Magical Mitchell secures gutsy Bunnies win

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South Sydney Rabbitohs v Brisbane Broncos

A fifty metre drop goal from Latrell Mitchell has given Souths a gutsy 22-14 win over a misfiring Broncos squad.

Both sides got off to a sputtering start, with a handful of errors early in the game, and the Broncos finally struck first after 18 minutes when a Ben Hunt kick landed perfectly for Kotoni Staggs, ultimately allowing Jordan Riki to go over. Adam Reynolds knocked over a penalty goal soon after and the Broncos led 8-0.

Another period of slow paced play ended just before halftime, when Deine Mariner crossed from a right side shift. The Broncos took a 14-0 lead into the break, but any thoughts of them going on to post a large score in the second 40 were proven misguided a few minutes into the half when Siliva Havili crossed from dummy half.

Around 10 minutes later, the Rabbitohs showed they were truly in the game when Isaiah Tass made Staggs look like a ragdoll before playing hot potato with Fletcher Myers to pick up a try. All of a sudden it was 14-12 with almost half an hour remaining and Souths were knocking on the door.

Brisbane started to turn it on, but they could not find a way to finish any of the 8 linebreaks they were able to pick up throughout the game, several of which came in the second half. And then, when Hunt pulled up lame chasing a grubber, the game completely shifted in favour of Souths.

First, a penalty on the goal line allowed them to tie the game with a penalty goal. Then, after another missed chance by the Broncos, a fifty metre two-point field goal by Latrell Mitchell put the Rabbitohs in front. And finally, when Selwyn Cobbo made an error in the Broncos last chance to force a tie or win, Mitchell scored a disrespectful four pointer which he converted to seal a 22-14 win.

The result means both teams have won 5 of their first 10 games, Souths winning their first in 5 while the Broncos have won just one of their last 5. Add onto that the loss of Hunt, even if he can be just replaced by Ezra Mam, and they could have some serious issues during the traditionally taxing Origin period.