2025 NRL Round 16
South Sydney v Melbourne
Sydney Olympic Stadium, Saturday 21 June, 8pm
Golden point heartbreak – South Sydney score five tries to four – in a New South Wales type performance (goal kicking two from five) – to lose the match …
South Sydney tasted defeat on Saturday night for the fourth consecutive week, this time in golden point at the hands of their nemesis opposition, the Melbourne Storm.
After an horrendous start, 0-12 in under ten minutes, Johnston scored just before half time.
Alex Johnston scored three more tries after oranges. Souths took the lead with Johnston’s third try, however Melbourne responded with a converted try to Broncos 2026 recruit, the winger Grant Anderson.
Johnston’s intercept try gave South Sydney the lead once again.
A controversial ‘no penalty’ to a Harry Grant tackle on Sean Keppie left many spectators and viewers shaking their heads in bewilderment.
From the next set, Storm scored through the dangerman Sua Fa’alogo. This was a long range try from a kick return. To be fair, South Sydney’s kick chase could have been better.
Latrell then produced a moment of magic with a grubber kicked for Munro to score out wide.
With the scores were locked up at 22 all, Latrell was unable to convert the try to give Souths the lead.
Latrell missed a 46m two-point field goal attempt, while Papenhuyzen iced the win for the Storm with a field goal from right in front of the posts.
For the second time in the week (NSW in Origin) the team scoring more tries lost the game.
Coach Bennett praised his team’s ‘never give up’ attitude, however the 0-12 start came back to bite South Sydney, as did Latrell leaving his kicking boots at home.
South Sydney now occupies 16th position on the ladder with a points differential of minus 89. Only the Titans sit below Souths on the ladder.
The Clive Churchill-George Piggins=Mario Fenech inspirational player:
Alex Johnston – four tries, three set up by Latrell, the fourth via an intercept … AJ creeps closer to Ken Irvine’s try scoring record. Johnston’s tally is now 206, just six tries behind Irvine’s record.
The Rampling brothers-Ian Roberts-Sam Burgess tackle of the match:
Jai Arrow nailed Storm winger Grant Anderson – a try saver – just before the half time hooter sounded. There were some who commented about Arrow’s ‘gamesmanship’ after bundling Anderson over the sideline, as well as comments about him walking straight off the field at fulltime after the golden point loss, not shaking hands with his Storm opponents. Arrow is certainly a competitor and was clearly beyond frustrated with his team’s fourth consecutive loss.
Honourable mention: Lachlan Hubner, curiously demoted to the bench for this Saturday night’s Lang Park clash with the Dolphins, in a typically committed effort, chased Storm halfback Jerome Hughes on the last tackle, preventing the Storm kick.
The Phil Blake chip n chase best attacking play:
Latrell’s grubber kick through for Munro’s try in the 76th minute – all class, perfect bounce for the winger, the Storm defence caught off guard.
Full time: Melbourne 25 defeated South Sydney 24 (golden point extra time)
South Sydney team list: Latrell, Johnston, Tass, Aitken, Munro, Wighton, Humphreys, Moale, Havili, Koloamatangi, Arrow, Duncan, Hubner, bench: R Gray, Keppie, Le Blanc, Tatola
South Sydney points: tries (5) Johnston 26’, 43’, 46’, 53’, Munro 76’, goals: Latrell 2/5
Half time: 4 – 12
Penalties: Melbourne 5 – 3
Referee: Peter Gough, Bunker: Chris Butler
Attendance: 10, 093
Highlights:
2025 NRL Match Highlights | Rabbitohs v Storm | Round 16
Press conference:
‘They don’t give up’ ? Wayne proud of Souths fight in heartbreaking loss | Souths Press Conference
RABBIT IN THE VINEYARD PLAYER OF THE YEAR POINTS:
3 – Keon Koloamatangi, 2 – Alex Johnston, 1 – Latrell
PROGRESSIVE POTY POINTS:
19 – Keon Koloamatangi, 17 – Jye Gray, 11 – Jamie Humphreys, 9 Lachlan Hubner, 7 – Campbell Graham, 6 – Alex Johnston, Tallis Duncan & Latrell, 3 – Jack Wighton, Jai Arrow, 2 – Sean Keppie, 1 – Euan Aitken, Davvy Moale, Peter Mamouzelos, Cody.
NB: 2023 and 2024 winner: Cameron Murray
SOUTH SYDNEY FULL WEEKEND RESULTS:
NSW Cup: South Sydney 24 defeated Manly 22
Jersey Flegg Cup: South Sydney 24 defeated 4
BAROSSA RED WINE OF THE WEEK
A Friday afternoon diversion to Hayes Family Wines in Stone Well.
What a great spur of the moment decision!
Yet another stunning part of the Barossa Valley.
Russel Hansen, South Sydney football club diamond member 6199, lives in Nuriootpa, Barossa Valley, South Australia.
His golden retriever, Murray, is named after the (injured – for the season) 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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