Parramatta v South Sydney
Parramatta Stadium, 4 July, 8pm
A ‘working class’ performance – 5 in a row!
Thursday night football clashed with Jimmy Barnes and friends playing at the Barossa Arts Centre.
As Mrs Hansen & I enjoyed a date night at Faith Lutheran College, Souths reflected Jimmy’s first song, ‘Working Class Man’, with another improved performance.
Souths had the early lead while we were still being entertained by the support act, Taylor Sheridan.
I wondered if Jimmy referring to Bunnies co-owner Russell Crowe before singing ‘It will be alright’ (from the movie “The sum of us”) was some type of omen for a Souths win?
Whilst I tried to limit the score checks, given Souths took the early lead through tries to Gagai and Wighton, I did search ‘NRL scores’ several times throughout the concert! With the score at 20-10 in the second half, I did become slightly nervous.
Watching the replay was most enjoyable for several reasons, including Souths defence, for so long a major issue. It has certainly tightened up … the kicking game continues to be better as well, along with the kick-chase … Wighton and Cody in the halves is a great combination.
There is much talk now around Souths and the ‘F’ word. Can Souths win seven out of their last nine games? Souths’ points differential is -96, a result of their poor start to the season, where high scoring losses were sadly the norm.
Latrell is now injured and Souths last three games are: Newcastle, Penrith and the Roosters. No more byes, and Jai Arrow is booked for shoulder surgery after the Wayne Bennett Cup game at Redcliffe.
No better time to throw the cliché out there: to take things ‘one game at a time’, starting with the Phins away, in Redcliffe, this round. Sixth versus thirteenth.
George Piggins-Clive Churchill-Mario Fenech inspirational play(er):
Jack Wighton: consistently leads the way in both attack and defence. Wighton has also added much to Souths’ kicking game which was below par for far too long. Jack’s support play through the middle of the field was exceptional, as evidenced by his try, backing up the dynamic Jacob Gagai’s break down the right side.
Phil Blake chip n chase best attacking moment:
There were many, however Cody’s try on the stroke of half-time was significant for several reasons, including his improved form of recent times, great support play and, as a team, Souths being better both before and after half-time. Their focus and attitude are certainly better.
Rampling Brothers-Les Davidson-Ian Roberts tackle of the match:
Tallis Duncan on Eels bench player Charlie Guymer. The Eels replacement received an inside pass from Moses and was smashed by Duncan, before Koloamatangi finished him off, ten metres from the try line.
Full time: South Sydney DRLFC 32 d Parramatta 16
Souths: Latrell, Johnson, Milne, Kennar, Gagai, Wighton, Cody, Moale, Cook, Keppie, Murray, Arrow, Koloamatangi. Bench: Mamezoulis, Duncan, Burgess, Chee Kam.
Points: tries (6) Gagai 8’, Wighton 32’, Walker 39’, Latrell 56’ Gagai 68’, Wighton 76’. Goals: Latrell 4/6.
Half time: Souths 16-4
Referee: Liam Kennedy
Crowd: 13, 941
Highlights:
NRL 2024 | Eels v Rabbitohs | Match Highlights (youtube.com)
Press conference:
RITV player of the year points:
3 Jack Wighton, 2 Latrell, 1: Keon Koloamatangi
Progressive:
Wighton 14, Murray & Koloamatangi 11, Cook and Burgess 9, Latrell 7, Cook and Duncan 6, Latrell Gray 4, Moale, Gagai, Hawkins, 3, Arrow, Havili, 2. S Mitchell, Milne 1.
BAROSSA RED WINE OF THE WEEK:
Ubertas single vineyard 2020 Barossa Shiraz
Ubertas Wines- The Best Winery- Barossa Valley, SA – Ubertas 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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