The Rabbitohs fell just short against the Melbourne Storm 14-15 after a thrilling Saturday night game in honour of Ovarian Cancer Australia went to golden point.
The Rabbitohs dominated possession in the first half applying plenty of pressure on the oppositions try line from the onset.
The first half contained a high number of penalties with tries denied to both sides resulting in a low scoring start.
The Storm were the first to find the try line when an offload from Cooper Cronk sent Kenny Bromwich over however the try was disallowed due to obstruction.
It was Aaron Gray who was the next to find the line in the 28th minute, yet a double movement ruling resulted in another disallowed try.
Consistent well-weighted kicks by Adam Reynolds paid off in the 36th minute when the Rabbitohs were finally rewarded after an attacking bomb set up Alex Johnston and saw him get over the line in the far right corner. Reynolds executed the conversion bringing the Rabbitohs to lead six points to zero.
In similar circumstances to that of their opposition, the Rabbitohs were again denied their second attempt at a try due to obstruction leaving Greg Inglis’ attempt unsuccessful in the 33rd minute.
The end of the first half saw the Rabbitohs keep the Storm scoreless which marks the first time the Melbourne based team have not scored in the first half since the first week of finals in 2014.
The Storm were quick to respond in the second half, scoring five minutes in and levelling the scores 6-all after a successful conversion to Cameron Smith. Another Storm try minutes later sent the Melbourne team into the lead.
In the 57th minute Reynolds found Angus Crichton with another well placed kick. Crichton took a spectacular mark off a high kick and firmly grounded the ball for a try. The try by Crichton is the first of his NRL career. Reynolds made no mistake with the conversion, putting the Rabbitohs in front by two.
The scores were soon to be levelled again when Smith kicked a successful penalty goal in the 62nd minute.
Shortly after, on the back of a dangerous Melbourne tackle on John Sutton, Adam Reynolds put the Rabbitohs in front 14 points to 12 after converting a penalty kick.
When it looked like the game was coming to an end, the Storm were granted an opportunity after Damien Cook upended Cameron Munster. The Storm levelled the game at 14-all, sending the game into golden point.
When it looked like the Rabbitohs were close to come inbetween Melbourne and the number one ladder spot, Smith found the posts ending the game.
Melbourne Storm 15 (Marika Koroibete 1, Cheyse Blair 1 tries; Cameron Smith 3 goals; Cameron Smith 1 field goal)
defeated
South Sydney Rabbitohs 14 (Alex Johnston 1, Angus Crichton 1 tries; Adam Reynolds 3 goals)
