Round Rewind: Burgess the Hero in Golden Point Thriller

Few finishes have matched the drama of round six, 2021. Facing the Tigers and an eight-point deficit, the Rabbitohs rallied and sealed a golden point win, thanks to one unforgettable moment from big Thomas Burgess.

The Match

South Sydney got on the board early. A sweeping left-side shift saw Adam Reynolds receive the ball with time, and he fired a flat short ball to Cameron Murray. Murray sliced through the line untouched and squared up the Tigers fullback one-on-one before stepping around him to score a sharp solo try.

What followed was a tense, physical battle. Tempers flared as both sides traded high shots and heated moments. The Rabbitohs had a second try through Alex Johnston disallowed, and Daine Laurie hit back for the Tigers to level it up at six-all heading into halftime.

The Tigers struck first after the break and led for most of the second half. With just over 15 minutes remaining, South Sydney trailed 14-6 and were searching for a spark. They found it through Cody Walker and Dane Gagai.

Cameron Murray’s quick play-the-ball gave Damien Cook room to dart out from dummy half. He linked with Junior Tatola, who turned it inside to Cody Walker. Facing two defenders, Walker shaped left, then slipped a brilliant pass to Gagai, who was perfectly positioned in support. Gagai danced around Daine Laurie and scored beside the posts to cut the deficit to 14-12. Five minutes later, Adam Reynolds backed himself from 42 metres out on the right edge. He nailed a two-point field goal under pressure, levelling the scores at 14-all and sending the game towards a thrilling finish.

A professional foul by Tommy Talau handed Reynolds a tough penalty shot to win it in regulation, but it drifted wide. A second field goal attempt missed the mark too. The game was going to golden point.

On the fourth tackle, Damien Cook sent Thomas Burgess charging into the line, where he found a small gap in the Tigers’ defence. Bursting through, he sized up the fullback, put on a sharp left-foot step, and headed straight for the posts. Luciano Leilua chased him down, but Burgess’ sheer size and momentum carried him over, and he slammed the ball down to finish it.

Initially, the ball squirted free and chaos followed. Luke Brooks scooped it up and ran 105 metres to the other end, thinking he had won it for the Tigers. However the Bunker confirmed that Burgess had magically grounded it cleanly with his fingertips. The video panned to a smiling Burgess. The Rabbitohs had won, 18-14.

It was a heart-stopping finish to a fiery contest, which Wayne Bennett summed up best: “You don’t get a much better try than that in a game like this.”

Key Performers

Latrell Mitchell – 179 run metres, 53 post contact metres, one line break assist, nine tackle breaks, eight kicks defused
Dane Gagai – one try, 151 run metres, 43 post contact metres, five tackle breaks, 16 tackles (none missed)
Thomas Burgess – one try, 206 run metres, 64 post contact metres, one line break
Tevita Tatola – 136 run metres, 60 post contact metres, one line break assist
Cameron Murray – one try, 173 run metres, 38 post contact metres, one line break