South Sydney Rabbitohs v St George Illawarra Dragons scores, odds, how to watch, team lists, news

9.10pm

Kyle under siege

First, Cody Walker has involved in an animated discussion with Kyle Flanagan. Then, Brandon Smith charges out of the line looking to put a big hit on. Smith gets it wrong, and is penalised. It’s worth keeping an eye on this sub-plot. Rabbitohs lead 22-0 after 54 minutes

9.07pm

9.04pm

Rabbitohs push lead beyond 20

Tallis Duncan joins in the Rabbitohs’ fun by crashing over out wide. He could have flicked a pass to an unmarked Johnston and given him try number 211, but he took the sensible option. Rabbitohs lead 22-0

Brandon Smith on Thursday night.Credit: Getty Images

9.00pm

Flanno won’t like that

Dragons coach Shane Flanagan has had reason to question some of the decisions made against his team in recent weeks. Watching Ashton Ward escape with just a penalty will only add to his rage.

8.57pm

Lucky escape for Souths

We’ve had the opening few minutes of the second half, and the Dragons have some more life about them. The Rabbitohs are very lucky not to be down to 12 men after Ashton Ward was allowed to stay on the field after preventing Kyle Flanagan from playing the ball a few metres out from the line. Rabbitohs lead 16-0 after 45 minutes

Ashton Ward in action.Credit: Getty Images

8.52pm

Dream 40 minutes for Souths

A 16-0 lead. Completing your sets at 100 per cent. Just three missed tackles. Wayne Bennett could not have asked for much more from his side in the first 40 minutes. Now, to do that again.

As for the Dragons, coach Shane Flanagan will be pulling his hair out. His side started slowly, and then managed to get slower after that. But, all is not lost. If they score the first try in the second half, they’ll have cause for optimism.

Rabbitohs lead 16-0

8.41pm

View from the groundBy Christian Nicolussi

Cody Walker makes such a difference to this South Sydney side. He has had a hand in two of their tries, including one to Alex Johnston just before the break. The way he engaged the line and had a couple of Dragons’ defenders in two minds was all class. Less said the better about that forward pass.

Coach Wayne Bennett told me during the week that it was no coincidence the past two wins have come when Walker and Latrell Mitchell have played. Ditto, skipper Cam Murray being back and driving the standards at training.

8.36pm

Try 210 for Johnston

Let’s not get caught up in that forward pass – Alex Johnston has just scored try #210. He didn’t have a lot to do, but he did it right. As far as forward passes go, that was really something. Rabbitohs lead 16-0 after 39 minutes

Alex Johnson in action on Thursday night.Credit: Getty Images

8.34pm

8.29pm

How do the Dragons find some spark?

Thirty minutes have elapsed and St George Illawarrra haven’t looked like scoring. It’s been a very careful start, but they have to change that, and soon. If they don’t score before the break, you’d think one more South Sydney try could be enough. It’s hard to see the Dragons scoring four (or more) tries in the second half. A shocking attempted play-the-ball from Luciano Leilua hasn’t helped. Rabbitohs lead 12-0 after 34 minutes

Clint Gutherson in action.Credit: Getty Images

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