The Rabbitohs win in a thriller! Let's go take a look at how the game played out with 'By the Numbers.'
Two Points go a Long Way
Goal kicking proved the difference with the Cowboys actually scoring one more try than the Rabbitohs. We all know how good a goal kicker Adam Reynolds is and he only missed one kick all night. Kyle Feldt on the otherhand only kicked three from seven.
The Captain was so clutch kicking that penalty goal and then the field goal to win the game! Adam Reynolds also overtook Eric Simms for the most Rabbitohs Club points across all grades with 1940 points. Eric Simms still holds the record for most first grade points for the Rabbitohs.
Possession is Key
It doesn’t take a statistician to point out that if you have more ball, you score more points. The Rabbitohs found themselves lucky to only be down two points at the break after being starved of possession 64% to 36%. While this stat improved slightly in the second half, they didn’t make it easy on themselves; particularly at the back who are usually quite safe. Tonight the Rabbitohs had a ‘Kick Defusal Rate’ of just 20%. In the end the most important stat is the win!
First time Rabbitohs won five in a row against the Cowboys
Three of those wins have been by one point! In those games Reynolds has scored 58 points (two field goals, two tries and 24 goals).
‘Good Ball’ Strike Rate
Due to being starved of possession, staying in the game meant the Rabbitohs would have to make the most of their limited chances. The Cowboys had more than double the amount of sets in ‘Good Ball’ territory (within the opposition’s own 20-metre zone) but the Rabbitohs showed their defence is solid - especially when the Cowboys had the ball for six consecutive sets midway through the first half for no score (three goal line drop outs, two penalties and a set restart).
Big Day Out
It’s no secret travel days are tough on any team given the current circumstances. There’s no overnight stays, you go up and back down the same day!
The Rabbitohs met at Souths Juniors at 10:30am, took a three hour flight travelling more than 2,000 kilometres one-way and aren’t expected to get in until the early hours of the morning. A big ask and great effort.
Keaon Killing it off the Bench
Keaon Koloamatangi has slotted in perfectly into the Rabbitohs forward pack, proving to be a real impact player. He ran for over 100 metres for the fourth consecutive time.
