2021 NRL Round 25, Rabbitohs 20 Dragons 16 – Report

Craig Cauchi reviews the Dragons final match of the year against the finals bound Rabbitohs. Here’s how the game went.

SCOREBOARD

Player of the Year Points

3 pts – Blake Taaffe (Rabbitohs)
2 pts – Benji Marshall (Rabbitohs)
1 pt – Mark Nicholls (Rabbitohs)

MATCH REPORT

1st Half

The young Rabbitohs got off to a fantastic start completing their sets and scoring the first try with debutant Lachlan Illias collecting his own grubber kick, which was lost by Mikaele Ravlalawa. Rabbitohs converted a penalty goal just before an error from Gerard Beale fell into the lap of Campbell Graham, who had an easy passage to the line. Rabbitohs continued to look like the most energetic of the two sides and scored again off the back of an error with Feagai colliding into Sloan as he attempted to catch the ball in goal. Campbell Graham was once again the beneficiary of the error. The Rabbitohs keeping the Dragons from breaching their line and heading into the break with a commanding lead.

HALF-TIME: South Sydney Rabbitohs 14 St George Illawarra Dragons 0

2nd Half

The Rabbitohs kept the foot on the throttle in the second half with a quick try to Taane Milne. The Dragons pack were no match for the energised young Bunnies. Even when the Dragons found themselves in good field position, the Rabbitohs shuffled well in defence and didn’t give the Dragons any chance to build momentum. It appeared the Dragons chances were finally put to bed with Josh McGuire sent to the sin bin for his second high tackle of the match but they rallied. Tyrell Sloan scored two tries, the second effort a sign of his pace and skill as he burnt the Rabbitohs defenders to cross in the corner. They scored again through Mikaele Ravalawa and with one set to score the match winner, Corey Norman came up with a dropped ball on the last tackle, taking away any opportunity of a miraculous comeback.

FULL-TIME: South Sydney Rabbitohs 20 St George Illawarra Dragons 16

Injuries

Tariq Sims (Dragons), Jed Cartwright (Rabbitohs)

Match Review Committee

Josh McGuire (Dragons)

Follow Nothing But League on Twitter and Facebook.