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Sublime Rabbitohs dominant in Eels shutout

In what was their best defensive showing of 2022, the Rabbitohs maintained their impeccable recent record over the Eels, which saw them post their sixth straight win over the powerhouse side, all by margins of 14 or more.

While their attack was on fire, the effort to hold out a fellow top-four contender for the whole night and keep them scoreless, was a significant highlight.

Leading 14-0 at the break, Parramatta had all the ball to start the second half, but a strong defensive will saw them hold solid for 15 minutes, and then extend straight after to break the hearts of the Eels.

As has been the case for the last few weeks, the Rabbitohs made a hot start and struck the scoreboard first through Cody Walker.

The five-eighth combined perfectly with Damien Cook, who had the defenders on the line bamboozled with a deception play, finding a rampaging Walker to cross in the fifth minute.

Just minutes later he looked to have an early double, only to be denied for a lost ball by the Bunker.

South Sydney didn’t have to wait long to extend the lead however, with an inch-perfect backline movement seeing a lovely tap-on by Keaon Koloamatangi finished off with a superb putdown in the corner from Izaac Thompson to give the youngster his second try in as many games.

The relentless pressure continued throughout the first half, and who else but Alex Johnston to get in on the action, notching try 160 in his career as the backline movement was perfected by the left side, allowing the winger to stroll over the line, giving the Rabbitohs a 14-0 lead they would take into the break.

Souths dominated every stat at the break, a true indication of just how imposing they were.

They ran for 450 more metres than Parramatta, had 56% of the ball , made 12 more tackle breaks and forced the Eels to make 39 more tackles.

The tide turned to start the second half with the home side having all the territory.

They were camped on South Sydney’s line and had a number of repeat sets in the opening 15 minutes, but every time the Rabbitohs were able to answer the call and keep their goalline intact.

South Sydney weathered the storm and were able score the try that proved a dagger in the hearts of Parramatta.

Johnston scored his 25th try of the season to completely turn around the momentum of the half, and when the boot of Latrell Mitchell converted the try, the lead was pushed out to 20 with 23 minutes to go.

Just as it appeared their line would finally be broken, a forward pass rubbed further salt into the wounds for Parramatta, and as they’d done all night, Souths went down the other end of the field and made them work their way out of their end.

Eventually, Walker would get his second of the night, pushing the lead out further and putting the exclamation mark on a night to remember.

The 13th win of 2022 for the Rabbitohs sees them leapfrog Parramatta into fifth spot on the ladder, ahead of a grand final rematch on Thursday night at Accor Stadium against the Panthers.

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