Player ratings for the South Sydney Rabbitohs team in their Telstra Premiership grand final clash with the Penrith Panthers at Suncorp Stadium.
1. Blake Taaffe: Produced plenty of high-pressure takes. Was forced in-goal multiple times but none were his fault. Didn't get much of a chance down Penrith's end but never stopped trying and other than one unforced error off a scrum he played beyond his experience. 6/10
2. Alex Johnston: Scored a crucial late try under pressure but a quiet game otherwise. Safe hands at the back but not much sting carrying the ball out of yardage. 5.5
3. Dane Gagai: Spent time off early due to a HIA and hobbled late by an ankle injury but in between came up with some powerful carries with his 12 busts easily a match-high for either side and passed for Johnston's late try. 7
4. Campbell Graham: Produced some wonderful early moments in defence but one poor one, leaving the gap for Matt Burton's opening try. 5.5
5. Jaxson Paulo: Given a torrid examination at the back with a couple of forced errors but never stopped trying, topping 100 metres. 5
Match Highlights: Panthers v Rabbitohs
6. Cody Walker: Came up with one of the great grand final tries in the first half when his team desperately needed it and his passing was a constant threat throughout – unfortunately one overly ambitious pass landed with Stephen Crichton for a match-turning try. Bounced back to set up a grandstand finish. 8
7. Adam Reynolds: Kicking game was mostly reliable but will be haunted by the late missed conversion from the sideline to tie it up. Had some moments with ball in hand and effort could not be faulted but ultimately unable to find the big plays when needed. 6
8. Mark Nicholls: Came up with a great steal to get Souths out of trouble early on. Played just under half the match and let no-one down. 6
Big steal from Mark Nicholls stops some Penrith pressure
9. Damien Cook: Huge effort in the middle with 45 tackles and his running game became more of a factor as the game wore on. Can be proud of his efforts. 7.5
10. Tevita Tatola: A rock in the middle, with a big contribution both in terms of carries and defence, making 36 tackles with none missed and making 107 metres. 7
11. Keaon Koloamatangi: A perpetual motion machine in the middle. Koloamatangi has truly come of age this year and he was immense on both sides of the ball in his 57-minute stint. 8
12. Jaydn Su'A: Had one poor unforced error after Souths drew level at 8-all but it didn’t end up proving costly. Was solid otherwise, getting through 36 tackles. 6.5
The lethal left comes up trumps in the Rabbitohs hour of need
13. Cameron Murray: Played all bar five minutes of the contest despite being rocked in one of the first tackles of the game, making over 50 tackles and chiming in on his side's rare attacking raids. Still had the energy to make a line break in the dying moments to give his side a late chance. Immense performance in a losing side. 8.5
Interchange
14. Benji Marshall: Was on after just 12 minutes to cover Dane Gagai's HIA at centre and acquitted himself well but not called on again until late, with minimal impact in the closing stages. 5
15. Jacob Host: Given a big 48-minute stint but not a huge input to show four it with 19 tackles and four missed and just 40 run metres. 4
Reynolds thanks South Sydney faithful after grand final loss
16. Thomas Burgess: Monstrous off the bench once again, topping the metres for his side with 139 and missing no tackles while making 23. 8
17. Jai Arrow: First stint lasted barely a minute thanks to a high shot from Kikau which ultimately ended his night due to delayed concussive symptoms. 2
The views in this article do not necessarily express the opinions of the NRL, ARLC, NRL clubs or state associations.