The Rabbitohs go down to the Central Coast Roosters 32-8 at Morry Breen Oval in round two of the Harvey Norman Women's Premiership.
Prior to the game, Tarsha Gale was there to present the Rabbitohs with their jerseys before they took the field.
The conditions were greasy in the Central Coast with ball handling proving difficult for both sides.
The Roosters had the perfect start, crossing in the second minute through Olivia Higgins with the try converted by halfback, Melanie Howard.
They managed to build more pressure and capitalised on Rabbitohs' mistakes 10 minutes later.
A beautiful cut-out pass found winger, Brydie Parker who crossed in the corner but the conversion attempt was waved away from the touch line.
South Sydney clawed back possession just after the quarter break and second-rower, Ellie Johnston proved a handful on the edge. On multiple occasions she dragged three or four Roosters on her back and continued to press forward with post-contact metres.
Despite getting themselves back into the arm wrestle, a long-ranged try against the run-of-play by Roosters' centre Jayme Fressard extended their lead and another try moments later, took the score to 22-0 at half time.
This did not discourage South Sydney and they improved drastically in the second half.
They were first to score upon resumption through new recruit and NSW under 18s representative, Janaya Bent, which closed the gap to just three converted tries.
The Rabbitohs went back-to-back through Taleena Simon after brilliant hands from Captain Emma Dennison, found her winger in space.
The Central Coast had the final say however, scoring two more tries to close out the game 32-8.
Despite the scoreline there were plenty of positives for the Rabbitohs who had a new-look side, with combinations still to gel.
Ellie Johnston was instrumental with and without the ball, pulling off big shots and matching it with the Roosters' pack.
Jillaroo, Shaylee Bent also had a solid first game in the Red and Green; making a break straight upfield to get South Sydney in great field position while Cousin, Taleena Simon was ever-reliable coming up with that try and also a crucial trysaver.
There are plenty of promising signs for head coach Dean Widders and next week the Rabbitohs play at home against the Wentworthville Magpies.
Saturday 1 August, 12pm kick off at Erskineville Oval.
