Melbourne Storm v South Sydney
Thursday 25 April
AAMI Park, Melbourne
Jason Demetriou’s last game in charge of South Sydney
Coming off the bye, Souths headed to Melbourne for the 19th time in hope of a miracle – a first win in the Victorian capital.
Sadly, the miracle was never on the cards. Souths’ leaky defence conceded 34 points by half-time as the drums beat louder around the future of Head Coach Demetriou.
Xavier Coates terrorised Taane Milne, scoring a hat trick before half-time, then did not return for the second half due to injury. (Orwas it the mercy rule?!)
In what summed up Souths nineteenth straight loss in Melbourne, the much-maligned Milne finished the game in the sin bin.
After a wonderful break back in Queensland, I landed at the Adelaide airport not long before kick-off.
For once, as I found the correct button on the ABC listen app, the thirty-minute time difference between South Australia and Victoria was useful!
The listen was not easy, as reflected in the message I sent to the ABC from the Northern expressway truck stop about fifteen minutes from home:
“Between Adelaide Airport and the Barossa Valley, South Australia,
As a rusted-on Souths member, this is a tough listen.
Last year in Magic Round, Souths beat the Storm.
Things have been poor for a long time.
PLEASE tackle boys, please!
Rabbit in the Vineyard,
South Australia.
Moments after hitting the ‘Send’ button, Glen Lauder read the text out, adding his comment:
“Well, Rabbit, at least you are in a beautiful part of the country, and thank you for your message to the text line!”
I was home to see most of the second half after the type of welcome only an over-excited golden retriever can give, including a surprise purple patch for Souths. A ten-minute period where we scored three tries.
A shame rugby league at this level is played over 80 minutes …
Mario Fenech-George Piggins inspirational play of the match: Again, Jye Gray at fullback, in his second NRL match. Not afraid to put his small body on the line, not afraid to take the high ball in the contest … beyond refreshing!
Phil Blake chip n chase best attacking moment: Cameron Murray’s try. Good lead up play, including some better support play, something that has been generally lacking in Souths’ play for a long time.
Rampling brothers-Les Davidson-Charlie Frith tackle of the match: As we conceded 54 points, tackle of the match sadly not awarded.
Blake Taaffe watch: the eighth placed Bulldogs had the Round 8 bye. Blake is on the bench for the Saturday afternoon match v the Tigers, a game the Dogs are favoured to win.
Souths line up: Gray, Gagai, Wighton, Tass, Milne, Walker, Hawkins, Burgess, Cook, Koloamatangi, Host, Chee Kam, Murray. Bench: Mamouzelos, Havili, Moale, Arrow.
Souths points: tries Gagai 18’ & 50’, Milne 57’, Murray 59’. goals Hawkins 2/4.
Highlights (lowlights):
NRL Highlights: Storm v Rabbitohs – Round 8 | NRL on Nine (youtube.com)
Jason Demetriou’s last press conference:
RITV Player of the Year points:
3 – Jye Gray, 2 – Cameron Murray, 1 – Jacob Gagai
Progress points: Murray 11, Wighton 6, Burgess 5, Gray, Koloamatangi, Hawkins, Cook 3, Havil, Gagai 2, Moale, S Mitchell, Milne 1.
Crowd: 25,149
South Australian red wine of the week:
Again, due to antibiotics, this week’s report is a change of routine.
On the flight from Brisvegas to Adelaide, I enjoyed a 2022 Hardy’s ‘The Riddle’ Shiraz, so much so that the wonderful flight attendant, Erika, provided a second (187ml) bottle. I was prepared for a mauling from the Storm!
Tonight, playing the premiers, with the temperature dropping here in the Barossa, the GSMs and the like may be rested in favour of a ‘bigger’ taste.
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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The last time Souths sacked a coach was langmack in 2004.. He was replaced by Arthur Kitinas who won at his first start! Unfortunately RITV I can’t see that tonight but there is a passage of clear water coming with the dragons, cowboys and eels plus latrell back hopefully in the 3/4 line. Maybe some joy if they can click!