Round Rewind: Rabbitohs steal last-second win over Dragons

With another chapter set to be written in our storied rivalry with the St George Illawarra Dragons, it's the perfect time to revisit one of the most dramatic finishes in recent memory. Back in Round 19 of the 2019 season, the Rabbitohs faced off against the Dragons in a high-stakes battle at Olympic Park, delivering a heart-stopping finish that left the Redfern faithful in jubilation.

The contest had everything;momentum swings, standout performances and a last-second match-winner that cemented itself as an unforgettable moment in South Sydney history. 

The Match

South Sydney secured a dramatic 20-16 win at ANZ Stadium, with Campbell Graham playing the hero in the final moments of the match. The first half was an arm wrestle, both sides at two points up until the 31st minute where a well-timed pass from Cody Walker put Dane Gagai over for the opening try. South Sydney went into the break 6-2. 

The second half saw tires from both teams, featuring a shifty effort from Cody Walker, who beat one defender and dragged Corey Norman to the line to push the lead to 10-2. 

However, the second half saw momentum swing as the Dragons staged a late comeback, taking the lead with a penalty conversion and leaving just one minute on the clock. With the score at 16-14, South Sydney found themselves on the verge of defeat.

Refusing to go down without a fight, the Rabbitohs executed a perfectly placed short kickoff, with James Roberts regathering the ball to give South Sydney one final chance. In the dying seconds of the game, Cody Walker shifted the ball to the left, firing a cutout pass to Braiden Burns who despite being tightly marked, impressively free’d the ball to Campbell Graham, who marched over the white line. As the full-time siren sounded, Graham dived over to seal an incredible victory for South Sydney. 

Key Performers

• Campbell Graham – 100 run metres, 1 try
• Cody Walker – 130 run metres, 1 try, 1 try assist
• Cameron Murray – 120 run metres, 31 post contact metres, 38 tackles (0 missed)
• Adam Doueihi – 179 run metres, 48 post contact metres, 1 try assist