You have skipped the navigation, tab for page content
Sutton can be Rabbitohs' X-factor

John Sutton could be the man the Rabbitohs need to give them the extra gear they'll need if they are to beat the Roosters on Friday night.

Souths have beaten the Roosters twice this year but it will be a very different story in the second-against-third showdown at the SCG.

The Roosters have a heap of high-quality players coming back, including arguably the best ball-playing half in the competition right now in Luke Keary.

Mitch Aubusson does a lot of the little things that go unnoticed. Siosiua Taukeiaho is a huge inclusion in the middle, especially if they have to replace Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, while Brett Morris is very experienced and adds another dimension to their attack on the wing.

Latrell Mitchell was very quiet last week but is rarely quiet two weeks in a row.

The Roosters can and should play a lot better than they did last week so the Bunnies will have to lift because if they play like they did last week it won't be enough this week.

I'd like to see the Bunnies try and move the ball around and put the Roosters' defence in two minds – which means taking it to the line with plenty of numbers and players in support.

I don't think they've used John Sutton as well this year as they did last year but he can add a lot to their game.

Murray: Wayne’s been great for my game.

I don't like seeing Sutto used primarily as a hit-up forward. It needs to be more of a 50/50 mix where sometimes he might be taking that hard run but sometimes he's used as a ball-playing edge where he's got players on his inside and outside and he can dummy, hit the line and offload, play short, go out the back, throw a cut-out or put in a kick.

They need to create situations like that for him because he's so good at taking advantage of it.

That in turn will create some speed around the ruck in their attack and suit Cody Walker who also plays on that edge because he probably hasn't been as dominant this year as last year either.

That creativity at the line has been a little bit lacking for them this season.

Cam Murray has been sensational for them in the middle and his quick play-the-balls are helping Damien Cook but they need to capitalise on that better.

Adam Reynolds is good at driving the team around and has one of the best kicking games in the NRL but he probably doesn't take the ball deep into the line as much as some other halves.

Every NRL try from Round 25

Walker is less structured and more unpredictable but it's harder for him to get into the game at the moment. Whereas if Sutto is on song and getting him some quick play-the-balls out on that edge it brings him right into the contest.

The tricky thing for the Bunnies is the Roosters won't play the same way this week as last week so the Rabbitohs will be in two minds whether to go with what worked last week or try and mix it up.

If they just try and replicate last week's efforts the Roosters will have a solution and I believe Sutton is the key there to bringing something different.

GF moment: Inglis' iconic celebration

In saying all that they played last week and got a win after winning at the start of the year as well so when times get tough they have that in the back of their minds which can be a big advantage itself going into the finals.

This is basically a home game for both teams both geographically and in terms of the crowd. It will be interesting who has the most supporters in the stadium for this one and a good turnout from both sets of fans as well as a great contest.

Acknowledgement of Country

National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.

Premier Partner

Media Partners

Major Partners

View All Partners