2015: ROUND 24

vs South Sydney

Match Details
Match Date 21st Aug, 2015
Opponent South Sydney
Result Win
32-18
Coach Des Hasler
Captain James Graham
Venue Homebush (ANZ Stadium)
Crowd 26,503
Referee Jared Maxwell
Gavin Morris

South Sydney’s bid for back-to-back titles is in disarray after superstar fullback Greg Inglis hobbled from ANZ Stadium on Friday night.

The Rabbitohs watched their season flash before them as Inglis limped up the tunnel in agony after picking up a knee injury in the 66th minute, failing to finish the match as the Bulldogs celebrated a 32-18 victory. While the scoreline didn’t reflect Canterbury’s dominance, the result may be of little significance to South Sydney as they await news of the fitness of Inglis.

Inglis has long battled issues with his right knee, and despite trying to continue playing, was in obvious discomfort after picking up a knock in a tackle.

The Rabbitohs now face the possibility of dropping out of the top four, having to play their final two matches against the top two teams, Brisbane Broncos and Sydney Roosters, possibly without their fullback. While the Rabbitohs appear to be stuttering, sound the alarm, the Dogs have been let loose. Here we go again.

With September football looming, the Bulldogs added their names to what seemed like a four team race for the premiership by knocking off the reigning champions. South Sydney, minus hooker Issac Luke and five-eighth Luke Keary, were no match for a revved up Bulldogs side desperate for revenge following losses to the Rabbitohs on Good Friday and in last year’s grand final. This time there would be no repeat of the ‘‘Bad Friday’’ scenes, with Canterbury breezing past the Rabbitohs in front of 26,503.

Frank Pritchard’s decision to go down a narrow blindside paved the way for the opening points of the match, with the skillful forward offloading from close range to send Damien Cook over for a 6-0 lead.

The Bulldogs then doubled their lead when Trent Hodkinson’s cutout pass found an unmarked Sam Perrett, who strolled into the corner to give his side a 12-0 advantage after 19 minutes.

Pritchard was at his damaging best in the opening stanza, playing a hand in Canterbury’s third try when Brett Morris finished off some impressive lead-up work. Then on the stroke of half-time the Bulldogs got more than they bargained for, with a Hodkinson field goal attempt resulting in four more points.

Hodkinson’s kick was charged down and fumbled by South Sydney, but a desperate Cook toed the ball towards the in-goal, tapping it back to Perrett who grounded the ball for a 22-point lead.

A controversial decision to award South Sydney a repeat set when Brett Morris was deemed to have placed his foot on the dead ball line presented the Rabbitohs with their first points of the match. A cross-field chip from John Sutton allowed Bryson Goodwin to reduce the deficit to 16 points, however any hope of an unlikely comeback was dashed soon after. Bulldogs winger Curtis Rona scored his 20th try in 21 matches this year and pushed Canterbury beyond three converted tries for the second time in the match. The Rabbitohs pulled one back through Alex Johnston and Jason Clark crossed late but it was to no avail.

Source: The Sydney Morning Herald

LINE UP
Player Position Tries Goals F Goals Points
Brett Morris Fullback 1 0 0 4
Sam Perrett Wing 2 0 0 8
Curtis Rona Wing 1 0 0 4
Josh Morris Centre 0 0 0 0
Tim Lafai Centre 0 0 0 0
Moses Mbye Five Eighth 0 0 0 0
Trent Hodkinson Half Back 0 4 0 8
Greg Eastwood Lock 0 0 0 0
Frank Pritchard Second Row 0 0 0 0
Josh Jackson Second Row 0 0 0 0
James Graham Front Row 0 0 0 0
Sam Kasiano Front Row 0 0 0 0
Damien Cook Hooker 1 0 0 4
Shaun Lane Replacement 1 0 0 4
David Klemmer Replacement 0 0 0 0
Tim Browne Replacement 0 0 0 0
Lloyd Perrett Replacement 0 0 0 0
Total: 6 4 0 32