Predicted Finish: 4th
Actual Finish: 6th
I'm going to claim this as Souths proved in the finals that they're the third/fourth best team in the NRL. Another year as we have come to expect from the powerhouse in red and green.
A third straight Prelim exit though has to frustrate many.
2. Lowlights
- Awful start: The Bunnies were expected to be an early pace setter in 2020 but nothing could be further from the truth. They scraped through against the Sharks thanks to a blown pass from an out of position centre, before dropping three straight games to the Broncos, Roosters and Storm. The Broncs (although they were 2-0 after that win) aside, those are hardly embarrassing losses but certainly not what the Rabbitohs expected. They should have been 0-4 if not for the aforementioned pass going forward with the game on the line. They would ultimately turn it around but in a shortened season, starting 1-3 really should have been more of a worry.
- Another Prelim Loss: Another Prelim made, another Prelim lost. At a point there has to be questions asked as to what is going on. They had the players in all three seasons. For the past two they've had the man generally accepted as the best coach of the modern era, if not ever. They had a few injuries but nothing season-defining. Could just be that they were outplayed each time? Or it could be that they just can't get over that hump of expectation? If any coach can turn it around it's Wayne Bennett. I know most sides would kill to make a Prelim every year, but ultimately you want to win said Prelim. Maybe 2021.
Hardly anyone predicted that Souths would make the Top 8, let alone the Top 4 or a Preliminary Final.
Most scribes, experts and fans had the Rabbitohs finishing between 8th and 13th position given the turnover of Rabbitohs greats…
GI, Sutton, Sam and George.
Let us face it they weren’t replaced by anyone of note.
What did emerge was quite a few youngsters stepping up and doing a fine job.
These youngsters will be even better in 2021.
Hey Reggie!
Who predicted that Penrith would move from 11th position, to defeated once & minor premiers? Iโd say that would be nobody at all!
Southโs had done the same last season, as they did for the 2 years before that. So although their forwards looked weaker on paper in 2020, it wasnโt such a big call for them to achieve the same things yet again.
So with the Panthers losing more talent , will they drop down? Probably, as itโs hard to achieve even a minor premiership, with less experienced players. However, now that they know that they can achieve this & are good enough. Panthers youngsters like one of the best backs to come along in years , Charlie Staines. The young prop forward other clubs wanted to pay overs for , Spencer Leniu. Young star prop of the future, Lindsay Smith. Plus all the other youngsters , that now have some experience, such as Jerome Luai. Could also help them to stay near the top of the table.
Whoโs predicting them to stay where they were in 2020? No one …
Is it possible?