Souths have run out 24-10 winners over the ladder-leading St George Illawarra Dragons. Here are the five happiest people after the surprise win.
Anthony Seibold
After an inconsistent start to the year, the South Sydney side are playing like giant-killers and look headed for a cosy position in the top eight. Seibold would be smiling from ear to ear after watching his crew overpower and outclass the Dragons across the field. He’ll be hoping that this is just the beginning.
He has the team playing with confidence and their license to roam makes them one of the more exciting teams to watch in 2018. Greg Inglis is back in form, Cody Walker is dynamic in attack and his giant pack made the Dragons’ look second-class.
Brad Fittler
NSW Blues coach Fittler would have been pleased to see the form of Tyson Frizell in a losing side. Unlike a few of his Dragons’ teammates, he could hold his head high after the significant loss. And he showed impressive pace in his 80-metre runaway try. He’ll be one of Freddy’s first forward picks.
Fittler will also be excited by the form of Souths’ middleman Damien Cook. He continues to carve up sides in the middle of the park with evasive footwork and blistering speed. He proved his worth against the Dragons, looking dangerous with every scamper.
Trent Robinson
The Roosters’ coach will be rubbing his hands with glee at the prospect of snaring 22-year-old Angus Crichton for next year. He shone against the Dragons.
With an inconsistent pack, Robinson can hardly wait to inject the energetic Rabbit into his engine room in 2019. He offers speed, size and the ability to run a great line in attack – just the kind of player Cooper Cronk is waiting for.
Sam Burgess
The tough Englishman has only played one game in the last month due to suspensions. So he’ll be delighted that he made it through the full 80 minutes without a hint of being reported for foul play or a careless high tackle.
He’ll also being licking his lips at the prospect of a Rabbits’ resurgence, with his brothers in arms partying like it was 2014 all over again. The Burgess clan looked damaging and unstoppable.
Sam Burgess of the Rabbitohs. (AAP Image/Richard Wainwright)
Damien Cook
The South Sydney hooker dominated the game against the high-flying Dragons and won the battle over Cameron McInnes, who is favoured to snare the starting position for the Blues. Cook will have Fitler thinking about the hooker role just that little bit harder after this meeting.
Cook, who ironically made his debut as a Dragon, outplayed McInnes thanks to a massive effort from the Souths’ pack. Before the game began Cook has amassed an impressive 377 tackles for the year (compared to McInnes at 321) and he showed his toughness in defence once more. He’s ready for Origin.
The other people that would be happy are the Panthers’ and Warriors’ fans who would have seen their sides slip behind the Dragons on the ladder.
With Souths’ showing up the Dragons this week, the competition is looking more open than ever. That’s got to make everyone happy.
Jay Ross
Roar Guru
I just read that they've won 6 out of the last 8 games which is impressive.
Big Daddy
Guest
He's probably upset because he didn't get a personal invite. Now you have given him something to whinge about.
Ray Paks
Roar Rookie
The bunnies were the better team, simple as that! But 1 single great game and they're the bench mark ? dream hard all you want! The Dragons are still the bench mark, still on top of the ladder, still premiership favorites! They'll bounce back and they'll bounce back good and proper! Souths turned up but you can't help but concede they'll drop a few more games just like they did against the Broncos, as that is how they operate. They do well against a great team but tend to put in lackluster performances against other teams that are not going so good.. only time will tell in the coming weeks..
Fanta
Guest
Angus is a proud Rooster junior.
ja ja klazo
Guest
Crichton is just coming back to where he belongs.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Yeah, the Dogs were a great side that year, the GF was a beauty and so very close, until, the turning point, when McCarthy intercepted and scored that try to win it for us 12-10. Les John, Johnny Greavess and Kevin Ryan were all great player and had allot to do with the Dogs getting there that year, even though, the Dogs didn't do that well in 1968.
