The 2014 season has come to an end and with it, the South Sydney Rabbitohs have been crowned champions for the 21st time.
An impressive second half performance saw the Rabbits run out 30-6 winners.
Grand Finals always seem to start with a bang and this year's was no different. From the first hit-up Sam Burgess and James Graham collided with it later being revealed that Burgess had fractured his cheekbone in the collision.
Lote Tuqiri appeared to have scored first points but the video referee called it back due to a high tackle on Bulldogs centre Tim Ladai
The game had to wait nearly 20 minutes though for it's first points when youngster Alex Johnston crossed in the corner.
The match turned into a grinding forwards match and the only other scoring play in the first half was a penalty goal through Adam Reynolds.
6-0 at half-time and the score board didn't reflect the dominance that Souths had enjoyed in the first half.
The Dogs drew level just after half-time through Tony Williams. The big man crashed over from close range and Hodkinson added the extras 6-6 and half an hour to play.
Souths were seeking a spark and it was George Burgess who provided it. Taking the ball 20 metres from the Dogs' line, he busted through three defenders and crashed over under the posts. It was truly a try from a man who refused to be denied.
A follow up penalty goal from Adam Reynolds saw the score at 14-6.
Kirisome Auva'a then crossed outwide following a terrific kick from Greg Inglis and the pin point kick from Reynolds moved the score to 20-6.
The Rabbits then closed out the match through Adam Reynolds who pounced on a nicely weighted kick from John Sutton.
Souths weren't done though and Greg Inglis made sure he got on the scoresheet, collecting an inside ball from Luke Keary and out-pacing the Bulldogs defence.
Sam Burgess was offered the final kick of the match, putting it just wide.
The South Sydney Rabbitohs have now broken their 43 year drought, their last Premiership coming in 1971.
Score: South Sydney Rabbitohs 30 - Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 6
Souths: Johnston, Burgess, G. Auva'a, Inglis tries. Reynolds 5 goals from 8 attempts.
Dogs: Williams try. Hodkinson 1 goal from 1 attempt.
Clive Churchill Medal: Sam Burgess.
Replies
Well deserved win by the bunnies, but in the end the Dogs were simply no match for a Bunnies side with far to much artillery.
TD unlucky buddy but your side lacks a real game breaker someone who can turn a game on his own, Graham was your best chance but i thought he was well contained by an outstanding Souths pack.
It will be interesting to see how the Bunnies go without Burgess and Te'o and how the Dogs go without Ennis. The Roosters won't be as good without Mini and SBW. Manly have lost some good players and are likely to lose more. We are on the up and should challenge for a finals spot. From there, who knows???
I wonder how Chris Sandow felt watching the post match coverage? Leaving the Bunnies to get 2 wooden spoons then seeing his old team mates collecting their premiership rings & doing the victory lap in front of 83,000 footy fans. It must have raised some level of misgivings or a twinge of envy etc.
You have said repeatidly on the site that the Dogs choked.
I'm calling you out EME
The Dogs did not choke EME
Do you know what the meaning of the term actually is ? To choke ?
Greg Norman with a 6 shot lead going into the final day of the US Masters, then losing by 6, is choking
With 2 games left against cellar dwellars Knights and Raiders - Heavily favoured Parra MUST win at least 1 game to qualify for the semi finals.................but loses BOTH by 30+ - Parra was NEVER in either contest................THAT is choking
I'll ask again EME Do you know what the meaning of the term actually is ? To choke ?
Here is the actual definition
In sports, a "choke" is the failure of an athlete or an athletic team to win a game or tournament when the player or team had been strongly favored to win or had squandered a large lead in the late stages of the event.
Finishing 7th and making the GF is NOT lucky, that is a reward for hard work and persistance with AWAY wins against Storm, Manly, Penrith - to EARN their spot in the GF
Yes, the Bulldogs were short on talent compared to Souths and were always going to loose to a far superior team
But earning 2 line drop outs in a row and pressing to even up the match when trailing 14-6 with only 8 minutes remaining is NOT choking
I'll say that again EME .......earning 2 line drop outs in a row and pressing to even up the match when trailing 14-6 with only 8 (E I G H T) minutes remaining is NOT choking
You can DELUDE yourself as many times as you like by saying the Dogs choked
But YOU are WONG EME - The Dogs lost, in the final 8 minutes they got pummeled and for 72 minutes put up the best fight that they could
But they DID NOT CHOKE
choke on that !!!!!!!!!!!!
Simply Some clubs know how to manage their salary cap,and get the best out of their acquisitions for the dollar
Our club on the other hand..............LMAO
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