South Sydney v Dolphins
8pm, Parramatta Stadium
Friday 7 March 2025
South Sydney’s 2025 NRL season began with a tight, hard-fought win over the Redcliffe Dolphins at Parramatta Stadium.
Several experts, including Wayne Bennett’s biographer Andrew Webster, were highly critical of the NRL’s decision to reschedule the fixture due to cyclone Alfred in Southeast Queensland. After the Las Vegas extravaganza, the ‘man of feathers’ (Roy & HG’s moniker for NRL supremo Peter V’landys) decided the show must go on.
What a night for Tyrone Munro: the young speedster scored twice before half-time, then sadly did not return after the break due to a collarbone issue after only playing four games in 2024 due to collar bonefractures.
Jamie Humpheys, the skilful, muscular recruit from Manly, certainly made the most of his opportunity in the number seven jersey, with the man from St Helens, Lewis Dodd, out suspended. Humphreys was involved in everything, summed up by his clever kick into touch with only seconds remaining in the first half.
Jye Gray, frequently the subject of feedback around his (apparent) lack of size, made his usual dynamic contribution from fullback and received the three points from the ABC Grandstand team for the player of the year.
The Ian Roberts-Rampling brothers-Charlie Frith tackle of the match:
Jack Wighton: for a couple of big hits on the dangerous Herbie Farnworth, particularly in the second half, when the Phins were on top. Honourable mention to one of the debutants, the new Rockhampton Rocket, Lachlan Hubner, clearly a Wayne Bennett type player – plays above his weight, a no nonsense forward who tackles all day (and all night)!
The Clive Churchill-George Piggins-Mario Fenech inspirational player:
In a crowded field, Campbell Graham: missed the entire 2024 season due to injury, produced a truly inspiring display in both attack and defence. Moved to the wing in the second half to cover the Munro injury, Graham did not miss a beat.
Honourable mentions: Jai Arrow, Jamie Humphreys, Jye Gray.
The Phil Blake ‘chip n chase’ best attacking play:
The lead up to the Isaiah Tass match-winning try: after the Dolphins had the ascendency for much of the second half, trailing 12-14, Souths scored their only points of the second half after a quick shift to the left wing, with Tass acrobatically planting the ball in the corner for the winning points.
Full time: South Sydney 16 d Dolphins 14
Souths points: Tries (3): Munro 10’ & 24’, Tass 67’. Goals (2): Humphreys 12’ & 25’.
Half-time: Souths 12-4
Penalties: Souths 7-5
Referee: Adam Gee. Bunker: Ashley (Calvin) Klein
Crowd: 6,738
Souths team list: Gray, Tass, Wighton, Graham, Munro, Cody (capt.), Jamie Humphreys – South Sydney debut playernumber 1202), Keppie, Mamouzelos, Moale, Koloamatangi, Arrow, Lachlan Hubner (debut: player number 1201). Bench: Jayden Sullivan (debut player 1204), Havili, Duncan, Tetola
2025 RABBIT IN THE VINEYARD PLAYER OF THE YEAR POINTS:
3 points: Jamie Humphreys
2 points: Campbell Graham
1 point: Lachlan Hubner
NB: 2023 and 2024 winner: Cameron Murray
HIGHLIGHTS:
NRL Match Highlights | Rabbitohs v Dolphins | Round 1, 2025
PRESS CONFERENCE:
SOUTH SYDNEY FULL WEEKEND RESULTS
NSW CUP: South Sydney 22 d Manly 20
SG BALL (U/19) round 6: South Sydney 48 d North Sydney 16
JERSEY FLEGG (U/17) round 1: Manly 38 d South Sydney 8
HAROLD MATTHEWS CUP (U/16) round 6: North Sydney 22 d South Sydney 20
WOMENS:
U/19 Tarsha Gale Cup round 6: Canterbury 44 d South Sydney 0
U/17 Leisa Fiaola Cup: round 6: Canterbury 80 d South
BAROSSA RED WINE OF THE WEEK:
First drop wines Dos Por Ciento ‘Two percent’ 2021 Barossa Shiraz – Barossa Shiraz with 2% Muscatel
2021 ‘Dos Por Ciento’ (2%) Shiraz Moscatel – First Drop Wines
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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RITV, if in spite of the injuries and suspensions, the Bunnies can get over the line this weekend, their 2-0 start to the year will be a minor miracle. But Wighton out takes away both attacking power and defensive mongrel. Great to see Campbell Graham back on the paddock again. A Graham/Wighton centres pairing could be formidable with the enigmatic Latrell at fullback. But what tough luck that will be for Jye Gray who personifies the idea that size is not everything if you’ve got it between the ears.
Ian:
Agree the 2024 Piggins medal winner Jack Wighton is a big loss, as is young Munro … two tries before half time, then, sadly yet another collar bone injury.
The Dragons: I do not know how impressive they were v Dogs (at the ‘sold out’ Kogarah) last week?!
There will be no shortage of spice in the clash – with Cook and Ilias out to prove their worth!
Jye Gray: I am a fan. He was one of Souths’ few shining lights last season – shades of the 2021 finals series when Blake Taaffe played fullback in Latrell’s (suspended) absence …
He NEEDS to stay in the side.
Souths v Dragons – conjures a great memory –
I was at the game in 2011 in Wollongong – Souths down 6-20 at half time – Gasnier and friends running riot
My great friend Rob Bush messaged me at half time: “I don’t envy you”
After Souths stormed home to win 34-24, with my phone on about 3%, I rang Rob so he could hear the chants of ‘Glory Glory to South Sydney’ amongst the faithful!
https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/seasons/nrl-2011/round-21/st-george-illawarra-dragons-vs-south-sydney-rabbitohs/summary.html
Hey Russell
The 2011 result would never have happened had they had Reg (instead of Mark) in the side.
I offer exhibit A: NSWRL Premierships 1959-66!
Karl:
Yes – Reg Gasnier – before my time (as a player) but I remember my Dad talking about him
I think Reg was a commentator on ABC TV ?!
Russell – you just reminded me of the generation gap (abyss) – and I definitely don’t like it :(.
Yes, Reg did commentate on ABC and did a fine job.
In 1988, I was on the Russian cruise ship Aleksandr Pushkin – ploughing the waters between Sydney & Brisbane – on my way the Expo ’88. Reg Gasnier happened to be on board. As a kid in primary school, Reg was my #1 IDOL!!! He agreed to have a photo with me on the ship – and I treasure that to this day.
I recall on the final night of the cruise, they were trying to clear their stocks & served us meat pies.