NRL Round 23
Gold Coast Titans v South Sydney
Robina, Sunday 10 August, 2pm
INDIGENOUS ROUND – WEEK 1: DROUGHT BROKEN!
After nine long, frustrating, and mostly uninspiring weeks, South Sydney broke through for a win on the sunny Gold Coast in Sunday afternoon football.
The lead-up to the fixture featured drama Roy Slaven and HG Nelson would describe as true rugby league: new South Sydney recruit Brandon ‘The Cheese’ Smith was questioned by police at Gold Coast airport, however, on the field, Smith seemed unbothered and certainly added much creativity to the South Sydney attack.
In what was dubbed as ‘Spoon Bowl’ – this was 16th v 17th – and at times it was obvious that here were two teams fighting to avoid the dreaded Wooden Spoon.
Ian Hauser’s full time ‘NEVER IN DOUBT!’ message did not quite apply to me as I sat on the edge of my seat for most of the game, particularly for the majority of the second half as South Sydney defended their two-point lead!
The prolific try scorer Alex Johnston grabbed a double to edge closer to the great Ken Irvine’s record. AJ now sits on 209 tries, only three behind the legendary North Sydney and Manly-Warringah flier.
The game ended in some controversy (refereeing) with a call going South Sydney’s way. Jayden Campbell appeared to be tackled high in front of the goal posts. A penalty goal would have levelled the scores. Todd Smith saw nothing, ditto the bunker. Play on, and South Sydney hung on, just!
The Clive Churchill-George Piggins-Ian Roberts most inspirational play:
Latrell, playing game number 11 for the season in Round 23, had some silky moments.
He also had some Latrell freakish moments, including preventing Jayden Campbell from scoring under the posts in the first half. Campbell had strolled through some loose South Sydney edge defence and looked certain to score, however Latrell managed to knock the ball out of Campbell’s hands to save a certain six points.
Wayne Bennett made a valid point post-match: ‘If Latrell wasn’t playing, we probably lose today.’ He’s seen a lot of footy, has Wayne!
The Rampling brothers-Ian Roberts-Les Davidson tackle of the match:
See above – Latrell’s effort may not have been an absolute ‘bell ringer’ however it was most significant in a two-point game.
The Phil Blake chip‘n‘chase best attacking moment:
Alex Johnston’s second try: Latrell contested a high ball, before flicking a pass to his left. Johnston still had some work to do before scoring. Phil Blake himself would have applauded in approval.
Full time: South Sydney 20 defeated Gold Coast Titans 18
South Sydney team list: Gray, Johnston, Tass, Latrell (capt.), Bentley-Hape, Ward, Humphreys, Havili, Mamouzelos. Keppie, Duncan, Host, Arrow, bench: Hubner, Le Blanc, Smith, Fletcher.
South Sydney points: tries (3) Johnston 2’, Bentley-Hape 26’, Johnston 59’, goals: Bentley-Hape 4/5
Half-time: South Sydney 14 – 12
Penalties: Gold Coast 5-4
Referee: Todd Smith, Bunker: Adam Gee
Attendance: 14, 957
Remaining fixtures: Parramatta, St George-Illawarra, bye, Eastern Suburbs.
Highlights
2025 NRL Match Highlights | Titans v Rabbitohs | Round 23
Press conference
‘Ref made the right call’ – Arrow questioned on controversial late no-penalty call | Fox League
Rabbit in the Vineyard player of the year points:
3- Alex Johnston, 2 – Brandon Smith, 1 – Jai Arrow
2025 Progressive points:
22 – Jye Gray, 20 – Keon Koloamatangi, 14 – Tallis Duncan, 12 – Alex Johnston, 11 – Jamie Humphreys, 10 – Lachlan Hubner, 7 – Jai Arrow & Campbell Graham, 6 – Jack Weighton & Latrell, 4 – Brandon Smith 2 – Liam Le Blanc, Davvy Moale, Sean Keppie, 1 – Trent Dodd, Euan Aitken, Peter Mamouzelos, Cody.
NB: 2023 and 2024 winner: Cameron Murray
South Sydney Full Weekend Results:
NSW Cup: Eastern Suburbs 26 defeated South Sydney 24 (13th:5 wins, 17 losses)
Flegg: Eastern Suburbs 44 defeated South Sydney 12 (13th:5 wins, 16 losses)
NSW women’s: South Sydney 26 defeated Eastern Suburbs 18 (4th:4 wins, 1 draw, 1 loss)
BAROSSA VALLEY RED WINE OF THE WEEK
A tribute to Ashton Ward:
2023 Tomfoolery Young Blood Shiraz
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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Enjoy it while you can, RITV. BLM! Is he the saviour or just a very naughty boy?
Ah, Ian … BLM appears for his 11th club game of the season in round 23 …
I just do not see how, in 2026 BLM (+ Cody Walker) give South Sydney anything else other than more of the same …
time for the club to move on from these TWO enigmas!
RITV, do you recall the hypothetical I posed at the Sydney lunch? Souths look to offload BLM? NBL, but surely worth a thought or two.
Ian – yes, I do recall your suggestion
& what a great afternoon that was at Souths Juniors!
Very unpopular (South Sydney) opinion, I’d unload Cody as well
start a genuine rebuild