Round 12 – Indigenous round
South Sydney DRLFC v Parramatta
Saturday 25 May, 7:30pm
Sydney Olympic Stadium
The battle of the interim – caretaker coaches: Hornby v Barrett
In the lead-up to this clash, Parramatta coach Brad Arthur joined Jason Demetriou in the 2024 sacked NRL coaches club.
The at times maligned Trent Barrett took over as caretaker coach as the NRL’ two worst defensive teams faced off in a 14th v 17th placed clash.
Souths certainly played well for their second win of the season, racing out to a 22-0 lead, before quick tries to the Eels gave a half-time score in the Bunnies favour of 22-12.
The Eels were still somewhat in the contest at 22-30, however, in Indigenous Round, with many Souths old boys in the house, including the always popular Nathan Merritt, Souths scored two late tries for a deserved win.
There was much to like: perhaps the most pleasing was the involvement of Latrell when he played ‘in the front line’ – the towering Matt Burton like left foot bombs, the great passing game … caretaker coach Ben Hornby said post-match that he ‘liked’ what he saw! Ben: we all did!!
Full time: SSDRLFC 42 d Parramatta 26
Souths points: tries Arrow 8’, Koloamatagani 11’, Teaupa 20’, Johnston 27’, Keppie 52’, Cook 71’, Koloamatagani 76’, goals Latrell 6/7, Taupa 1/1.
Teaupa’s first NRL try, Johnston’s 190th.
Sin bin: Latrell 38’, half time 22-12, crowd 15, 202.
Souths line up: Latrell (Captain), Johnston, Milne, Chee Kam, Gagai, Wighton, Teaupa, Maole, Cook, Keppie, Host, Arrow, Koloamatangii, bench: Mamouzelos, Duncan, Havili, Burgess.
The Clive Churchill-George Piggins-Mario Fenech-Ian Roberts inspirational play of the game: Wighton:
15 minutes before half-time, kicks from 45m out, into the in goal, chases his own kick, and traps Eels fullback Blaize Talagi, forcing a gaol-line drop out.
The Phil Blake chip n chase best attacking moment:
In a seven tries to five win, there were several: Latrell playing in the ‘front line’ for part of the match (after Wighton failed his HIA) put a lovely grubber kick through for Cook, playing in his 2023 NSW Origin position of centre, scored a well-constructed try.
Latrell’s towering bomb for the Eric Simms’ medallist Keon Koloamatangi’s second try, was another great attacking moment, and something we hope to see much more of in the coming weeks.
The Rampling brothers-Les Davidson-David Boyle tackle of the match: Wighton, chasing his own kick, as described above. Jack is a competitor!
Blake Taaffe watch: scored a try in the Bulldogs NSW Cup loss to the Dragons last Thursday night. Whilst Souths have the bye this week, the Dogs play Newcastle. Dogs coach Cameron Ceraldo’s NRL fullback preference is the former Shark and Rabbitoh, Connor Tracey. Taaffe is listed as reserve in jersey 20 for tomorrow night’s clash.
Highlights:
https://youtu.be/d2QNpNxSEQI?si=zb10MhQ-i-V3ZiPk
Press conference:
R.I.T.V. player of the year points: Koloamatangi 3, Latrell 2, Wighton 1.
Progressive: Murray and Wighton 11, Burgess 8, Duncan 6, Koloamatangi 5, Gray, Moale, Hawkins, Cook 3, Latrell, Arrow, Havili, Gagai 2. S Mitchell, Milne 1.
Barossa Valley red wine of the week:
Gibson Discovery Road 2021 Shiraz Monte – a wonderful cellar door in picturesque Light Pass district.
Gibson Wines – Barossa Valley Winery – Home of The Dirtman
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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