Premiership favourites St George Illawarra have been brought back to earth by South Sydney after they were upset 24-10 at ANZ Stadium on Sunday.
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Final score
South Sydney Rabbitohs 24
St George Illawarra Dragons 10
The St George Illawarra Dragons are flying high, and they’ll need to call on all the stops if they’re to continue their hot streak against the ever-improving South Sydney Rabbitohs when they clash in a Sunday afternoon blockbuster. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 2pm AEST.
When these two sides last met a month ago, it was a thriller. The Bunnies went down by four, but looked every bit the part against a Red V side that is being locked in to go deep into September already.
On that night, South Sydney were left cursing a lack of execution in attack. However, this afternoon spells a different tale.
Greg Inglis grows each week. Alex Johnston is one of the form fullbacks in the NRL, while halves Walker and Reynolds are humming on the back of a forward pack that is finally getting some good go-forward.
Add to that the link of potential Blues hooker Damien Cook, and you’ve got the recipe for a side that could pull a swifty on the Dragons this afternoon.
That being said, the Dragons are playing unbelievable football at this stage of the season. Their forward pack for mine is easily the best in the competition.
Tyson Frizell, Tariq Sims and Jack De Belin are animals, and Paul Vaughan and James Graham need nothing said about them.
Ben Hunt has embraced his role as the assistant to Gareth Whiddop, and looks outstanding when he’s distributing and playing serviceman, rather than trying to do it all himself. Matthew Dufty is a jet, and his matchup with the aforementioned Johnston will be a belter.
Prediction
The Rabbitohs will give this game a proper shake. I’m not sure whether they have the legs, or attacking weapons to beat a Dragons team hell-bent on making statements each week. I’m tipping the Dragons to win it, but it’ll be a slog.
Dragons by 8.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 2pm AEST.
Ray Paks
Roar Rookie
Impressive win to the bunnies. the better team won! However in saying that, it would have been 50-0 against another team so the Dragons did well with regard to the final score line. it's back to the drawing board for the dragons, they were taught a lesson and just like they did after the loss to the warriors, they will bounce back in emphatic fashion! I wonder who they're playing next, I'm already almost feeling sorry for them...
Pedro the Saint
Roar Rookie
well done Souths' - well played and coming into some red hot form....
Pickett
Guest
This is one of the most open comps in years. We'll done Sou ffs. Can't believe I said that.
Matt
Guest
This Real Deal tag is getting dished out more often than the bloody sin-bin. Guess what people, half the comp can’t be the Real Deal.
Renegade
Roar Guru
You both said it last year as well lol
Gold Coast Bunny
Guest
Might be a good time. Might be ok to get up for one big performance but with the Cowboys (despite them not travelling well they have been one of our biggest bogey sides) and the Warriors away we will need to do it over the next two weeks as well. That will be our real challenge.
Emcie
Roar Guru
Fair enough, would you want to shuffle around that much of the backline for a corked thigh though?
KenoathCarnt
Guest
I get what you mean tho had to change that original comment.
jamesb
Guest
Dufty i think has played in the halves at lower grades.
Craig
Guest
Fair call
Emcie
Roar Guru
Couldn't help it ;) Is there an option to cash out now?
steveng
Roar Rookie
I did, I said that they were 'SPECIALS' and I have a few bob on them also!
KenoathCarnt
Guest
Yea that is what I meant last week they had a endless penalty count this week it was even and Dragons were useless.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Thanks Emcie 'I did and 3_Hats' also, we must be lol
Craig
Guest
Penalties were 8 all....
Gold Coast Bunny
Guest
Nice wrap for yourself there Emcie. But not even die hard fan like myself picked that today. Well done you deserve the pat on the back (so far)
Emcie
Roar Guru
was there anyone else in the 17 that can cover halfback?
jamesb
Guest
Well played Souths. Best team won. But why did Mary leave Hunt out on the field? Dragons were essentially playing with 12 men. Anyway, Souths are the real deal this year. Their best form since 2014.
KenoathCarnt
Guest
Dragons were exposed for the overrated side they are well played Bunnies. Dragons had to play on a fair penalty count today and were useless.
Emcie
Roar Guru
Geez, you'd have to be an absolute genius to have predicted the Bunnies would be contenders from the pre-season, what a turn around from last year