With Magic Round upon us, and with the Rabbitohs producing plenty of memorable moments so far in season 2019, I thought I’d take a look back and pinpoint Seven Magic Moments.
Bounce from Heaven - Round 1 vs Roosters
It was a great win in our opening match of the season - I mean, who doesn't like to beat the Roosters? - and it started off with the most unconventional of tries.
On a night Adam Reynolds had the ball on a string, the halfback put in a grubber kick close to the line with young lock Cameron Murray in pursuit early in the match.
Aiming for the goalpost padding, the ball perfectly ricocheted, with Murray miraculously stripping the ball from Sio Siua Taukeiaho in a single motion to score our first try of 2019.
Not a bad start to our year, and not a bad start to this list.
Cameron’s Show and Go - Round 2 vs Dragons
Another try involving Cameron Murray, but this time it was all him.
Early in our Round 2 clash against the St. George Illawarra Dragons, it was Murray who scored our first try of the match for the second week in a row.
After hitting a hole through the defensive line, the tearaway lock burst through the other side with clear pasture in front of him.
And like a thief in the night, he sold a dummy that everyone fell for - including fullback Gareth Widdop - to streak away and crash under the posts.
On a Dime - Round 3 vs Titans
It wasn’t a pretty win, but our victory against the Titans got us the two points nonetheless.
But one highlight in the scrappy contest was in the pinpoint kick Cody Walker put in for Campbell Graham to score.
On the run with the ball, Walker put in a beautifully weighted kick 10 metres out from the line to Graham's corner, who stretched out to plant the ball down after a magic bounce in a truly magic piece of play.
Cody’s Sunshine Coast Masterclass - Round 5 vs Warriors
Sure, this one is technically a number of moments, but Cody Walker’s game against the Warriors on the Sunshine Coast is as magic as it can get.
Scoring four tries and setting up another, the most incredible part of the five-eighth's involvements is that they came in different incarnations; the first seeing him regather a grubber to score under the post, the second was backing up a Damien Cook break, and the third being a pass to Ethan Lowe to score.
He then hit a short-ball to complete his hat-trick, and then bamboozled defenders with a jink and a step to score his fourth - and the match winner.
Cookie and AJ Combine - Round 6 vs Bulldogs
They’re good mates off the field, so you get a feeling Damien Cook and Alex Johnston might have a little bit of telepathy going after seeing this try.
With the scores at 8-6 midway through the first half, the hooker and fullback combined with Cook putting in a weighted grubber kick through the line, with Johnston putting himself perfectly onside to scoop up and score what would end up being the definitive try.
Although it ended up being somewhat of a dire affair, there's nothing like a little magic touch to make it all the more entertaining
.
Team Hustle and Gagai’s Flick - Round 7 vs Panthers
Magic, or freakish? Well, either way, this one was pretty to watch.
Coming up against the Panthers in ANZAC Round and looking to extend their lead after scoring the first try, a rushed fifth tackle kick by Cody Walker went to the air, being batted back into the arms of Adam Reynolds.
Instead of opting to kick, the diminutive halfback went for the unorthodox and ran the ball, swinging it to his outside men to find centre Dane Gagai.
Getting caught in between three defenders, you’d think Gagai was no chance of getting over the line - and you’d be right - but in one of the most freakish efforts of the year, the Queensland and Australian rep managed to get an offload out to his winger Corey Allan, who strolled over the line to put the ball down.
Greg Inglis Tribute Match - Round 8 vs Broncos
The night we celebrated the career of Greg Inglis was a magical one, to say the least.
After unexpectedly announcing his retirement two weeks prior, the Club, players, and of course Members and supporters, all came together on Thursday, May the 2nd to give Inglis the send off her thoroughly deserved.
The magical night featured an interview with the man himself, a tribute video of his family, friends and the Rugby League community sending in their heartfelt messages, an incredible banner produced by The Burrow - and of course, a big win against the Broncos filled with a number of Goanna celebrations.
Truly our most magic moment of 2019.
