South Sydney v Eastern Suburbs
Sydney Olympic Stadium
Friday 4 April 2025, 8pm
A game for the ages –concluded in a Perth supermarket!
Being on assignment for Athletics South Australia at the national athletics championships in Perth made (live) viewing of this game challenging, beginning with the 5.00pm local time kick-off.
I saw the last ten minutes of this epic battle via the Kayo app as we (my two Athletics SA comrades and I) drove from WA athletics stadium to Scarborough Coles for grocery supplies. Pushing a shopping trolley aimlessly through the supermarket aisles has never been so nerve wracking!
Souths produced a memorable display of resilience against their bitter rivals: losing three players before half-time to hamstring injuries: both halves (Humphreys and Cody) as well as winger Ravalawa.
Both teams scored three tries. Latrell’s goal kicking proved to be the difference.
The Sombrero appeared to gain the ascendency after half-time, with unconverted tries to Billy Smith and Dominic Young. With only one player on the bench, Souths appeared to be in some strife, trailing 8-14.
Jye Gray did what a hard-working fullback should do: scored after looming up in support through the middle of the field. Isaiah Tass then scored a typically spectacular winger’s try just inside the paint, Latrell duly landed the sideline conversion to set up an anxious last ten minutes of play.
Goal kicking was one of Souths many issues in 2024.
In 2025, through the skills of both Jamie Humphreys and the returning Latrell, Souths are now winning close games.
The 234th fixture between these two famous foundation clubs (1908) was certainly a memorable one. The ledger is now in Souths favour 121 wins to 108. (Reference: The Rugby League Project)
Coach Bennett described the win as one of the best he has ever been involved in.
High praise indeed.
The Phil Blake ‘chip n chase’ best attacking play:
This is a no brainer: Latrell’s pass to Isaiah Tass for the winning try. Debate has raged since: was it a forward pass? SEN and Fox League no doubt both grateful for the discussion point.
Full time: South Sydney 20 d Eastern Suburbs 14
Souths points: Tries (3) Tetola 11’, Gray 64’, Tass 70’ goals: Latrell 3/3 conversions, 1/1 penalty.
Half-time: Souths 8-6
Souths team list: Gray, Tass, Wighton, Latrell, Ravalawa, Cody (capt.), Humphreys, Keppie, Mamouzelos, Tatola, Koloamatangi, Arrow, Hubner. Bench: Sullivan, Havili, Duncan, Maole.
Crowd: 22, 114
2025 RABBIT IN THE VINEYARD PLAYER OF THE YEAR POINTS:
3 points: Jye Gray
2 points: Lachlan Hubner
1 point: Latrell
2025 PROGRESSIVE:
9 – Jye Gray, 8 – Jamie Humphreys, 3 Lachlan Hubner & Keon Koloamatangi, 2 Campbell Graham and Sean Keppie, 1 – Cody, Latrell & Jai Arrow.
NB: 2023 and 2024 winner: Cameron Murray
HIGHLIGHTS:
NRL Match Highlights 2025 | Rabbitohs v Roosters | Round 5
PRESS CONFERENCE:
Wayne Bennett has a sarcastic jab at Latrell Mitchell ?: NRL Presser | NRL on Nine
SOUTH SYDNEY FULL WEEKEND RESULTS:
NSW CUP: L 10-24
JERSEY FLEGG (U/21) W 38-10
SG BALL (U/19) L 28-30
HAROLD MATTHEWS CUP (U/17) W 30-18
WOMENS:
Tarsha Gale Cup (U/19) 22 all draw
Leisa Fiaola Cup (U/17) L 6-34
Barossa red wine of the week:
Chaffey Brothers 2023 La Conquista: Tempranillo-Garnacha-Graciano
LA CONQUISTA!* Barossa TGG 2023 – Chaffey Bros
Photos taken at WA Athletics Stadium
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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RITV, is the name of the wine a tribute to the Rabbitohs’ win over the Sombrero?
Looking forward to an athletics report from the West at some stage.