Here are the key takeaways from South Sydney’s 40-28 win over the Newcastle Knights at McDonald Jones Stadium.
BIG BOPPERS PUSH THROUGH
With backs against the wall, the efforts of front rowers Junior Tatola and Tom Burgess to both almost play out the first half was enormous.
Tatola started and got through the first 35 minutes before getting a well-earned spell, with Burgess coming on after just 25 seconds and not having a break for the entire first 40.
The two regularly punched holes in the line and got past first contact, giving South Sydney a huge boost with a depleted forward pack.
Big Junior was rewarded in the second half with his first try of the season, and the two combined for 344 running metres.
A huge effort.
NEW FACES, NO WORRIES
The line-up had seven new players from last week’s win over Parramatta due to injury and Origin commitments.
Add on top of that losing halfback Lachlan Ilias in the second tackle of the game and the deck had to be shuffled again.
That mattered little as the new faces stood up to the plate, with the likes of Richie Kennar producing a hat-trick, Shaq Mitchell providing impact off the bench and Jed Cartwright punching out some big minutes.
It was also good to see Matraville Tigers junior Daniel Suluka-Fifita back in the red and green for his first outing at NRL level since making the move back home.
CODY TAKES CONTROL
Down a halves partner for virtually the entire game, Cody Walker stood up and took over.
It was a brilliant showing from the superstar, scoring a double and setting up a further two to mark a stellar night.
His intercept just before the break was the icing on the cake and solidified a Rabbitohs comeback from an early deficit.
While the year to date has been a mixed one for the five-eighth, he reminded everyone in the league that he remains one of the most dangerous playmakers in the NRL when he’s firing.
CAPTAIN LATRELL STANDS TALL
Latrell Mitchell became the latest player to skipper the Rabbitohs, and it was a worthy captain’s knock in just his second game back from injuy.
As well as being good in attack as always, he came up with two incredible one-on-one try savers at crucial stages of the game.
It gives the rest of the team confidence knowing they’ve got a stable influence at the back who can plug a hole at any given moment, and he’s looking better with each game under his belt.
His successful goal-line drop out on the 30-minute mark changed the game.
DEFENCE A KEY IN COMING WEEKS
The result was a good one, but defence will be something to be looked at ahead of next week.
Newcastle crossed for five tries and remained in the game until the last minutes, minus their biggest attacking threat in Kalyn Ponga.
They had success in their targeted kicks to the wing in utilising the size of Edrick Lee which resulted in a few tries.
With a couple of key games coming up, it’s one area that can be sharpened up in the race to the finals.
