South Sydney have dominated Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks to win an intense affair at PointsBet Stadium.
Result
South Sydney Rabbitohs 27
Tries: (4) Lachlan Ilias 9th; Keaon Koloamatangi 32nd; Campbell Graham 46th, 65th
Goals: (5) Latrell Mitchell 10th, 34th, 47th, 58th, 67th
Field Goal: (1) Latrell Mitchell 79th
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 6
Tries: (3) Braydon Trindall 19th; Sione Katoa 39th; Teig Wilton 71st
Goals: (3) Braydon Trindall 21st, 40th, 72nd
Report
Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks went into the match looking to avenge their loss to the South Sydney Rabbitohs in last year’s final series, but they’d have to do it without Nicho Hynes who is a week-to-week proposition with a calf injury.
The Rabbitohs lost Tevita Tatola in the opening exchanges through a HIA assessment and Jai Arrow to a hamstring problem, reducing their squad to fifteen players for 60 minutes of the match.
In a brutal first half of the game there was brilliance from both halves, Lachlan Ilias and Braydon Trindall, with scores level going into the half-time break. It was the coming of age for Ilias, who’s influence not only extended to his playmaking skills, but a try saving tackle on Ronaldo Mulitalo. The Sharks may have considered themselves unlucky not to be ahead after a dubious forward pass call denied Sione Katoa a try.
South Sydney backed their defence in the second half and a double to Campbell Graham gave them a match winning lead 26-12 with thirteen minutes to go. Teig Wilton’s try was a consolation for the Sharks who turned the ball over far too often.
The Sharks have Braden Hamlin-Uele on report for a tackle on Cody Walker, while Wade Graham spent ten minutes in the sin bin for a bruising tackle on Davvy Moale.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR POINTS
Embed from Getty Images3 – Lachlan Ilias (Rabbitohs)
2 – Damien Cook (Rabbitohs)
1 – Latrell Mitchell (Rabbitohs)
