Round 5: Friday 3 April
South Sydney v Canterbury-Bankstown
Sydney Olympic Stadium, 4:00pm
Two of South Sydney’s young guns, Tallis Duncan and Jye Gray, were stand out performers in the win over the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs on Good Friday.
Tallis, named after the Brisbane Broncos (more accurately, Michael Maguire) critic Gorden Tallis, is described by some as a Cameron Murray clone. Duncan certainly has some similar traits to the workaholic South Sydney captain, however if his early season form continues, the young man will forge his own path. One thing is for certain: the South Sydney forward pack is more effective, and more dynamic with both players in the run-on side, both working hard in both attack and defence.
South Sydney managed to squander an early lead to be trailing the Dogs at half time. An error ridden performance from the boys from Canterbury, as well as a 5-0 second half penalty advantage resulted in pressure from the home team for a deserved win. Canterbury-Bankstown ‘gun’ Stephen Critchon leaving the field injured was another turning point.
South Sydney now sits fourth on the ladder. A good start to the season, however there is much more of the season to play out.
Brandon ‘the cheese’ Smith returns from injury (again) this week for the trip to Perth.
The Clive Churchill-John Sattler-George Piggins most inspirational moment:
Nathan Merritt, South Sydney player #974 sadly is facing a daunting cancer diagnosis.
Rabbitohs co-owner Russell Crowe purchased the original 1908 NSWRL bell. The bell is now rung at the start of South Sydney home games.
In what was quite an emotional moment, Merritt, the prolific try scorer (146 tries in 218 appearances for South Sydney 2002-2003, 2006-2014) rang the bell at the Sydney Olympic Stadium on Good Friday.
The Rampling brothers-Les Davidson-Ian Roberts best defensive play of the game:
Once again, Jye Gray, despite his size, simply does not give in when defending, and every opposition player is a bigger human than he is!
Gray scrambled, and scrambled, and continued to scramble in defence all game. Even the ‘skinny coach’ (to quote Roy Masters) Wayne Bennett has thrown his support behind Jye as a potential Queensland Origin player, given injuries to Walsh and Ponga.
The Bob McCarthy intercept-Phil Blake chip n chase best attacking moment:
Perhaps inspired by the presence of Nathan Merritt, Alex Johnston scored a long-range intercept try to open the scoring for the match.
Johnston had a couple of forgettable moments in defence later in the game, however his try scoring prowess cannot be questioned.
Highlights:
NRL 2026 | Rabbitohs v Bulldogs | Match Highlights | Round 5
Press conference:
‘Off The Nudie’ ? + Wayne & Cam Honour Nathan Merritt | Rabbitohs Press Conference
Full time: South Sydney 34 d Canterbury-Bankstown 22
South Sydney team list: Gray, Johnston, Latrell, Wighton, Graham, Cody, Humphreys, Tetola, Garlick, Koloamatangi, Fifita, Duncan, Murray (captain), bench: Mamouzelos, Hubner, Keppie, Le Blanc, Sullivan, Graham-Toufa.
South Sydney points: tries: (5) Johnston 4’, Latrell 22’, Ducan 46’, Murray 56’, Latrell 65’ goals: Latrell 6/7.
Half time: Canterbury-Bankstown 18-12
Crowd: 49,813
Referee: Wyatt Raymond
Penalties: South Sydney 8-2
Rabbit in the Vineyard Player of the Year points:
3 Tallis Duncan 2 Jye Gray 1 Latrell
Progressive: 5: Gray, 3: Tallis Duncan & Latrell, 2: Murray, Johnston, Cody, Wighton, 1: Fifita & Koloamatangi
Honour roll: 2023-2024 Cameron Murray, 2025 Jye Gray
South Sydney full weekend results:
NSW Cup round 5: South Sydney 36 d Canterbury 10
U/19 Lisa Fiaola Cup round 7: postponed
U/17 Tarsha Gale Cup Cup round 7: postponed
U/21 Jersey Flegg Cup round 5: Canterbury 30 d South Sydney 20
U/19 SG Ball Cup round 9: South Sydney 46 d Balmain 4
U/17 Harold Matts round 9: South Sydney 52 d Balmain 0
Next three games:
South Sydney travel across the Nullarbor to take on Canberra at Perth Stadium this Saturday, before a home against the Dragons, then travel to Melbourne for the annual Anzac Day clash. Will this be the year South Sydney win their first game in Melbourne?
Round 6 program:
Barossa Valley (Eden Valley) red wine of the week:
Poonawatta 1858 Eden Valley Grenache
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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Yes, RITV, a mixed day for AJ. But wasn’t the Nathan Merritt moment a rugby league community moment at its best?
Spot on with Poonawatta!
Surely, Jye Gray will be in the SOO squad this year, maybe even if one or both of the others are available.
Ian:
Yes: a mixed day for Alex. Many South Sydney diehards cry out that AJ should have played Origin – he is a try scorer, of course, but at times his defence, and work under the high ball are … risky
Poonawatta: Heidi & I had been wanting to get there for ages. With Sophia still with us (now living in Melbourne) – we went out there Easter Monday, after the Stawell Gift finals – HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Prospector:
Jye Gray: has to be in the conversation, surely, even if this year he is in the extended squad
I’ve had a vision: Latrell makes a break for the Blues 40m out, fatigue sets in, Gray makes yet another try saving tackle!
Happy rugby league!
RITV