Hey there Tragics, I'm back for another game review, this time I'm reviewing the second Semi Final between the Cronulla Sharks and South Sydney Rabbitohs, Let's go Down the Rabbit Hole.
Final Teams - Sharks (Left) - Rabbitohs (Right)
South Sydney were given some good field position early in the match after Cronulla were penalised for a dangerous tackle, with Mark Nicholls scoring off a crash ball from Damien Cook, some good movement out of dummy half from Cook early there, Latrell Mitchell converts from just beside the posts and the Rabbitohs lead the Sharks 6 nil here at Allianz Stadium in the third minute.
The Sharks had an opportunity to respond almost immeadiately after Tevita Tatola drops the ball, courtesy of a Dale Finucane tackle and have a scrum ten metres out from the Rabbitohs goal line, however, even with Grant Atkins giving the Sharks two set restarts in attacking position, winger Lachlan Miller fumbles a cut out pass from Nicho Hynes over the sideline.
The Sharks have possesion twelve minutes later after Taane Milne fumbles the ball off a Latrell Mitchell short drop out on the Rabbitohs ten metre line and have posession of the ball in another attacking opportunity but the Sharks pass accuracy lets them down with passes finding the ground and Ronaldo Mulitalo failing to get the ball back to Jesse Ramien off a Matt Moylan cross field kick lets them down.
Five minutes later in the 21st minute, Latrell Mitchell forces a Sharks goal line drop out off a no look grubber kick, with the Rabbitohs deep in the Sharks half of the field off the back of a Wade Graham error.
This Tragic raised an eyebrow to the passage of play that occured next, with Nicho Hynes dropping the ball off a short restart but I'm sure that the Rabbitohs should have had a penalty rather than a scrum, because that did not look like a drop kick to me; Regardless the Rabbitohs have a scrum ten metres out from the Sharks line but the Rabbitohs cannot convert this opportunity into points after Keon Koloamatangi knocks on, however on review it looks like he had clean posession of the ball.
Both teams seem to have a case of the dropsies today as both teams have possession of the ball but both teams manage to make errors within a three minute period, some good and heavy defence from Cody Walker and Damien Cook give the Rabbitohs posession twenty metres out from the Sharks line.
Some good ball play from Cameron Murray and two tip ons from Lachlan Ilias and Keon Koloamatangi and a good cutout pass from Latrell Mitchell puts Taane Milne over in the corner to score in the 30th minute and Latrell Mitchell converts from the sideline to push the score out to lead 12 nil in the Bunnies favour.
Cameron Murray collects a harbour bridge pass from Cody Walker off a standing start to beat the defences of Dale Finucane and Teig Wilton to score underneath the posts and Latrell Mitchell converts from in fron to take the Rabbitohs into the sheds at half time leading the Sharks 18 points to nil here at Allianz Stadium.
Both teams have had poor ball control making multiple errors in attacking positions but the Rabbitohs have taken advantage of most of the opportunities inside the Sharks half.
Campbell Graham is once again getting through a lot of work – both in attack and defence.
Cameron Murray is once again proving to be key in attack for the Rabbitohs.
The Sharks respond almost immediately after half time with the Sharks capitalising on a Cameron Murray error and Briton Nikora scores in the corner off a bat back from Ronaldo Mulitalo.
Nicho Hynes converts from the sideline to put the Sharks back in to this semi final, Sharks 6 – Rabbitohs 18.
The Rabbitohs get one try back under five minutes later after Taane Milne manages to avoid getting carried over the sideline with the ball and gets it back on the inside to Lachlan Ilias, Latrell Mitchell involved in attacking play once again.
Latrell Mitchell once again converts from the sideline, he remains perfect with 4 from 4 conversions, Sharks 6 - Rabbitohs 24.
The Sharks respond three minutes later after Jesse Ramien scores off a Briton Nikora pass from a Matt Moylan midfield kick, however it is ruled a no try by the Bunker after it was ruled that Jesse Ramien was offside, Scores remain Sharks 6 - Rabbitohs 24.
Five minutes later in the 54th minute, Rabbitohs fans hearts were in their mouths after winger Alex Johnston was ruled out for the match with leg issue, Isiah Tass moves to left wing and Michael Chee Kam moves to right centre.
The Sharks take advantage of this backline reshuffle by South Sydney and score in the 56th minute after an attempted cutout pass from Latrell Mitchell was tapped back by Jesse Ramien and it’s collected by Ronaldo Mulitalo, who runs the length of the field to score underneath the posts and Nicho Hynes coverts from in front, Sharks starting to come back now - Sharks 12 – Rabbitohs 24.
The Sharks are full of energy after that try and now with Kodi Nikorima defending at left centre, the Sharks will be directing all attack to the left hand side defence of the Rabbitohs.
The Sharks have a very good defensive set three minutes later and get field position deep in Rabbitohs territory courtesy of a penalty for a chicken wing tackle but can’t convert this opportunity into points after Teig Wilton drops the ball on the first tackle.
Three minutes later in the 62nd minute, Cody Walker scores off a short pass from Cameron Murray and steps back on the inside to beat Nicho Hynes and Cameron McInnes to score, Latrell Mitchell converts to remain perfect with 5 from 5 conversions - Sharks 12 - Rabbitohs 30.
Five minutes later, Isiah Tass took an intercept and ran sixty metres down field, off the back of this Taane Milne scores after scoring in the corner off a Lachlan Ilias bounce pass, Latrell Mitchell converts from the sideline to get 6 from 6 – Sharks 12 – Rabbitohs 36.
South Sydney advance to the grand final rematch with the Penrith Panthe/rs after Latrell Mitchell slots a late penalty goal.
Full Time – Rabbitohs 38 (Mark Nicholls, Taane Milne 2, Cameron Murray, Lachlan Ilias, Cody Walker tries - Latrell Mitchell 7/7 goals) defeat Sharks 12 (Briton Nikora, Ronaldo Mulitalo tries - Nicho Hynes 2/2 goals
The Rabbitohs are the only team remaining who finished outside the top 4 in 7th spot.
This semi final was very messy from both sides and the Rabbitohs will want to clean this area of their game up if they want to progress to the Grand Final because Penrith will punish them for errors coming out of their own half.
Campbell Graham once again had a phenomenal performance for someone who had to be needled up to play, in fact the Rabbitohs backline of Mitchell, Graham, Tass and Milne had a good game and were very good in both attack and defence.
Lachlan Ilias once again had a great game, controlling the play well and had some phenomenal efforts in defence.
Latrell Mitchell’s goal kicking seems to be improving, this will also be key to beating the Panthers.
That's it for this edition of Down The Rabbit Hole.
Peace out Tragics!
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