Round Rewind: Rabbitohs Overpower Raiders in Seven-Try Statement

Back in round seven of the 2018 season, the Rabbitohs unleashed one of their most dominant performances of the year, torching the Canberra Raiders 42-22 in Gosford. With Greg Inglis at his destructive best and Sam Burgess laying the platform up front, South Sydney delivered a complete team performance built on power, precision, and flair.

The Match

The tone was set inside the opening three minutes. Cody Walker, always composed and dangerous with ball in hand, held the defence with a perfect pause before releasing Alex Johnston at full speed down the left edge. AJ dummied, hit the gas, and sliced straight through the Raiders’ line to score untouched.

Moments later, it was Walker going from provider to finisher. Off the back of a bruising Burgess carry through the middle, Walker spotted disorganised markers and seized the moment. He shaped to pass, skipped through a gap, and slid between two defenders to plant the ball down.

Souths’ left side was humming. Another slick movement saw John Sutton hit Walker on a short ball, who wrapped around to link once again with Johnston. With the Raiders backpedalling, AJ double-pumped, drawing defenders in before delivering a sharp pass to Robert Jennings, who finished untouched in the corner.

The Raiders hit back through Nick Cotric, but it wasn’t long before Greg Inglis produced a moment of brilliance. Reading a long cut-out pass, GI soared into the air and plucked it from above the heads of the backline. He landed, shifted his body towards the other end, and went full throttle. Inglis opened his stride, left defenders clutching at air, and thundered 80 metres downfield to score under the posts.

The Raiders scrambled for one more before halftime, but the Bunnies were in control with a 24-12 lead at the break.

The second half opened with Souths again on the front foot. Damien Cook darted forward and created havoc through the middle. As Angus Crichton chased in support, Jarrod Croker held him back and was sent to the bin. Reynolds slotted the penalty to make it 26-12. With the extra man, Souths wasted no time. On the very next set, Dane Gagai straightened the attack, engaged the line, and flicked a silky ball to Richie Kennar, who barrelled over in the corner.

Then it was Reynolds’ turn to strike again. He launched a towering spiral bomb that twisted in the air and dipped in the wind. Canberra struggled to get under the ball, and Damien Cook pounced, quickly shifting it to Jennings who finished his second try.

Still not finished, Souths went again. Jason Clark thundered onto a short ball from Cook and bulldozed his way over beside the posts — a tough, determined finish to cap off a commanding team performance. Canberra managed two late consolation tries but the game was in the balance and it was all too little, too late. The Rabbitohs ran out 42-22 winners in a performance full of strike and swagger.

Key Performers

Alex Johnston – one try, one try assist, four tackle breaks
Greg Inglis – one try, 182 run metres, 38 post contact metres, five tackle breaks
Dane Gagai – 105 run metres, 36 post contact metres, one try assist, three offloads
Robert Jennings – two tries, 99 run metres, 21 post contact metres, one line break
Cody Walker – one try, one try assist, one line break, six tackle breaks
Damien Cook – 111 run metres, one line break, two try assists, 36 tackles
Sam Burgess – 211 run metres, 56 post contact metres, one line break, six tackle breaks, 27 tackles