South Sydney has sent a message to the rest of the NRL competition with a 32-6 thrashing of the first placed Broncos at Suncorp Stadium this evening.
Souths centre Campbell Graham continued to kick down the door for selection for the Blues, scoring a hat-trick and setting up another in a superb display. Graham was ably supported by Latrell Mitchell who crossed for a double to provide their side with a huge win away from home.
Brisbane was given a reality check in front of their home fans, suffering just their second loss of the season. The losses of five-eighth Ezra Mam and world class prop Payne Haas were telling for the home side, who failed to get on the front foot in the second half and could not match the Bunnies firepower through the middle and out wide.
It was a spicy start in Brisbane, when Cameron Murray was sent to the Sin Bin after just four minutes for taking out Billy Walters in a try scoring situation from a kick. Former Bunnies half Adam Reynolds took advantage of the offer to give his side an early 2-0 lead.
Despite being down a man, South Sydney responded quickly when halfback Lachlan Ilias produced a well weighted kick for the in-form Campbell Graham to score the first try of the night. Mitchell converted and it was 6-2 to Souths.
Brisbane then managed to take advantage of the Murray Sin Bin, when Reynolds identified the rushing Souths defence close to the line. The experienced number seven then produced a lovely harbour bridge pass for his winger Jesse Arthars who scored a spectacular try in the corner. Reynolds missed the conversion and the scores were level at 6 all.
The game continued to see-saw throughout the first half until Graham picked up his second try off a set play at the scrum, which saw the NSW hopeful stretch out to score. Mitchell converted and it was 12-6 at halftime.
The Rabbitohs got off to a hot start following the break, when Broncos centre Herbie Farnworth spilled a Lachlan Ilias kick, however Latrell Mitchell then swooped on the ball to score a try to give his side the swing in momentum.
It was a forgettable few minutes for Farnworth, when the Dolphins bound, centre was then sent to the Sin Bin for an attempted trip. South Sydney made the home side pay, with Graham crossing for his third try following some slick hands from Mitchell and Taane Milne to extend the Rabbitohs lead to 22-6.
After three tries, Campbell Graham then turned provider producing a superb offload close to the line to send Cody Walker over for a try. Michell kicked the conversion to extend the visitors lead to 28-6 with just over twenty minutes remaining.
Latrell Mitchell then put the icing on the cake for the Rabbitohs, when he scored his second try after collecting a loose ball on the ground following a cross field kick by Lachlan Ilias.
The win sees the Bunnies now move into the Top 4 (pending other results) and sets up a Magic Round blockbuster against the Melbourne Storm next Saturday. Brisbane must now regroup before they return to Suncorp Stadium to host Manly-Warringah on Friday night.