South Sydney’s attack has never been so good, with Cody Walker and Adam Reynolds propelling the Rabbitohs to the best ten-week run in the club’s proud 112-year history.
In an ominous sign for semi-final rivals Parramatta, AAP can reveal the Rabbitohs 349 points since Round 12 is easily their most amassed over such a period.
In that time they have chalked up scores of 60 against the Sydney Roosters, 56 against Manly, 46 against Newcastle and three other scores over 30.
It has also helped the club to their best ever attacking year, with their 27 points per game narrowly beating the average of 26 Clive Churchill helped them to in 1954.
With Reynolds and Walker at the helm, their record stands up against teams that included the likes of Harold Horder, Benny Wearing, Ron Coote and Ian Moir.
“It (the attack) is probably up there with the best its ever been,” Reynolds said on Wednesday, speaking of his nine seasons at the club.
“In previous years we have had great attack but we haven’t had a Plan B or Plan C. If things don’t go right these days we can quickly flick the switch.
“That’s something we have learnt in those previous years.”
It’s just the third time in the club’s history they have chalked up 300 points in a ten-game streak.
The last time that happened, it culminated in their drought-breaking 2014 grand final success.
But this side’s attack under Wayne Bennett is suddenly more threatening, with Reynolds and Walker regularly linking up on both sides of the ruck and catching opponents short.
And it comes in a finals series that looks set to be a points-scoring shootout.
“Wayne is just encouraging us to get together play some footy,” Reynolds said.
“He loves it when we link up together and challenge the opposition. Our structures allow us to do that and it’s great free-flowing footy.
“It’s good to be able to jump around wherever you want.”
Perhaps the most underrated part of Souths’ attack is how they have adapted to Latrell Mitchell’s absence.
When he went down in Round 16, many believed that would be the end of their run.
But instead, they have somehow gone to another level with ball in hand.
Reynolds and Walker have combined directly on the same side of the ruck in the lead up to ten tries in the five games since Mitchell went down.
Walker himself has also scored three of his own moving across to the right edge in the past two weeks, adding he feels more confident now than ever before.
“Wayne encouraged myself and Renno to float around together and play a little more footy together (since Mitchell went down),” Walker said.
“I’ve worked with Renno since 2016 in my debut year. I have played a lot of footy with Renno, we have a connection not many halves combinations have.
“We just try to make a conscious effort to connect with each other when we get opportunities in good ball.”
2020: 349 points
2014: 304 points
2010: 300 points
2009: 295 points
2013: 291 points
1954: 287 points
2012: 283 points
1910: 282 points
Nat
Roar Rookie
Good comment. Very hard to plan a defensive structure when Souths have no set attacking structure. Good luck to Gutho trying to follow Walker around the park.
Albo
Roar Rookie
I think the 2020 rule changes have been sorted out now by Souths , and the up tempo option suits their game. Their pack is pretty mobile up the middle, led by Cook & Murray with newbies Sironen , Su'A & Koloamatangi maintaining the tempo. This gives the halves plenty of scope to run both sides of the ruck, where Walker in particular is finding out confused defences. Opposition defensive coaches have their work cut out preparing their teams to counter Souths multi location attacks put on by Murray, Cook, Reynolds & Walker.
Big Daddy
Guest
Paul, also what you have to take into consideration is there were only 10 teams (Sydney teams) and defence wasn't exactly a premium in those days.
Paul
Roar Guru
So this team beat a record from 1954 when tries were worth 3 points. Not sure what to think about that, given 6 of those last 9 games were against sides outside the top 8? Credit where it's due though, they're certainly playing a pretty brand of footy at present
Big Mig
Roar Rookie
Just imagine if Jimmy The Jet and Latrell Mitchell were on the field too. The impressive bit about these last 10 games is that the Rabbitohs attack is unpredictable, they can strike all across the park, love the left edge, can go through the middle and on the right just as easily. Also in the last few matches (scoring dozens of tries), few have come from kicks – this is surprising given Reynolds is the best ball kicker in the game. Maybe there is another gem or two coming up in the finals that we are yet to see. Great to watch.
Nat
Roar Rookie
All very true but they made it thise far last year. Leading try scorer is just a story on Mad Monday.