Round 3: Saturday 21 March
7:30pm Gosford (South Sydney home game)
Multicultural round
South Sydney managed to hang on for a narrow win over a very plucky Wests Tigers side in picturesque Gosford on Saturday night.
After exploding out of the blocks to lead 12-0 after eight minutes, the resolute Tigers fought back and went into the sheds at half-time leading 14-12.
An eight point try right on the half-time hooter, thanks to unnecessary contact on the Tigers try scorer from Latrell, ensured the Tigers had the momentum as the players enjoyed their oranges.
Coach Bennett mumbled one of his oft used phrases out of the side of his mouth in the press conference, that being: “There was not anything in that (the Latrell incident).”
Regardless, Latrell copped a post-game fine, the action was unnecessary, and he does have ‘form’ in this area. As for last week, regarding Cody’s thin skin, or to quote athletics identity and Roosters disciple Matt Lynch, Cody’s ‘stretchy skin’, Latrell would do well to simply remove the niggle from his game. At the risk of repeating myself, if Latrell was a schoolboy on a scholarship at a high fees private school, he would be sat down and told to pull his head in.
The Clive Churchill-John Sattler-George Piggins most inspirational moment:
Summer-Dee, whose sister Matilda was killed in the Bondi attack in December, lead the South Sydney team with Alex Johnston.
Both girls have been involved in ‘Souths Cares’ community programs in the South Sydney district.
The Rampling brothers-Les Davidson-Ian Roberts best defensive play of the game:
Regular readers of my reports will be aware of my regular laments (Ian Hauser type rants?!) regarding South Sydney’s lack of urgency under the high ball.
The 174cm Jye Gray climbed high late in the game, when the Tigers were on the attack, to take a high ball 10m out from the South Sydney try line. Add this to his other try saving tackles, and his usual busy game in attack – the young man from the Gold Coast was the obvious choice as player of the match.
The Bob McCarthy intercept-Phil Blake chip n chase best attacking moment:
Player of the match Jye Gray scored the first points of the match. He stepped past several Tigers defenders on his way to the try line.
Gray was his usual energetic self, even after spending time off the field for a head injury assessment.
Highlights:
NRL Highlights: Rabbitohs v Tigers – Round 3 | NRL on Nine
Press conference:
Wayne has some kind words for Jye Gray’s performance in the back: NRL Presser | NRL on Nine
Full time: South Sydney 20 d Wests Tigers 16
South Sydney team list: Gray, Johnston, Latrell, Wighton, Moala Graham-Taufa (debut #1215), Cody, Humphreys, Tetola, Garlick, Koloamatangi, Fifita, Duncan, Murray (captain), bench: Mamouzelos, Keppie, Sullivan, Fletcher, Siegwalt, Le Blanc.
South Sydney points: tries: (4) Gray 3’, Wighton 7; Mitchell 51’, Johnston 66’; goals: Latrell 2/4.
Half time: Wests Tigers 14-12
Crowd: 19, 940
Referee: Wyatt Raymond
Penalties: Wests Tigers 7-5
Rabbit in the Vineyard Player of the Year points:
3 Jye Gray 2 Jack Wighton 1 Cameron Murray
Progressive: 3 Gray, Murray, Johnston & Cody, 2 Wighton & Latrell, 1 Fifita & Koloamatangi
Honour roll: 2023-2024 Cameron Murray, 2025 Jye Gray
South Sydney full weekend results:
NSW Cup round 3: South Sydney 20 d Wests 12
U/19 Lisa Fiaola Cup round 7: South Sydney 32 d St George 0
U/17 Tarsha Gale Cup Cup round 7: South Sydney 34 d St George 20
U/21 Jersey Flegg Cup round 3: South Sydney and Wests Tigers drew 22 all
U/19 SG Ball Cup round 7: South Sydney and St George drew 14 all
U/17 Harold Matts round 7: South Sydney 24 d St George 16
South Sydney has the bye in Round 4 before a huge task against Canterbury-Bankstown at the Olympic Stadium on Good Friday. The corresponding game last season was a 32-0 thumping at the hands of the Dogs, with the majority of the 65,305-crowd wearing blue and white.
Round 4 program:
Barossa Valley Red Wine of the Week:
Willows 2023 Barossa Valley Mataro
To read more by Russel Hansen click here.
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
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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
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As Prop keeps saying – You gotta love footy! On the one hand, Jye Gray – heart, soul, grit, skills, smarts, courage, always giving his all; on the other hand, Latrell – I’ll let you fit in the comparisons.
Nothing ever seems to change with Latrell and Cody. It is a constant theme with supporters like yourself, week in, week out. You would think Bennet would have done something by now. Another painful presser from Wayne. I didn’t like it when he was asked about the debutant winger. All he could muster was “Yeah, i saw him out there”. You would think he could have given him some sort of positive comment in public.
Many brilliant players have flawed temperaments. Not so easy to manage in a fast contact sport as some other milieux.
Not sure about the private school metaphor. Mitchell isn’t on charity; he is heart of team. A better metaphor would be a PE teacher at a state school. If they repeatedly took a step too far there’d be repercussions.
thanks for your comments, Graeme
my point about Latrell is: (from my teaching, sports coordinating & coaching perspective) I worked in private schools in Brisbane for 32 years – the St Peters Western Swim Club had 10 swimmers at the Paris Olympics, Brisbane Boys’ College has current NRL players Xavier Savage & Jack Howarth amongst their old Collegians.
My point: if Latrell was a student at either of those schools, or Cody for that matter, issues such as temperament would be addressed by the relevant staff.
We can agree to disagree around Latrell being the heart of the South Sydney team. Regardless, 11 games played in the 2024 & 2025 seasons is simply not good enough. He was rarely unavailable for the Roosters, winning premierships, playing in the centres.
As a rusted on SSFC member, I can only hope he is available far more often in 2026 – and cuts out the unnecessary stuff. finally.