Rabbitohs roll on (and dare to dream)

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South Sydney Rabbitohs v Wests Tigers

Tries took precedence over tackles as the South Sydney Rabbitohs outscored the Wests Tigers 42-28 in a high-scoring affair in Gosford.

Continuing a dominant record over the joint venture with their eighth win from nine clashes this decade, the Rabbitohs fought back from a deficit midway through the second half to run out convincing winners before a crowd of 16,284 in Damien Cook's 200th NRL appearance for the club.

The win was the Rabbitohs sixth from their past seven matches and keeps the foundation club in contention for an unlikely top eight finish.

The Rabbitohs made their attacking intentions known early with Davvy Moale (6th minute) powering over and Cody Walker (10th minute) swooping on a fortuitous grubber to put the hosts up 10-0 in even time.

Having conceded ten tries in their most recent outing and having their defence exposed early on, the Tigers flipped the script with two tries in as many minutes after Tallyn Da Silva split the Rabbitohs through the middle to link with Lachlan Galvin (16th minute) and Da Silva (18th minute) scurried over from close range to take a 12-10 lead.

Richie Kennar was ruled out of the match after a bullocking kick-off return by Stefano Utoikamanu, however the reshuffled backline - which saw Cook shift to centre - did little to dissuade the Rabbitohs as Alex Johnston (26th and 35th minute) crossed for a double.

A spectacular passage of play as the halftime siren sounded saw Jahream Bula (40th minute) score after Luke Laulilii burst down the sideline and find support to narrow the score to 22-18. 

A penalty goal by Cook early in the second half gave the Rabbitohs a converted try buffer that was short-lived when Charlie Staines (47th minute) produced a spectacular put down just inside the corner post.

The lead changed once again when a grubber by Latu Fainu ricocheted into the arms of his brother, Sione Fainu (55th minute), who barged underneath the black dot for his second career try.

Having produced a diamond to set up a try on halftime, Laulilii came up with a rock by dropping a pass on his goal line which saw Walker (60th minute) collect his second of the day.

The Tigers hopes of a comeback were dashed when Peter Mamouzelos (64th minute) barged over and were extinguished fully when Aidan Sezer was sent to the sin bin for a hip drop on Jye Gray.

Gray (72nd minute) showed no ill effects to collect the final try of the afternoon as the Rabbitohs finished as 42-28 victors.

Next week, the Rabbitohs will face the Raiders in Canberra on Sunday evening, while the Tigers will travel to Auckland to take on the Warriors on Friday night.