NRL Round 22 – RITV: Wake me up when September ends

 

 

Brisbane Broncos v South Sydney
Lang Park, Brisbane (aka Suncorp Stadium)
Friday 1 August 8pm

Wake me up when September ends

Congratulations Adam Reynolds: 2500 NRL points

Four more games to sit through: Titans, Parramatta, St George-Illawarra, Eastern Suburbs.

World Athletics Championships Day 1: 13 September, Tokyo

Last Friday evening was the 14th anniversary of the St Petri Lutheran Church, Nuriootpa Men’s Shed. Appropriately, a shearing shed near Stockwell was the venue.

Mobile phone coverage was limited. When I checked the score as I left Stockwell, I slumped in the driver’s seat of my vehicle when a ten tries to three thumping was the result: 14-60. Nine straight losses, the 197 points differential is the worst in the NRL!

What a tough watch sitting through the replay would be …

South Sydney played without an 18th man due to last minute concussion protocol issues – another unwanted NRL first! Give me strength!

A ten tries to three shellacking, with former South Sydney favourite son Adam Reynolds bringing up his 2500th NRL point for good measure in a ten from ten goal kicking performance.

Congratulations Adam: only the second player in NRL history to achieve this milestone, the first being Cameron Smith (2786 points)

I recall the full-time hooter at the 2021 NRL Grand Final at the same venue, South Sydney having just lost in heart-breaking fashion to the Penrith Panthers 14-12, after a Stephen Crichton intercept. Mick and Phil Coorey were out of their seats and up the stairs before the hooter finished sounding! Mrs Hansen and I stayed for the post-match. Why? The Grand Final was Adam’s last game in the cardinal and myrtle (231 games from 2012-2021, 1896 points to be precise).

I wanted to see Adam leave the field for the last time as a South Sydney player.

To be frank, South Sydney have had issues in the halves ever since. Lewis Dodd, it seems, was a desperation signing by Mark Ellison in the hope of solving the issue.

Dodd was part of the World Club Challenge-winning St Helens team where he famously kicked the winning field goal.

No such heroics for South Sydney in 2025.

The story goes that at South Sydney’s first training session during the off season, coach Bennett had to ask Lewis Dodd, “Now who are you?” Oh, you are the Pommie.”

The latest word on the street around Lewis Dodd is that Wayne Bennett has told the young Englishman he is free to leave Maroubra at the end of the season. Dodd is on a three-year deal reportedly worth two million dollars. Interesting times.

 

The Clive Churchill-George Piggins-Mario Fenech most inspirational play:

Ashton Ward, the 73kg half back in his second NRL game, chased Brisbane Broncos opponent Jordan Riki  80m downfield to save a try. South Sydney scored their third try soon after.

 

The Rampling brothers-Ian Roberts-Les Davidson tackle of the match:

Ashton Ward, showing his more experienced and higher paid teammates what commitment is all about.

 

The Phil Blake chip n chase best attacking moment:

The much-maligned half back from St Helens, Lewis Dodd, put up a perfectly weighted kick for winger Bayleigh Bentley-Hape to outleap his Brisbane Broncos opponents to score South Sydney’s opening try.

It was refreshing to see a South Sydney outside back successfully contest the high ball.

 

Full time: Brisbane Broncos 60 defeated South Sydney 14

South Sydney team list: Gray, Johnston, Tass, Duncan, Bentley-Hape, Dodd, Ward, Arrow (capt.) R Gray, Keppie, Aitken, Host, Hubner, bench: Havili, Le Blanc, Thomas Fletcher (debut – player #1212), Munro

South Sydney points: tries (3) Bentley-Hape 31’, Duncan 39’ Hubner 70’, goals: Ward (1)

Half time: Brisbane Broncos 18-8

 

Highlights:

2025 NRL Match Highlights | Broncos v Rabbitohs | Round 22

 

Press conference:

Wayne Bennett’s “never seen” injury toll like Rabbitohs have faced | South Sydney Press Conference

 

Penalties: Broncos 6-3

 

Referee: Peter Gough, Bunker: Grant Atkins

 

Attendance: 38, 430

 

Rabbit in the Vineyard player of the year points:

3 – Jai Arrow, 2 – Jye Gray, 1 – Lachlan Hubner

 

2025 Progressive points:

22 – Jye Gray, 20 – Keon Koloamatangi, 14 – Tallis Duncan, 11 – Jamie Humphreys, 10 – Lachlan Hubner, 9 Alex Johnston, 7 – Campbell Graham, 6 – Jai Arrow, Jack Weighton & Latrell, 2 – Liam Le Blanc, Brandon Smith, Davvy Moale, Sean Keppie, 1 – Trent Dodd, Euan Aitken, Peter Mamouzelos, Cody.

NB: 2023 and 2024 winner: Cameron Murray

 

BAROSSA VALLEY RED WINE OF THE WEEK

Small Victories 2023 Eden Valley Shiraz

 (will South Sydney have another victory of any margin in 2025?)

 

     

 

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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