Round Rewind: Sin Bin Sunday – Rabbitohs Crush Roosters in Fiery Final

With another fierce edition of rugby league’s oldest rivalry looming, we rewind to one of the most chaotic, courageous, and unforgettable finals clashes in NRL history. In the 2022 Elimination Final, the Rabbitohs stormed into Allianz Stadium and ended the Roosters’ season with a 30-14 triumph that will forever be known as Sin Bin Sunday.

The Match

In front of a roaring crowd of 39,816, the Rabbitohs overcame an NRL-record seven sin bins and long stretches with only 11 men on the field to dismantle their fiercest rivals and keep their season alive.

The fireworks began early. Just three minutes in, tensions boiled over and Victor Radley was the first to be sent to the bin for throwing a punch at Taane Milne, triggering a flurry of jersey grabs and setting the tone for a game laced with hostility.

But the Rabbitohs didn’t flinch. Souths shifted left with silky precision, orchestrated by Cameron Murray and Cody Walker. Latrell Mitchell, the centre of pre-match headlines, was met with a chorus of boos from the home crowd. Unfazed, Latrell unleashed a bullet cut-out pass to Isaiah Tass, who quickly linked with Alex Johnston. With metres to spare and defenders closing in, Johnston dived over in the corner, igniting a sea of red and green in the stands. It was his 30th try of the season, making him the first player in NRL history to reach that milestone in back-to-back years.

Then came adversity.

Thomas Burgess was sent for ten following a high shot on Matt Lodge, and shortly after, Taane Milne joined him for a swinging arm on Joseph Suaalii. Down to 11 men and trailing eight-point-to-six, the Rabbitohs needed a spark, and it would be a heroic effort from the red and green to maintain the lead.

Executing a perfectly timed block play, Latrell Mitchell received the ball and sized up the defensive line, palming Sam Verrills out of his path and storming over the white line for a game-shifting solo try. It was strong, fearless, and classic Latrell, changing the game in an instant and silencing the boos of the home crowd.

The Rabbitohs finished the first half in front 12-8.

Opening the second half, Cody Walker took command, floating a looping ball to Johnston who timed his run to perfection and flew down the sideline for his second try. The Rabbitohs’ rhythm only grew stronger as Cody Walker threaded a delicate grubber into the in-goal, with Jai Arrow charging through to ground it and celebrating by flinging the ball into the stands in jubilation.

Carnage continued as Junior Tatola and Milne were each sent to the bin again, yet South Sydney’s defensive wall never cracked. Their effort without the ball; scrambling, suffocating and relentless, was as vital as any try scored.

With the match slipping away from the opposition, Isaiah Tass delivered the final blow. Dipping and stepping through fatigued defenders, selling a dummy and crossing untouched to seal a famous victory.

Key Performers

• Latrell Mitchell – 14 points, one try, 100% conversion rate (5/5), six tackle breaks
• Alex Johnston – two tries, 116 run metres, three line breaks
• Cody Walker – four try assists, three line-break assists, 115 kick metres
• Campbell Graham – 158 run metres, 68 post contact metres
• Jai Arrow – one try, 148 run metres, 64 post contact metres, five tackle breaks, 33 tackles (one missed)

The Aftermath

Despite several players being sent for ten-minute spells throughout the match, the Rabbitohs maintained their composure, stuck to their structures, and struck when it mattered most.

The Rabbitohs' defence was just as inspiring as their attack. Time and time again, they turned away threats while undermanned, tackling with intent and scrambling with desperation.

With seven sin bins, heavy fatigue, and relentless pressure, the Rabbitohs rose to the occasion in enemy territory. Their defensive grit and attacking flair combined to end their rivals' season and propel them into the next round of finals.