Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker had to be perfect to beat the Panthers, but they were anything but in a tough night at the office for Souths’ stars.
Meanwhile, rookie halfback Lachlan Ilias was given a lesson in kicking from the master Nathan Cleary as Souths fell short of the grand final in a 32-12 loss.
Read on for foxsports.com.au’s Rabbitohs player ratings.
Stream every game of every round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership Season Live & Ad-Break Free During Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >
1. LATRELL MITCHELL – 4
Had his moments but Souths’ biggest weapon was blunted — making just 52 metres — by the Panthers in a sloppy peformance. Guilty of trying too hard as the game slipped away and was caught out of position in defence on a couple of occasions.
21. RICHARD KENNAR – 7
Scored Souths’ second try of the night after a classy finish in the corner. Made 67 metres in the first half to go with a linebreak. Finished with 115 metres and a try.
3. ISAIAH TASS – 8
Set up the second try to Kennar with a brilliant pass around the corner. 79 quality metres in the first half to go with a linebreak assist and a try assist. Finished with a team-high 158 metres and a try assist.
4. CAMPBELL GRAHAM – 7
Excellent defence early to put the pressure on the Panthers’ edge and some strong ball carries. Crucial error led to To’o’s try. 60 run metres and 12 tackles without a miss in the first 40. Finished with 114 metres and 20 tackles.
5. TAANE MILNE – 3
Poor dropped ball that nearly led to a try to Staines. Just 28 run metres and two errors in the first 40. Sent off for a swinging arm on Leniu capping a horror night. Had 66 metres and two errors before his early shower.
6. CODY WALKER – 5
Pounced on a deflected pass from Mark Nicholls to score the first try of the game. Bumped off in the lead-up to To’o’s crucial try on halftime. 16 run metres and three missed tackles in the first half. Finished with 42 metres and a try, but missed seven tackles.
7. LACHLAN ILIAS – 4
Controlled play well with his kicking game and solid in defence early but ended up being exposed by master counterpart Nathan Cleary as his kicking game was found wanting in the second 40.
8. TEVITA TATOLA – 7
Some huge carries to start the game and solid as ever in defence. Made 72 metres and 19 tackles in the first half. Finished with 104 metres and 24 tackles.
9. DAMIEN COOK – 6
Spark out of dummy half early to get Souths on the front foot. Forced a crucial error on Koroisau late in the first half. Just 11 run metres, but 22 tackles without a miss in the first half. Had just 21 run metres but made 43 tackles.
10. MARK NICHOLLS – 8
Great charge and offload to set up the first try for Walker. Some big early runs up the middle. A team high 97 run metres in the first half to go with 10 tackles. Finished with 121 run metres and 21 tackles.
11. KEAON KOLOAMATANGI – 6
Limited opportunities with ball in hand early, but solid in defence. 44 run metres and 21 tackles without a miss in the first 40. Finished with 71 metres and 34 tackles without a miss.
12. JAI ARROW – 6
Strong defence early to set the tone for Souths. Made 46 metres and 16 tackles without a miss in a solid first half. Groin injury ended his night early. Finished with 68 metres and 22 tackles.
13. CAMERON MURRAY – 8
Brilliant ball playing early to give his outside men plenty of room to move. 45 run metres and an equal game high 26 tackles in the first half. Huge tackle early in the second half to deny a Penrith raid. Finished with 79 metres and a game high 51 tackles.
Get all the latest NRL news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!
14. KODI NIKORIMA – 4
Limited opportunities off the bench.
15. HAME SELE – 6
Solid in attack and defence off the bench in the first half. Made 44 run metres and 13 tackles in the first half. Ran for 77 metres and made 27 tackles off the bench.
16. MICHAEL CHEE KAM – 4
Limited opportunities off the bench. Ran for 19 metres and six tackles.
17. JED CARTWRIGHT – 5
Made an impact off the bench late in the first half on both sides of the ball. 23 run metres and five tackles in the first half. Made 38 metres and 18 tackles.
