Round Rewind: Rabbitohs Blaze Past the Storm in Statement Win

In round 19 of 2022, a classy display saw the Rabbitohs produce one of their most polished performances of the season to defeat the Storm 24-12. With the spine firing and the left edge humming, South Sydney combined sharp attack with gritty defence to outmuscle a top-four rival and take a major step forward in the back half of the season.

The tone was set inside the opening two minutes. A crisp right-side shift saw Lachlan Ilias send the ball through the hands to Keaon Koloamatangi. With space in front, Keaon shaped to pass, threw a dummy, and sliced clean through the defensive line to score untouched.

What followed was an arm wrestle, with both sides exchanging sets in the middle and testing each other’s resolve. But with just 12 minutes left in the half, Souths’ key playmakers came alive.

Cody Walker took the ball left and squared up the defence, holding it deep into the line. A floating pass found Latrell Mitchell, who in one silky motion, noticed Alex Johnston in space and fired a quick cutout wide. AJ, flying at full tilt, hit the corner with pace, fooled his opposite man with some nimble footwork, and danced around him to score.

Just before the break, the Storm answered back with a try of their own, cutting the margin to four. South Sydney led 10-6 heading into halftime.

The second half began like the first, fast and focused. A six-again call in good-ball territory gave the Rabbitohs momentum, and it was Mitchell who struck. Off a broken play, Latrell extended his right arm and fended off Marion Seve, opening space on the outside. With a flick of the wrist, he sent a slick pass to Johnston, who dived over in the corner for his second.

The Rabbitohs weren’t done. Moments later, off the back of a Cameron Murray quick play-the-ball, Damien Cook shot downfield through the ruck. At top speed, he linked with Keaon who surged into space, escaped from the grips of Cameron Munster and threw a late offload to Lachlan Ilias. With defenders on his back, Ilias twisted mid-air and somehow reached back over his head to plant the ball on the line and score a special one.

Then came a moment of flair and precision that sealed the result. Souths attacked down the right. Latrell received the ball in a tight channel with Justin Olam rushing toward him. Calmly, Mitchell launched a laser-like cutout pass to Jed Cartwright, who held his line and drew the defence. A smooth pass to Jaxson Paulo on the wing allowed him to cruise into the corner and score once more for the red and green.

Melbourne managed a late try, but it was far from enough. The Rabbitohs’ defence held strong and the final whistle confirmed a 24-12 statement win.

Key Performers

Latrell Mitchell – two try assists, two line break assists, six tackle breaks
Alex Johnston – two tries, two line breaks, six tackle breaks
Keaon Koloamatangi – one try, 181 run metres, 57 post contact metres, one try assist
Cameron Murray – 86 run metres, two offloads, 47 tackles (two missed)