NRL Round 2, Cronulla-Sutherland v South Sydney
Endeavour Field
Saturday 22 March 2025, 3.00pm
Souths’ undefeated status ended abruptly in ‘The Shire’ on Saturday. I used to love listening to David Morrow and Warren ‘Wok’ Ryan on ABC radio. One of the Wok’s typically blunt player assessment comments was: ‘(insert player’s name) has never been a noted defender’.
Souths’ latest recruit, Dragon’s winger Mikaele Ravalawa debuted for Souths on Saturday. Mikaele is certainly high on the Wok’s list of (not) notable defenders. In fact, Mikaele was bestowed the award ‘defender of the week’ by the well-humoured folk at ‘The rugby league report’.
Missed tackle count at half-time: 23 (not all from Ravalawa).
The game was over as a contest during the first half, with the Sharks leading 20-0 at oranges. Cronulla’s five-eighth Brayden Trindall had a day out.
Cronulla scored a try from deep in their own in-goal, a contender for try of the year. Many Souths players would have felt most uncomfortable watching the replay of the sequence of missed tackles.
This looked like a game between the16th placed team from 2024 and top four opposition.
As I turned over to SBS to watch the world indoor athletics championships coverage from China, Lachlan Kennedy on his way to a silver medal (0.01secs margin) in the 60m, I was drawn to Wayne Bennett’s quote regarding defence in Andrew Webster’s excellent book The wolf you feed:
“A good line in defence is a sure sign of a team that is playing for each other and their coach.”
Work to do before the 2021 Grand Final replay on Thursday night against Penrith.
The Ian Roberts-Rampling brothers-Charlie Frith defender of the match:
The smallest player on the field: Jye Gray. Continues to play above his weight, week in week out.
The Clive Churchill-George Piggins-Mario Fenech inspirational player:
Jye Gray, who will make way for Latrell as soon as the Origin centre is available for his first game of 2025 (clarified by Wayne Bennett during the week).
The shining light of 2024 (there were not too many) who has continued in the same vein in 2025.
The Phil Blake ‘chip n chase’ best attacking play:
Jamie Humphreys’ quick tap try! Opportunist, old school, deserved.
Full time: Cronulla-Sutherland 27 d South Sydney 12
Souths points: Tries Gray 8’, Keppie 70’, Mamouzelos 20’, Walker 54’, goals: Humpreys (4/4), field goal.
Half time: Cronulla 20-0
Souths team list: Gray, Tass, Wighton, Graham, Ravalawa(NRL debut – Rabbitoh #1206, Cody (capt.), Humphreys, Keppie, Mamouzelos, Moale, Koloamatangi, Arrow, Duncan. Bench: Sullivan, Havili, Le Blanc, Tetola.
Crowd: 14, 332
2025 RABBIT IN THE VINEYARD PLAYER OF THE YEAR POINTS:
3 points: Jye Gray
2 points: Jamie Humphreys
1 point: Jai Arrow
2025 PROGRESSIVE:
8 – Jamie Humphreys, 4 – Jye Gray, 2 Campbell Graham and Sean Keppie, 1 – Jai Arrow and Lachlan Hubner
NB: 2023 and 2024 winner: Cameron Murray
HIGHLIGHTS:
NRL Match Highlights 2025 | Sharks v Rabbitohs | Round 3
PRESS CONFERENCE:
Bennett justifies mid-game shuffle: NRL Presser | NRL on Nine
SOUTH SYDNEY FULL WEEKEND RESULTS:
NSW CUP: Newtown 40 d South Sydney 10
SG BALL (U/19) round 7: South Sydney 52 d Penrith 8
JERSEY FLEGG (U/17) Cronulla 28 d South Sydney 16
HAROLD MATTHEWS CUP (U/17) round 7: South Sydney 26 d Penrith 22
WOMENS:
U/19 Tarsha Gale Cup round 7: Penrith 22 d South Sydney 16
U/17 Leisa Fiaola Cup: round 7: Penrith 64 d South Sydney 0
Barossa red wine of the week:
Sons of Eden 2022 Kennedy Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre
2022 Kennedy Barossa Valley Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre – Sons of Eden
Russel Hansen, South Sydney football club diamond member 6199, lives in Nuriootpa, Barossa Valley, South Australia. His golden retriever, Murray, is named after the South Sydney captain. Twitter/X: @Rabbit in the Vineyard @Russel_Hansen
To read our library of rugby league stories click HERE.
To return to our Footy Almanac home page click HERE.
To see the full 2025 season draw for the NRL click HERE.
To see the full 2025 season draw for the NRLW click HERE.
To see the details for State of Origin in 2025 click HERE.
Our writers are independent contributors. The opinions expressed in their articles are their own. They are not the views, nor do they reflect the views, of Malarkey Publications.
Do you enjoy the Almanac concept?
And want to ensure it continues in its current form, and better? To help things keep ticking over please consider making your own contribution.
Become an Almanac (annual) member – CLICK HERE.
About Russel Hansen
Russel Hansen Has worked in schools for over thirty years – as a teacher, coach, coach educator, sports coordinator and in pastoral care roles. Whilst at Brisbane Boys’ College as Director of Athletics, he led teams to six GPS premierships in track and field, and cross country. He has coached (athletics) at all levels from school to international. His squad at the University of Queensland (to January 2023) included Lachlan Kennedy OLY, Paris 4x100m relay runner, Australian record holder. He is married to Heidi, a Primary school principal, and is father to two adult daughters. Twitter: @Russel_Hansen
- More Posts
Leave a Comment