Mitchell masterclass narrowly fails to lift Rabbitohs to epic comeback win against Knights
Latrell Mitchell fell agonisingly short after trying to spark one of the great South Sydney comebacks.
The Rabbitohs trailed 22-0 against the Knights on Sunday afternoon, only for Mitchell to get in one of his moods. However, Newcastle held on to win 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 Souths’ 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.
The Rabbitohs were far from done, and received 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 play to win the game, threw it 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 the Fox Sports’ TV cameras.
The game finished 42-38 with no less than 14 tries scored. It was hardly a vintage performance by either team, but it sure was fun to watch.
Souths were chasing a fifth win in their past six games, but struggled to hold the ball early. If they were not knocking the ball on, they were throwing passes into the ground, 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 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.
Mitchell is one of the best players to watch when at his physical best. Whether it’s his slick hands for Johnston, dragging in two and three defenders every time he grabs the ball, or trampling over Ponga and Origin stars such as Dane Gagai – Mitchell is having a season to remember.
Bennett would 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 mentally fried had they blown the huge lead, but will be delighted with the two points, and should have too much class, and too many points, when they play St George Illawarra.
