For South Sydney fans, Friday 11 September at Allianz Stadium ended in heartbreak. The Rabbitohs’ 2026 premiership dream was cut short by a hungry Newcastle side, 20-10, in an elimination final that will sting for a while.
But in the pain, there were moments that reminded everyone why this club commands such fierce loyalty.
The turning points
The match slipped away in fine margins. Cody Walker’s calf injury early in the second half robbed Souths of their chief orchestrator, the player who turns good structure into something magical. Then came the Bunker decision that had the home crowd chanting “bulls**t”: Jayden Sullivan’s spectacular try ruled out for a supposed knock-on by Alex Johnston, a call coach Wayne Bennett later tore into as proof the system isn’t “100 per cent bulletproof”. Campbell Graham’s first-half try kept the Bunnies in it and Taane Gray’s late score offered a flicker of hope, but two costly errors in the final minutes let Newcastle scramble home.
Respect where it’s due
Credit must go to Newcastle’s young guns, especially Jermaine McEwen, whose two tries and relentless defence set the tone. Francis Manuileleua’s thunderous hit on Cameron Murray summed up the Knights’ physical intent. Yet Souths fought with everything they had, even as injuries and controversy mounted. Latrell Mitchell and Dane Gagai’s fiery exchange showed the passion on both sides, while Graham’s last-ditch saves kept the scoreline respectable.
Looking ahead
This wasn’t the farewell anyone in red and green wanted, but it’s not the end. The core remains, and the hunger will only grow. For now, it hurts. But as every Rabbitohs supporter knows, this club has risen from worse.
