Latrell Mitchell has made a compelling case for a NSW State of Origin recall, starring as South Sydney made it three straight wins with a 22-12 defeat of Brisbane.
Just days before Michael Maguire names his side for Origin II, Mitchell was in everything — from the try-scorer's lists to the sin-bin — as the Rabbitohs dominated at Stadium Australia.
The result also made it three straight defeats for Brisbane, who will now finish the round outside the top eight after falling behind 22-0 early in the second half.
On a historic Friday night for the Rabbitohs, Alex Johnston went second on the all-time try-scorers list when he passed Billy Slater with his 191st four-pointer.
Damien Cook also bagged an early try as he fights for his future at the club, while Cody Walker was sound at halfback and put a kick in for a Keaon Koloamatangi try.
Brisbane was their worst enemy on Friday night, committing 16 errors and giving away six penalties.
"It's like they've forgotten how to hold the ball," two-time premiership winner Luke Lewis told ABC Sport during the broadcast.
A 65 per cent completion rate meant they spent the majority of the night at their own end, as they desperately missed Reece Walsh and Adam Reynolds' composure.
Reynolds is not due back from his injured bicep until round 22, and the Broncos must hang on until that point.
Their two tries both came through Deine Mariner, but those were in the final 15 minutes with the game over.
Earlier, North Queensland produced one of their best performances of the season to down the Raiders in Canberra 34-16.
Look back at how the action unfolded in our blog below.
Key events
- That is all for the blog this evening
- Souths coach Ben Hornby and captain Cam Murray are now speaking to the media
- Walters says he is 'very confident' Brisbane can turn their form around
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Live updates
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NRL Friday scores
By Michael Doyle
Key Event
That is all for the blog this evening
By Michael Doyle
We will end Friday night's coverage of the NRL there.
The Cowboys and Rabbitohs can toast great wins.
The Raiders and Broncos will want to forget those matches as quickly as possible.
ABC Sport will be back tomorrow to continue live coverage of Round 15 in the NRL.
I hope you join us then.
Goodnight.
Can the Rabbitohs make a run to the finals?
By Michael Doyle
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Key Event
Souths coach Ben Hornby and captain Cam Murray are now speaking to the media
By Michael Doyle
Ben Hornbey: "Loved our start. Loved our scramble when we were down to 12 men and we hung on int the end. A lot of big efforts from players in that second half."
Key Event
Walters says he is 'very confident' Brisbane can turn their form around
By Michael Doyle
Kevin Walters has said he is "very confident" he and his team can return to the form which guided them to the grand final last season.
"When we get it right, you'll all know. You'll see it."
Key Event
Walters does not accept Brisbane are losing because Walsh and Reynolds are out
By Michael Doyle
Walters has been asked about the injuries to Adam Reynolds and Reece Walsh, and if that is a reason they are losing.
"I don't buy into that. Tristan (Sailor) is a very good play and Jock (Madden) is a very good player," he says.
"I won't cop one little bit of that.
"We had a good side tonight."
Key Event
Kevin Walters says discipline has 'left us' in the past three weeks
By Michael Doyle
Brisbane coach Kevin Walters is trying to remain upbeat, despite the 22-12 loss.
"Our discipline has sort of left us the last three weeks now. We're paying a price for it on the scoreboard," he says.
"We're playing some good footy in patches, if we can hold onto it, and we also defend well if we can get together. But it's not happening for us at the moment."
Brisbane coach Kevin Walters and captain Pat Carrigan are speaking to the media
By Michael Doyle
After a 22-12 loss, a third straight defeat for the Broncos, they coach and captain now speak to the media.
Key Event
Brisbane let themselves down, says Selwyn Cobbo
By Michael Doyle
Selwyn Cobbo has joined ABC Sport after a bad night for the Broncos.
They had 16 errors and did not take advantage of a lot of opportunities.
"It's hard when we give the ball away on their terms," Cobbo says.
"In these conditions, we need to hold the ball. The errors and discipline killed us."
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Key Event
Milestone man Alex Johnston speaks to ABC Sport
By Michael Doyle
Alex Johnston has 191 tries in the NRL.
