1 week ago
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Latrell Mitchell and the Rabbitohs fell agonisingly short of one of the great comebacks in club history on Sunday.
The Rabbitohs trailed 22-0 against the Knights, only for Mitchell to get in one of his moods. However, Newcastle held on to win a 14-try thriller 42-38.
Mitchell was running over the top of players and causing havoc every time Souths spread the ball left.
One of the game’s great moments – and what will go down as one of the best passages of play this season – featured Mitchell trampling over hometown hero Kalyn Ponga to score in the corner.
Mitchell had no room to work with, but charged over Ponga before he planted the ball down.
The South Sydney superstar then held his nerve, and ignored the boos ringing out from the 23,413 fans at McDonald Jones Stadium, to slot the conversion and give Souths the lead for the first time with seven minutes remaining.
Euan Aitken then spilled the ball in the next set, Newcastle prop Trey Mooney scored, and coach Wayne Bennett quickly replaced Aitken.
But the Rabbitohs were far from done, and two penalties in the final minute to set up a nail-biting finish. One penalty was against Ponga, who was told by referee Liam Kennedy to “reduce your force” and put on report.
Souths had one last chance to win the game, and they threw the ball to Mitchell, who lost the ball as he was set upon by five Knights defenders as he dived for the corner. The crowd roared its appreciation, and Cody Walker was penalised for rushing in and starting a wild melee, which included Souths back-rower Tallis Duncan shoving Mooney into one of Fox Sports’ TV cameras.
It was hardly a vintage performance by either team, but it was very entertaining to watch.
“There was a lot of effort, it was a great comeback, but they beat themselves in the end,” Bennett said after the game.
“They will never walk away from the game – they’ll fight like hell to the end to put themselves in the picture.”
Pressed on Mitchell’s performance, Bennett said: “He’s a part of a team out there. But I hope people enjoy his skill level, because he’s rare.”
Souths were chasing a fifth win in six games, but struggled to hold the ball early. If they were not knocking the ball on, they were throwing loose passes, and Newcastle were only too happy to make them pay.
The Knights welcomed back five of their stars, including Ponga (hamstring), Bradman Best (groin), Greg Marzhew (concussion), Dylan Lucas (throat) and Tyson Frizell (ribs). Ponga was in the thick of everything, with Lucas bagging a double and Marzhew a hat-trick of tries.
Ponga survived a bruising tackle by Jack Wighton in the opening minute. But Wighton lasted just 20 minutes before he was forced from the field with a suspected broken arm after making a try-saving tackle on Ponga.
Duncan was shifted to right centre, then later to the left edge, with Souths using Moala Graham-Taufa on the right wing.
Alex Johnston grabbed two tries as he scored for an eighth straight game. His signing with the PNG Chiefs is expected to be rubber-stamped at some stage this week, but he will miss playing outside Mitchell when he leaves Souths.
Bennett was not have been happy with his side’s discipline, and will need to get his troops firing next Saturday when they host Cronulla.
The Knights would have been devastated had they blown the huge lead, but will be delighted with the two points, and they play the winless St George Illawarra on Saturday.
