Feast your eyes on all the key points from the first forty as we eye up the second half.
Possession is Pivotal
You can’t score points if you don’t have the ball, and that’s been exactly the story in the first half. Off the back of penalties, errors and goal line dropouts the Cowboys have enjoyed 66% of possession. That’s means a lot of tackle practice for our boys who have had to make 202 tackles compared to 123 for the Cowboys. The scoreboard is a testament to the Rabbitohs strong defence & potent attack - but it’s unlikely to stay that way if the tables don’t turn in terms of who is holding the pill.
Goal Line Stand Eventually Cracks
Halfway through the first forty our goal line was put to the test with the Cowboys turning the screws with three goal line dropouts along with a penalty and a set restart to boot. We did well to defend for six minutes straight, however an error off the back of this work saw us retreat to our try-line once again. We couldn’t hold on for much longer as Michael Morgan cracked us open in the corner.
Bombs Away
The game plan from Captain Morgan is to bomb the ball Latrell Mitchell’s way and it seems to be paying dividends with the fullback spilling the ball on numerous occasions (albeit clearly backwards). Kick pressure will be key in the second stanza in order to limit this tactic and put a spring back in Trell’s step.
Don’t Beat Yourself
The momentum of this match has been closely tied to whichever side has stayed on the right side of the negative play count. Penalties, errors & ruck infringements have on all occasions preceded points for both sides, & while the scoreboard is tight - the Rabbitohs have been on the losing end of this equation - with 6 errors, 4 penalties & 3 ruck infringements conceded. If the Rabbitohs can square this ledger & get out of our own way; possession & points will follow.