He is second on the all-time list outright and is 21 tries behind the all-time leader Ken Irvine.
He joins John Gibbs on ABC Sport.
"It’s hard not to (think about it) everyone brings it up. It’s pretty cool to overtake Billy and be number two outright now," he says.
"I’ve got a few more to go."
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Key Event
Keaon Koloamatangi believes Souths can make a run at the finals
By Michael Doyle
South Sydney have three straight wins.
They look more confident and they are playing good footy.
Keaon Koloamatangi was excited about the rest of the season, talking to ABC Sport.
"We got the players on paper … we can beat any teams on our day."
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Key Event
FULL-TIME: South Sydney Rabbitohs 22 def. Brisbane Broncos 12
By Michael Doyle
Full-time at Stadium Australia and Souths have three straight wins.
They jumped to a 22-0 lead which was more than enough in a rain-affected match.
Brisbane were poor, with 16 errors nullifying any momentum they tried to build.
The Broncos got two consolation tries to Deine Mariner.
Key Event
78' TRY: Mariner has a second for the Broncos
By Michael Doyle
Brisbane hold the ball for a few tackles, and it leads to points.
The Broncos marched up the field, completed a few offloads, and Deine Mariner grounds a great grubber from Erza Mam.
The Broncos have made a lot of linebreaks tonight, but 16 errors have cruelled them tonight.
Key Event
67' TRY: Mariner scores a terrific try. Brisbane are on the board
By Michael Doyle
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Deine Mariner has shown all of his skills to score that try.
A lethal step beats Alex Johnston, and then he leaps and gets the point of the ball down.
All of his body was over the touchline.
Well done Deine Mariner!
Key Event
59' Brisbane kick on the first tackle
By Michael Doyle
Brisbane are starting to make metres and Deine Mariner makes a break.
It's first tackle. This is good for Brisbane.
Mariner is going to be tackled, and he goes for a kick in field.
It's first tackle!
Souths have the ball.
That is a low-percentage play when they needed to build pressure.
"It's like they've forgotten how to hold the ball," Luke Lewis tells ABC Sport.
Key Event
56' SIN-BINS: Tensions have boiled over after Jordan Riki smashes Cam Murray off the ball
By Michael Doyle
There is a lot of tension on the field.
Jordan Riki has smashed Cam Murray off the ball.
And Latrell Mitchell rushes in and starts a ruckus.
Mitchell and Riki are both in the sin bin.
Unnecessary from both players.
Key Event
50' TRY: Alex Johnston scores his 191st NRL try
By Michael Doyle
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History has been made.
Alex Johnston has moved into second, all alone, in the all-time try-scorers list.
Souths go to the left, Latrell Mitchell throws a beautiful pass, and Johnston finishes it off.
Johnston now passes the legendary Billy Slater, who scored 190 in his career.
Ken Irvine is the record holder with 212 tries.
It is also the 40,000th point scored by Souths in their history.
42' Brisbane drop the ball on their first chance with the ball
By Michael Doyle
Brisbane could not hold the ball for a tackle before dropping the ball.
Selwyn Cobbo collected a kick, palmed off one defender, and then dropped the ball in when tackled.
Souths are unable to make them pay, with Jack Wighton dropping the ball in the next set.
Key Event
Brisbane kick-off the second half against Souths
By Michael Doyle
Can the Brisbane Broncos bounce back?
Selwyn Cobbo is in the field after passing his HIA.
Souths will soon be back to 13 men.
Brisbane is running to the right of your screen.
Trivia from the ABC Sport audience
By Michael Doyle
Was at a charity golf day earlier today. The guest speaker was former rugby league player David Mead. I was surprised at how many first grade game he had played. I was just wondering what Encyclopaedia Doyle’s guess would be for how many games he played?
- M1k3 Evans
Hello Mike.
Thanks for joining me on the ABC Sport live blog.
I am very interested in trivia from the audience.
My gut reaction was 110-120 matches.
But he played 230 first grade matches — 172 in the NRL and 58 in the Super League.
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