South Sydney Rabbitohs Mid-Season Report Card

Starting 2015 with a string of victories, the Rabbitohs appeared headed for back-to-back premierships with the only question being over whom they would face off against. However a succession of injuries to halfback Adam Reynolds brought South Sydney down to the rest of the competition, while the absence of Sam Burgess has been felt up-front.

In their opening three matches the Rabbitohs demonstrated a fluency in attack and defence rarely seen to start a season. Even when tested by fellow contenders the Sydney Roosters, South Sydney refused to lose, manufacturing a win against the odds.

While they have won eight games already this season, questions have been raised over how the Bunnies fare without their premier players, suffering a comprehensive 34-6 defeat against Wests Tigers in their last match.

The Rabbitohs will also be on the lookout for a new hooker, after Issac Luke secured a move across the ditch to join the Warriors.

Positives:
While the Rabbitohs have been unable to field their best line-up in the majority of games they've played in 2015, when everything clicks for South Sydney opposition teams simply have no answers for the onslaught the Red and Greens are capable of offering up. Against the Broncos, the Rabbitohs produced one of the most imposing opening round wins of the 21st century; clinical in attack and suffocating in defence, Michael Maguire's men sent a clear warning to the other 15 clubs that the Rabbitohs mean business.

Negatives:
While South Sydney remain a strong chance to take out this years Grand Final with their best side, when the Rabbitohs are forced to play without the likes of Greg Inglis, Adam Reynolds, Glenn Stewart and John Sutton, they can struggle to stay in games. While the club has recovered in recent weeks with Luke Keary at halfback, opposition teams have been able to match the defending premiers in the forwards, putting immense pressure on South Sydney to come up with the plays needed to win matches.

Best Player:
Having spent last year with North Sydney in NSW Cup, Chris Grevsmuhl has made the step up in 2015 to cement himself in the Rabbitohs forward pack. The former Cowboys Under 20s lock has appeared in 13 of 14 matches so far this year, crossing for 4 tries including a match-winning brace against the Titans on the Gold Coast. Representing the Indigenous All Stars and featuring in the 39-0 shutout of St. Helens in the World Club Challenge before making his NRL debut against Brisbane, Grevsmuhl will be in contention for the Dally M Rookie of the Year award should he continue his strong form.

Predicted Finish:
Coming up against North Queensland, Canterbury, Brisbane and the Roosters in their final four matches, the Rabbitohs will have the perfect opportunity to prime themselves for finals football. Almost certainly South Sydney will feature prominently in September, however back-to-back premierships appears unlikely at this stage.
Top 5 finish.

By the Numbers

Won: 8
Lost: 6
Bye: 0
Points Scored: 274 (7th)
Points Conceded: 254 (8th)
Placed: 6th
Overall Ranking: =6th

Season So Far

Round 1 Broncos 6 v 36 Rabbitohs

Round 2 Rabbitohs 34 v 26 Roosters

Round 3 Rabbitohs 20 v 6 Tigers

Round 4 Eels 29 v 16 Rabbitohs

Round 5 Bulldogs 17 v 18 Rabbitohs

Round 6 Rabbitohs 12 v 30 Cowboys

Round 7 Sharks 18 v 10 Rabbitohs

Round 8 Rabbitohs 22 v 30 Raiders

Round 9 Rabbitohs 16 v 10 Dragons

Round 10 Storm 16 v 12 Rabbitohs

Round 11 Rabbitohs 14 v 12 Eels

Round 12 Titans 16 v 22 Rabbitohs

Round 13 Rabbitohs 36 v 4 Warriors

Round 14 Tigers 34 v 6 Rabbitohs