While there are many noteworthy occasions sprinkled throughout the Rugby League calendar, none are quite as important as the NRL’s annual Harvey Norman Women in League Round.
From elite-level players, referees and administrators to the mums who run the canteens at their local footy grounds every Sunday for over half the year, there is no limit to what women contribute to the South Sydney Rabbitohs, and indeed to Rugby League as a whole.
With this tradition entering its 18th year, Women in League Round is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the women who make Rugby League the greatest game of all, and that’s exactly what the Rabbitohs will be looking to do when they take on the Sharks at Shark Park this Saturday night.
Aside from celebrating the great women of our game, there is plenty to play for in this clash for South Sydney. Currently sitting two wins outside the top eight, the Rabbitohs will be looking to claim an extremely important two points to remain in touching distance of a finals berth.
While history is no guarantee of repeating itself, South Sydney will take plenty of confidence out of their last appearance at the Sharks’ home ground, which quite interestingly took place in the same timeslot as this weekend’s game. It was round one, 2023. On this occasion, the Red and Green came out victorious over the home side, putting on 27 points to 18 to start off their 2023 campaign in style.
South Sydney started strongly thanks to an early try from Lachlan Ilias, while Keaon Koloamatangi bagged one eight minutes before halftime. Campbell Graham then scored a second-half double to put the game out of the Sharks’ reach. Latrell Mitchell too was instrumental with the boot, kicking five goals and a field goal.
Another source of confidence for South Sydney ahead of this clash is the return of their captain Cameron Murray, who missed the last two games after being suspended in the third Origin game. Murray’s skill, toughness, leadership and never-say-die attitude will all be welcome additions to a South Sydney side looking to make it seven wins from their last nine starts.
Coach Ben Hornby has opted for three other changes to the side that lost to the Raiders in round 21. Richie Kennar returns in the centres after missing last week’s clash due to a head knock sustained in the previous week’s win over the Wests Tigers. This will in turn push Michael Chee Kam to the bench, after filling in at right centre for the injured Kennar last week.
Cody Walker has been ruled out of Saturday's game after failing to complete Captain's Run due to a calf injury. Ben Hornby confirmed in Friday's media that Walker will not play this week and Dion Teaupa is the next man up to replace him at halfback. Hornby confirmed that the Club is hopeful Walker will play next week against the Storm.
An achilles injury to Alex Johnston has also forced Hornby to call upon young star Fletcher Myers to make his first-grade debut in place of South Sydney’s most prolific try-scorer. Since joining the Rabbitohs from Newcastle mid-season, Myers scored a hat-trick in his first ever game for South Sydney against the Eels in the Knock-On Effect NSW Cup.
With Johnston unfortunately out for the season, Myers has a fantastic opportunity to cement a spot in the NRL side for the remainder of the season and could easily do so with a strong performance against the Sharks this weekend.
Stat Attack
- The Rabbitohs have won five of their last nine clashes with the Sharks going back to 2018.
- South Sydney last played at Shark Park in round one 2023, defeating the Sharks 27-18.
- The Rabbitohs have been victorious in two of their last three Women in League Round matches.
