A few answers, more questions, but, most crucially, at least a couple more weeks for Jason Demetriou.
South Sydney fronted up when their coach needed it most in a 34-22 loss to Cronulla that loomed as Demetriou’s last in charge.
The Rabbitohs now have the bye and time to take a breath, but the club’s fortunes and Demetriou’s future will be under even sterner examination soon enough. An Anzac Day clash against Melbourne followed by premiers Penrith – with a scheduled board meeting in between those two games – could return the Bunnies right back to where they began.
Looking at their lot, we weigh up the situation for South Sydney and the outlook for their coach.
The cardinal and myrtle grit was there for all to see against the Sharks. Down 16-6 with Cameron Murray concussed and out of the game, Tevita Tatola nursing a suspected foot fracture, Tyrone Munro fearing the same for his collarbone and two more HIAs playing havoc with the Rabbitohs’ bench rotations, Souths could easily have capitulated. Their second-half record was already the worst in the league.
Instead, veterans Tom Burgess, Cody Walker and Jack Wighton stood tall. All three were significantly more involved than any other game this season, with Wighton producing a game-high 19 runs for 188 metres and constantly putting his hand up for work. Burgess carried a depleted pack. Halfback Dean Hawkins forced four line drop-outs in his best game for the club after an early defensive lapse as well.
And at the back, debutant Jye Gray was christened ‘The Road Runner’ by half-time as he bumped and bounced his 168cm frame through Cronulla’s defence.
The good, the bad and the unknown: Where to now for Rabbitohs?
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8
15.04.2024
A few answers, more questions, but, most crucially, at least a couple more weeks for Jason Demetriou.
South Sydney fronted up when their coach needed it most in a 34-22 loss to Cronulla that loomed as Demetriou’s last in charge.
The Rabbitohs now have the bye and time to take a breath, but the club’s fortunes and Demetriou’s future will be under even sterner examination soon........
© The Sydney Morning Herald
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