Souths are heading for a fifth consecutive preliminary final as they lead the Sharks 36-12 after 70 minutes at a sold-out Allianz Stadium.
South Sydney blew Cronulla off the park in the first 40 minutes to lead 18-0 at the break, when fan favorite Mark Nicholls crashed over as the unlikely first goalscorer.
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A high tackle penalty gave Souths field position and hooker Damien Cook flicked a pass to Nicholls who slotted past Toby Rudolf to score in the third minute.
Both teams had plenty of attacking chances in the first 25 minutes, but early nerves saw plenty of dropped balls.
But Souths soon had their second try thanks to a lovely backline move which ended with Taane Milne crossing in the corner.
Cameron Murray of the Rabbitohs is tackled. GettySource: Getty Images
Souths were attacking the Cronulla line with 30 seconds to go but nothing happened when the ball was thrown to skipper Cameron Murray.
Murray took on Dale Finucane from a set-piece and defended his opposite number to score by the posts.
The Sharks struck just 95 seconds into the second half after Nicho Hynes put a bomb in the corner and Ronaldo Mulitano used it for Britain’s Nikora to score.
Souths marched straight up the field and struck with Lachlan Ilias thanks to more magic from Latrell Mitchell.
Cronulla winger Ronaldo Mulitalo collected a loose pass to run 95 meters to score in the 56th minute.
Rabbitohs No.6 Cody Walker looked to have sealed the win with a sharp left-footed pass from 10 meters to go straight through and score.
Southern center Isaiah intercepted and ran 70 meters before Lachlan Ilias flicked a pass for Taane Milne to score in the corner.
Rabbitohs duo Alex Johnstone (cork) and Siliva Havili (leg) have left the game with injuries.
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67TH MINUTE
Southern center Isaiah intercepted and ran 70 meters before Lachlan Ilias flicked a pass for Taane Milne to score in the corner.
MINUTE 62
Rabbitohs No.6 Cody Walker sealed the win with a sharp left-footed pass from 10 meters to go straight through and score.
“Walker scores, he’s kept the powder dry most of the night, but he sees an opportunity and grabs it with both hands,” Warren Smith said.
56TH MINUTE
Souths were pressuring the Sharks line when Latrell Mitchell threw a cut-back pass that was flicked on by Sharks defender Jesse Ramien and fell into the hands of Ronaldo Mulitalo.
Mulitalo raced 90 meters to score and replays showed the ball could have traveled forward but the try was awarded.
50TH MINUTE
Sharks No.6 Matt Moylan laid a bomb and Ronaldo Mulitano was first again to touch Briton Nikora, who flicked an incredible pass for Jesse Ramien to score.
The try was awarded but replays showed Ramien half a meter offside and he was sent off.
45TH MINUTE
Souths marched straight up the field and struck with Lachlan Ilias thanks to more magic from Latrell Mitchell.
Mitchell tapped the ball to Campbell Graham, who then found his No. 1 back inside.
Mitchell then fired to Milne, who drew three defenders and offloaded for Illias to score in the corner.
“Latrell Mitchell’s touch, I don’t think there’s a player in the competition who does it as well as he does,” Greg Alexander said.
MINUTE 42
The Sharks struck just 95 seconds into the second half after Nicho Hynes put a bomb in the corner and Ronaldo Mulitano used it for Britain’s Nikora to score.
“Sharks hit again, they should have been next to score and they are, great kick from Hynes,” said Warren Smith.
“Mulitalo was great in the air tonight and Nikora gets the rebound. The Bunnies’ completion rate is diabolical, it was 13/21 in the second half and Cameron Murray spills the ball in his first set.
MINUTE 39
Souths were attacking the Cronulla line with 30 seconds to go but nothing happened when the ball was thrown to skipper Cameron Murray.
Murray took on Dale Finucane from a set-piece and defended his opposite number to score by the posts.
“They went down the short side through Cody Walker and there was nothing, so he backpedaled and threw a long ball to Cameron Murray,” Greg Alexander said.
“Every time Cameron Murray has had the ball tonight it’s been Dale Finucane who’s made the tackle and he’s not up to it this time.”
30TH MINUTE
A good move in the back by Souths ended with Latrell Mitchell flicking a cut back pass for Taane Milne to score in the corner.
“South Sydney had all the ball but still needed some good hands and Lachy Miller was stuck with three players in front of him,” Greg Alexander said.
“Just look at the hands here, (Lachlan) Illias, beautiful, a tip to Latrell, across the face of Campbell Graham and Taane Milne in the corner.”
3RD MINUTE
A high tackle penalty gave Souths field position and hooker Damien Cook flicked a pass to Mark Nicholls who slotted past Toby Rudolf to score.
“Mark Nicholls runs into Toby Rudolf and wins the battle, straight over No.8 and that’s a concern for Cronulla,” Greg Alexander told Fox League.
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PREDICTION OF THE MATCH
The Sharks have been dealt a major blow ahead of their semi-final against the Rabbitohs with two star players ruled out through injury.
Center Siosifa Talakai (rib) and Storm prop Royce Hunt (calf) will miss the game, forcing coach Craig Fitzgibbon to make some key changes to his squad.
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The Rabbitohs won’t be at their best either with Tom Burgess out through suspension.
The versatile Connor Tracey moves into the centers for Talakai with Lachy Miller coming on the wing, while Braden Hamlin-Uele will start up front and veteran Aiden Tolman joins the bench.
For the Rabbitohs, Michael Chee Kam is on the bench with Davvy Moaele, the 18th man.
It will be survival of the fittest, with both teams coming off a brutal first week of finals.
The Sharks missed a week off after losing to the Cowboys by two points in a thrilling 93-minute battle at home.
Meanwhile, the Rabbitohs survived a sudden-death clash with the Roosters that included seven sin bins.
Superstar Souths trio Latrell Mitchell, Cody Walker and Cameron Murray proved to be the difference in a high-pressure game that challenged the top two to keep their composure.
There won’t be the same excitement leading up to Saturday’s semi-final with the Sharks as there was when they faced old foes the Roosters, but a place in a preliminary final is up for grabs.
TEAMS
Sharks team: 1. Will Kennedy 5. Ronaldo Mulitalo 2. Connor Tracey 3. Jesse Ramien 18. Lachlan Miller 6. Matt Moylan 7. Nicho Hynes 8. Toby Rudolf 9. Blayke Brailey 16. Braden Hamlin-Uele 11. British Nikora 12. Wade Graham 13. Dale Finucane 14. Teig Wilton 15. Cameron McInnes 17. Andrew Fifita 19. Aiden Tolman. 18th man: 22. Mawene Hiroti
Rabbitohs Team: 1. Latrell Mitchell 2. Alex Johnston 3. Isaiah Tass 4. Campbell Graham 5. Taane Milne 6. Cody Walker 7. Lachlan Elias 8. Tevita Tatola 9. Damien Cook 10. Mark Nicholls 11. Keaon Koloamatangi 12. Jai Arrow Cameron Murray 14. Kodi Nikorima 15. Hame Sele 16. Michael Chee Kam 17. Silver Havili. 18th man: 18. Davvy Moale
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