Player ratings for the South Sydney Rabbitohs in their preliminary final clash with the Penrith Panthers.
1. Corey Allan: Produced a cheeky steal to set up opening try but was caught out of position on Penrith's second. Hampered by a leg knock just after half-time and moved to the wing. Found some space and scored a remarkable late try. 7/10
2. Alex Johnston: A good mark to score the opening try but spilled a bomb for Penrith to get on the board. Huge try-save on Stephen Crichton in the second half. 6
12. Bayley Sironen: Quiet start to the game with three missed tackles in the opening half hour before having his night ended by injury. 3.5
4. Dane Gagai: His side's busiest ball-runner with 19 carries for 129 metres and did a solid job in defence at left centre. Important second-half try. 7.5
Tackle one perfection from Reynolds
5. Jaxson Paulo: Safe at the back but struggled to get involved in attack. 4
6. Cody Walker: Totally nullified by slick Penrith defence in the first half but started to find some room as the game wore on, with a try assist to Gagai in the second half. Never stopped trying. 6.5
7. Adam Reynolds: Given a tough time in defence early on by Penrith's in-form left edge. Superb and gutsy kick on tackle one for the game's opening try and kicked well throughout. 7
Gagai scores as Walker directs play down the shortside
8. Tevita Tatola: Strong first stint with some big charges but had trouble with Api Koroisau's darts through the ruck before night was ended early by a head knock. 5.5
9. Damien Cook: One of his side's best with some big defensive plays, some typically probing runs around the ruck and topped the tackle count. Big effort. 7.5
10. Thomas Burgess: Lacklustre first stint and costly error early in his second. Had a very tough time with Penrith's fast rucks, missing seven tackles. 3.5
11. Jaydn Su'A: Plenty of arm-grabbing in defence and usually vigorous carries were somewhat lacking but got through 35 tackles. 5.5
13. Cameron Murray: Superb and relentless. Was shifted between centre, edge and middle and from left to right thanks to injuries elsewhere but continued to find ways to get involved, coming up with some important tackles and solid carries and a huge charge to set up Gagai's second-half try. Topped the metres for his side and only Cook made more tackles. 9
Get Caught Up: Finals Week 3
15. Liam Knight: Looked gassed pretty early on but ended up with a solid innings of over 100 metres and plenty of tackling. 6
Interchange
14. Mark Nicholls: Error early in his stint and missed Isaah Yeo on the Dylan Edwards try. 3
Sublime control from injured Allan
16. Jed Cartwright: Muscular off the bench with some strong carries and tackles. Gave away the blocking penalty for Penrith's two-pointer late in the first half. 6
17. Keaon Koloamatangi: Brought some much-needed energy off the bench, bending the line consistently and topping 100 metres. 6.5
19. Hame Sele: Solid off the bench with almost 100 metres and 19 tackles. 5.5
The views in this article do not necessarily express the opinions of the NRL, ARLC, NRL clubs or state associations.