The South Sydney Rabbitohs will be looking to break out of their form slump when they take on the high-flying Manly Sea Eagles in a Monday night clash at Allianz Stadium. Join us on The Roar from 7pm to follow all of the action.
Things seem to be going from bad to worse for the South Sydney Rabbitohs both on and off the field at the moment.
Coming off a 20-point loss to the Broncos, which was their sixth defeat in a row, the Rabbitohs’ finals hopes are all but gone.
For a team that includes plenty of legitimate stars, the men from South Sydney have been struggling to put wins on the board in 2016 and this has seen the pressure around their coach and stars players rise sharply.
A good way to relieve some of this pressure will be to win some games and tonight is a great opportunity to do so.
After a sluggish start to the season, things currently seem to be clicking into gear for the Manly Sea Eagles.
Although they are only being labelled as just a mathematical chance to play finals this season – a code for unlikely if ever there was one – their recent form will have their confidence building.
With the majority of their best 17 able to front up each week at the moment, the fruit of Trent Barrett’s labours through the early part of the season is starting to show.
Look for Daly Cherry-Evans and Jamie Lyon to be doing everything they can to lead their team in the best way possible from the halves.
In a welcome sight for Rabbitohs fans, star halfback Adam Reynolds has been named to make his return from injury as well as Bryson Goodwin, who comes into the centres at the expense of Ed Murphy.
For the Sea Eagles, Nate Myles has been named to return on an extended bench while Brayden Wiliame returns from suspension at the expense of Brad Parker.
A ripping battle to keep an eye out for in this game will be between the two big locks in Sam Burgess for South Sydney and Jake Trbojevic for Manly.
Prediction
Winning form is good form so the Sea Eagles get my tip, but this game will be a tough contest.
Sea Eagles by four.
Can the Rabbitohs find some much-needed form or will the Sea Eagles keep their finals hopes alive? Join us on The Roar from 7pm (AEST) to find out.
Simmo
Guest
Clint Gutherson?
Johnybulldog
Guest
Good on ya mate :)
manlydes
Guest
Bravo manly great effort. Lewis brown is not a first grader but who else can we out in there. We should look at getting another decent winger. looked great in the 1st half. 2nd not so much but the refs I blame for this. next week knights at bookie I think lol
Jason Hosken
Roar Guru
We got there JB! There'll be more than September on my plate, wha heyyy!
Muzz
Guest
Can someone please let Ashley Klein(Video ref) know that a representative from sport$ bet is waiting at gate C with his brown paper bag.
Johnybulldog
Guest
Cheers mate i was a tad lucky but ill take it!
Muzz
Guest
Maguire is gooooooooooooooone Cleary to take over next season.
JVGO
Guest
Yep. it is becoming easier to score from 40 metres out than 10 because the hold down close to the line is just ridiculous.
Widget
Roar Guru
I agree, a couple of huge forward passes went unpunished
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Roar Guru
Hahaha well done mate, glad I could be a part of it.
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Roar Guru
I totally agree with this. Only a matter of time before referees start sending off players after teams give away multiple penalties in a row deep in defence.
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Roar Guru
Match Summary South Sydney Rabbitohs 12 def. by Manly Sea Eagles 20 The Manly Sea Eagles have kept their finals dreams alive with a hard fought eight-point win over the South Sydney Rabbitohs. A big first half by the in form Sea Eagles helped set up a crucial win at Allianz Stadium. Manly got off to a dream start when Daly Cherry-Evans found Jamie Lyon who stepped through a gap in the Rabbitohs defence to score. The two sides then settled into a rhythm and went set for set, trying to gain the ascendancy in the game. In the 24th minute the Seas Eagles shifted the ball left with some slick passes and Jorge Taufua capped it off by scoring in the corner. With their forwards dominating up front, the Sea Eagles play makers looked dangerous in every set, in particular Tom Trbojevic who continued to run the ball hard. Their lead was soon extended to 18 points when Jamie Buher put in a great run and found Tom Trbojevic who was there in support and the young full back scored. This saw Manly take an 18-point lead at half time, with the Rabbitohs struggling to put together any attack as a result of too many errors. After getting a chance to refresh and regroup, South Sydney got their act together early in the second half and they finally hit the scoreboard when Adam Reynolds scored. Just six minutes later Cody Walker came up with a great run to get South Sydney into an attacking position and just a couple of tackles later Reynolds put in a grubber kick into the vacant in goal area and Walker pounced on it to score and reduce the margin to just six points with under 30 minutes to play. With momentum behind them, the Rabbitohs continued to attack hard and just when it looked as if Joe Burgess had shaken off a tough night to score, the bunker controversially over ruled the on field referee's decision of a try when it was sent to them after they believed Burgess lost the ball when attempting to ground it. Manly took full advantage of this let off to go down the other end and score a penalty goal to push the lead out to eight points and despite the best efforts of the Rabbitohs that is where it would stay as time ran out. The win keeps the Sea Eagles' slim hopes of playing finals alive as they head into the run home, while for South Sydney they will be looking to upset a few other teams now their own finals dreams are done and dusted. Hard to pick the vote getters in a game with momentum swings like this one. Jamie Lyon was instrumental in this victory for Manly with his kicking and passing game setting up the Sea Eagles attack perfectly all night long. This kid Tom Trbojevic is going from strength to strength and he had another huge night with 196 metres, one line break and one try as he helped set up the win. There were a few factors in the second half resurgence of the Rabbitohs but the key was Cody Walker who defended desperately while also creating plenty of chances in attack as he ran the ball hard and scored a crucial try. Votes: 3 Jamie Lyon 2 Tom Trbojevic 1 Cody Walker
Mike from tari
Guest
Now Souths have been" bunkered".
V.O.R.
Guest
Repeated red zone infringements are taking away from the spectacle that NRL can be. That should have been an electric cliff hanger tonight..instead repeated red zone infringements destroyed the rhythm. When are we going to get the 5 min sin bin?
Johnybulldog
Guest
Get to bed Jas n dream of September mate!
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Roar Guru
A cracking second half of action there with Manly hanging on for a tight win. That no try call against Joe Burgess will go down as a big factor. Manly continue their bid for a finals spot while for the Rabbitohs there dreams of September action are finished. Who deserves the votes? Where was the game won and lost? Thanks for joining me on the coverage tonight. Stay tuned for my match report and votes.
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Roar Guru
FULL TIME Cherry-Evans kicks down field and Walker brings it back to the 40. South Sydney almost get through a gap but come up with a turnover. Manly run out the clock after a knock on by the Rabbitohs when trying to intercept a pass. Rabbitohs 12 Sea Eagles 20
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Roar Guru
'78 The Rabbitohs looked dangerous there. They run it on the last and Walker loses it while trying to offload. Manly ball on their on 5. Rabbitohs 12 Sea Eagles 20
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Roar Guru
'77 Manly make good metres. Cherry-Evans grubbers it into touch off a deflection. Rabbitohs scrum on their own 30. Rabbitohs 12 Sea Eagles 20
Johnybulldog
Guest
Woo hoo thats all folks,nice call Widgy!