Just as they were in the 1960s and ’70s, Souths are firmly entrenched at the top of the league table. Just like the ’60s and ’70s, Souths are now a team to be respected and feared. Apart from the recent stumble on a wet, drizzly Monday night at Shark Park, Souths have dominated for the past six weeks as the form team in the competition.
The Burgess Brothers have been dominant with virtually no one expecting the bonus of “Baby” George emerging as one of the most scary and effective front rowers in the competition. And they’ve found some very willing brothers in arms, particularly in the shape of the once enigmatic Johnny Sutton who has become the epitome of consistency, commitment and courage in 2013.
Greg Inglis has established himself as the best player in the competition this year and teams have struggled to handle his kick returns and his left-side raids on the back of Sutton’s deft passing game.
Along with George Burgess, Bryson Goodwin has been the big surprise for the Rabbitohs. Goodwin’s handling of the much-vaunted Manly right-side attack was the catalyst to Manly’s petulant on-field response as he continually frustrated Lyons and company, cutting them down in copybook tackles.
But it’s been a team effort that Coach Maguire must take most of the credit for. Chris McQueen, Ben Te’O, Dave Tyrell and Jason Clarke have barely made a break all year, but they have made enormous contributions to the team’s defensive structure as well as showing a willingness to hurl themselves up-field for the not-so easy yards.
In the last month, the two away wins, at Brookvale, and at the even more northern fortress, Lang Park against the Broncos, have been the standouts. Supporters and commentators have been most impressed with the toughness and disciplined approach of the team and its willingness to “slog it out” for hard-fought victories.
Against the West Tigers, even though they were able to easily prise open the floodgates, Souths resisted a frenzy of extravagant plays, with John Sutton showing leadership to ensure the team remained structured and focussed as they demolished the hapless Tigers.
So, as we move into the State of Origin zone and the cold middle months of the competition, the team looks poised to continue on its winning way. With Merritt and Reynolds overlooked for NSW honours, the Englishmen, New Zealanders and an able crew of emerging locals are ready to fill the small void left by the Queensland representatives, Inglis, McQueen and Te’O.
So the not-so bold SSH prediction is that by the time our July edition comes out, Souths will still be competition leaders, winning the next four scheduled games against the Knights, Titans, Eels and Raiders.
