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Following Friday’s victory against the Tigers, Souths find themselves second on the ladder, having won their last four matches and six of their last eight.
After a run of very ordinary form at the start of the year, a roar is growing from Redfern to Botany.
They are also undefeated during the Origin period, an amazing feat given the injuries they have suffered and absence of their Origin stars.
Of course there are still several games to play this weekend and by the end of it the Rabbitohs may have been overtaken by the Panthers, Bulldogs and Roosters, but Souths are amassing an extremely strong points differential, which is worth a win in the final weeks of the season.
While the Rabbitohs have not been spectacular in their recent performances, they have been super tough, and have played with real heart and strong discipline.
They have been led superbly by Sam Burgess and John Sutton. The young brigade led by Dylan Walker, who was sparkling against the Warriors in spite of a broken thumb, have responded in kind.
Against the Tigers we witnessed an efficient if not spectacular performance. Through the relentless go-forward of their pack, the Bunnies never looked like being beaten. A lot more will be required to win semi-final matches, but Souths fans can look forward to the return of stars the likes of Greg Inglis, Chris McQueen and Ben Te’o for the run to the semi-finals.
Meanwhile Alex Johnston, Kyle Turner, Tom Burgess, Kirisome Avu’u and Api Koroisau have seized their opportunity and emerged as genuine first graders, replacing the depth many thought was lost in the off-season purge.
The only concern remains the backline, although the introduction of Johnston and Avu’u has improved the wing situation. Dylan Walker is a genuine superstar at centre. Keeping all three on the field will be crucial as Bryson Goodwin does not offer much and Nathan Merrit and Joel Reddy, while an honest players and good finishers, are no longer first-choice players.
Lote Tuqiri is a ‘break glass in case of emergency’ player.
Of course any back line deficiency is more than compensated by a healthy Inglis, when he returns and whether it will be at full fitness or not remain issues.
The return of Luke Keary will either give Souths the x-factor and plan-B they have lacked in the last couple of years, or it will derail their attack as a result of Sutton shifting to lock.
If Souths have a seamless return of players from Origin and injury, they just may break the drought come October.
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