Updated August 21, 2025 \u2014 9.10pmfirst published at 7.27pm<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n Loading<\/p>\n Go to latest<\/p>\n Pinned post from 7.26pm<\/p>\n Vote now – who will win?<\/p>\n 9.10pm<\/p>\n Kyle under siege<\/p>\n 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\u2019s worth keeping an eye on this sub-plot. Rabbitohs lead 22-0 after 54 minutes<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 9.07pm<\/p>\n WATCH: Duncan try<\/p>\n 9.04pm<\/p>\n Rabbitohs push lead beyond 20<\/p>\n Tallis Duncan joins in the Rabbitohs\u2019 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<\/p>\n Brandon Smith on Thursday night.Credit: Getty Images<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 9.00pm<\/p>\n Flanno won\u2019t like that<\/p>\n 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. <\/p>\n <\/p>\n 8.57pm<\/p>\n Lucky escape for Souths<\/p>\n We\u2019ve 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<\/p>\n Ashton Ward in action.Credit: Getty Images<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 8.52pm<\/p>\n Dream 40 minutes for Souths<\/p>\n 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. <\/p>\n 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\u2019ll have cause for optimism.<\/p>\n Rabbitohs lead 16-0<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 8.41pm<\/p>\n View from the groundBy Christian Nicolussi<\/p>\n 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\u2019 defenders in two minds was all class. Less said the better about that forward pass.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 8.36pm<\/p>\n Try 210 for Johnston<\/p>\n Let\u2019s not get caught up in that forward pass – Alex Johnston has just scored try #210. He didn\u2019t 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<\/p>\n Alex Johnson in action on Thursday night.Credit: Getty Images<\/p>\n![\"Brandon](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/6158be58a0749f153f264282b75aecb37c8bb11e.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Ashton](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/3502dfefa53baa90420a31c64e337c6f99a716ef.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Alex](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/2965091e145d6e5d3c5a646ca2e20f4080347278.jpeg\")
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![\"Clint](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/e4f61d12f056aaddd2b98c115f638d3938eed085.jpeg\")
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