The apprentice got one over the old master – Jason Demetriou and South Sydney celebrated what ended up being a comprehensive win over Wayne Bennett and his Dolphins.
Even Bennett would have secretly admired the second-half fireworks from his former club as the Rabbitohs raced away 36-14 winners at Suncorp Stadium on Thursday night.
The Bunnies needed the victory given premiers Penrith, table-toppers Brisbane and Melbourne await them the next three weeks.
Souths trailed 14-6 at half-time, but went into overdrive after the break with tries to Campbell Graham, Isaiah Tass, Cody Walker, Latrell Mitchell and Alex Johnston. Few teams can pile on the points as quickly and as effortlessly as Souths.
The final three tries all came while Kenny Bromwich was in the sin-bin for hitting Taane Milne in the head with his shoulder without the ball.
Demetriou and Bennett spent five years together before Bennett handed over the Redfern reins to his assistant at the start of last year.
Latrell Mitchell is mobbed by Rabbitohs teammates after scoring against the Dolphins.Credit: Getty
Unlike a few former succession plans involving Bennett and other clubs, this one with Demetriou and Souths seems to be working.
Bennett maintains Demetriou should have been a regular at Sunocrpo Stadium and coaching the Broncos had they listened to him a few years ago. Souths fans will be happy the Brisbane types ignored the mastercoach.
Forward Jai Arrow was excellent in his comeback game from a hamstring injury, especially early in the second half with a couple of damaging runs and offloads. The only knock on Arrow is his hairstyle, which has taken another turn for the worse.
Back rower Keaon Koloamatangi failed to finish the game for Souths because of an ankle injury, and Davvy Moale was placed on report for tripping Jamayne Isaako.
Alex Johnston dives over for a try during the Rabbitohs’ second-half blitz.Credit: Getty
There will be claims Graham may have shoved Euan Aitken out of the way en route to his second try, but replays showed he only ever had eyes for the ball.
Winger Izaac Thompson should be available for next Thursday’s clash against the Panthers, while Junior Tatola, who was initially feared to be out of action for a month with a knee injury, could also be available.
The 30 unanswered points in the second half ensured Souths momentarily rocketed up the ladder from outside the top eight into third.
As good as they were in the second half, Souths again blew the start – something they have addressed in recent weeks, but still failed to rectify. The teams they meet in the coming weeks will not be as forgiving.
Souths skipper Cameron Murray said afterwards: “We started slowly, which is pretty characteristic of us this year, but I’m proud we managed to regroup at half-time, simplify our mindset and come out and play some good footy and play the way we came here to play.”
Bennett looked set to pull off another miracle win for the competition newcomers. They led by eight at the break, but could have easily been further in front. The 23,280 fans – a healthy portion were wearing red and green – sensed another Dolphins boilover.
Fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow was brought down just centimetres from the tryline by Cody Walker, while Aitken only had to pass outside to Rob Jennings but threw it inside and bombed a certain four-pointer.
Aitken was over after two minutes after Tass had spilled the ball.
Some Mitchell magic to hold up the ball and put Graham over for the first of two tries got the Bunnies back level, only for the Dolphins to hit back again via Jeremy Marshall-King.
Marshall-King and former Bunny Kodi Nikorima were the standouts for Bennett’s boys in the early exchanges.
The Dolphins host Gold Coast next Sunday. Bennett will dust himself off. Souths and Demetriou march on.
