The Sydney Roosters have produced slightly better polish in execution to record a tough victory over bitter rivals Souths, to keep their finals chances alive for one more day.
Both sides entered this match knowing that a loss would end their season immediately, while a win would keep them in the game, depending on results in 2 other games yet to be played.
The Roosters opened the scoring in just the fifth minute of the game when Sam Walker kicked to the right corner. Alex Johnston juggled the ball three times, eventually losing it into the Rabbitohs in-goal and Corey Allan planted it down for a try. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii failed to convert the try.
Souths took the lead in the 21st minute when Cameron Murray stormed onto a short ball, close to the Roosters line and he burst through a big gap to score near the posts. Lachlan Ilias to give Souths a 2 point lead.
5 minutes later, Suaalii landed a penalty goal to level the scores.
Just before the half time siren sounded, Walker sent a beautiful long ball out to Fetalaiga Pauga, who dived and scored in the corner. Suaalii failed to convert from the sideline.
The Roosters held a narrow 10-6 lead at the break.
6 minutes into the second half saw Pauga receive a lovely ball from Luke Keary, then raced down the sideline before throwing a poor pass inside to James Tedesco, who had to stop and turn to catch the ball before a determined run through the defence saw him somehow get to the line to score a good try. Suaalii converted.
In the 57th minute, Michael Chee Kam crashed over between two defenders to score. Ilias converts to get the Rabbitohs back within a try.
Both sides were both determined and ill-disciplined as they worked to score again and manufacture a victory in the dying stages of the game. In the 70th minute it was the Roosters who took the opportunity, when Campbell Graham missed a tackle on Billy Smith and the Roosters centre crossed to score. Suaalii failed to convert, but the Roosters now held an 8 point lead with just 8 minutes left.
Five minutes before the end of the game, Sam Walker went to the line, grubbered for himself, then the ball bounced off the outstretched hand of Jai Arrow and deflected back into Walker's hands and he dived over to score, before a brief scuffle ensued. Once the players calmed down, Suaalii converted.
From the restart, Egan Butcher made a break down the sideline and very nearly went the distance but was tackled 12 metres shy of the Rabbitohs line. Neither side managed to add to their respective scores and at fulltime, the Roosters were victorious 26-12.