South Sydney’s season will go as far as its defence takes them.
A team containing Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker has points in it, but whether they could defend them was the question mark. In front of a sellout “home” crowd, the Rabbitohs replaced it with an exclamation mark.
It was evident in everything Jason Demetriou’s men did without the football. The Sharks had just as many opportunities to press the tryline as their opponents, but the scrambling defence of the Souths wasn’t breached in the opening half.
When Lachlan Ilias, who is one of the smallest men on the paddock, hammered the ball free from the clutches of Wade Graham, it was a statement of intent. For all of the strike that Cronulla possessed, their only tries came via a kick and an intercept.
Last week, Souths were able to outscore their arch rivals the Roosters when reduced to 11 men. They weren’t going to be beaten at Allianz Stadium with their full complement.
This was a defensive structure overseen by none other than John Morris, the coach unceremoniously dumped by Cronulla last year. No one knows the Sharks’ attacking threats, and how to negate them, better. “Bomber” would have loved this.
For the most part, the Sharks defence did the job on the Rabbitohs’ main men. Mitchell was kept to 66 running metres, while Walker was relatively quiet until his late solo try sealed the result. And yet they did it in a canter. The dynamic duo have more gears in them, particularly in big games. It is a sobering thought for the premiers, Penrith.
The assignment for both rookie coaches was the same; getting their players up for an epic clash while they were still coming down from their last one.
Toby Rudolf runs in to the South Sydney defence.Credit:Getty
It’s a task easier achieved in September, when the finish line is in sight. However, the toll from their previous exertions, both emotional and physical, weighed heavier on Cronulla.
Even with an additional day to recover, the effects of playing for 93 minutes proved more draining than a slugfest that resulted in seven sin-binnings. They didn’t realise it at the time, but the Sharks let not only the Cowboys, but their season, slip away.
The current Sharks coach, who was rarely on the wrong side of the scoreboard as a player or coach, can be satisfied with his debut in the Shire. Craig Fitzgibbon’s side finished the regular season in second spot but blew the incredible opportunity it had during its home final.
And yet there are many positives. Their halfback, Nicho Hynes, is as good as any in the competition, Matt Moylan is fulfilling his promise and PointsBet Stadium is a fortress. The pain of this result will spur Cronulla to greater heights.
For many, these are just formalities before handing the trophy over to Penrith again. The mountain men have been on another level all year and had the benefit of watching this one from home.
However, there has been little between them and the Rabbitohs of late. South Sydney came within a whisker of an upset when they last met in round 23 and now get to avenge their grand final defeat. This time, Mitchell will be at their disposal during the post-season.
It will take more spirited Souths defence to end the Panthers’ premiership defence.
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