney were fortunate to even take Sunday’s game to extra time after falling behind 18-0 early in the second half.
Coach Michael Maguire was left fuming after watching his team commit a number of unforced errors, saying their inability to complete sets on a regular basis was something they needed to fix.
But he said the player group would move on quickly from the heartbreaking nature of their loss to Gold Coast.
“We’ve got a very professional group of players,” Maguire said.
“It’s a pretty simple fix if individuals look after the ball and we put pressure on the opposition.
“If we hang on to the ball and we get our plays on, we’d be sitting here in a different situation.”
Utility back Luke Keary was on crutches after the game with a rolled ankle, but he remains a chance to take on Wests Tigers in what’s shaping as a must-win encounter.
Gold Coast (6-6) have now won three games on the trot, with their thrilling win over the Rabbitohs lifting them into eight spot.
And although coach Neil Henry isn’t getting carried away just yet, he said the win over South Sydney could prove crucial in his team’s fate.
“It’s a massive swing, losing or winning one of these games. I’m just glad we were on the winning side,” Henry said.
“We’re starting to trust each other with what we’re trying to do out there and build a bit of confidence.”
Nathan Peats hurt his elbow against the Rabbitohs, but the reserve hooker is expected to be available for Saturday night’s clash with his former club Parramatta.
andrew
Guest
No its done to deter Ch 9 from wanting to cover the match due to the increased costs and logistics of getting their staff over there. We get three rounds a year when Souths aren't taking up one of the elusive FTA spots - their two byes and this one, so let us have it please.
Marvel
Guest
Do we have to put up with a South home game in Perth each year so Packer can advertise his Perth Casino. This is the only reason he bought in and gives the Titans a legup as well..
Steve C
Guest
Rabbits were (again) their own worst enemy. How Maguire can keep saying how professional the group is when they make school boy errors week after week amazes me. Their completion rates at half time get invariably blamed for defeats most occasions - how can they not address this? The Burgess boys are the worst!
Dutski
Roar Guru
Geez Keary has gone from 'premiership winning 5/8' to 'utility back' extremely quickly...
Con Scortis
Roar Guru
Hi Wascally, how are you buddy? Alex L has a congenital hatred of Souths and regularly lets it be known on any blog involving the Rabbitohs. For example, it seems that any penalty given to Souths is "the ref helping the Rabbitohs again". Just ignore it - easier that way.
Wascally Wabbit
Guest
A L where is all this whine whine whine from Souths supporters?
Alex L
Roar Rookie
James had his shoulders square, his feet may not have been but there's no clear shot of it.
Steve
Guest
3. James wasn't square at marker....he was offside, so technically that's a penalty right there. The point is that they police some parts of the ruck but not others. Its totally inconsistent.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Whine whine whine about the refs from Souths supporters. 1. The controversial set started from a non-existent lost ball from Paasi. 2. On tackle 2 of that set Brown should've been penalised for stomping on the groin of Paasi who was rolling away from a tackle. 3. The infringement by Brown on James occurred before any of the offside players got within 10 of Reynolds, hence it was the first infringement. 4. None of the so called blockers on the Titans successful kick actually prevented any Souths players getting to Taylor.
Brendan
Guest
If you watch the replay the Titans are 2 metres offside Theres photos all over social media showing it
The eye
Guest
No, a draw wouldn't have been a fair result...Souths were fantastic for the final 20 minutes,but out fundamentalized for the other 70 mins..
turbodewd
Roar Guru
Burgi LOL
turbodewd
Roar Guru
what a beatup. im a fan of GPoint its more footy, who doesn't want to see more footy?!
steveng
Roar Rookie
We've been telling that to the NRL for years! Nothing will be done, its all onto deaf ears and the NRL couldn't give a stuff, they always take the easy way out and 'golden points' is a classic example of that! What other sport in the world has 'golden points' in a regular competition game? None and the NRL together with the mess of SOO is a competition that other sports only laugh at and about!
Steve
Guest
I agree to some extent. Brown definitely impeded Ryan....then again if you look at the replay Ryan was never square at marker either....he was clearly offside if you want to get technical. And if that's the case then that was the first infringement and should have been penalised. Its just all so inconsistent...no wonder the fans get confused.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
Knocking back the Bunnies field goal was a fair call. On the other hand, the Titans also had blockers which interfered. Get rid of golden point. It was a great game. An early onslaught from the Titans then a classic fightback. A draw would have been a fair result.
Steve
Guest
Souths would have flogged the Titans 2 years back. You're never going to beat anyone turning over the ball 15 times. Have the Burgi got some congenital defect that prevents them from holding onto the ball?? Its getting embarrassing.....great players generally but that was just schoolboy stuff from them.
Sid
Guest
I agree whats wrong with a draw? except for finals If you are 6 points down and score in the final seconds its worth a win.
MAX
Guest
Q. What do Souths spray on their hands? A. Butter. The Burgess clan have been great for RL but their ball handling skills are C grade. Fix that and they are contenders. Cody Walker is something else.
Harvey Wilson
Roar Rookie
Can we just get rid of golden point once and for all! Nothing wrong with a draw!