Emcie
Roar Guru
;)
The Barry
Roar Guru
It won’t last. Emcie’s gracious silence I mean ?
The Barry
Roar Guru
Lucky the Dogs knocked the Dragons out of the semis...
Jay Ross
Roar Guru
Thanks for commenting Ivan - although I think this Dragons' side is different to other years. They're still dangerous, it just didn't click on the weekend. I'm confident it's not the start of a significant decline like previous years. Hunt played injured as did De Belin, who is trying to hide an injury from Freddy.
Jay Ross
Roar Guru
You may be right Paul. Every week, any team can win - it's all about attitude and sometimes revenge. Maybe this was a one-off, but it does look like the rabbits have a team with few weaknesses, now that Sam Burgess is back. I suppose I'm just surprised that they're well into the 8 - I thought they would bomb this year. Cook is a game-breaker and their backs are dangerous.
Con Scortis
Roar Guru
I wrote at 10.39am, "I like it when people quote themselves".
Con Scortis
Roar Guru
I like it when people quote themselves.
steveng
Roar Rookie
TB, I'll tell you a funny story about the Dragons in 1967, my mate Jimmy (who was a die hard Saints supporter) was bagging me (and I got a hiding, from him, about previous years) about Souths and that, his Dragons 'are going to go 12 up'. We went to every game between the Dragons and Bunnies at SCG, gee those were the days! The Dragons didn't win 'one game' against the Bunnies in 1967, even though, the Dragons, got the minor premiership just, Dragons 33 pts Bunnies 32 pts, that's with Raper, Gasnier, Smith, King and Changa at their peak, while the Bunnies were coming down from some very ordinary seasons, from previous years. its not the same in 2018 but, I got a good feeling about 'my Bunnies this year and next year!!!!
Bunney
Roar Rookie
What about Emcie? He went out on a limb pre-season and said the Rabbits would finish top 5. He's being very gracious in his silence,
SteveSyd
Guest
I would suggest Damien Cook was being very kind and a great sportsman when wrapping Farah for his influence. Cook was excellent before Farah came to Souths but Maguire persisted with Farah to the dismay of the majority of Souths fans and it showed in their performance last year. As much as I loved Maguire for bringing us a premiership, something went amiss with him after that and his persistence with Farah over Cook confirmed as one of the reasons he had to go. So far this year has proved that.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Lets not forget, the Dragons had most of the posetion and meterage, lots of decisions went their way (even though the penalties were 8-8) what else do you want? Dragons below par? The reason the Dragons were 'below par' is because the Bunnies 'made then that way'! The Dragons couldn't score and the Bunnies defence was outstanding, all the Burgie bros were outstanding, the Dragons were outplayed all game and their middle was smashed and very very ordinary. The first Frizell try was a fluke and that was about it, the score should have been, 32 Bunnies and 6 max, the Dragons. .
SteveSyd
Guest
I can understand Robinson being excited about Crighton going over next year year and that typifies what the roosters are all about. With the big signings this year they were always 'gonna' but not looking that way after 10 rounds including the win over the Warriors missing Johnson and Luke. Will need to poach a few more Souths players for next year. Won't be surprised if they change their jersey to myrtle and green like the 3 name changes to their club over the past 15 years.
steveng
Roar Rookie
Mate, I always knew that the Bunnies were 'Specials' for this game. I was that confident that I put quite a few bob on them at 3-1! And, after 'Tyson Frizell' try, in the 77th minute, score 20-4, I even said to 'Emcie' comment of 'Games not won yet rabbits, you still have to defend when the other guys have the ball' and my reply was 'No worries Emcie we’ve got this in the bag, one more try for the Bunnies coming up' how's that for telepathy with my Bunnies lol great win for us and next will be the Cows! Go the Bunnies, you beauties!!!!
kk
Guest
Agreed Paul. Hunt played as though hurt in the head. Then his shoulder seized. Widdopp's game seemed to trend into the ordinary.