Player ratings for the South Sydney Rabbitohs team for the NRL semi-final against Manly.
1. Adam Doueihi: Continues to evolve into a high-class fullback and produced a series of brave kick-returns – in particular scooping up low kicks at pace in traffic – to take the pressure off his team. Knocked down a near-certain Manly try early in the second half. Missed the last 20 minutes due to a head knock in what was a huge blow to Souths. 7.5/10
2. Alex Johnston: Some good work under the high ball and a great finish for the night's opening try. Unfortunately concussed in some friendly fire with just over 20 minutes still on the clock. 6
3. James Roberts: Hardly sighted in attack and part of the misfiring right edge in defence, finishing with just 61 metres. 4
4. Dane Gagai: Appeared to be less than 100% fit with his hamstring injury and was shown up by Moses Suli badly in the lead-up to Cherry-Evans' try and in Suli's solo effort in the second half. Had a tough stint at fullback after Johnston and Doueihi went off. 4
Johnston scores first for South Sydney
5. Campbell Graham: Produced a beautiful try-saver on Brad Parker while his team was down to 12 men and consistently put his hand up for tough carries. 6
6. Cody Walker: Sharp work to help create Johnston's opening try and scored the second running a nice line off Murray. His sin-binning for a slap may have looked soft but the loss of self-control saw Manly score against 12 men. 7
7. Adam Reynolds: General play kicking was good with an early 40/20 but missed a gettable penalty goal. Defence was the main worry, run over by Parker for one try and left a yawning gap for Corey Waddell to score another as his edge was frequently found wanting. 5
8. Thomas Burgess: Strong up front, running for 156 metres and getting some extra minutes due to the head knocks in the backline. 7
Murray goes superman
9. Damien Cook: Some speedy work from dummy half in the lead-up to Souths' second try and consistently asking questions around the ruck with darts and crisp service. Otherwise fairly well handled. 7
10. Liam Knight: Gave an early penalty, then an error that put his team under pressure for a Manly try. Recovered well and set the tone with some strong carries and 169 running metres. 7.5
11. John Sutton: Able to play a lot more footy than he did the week before with a nice catch and pass for Johnston's opening try and wound the clock back about 15 years when he stepped through several Manly players for a crucial level-up try late. 6.5
Walker try continues Rabbitohs fast start
12. Sam Burgess: Clearly out of position playing out wide but did his best to spark his team with some big shots. However was part of a misfiring right edge defence that was found out far too often. Did produce a big effort to help stop a Parker try out wide. 6
13. Cameron Murray: Best on ground. Consistently troubled the Manly defence with late footwork at the line and his quick play-the-ball. A beautiful run and pass for Walker's try and brilliant run to bag one of his own right on half time. Forced into the centres by injury and scored another. 9.5
Interchange
14. George Burgess: Given just the first 10 minutes of the second half. Was busy in that 10 but not long enough to make an impact. 2
15. Mark Nicholls: Understated and reliable off the bench. Played half an hour either side of half time and the final five minutes for 80 metres and 22 tackles. 5.5
16. Junior Tatola: Good impact off the bench with 144 metres, three busts and 32 tackles in a big 56-minute spell. 7.5
17. Ethan Lowe: Forced to plug a gap in the centres due to injury and did his best – though will mostly be remembered for being on the wrong end of two bone-rattlers from Jorge Taufua. 5
Manly Sea Eagles semi-final player ratings
The views in this article do not necessarily express the opinions of the NRL, ARLC, NRL clubs or state associations.