The Rabbitohs started the season with a loss to Brisbane, then consecutive wins over the Roosters and Tigers, who both finished in the top eight. A coaching change occurred in Round 7, with Ben Gardiner moving up to the NSW Cup and Troy Finch taking the reins. After a six-game stretch in which they won three games and drew another, the Rabbitohs then went on a ten-game losing, resigning them to last place. They ended the year strong, with an upset victory over Brisbane and a draw with the Roosters, but it wasn’t enough to avoid the wooden spoon.
A number of close losses and players being promoted to NSW Cup was the Rabbitohs downfall. Of their 16 defeats, four were by two points and three others were by less than eight. They’ve got wins over four finals sides and put 30 points on the Cowboys in Round 23, while the likes of Cheyne Whitelaw, Tulsa Saumamao, and John Olive spent the majority of their seasons playing for North Sydney, gaining valuable experience against older opponents.
Standout Players
Prop Clayton Williams played 22 games in 2015, leading from the front each time. The big Kiwi averaged 133 metres, 14 hit-ups and 34 tackles a game. Aaron Booth, who captained the side, was a consistent performer out of dummy half, while halfback Eli Levido, who joined during the season from the Tigers, contributed 14 try assists in 15 games for the Bunnies.
Top Pointscorer
Jordie Hedges proved to be the most accurate kicker in the NYC this year kicking at an impressive 81%. A utility back, Hedges played all over the backline for Souths for 2015 and finished with six tries and 67 goals for 154 points.
Top Tryscorer
Recruited from the Wyong Roos, Damon Goolagong had a great debut year for South Sydney in which he finished as their top tryscorer, with 13 tries from 17 games. He capped off his season with a hat trick against the Roosters in Round 26.
Best Win
Round 25 – defeated Brisbane 26-24.
The Broncos were entrenched in the top four going into the game and it showed, as they lead 24-6 at half time. Thanks to a double to winger Siosifa Talakai and a try to Goolagong, Souths fought back to within four points before Booth scored from dummy half. A Hedges conversion gave the Rabbitohs a two-point victory and their best win of the season.
Graduates
Aaron Gray (2012-2014 – 41 games, 27 tries, 29 goals, 166 points)
An NSW U20 representative in 2014, Gray made his NRL debut for South Sydney in Round 8. He played 12 games, scored seven tries and re-signed for two more years with the club in August.
John Olive (2014-2015 – 19 games, 7 tries, 28 points)
Made his NRL debut at 18 years old in Round 14 against the Tigers. An Australian Schoolboy in 2014, Olive played just five NYC games in 2015, spending the majority of the season in the NSW Cup
Tyrone Phillips (2011-2013 – 46 games, 24 tries, 96 points)
After three seasons with the Bunnies, Phillips joined the Bulldogs in 2014, with whom he made his NRL debut for in Round 11.
Player to Watch in 2016
After making a seamless transition from SG Ball to Holden Cup in 2015, centre Siosifa Talakai is someone to keep an eye on in 2016. A strong centre or second rower, Talakai scored six tries in 12 games this season. Against the Cowboys in Round 23, he scored a double and ran for 224 metres.
Representative Honours
Gabe Hamlin – New South Wales under-18s
John Olive – New South Wales under-20s
18TH MAN 