The Rabbitohs rebounded from last week's loss to trounce the Sea Eagles in style at Lottoland. Alex Johnston made the most of his move to fullback, while Tom Trbojevic made it a day to remember for the respective number ones.
Johnston shows there's life after Inglis
Alex Johnston says he wants the Rabbitohs No.1 jersey. On Saturday evening he backed up that talk. Having played predominately on the wing throughout his short NRL career, Johnston showed he can be just as good at the back with a second-half double against the Sea Eagles. In his ninth NRL game at fullback Johnston looked untroubled, running for over 100 metres in a positive sign for South Sydney fans. His first try came off a sweeping second-man play that saw him burn Brian Kelly for speed to touch down for his 50th try in first grade. He didn't have to wait long for his 51st as he flew through to reel in a Robbie Farah grubber to ice the game. The loss of Greg Inglis for the season is a huge blow for the Bunnies, but Johnston's form gives them a glimmer of hope.
George Burgess answers his coach's challenge
After being dropped to reserve grade in Round 1, Rabbitohs prop George Burgess had a point to prove. Originally named in jersey 21 and expected to again play for Norths, Burgess earned a recall to the NRL squad and let his footy do the talking. Once considered one of the premier props in the game, the Englishman wound back the clock with a vintage display against a Manly side missing several front-rowers of their own. Burgess made the most of his opportunity, running for 123 metres in just 29 minutes of action off the bench. To put that into context, the Sea Eagles bench ran for just 43 metres between them.
Cody wins the battle of the Walkers
Dylan Walker might have started the game with an early try assist, but it was all Cody Walker after that. The Rabbitohs five-eighth showed no signs of the dreaded second-year syndrome with a try and two assists in the space of 12 minutes to turn the game on its head. His speed and footwork proved too much to handle for Manly's right-edge defence – including Dylan Walker – with Cody piling on 50 Fantasy points in the first half alone.
Tom Trbojevic eats up the metres
Jason Taumalolo had tongues wagging when he carried the ball for 295 metres in the Round 1 win over Canberra. It took just one week for Tom Trbojevic to better that mark with a whopping 313 metres against the Rabbitohs. Tommy Turbo was at his electrifying best, cracking the triple ton in the final minute from his 25th carry. With two line breaks, a try, an assist and four tackle breaks, the Sea Eagles fullback was a shining light in an otherwise tough day at the office for his side. It wasn't quite the 485-metre haul he accrued against the Warriors in the 2015 Holden Cup season, but it's a sign the youngster is developing into one of the best fullbacks in the game.
Uate shows glimpses of his old self
There were a few raised eyebrows when the Sea Eagles signed Akuila Uate on a swap deal for Jamie Buhrer last season, but the former Knights winger showed on Saturday evening that he still has plenty to offer. The former representative star started the season on 110 career tries and he took that tally to 111 when he touched down inside five minutes to finish off some nice play from Dylan Walker. What was more impressive was his enterprising kick return moments later when he brought the ball back near halfway before unleashing Tom Trbojevic for the try of the day. There are still some question marks over his defence, but hopefully we'll see plenty more highlights from him with ball in hand.
