PINT-sized South Sydney fullback Jye Gray thanked injuried Latrell Mitchell for his support off the field – but after the Bunnies’ big win over four-time champs Penrith, room may have to be found for both of them on it.
Gray, 170cm, scored a try that helped Wayne Bennett’s Rabbitohs amass a 28-0 halftime lead at Accor Stadium and then executed a ball steal that ended the Panthers’ scrambling second-half comeback.
Australia star Mitchell is due back from a hamstring injury next week.
“He (Mitchell) has been awesome – he’s been making me feel comfortable in the position and he’s been giving me tips here and there,” Gray told Triple M.
“Just when we turn up to the ground, he makes sure that I’m ready to go each week. It’s awesome having him as a mentor around training.”
Asked about staying in the side when Mitchell returns, Gray said: “Just getting an opportunity to play in this team … it’s a special team and think we can do something special this season.
“Where-ever Wayne has me playing, I’m happy.”
A shoulder injury for Bunnies winger Alex Johnston in his first game back from a long layoff was the bad news for the winners but coach Wayne Bennett said: “He’s pretty good.
“We’re not sure exactly whether he’ll miss a game or a couple of games but it’s not on the too-serious list anyway.”
The Panthers were disappointed with a late disallowed try to Moses Leota, who was ruled to have knocked on over the line. “I honestly thought it was a try, it would have been handy – but maybe that was the night,” said coach Ivan Cleary.
Answering questions about the significance of the defeat after such a successful period, he said: “I get the narrative. I’m sure no-one’s gonna cry for us. But you haven’t seen the real us yet.”
When a reporter said Souths forward Keon Kaloamatangi – a double tryscorer in the first half – had “sacrificed a lot in the off-season”, Bennett quipped: “…of food. Food. Get to the point mate.”
Asked about Gray, Bennett said: “He’s done enough but whether he plays there is another issue. You’ll have to wait until two o’clock on Tuesday.”
SOUTH SYDNEY 28 (Kaloamatagi 2 Johnston Moale Gray tries Humphreys 4 goals) beat PENRITH 18 (Martin Schneider Cole tries Alamoti 3 goals)
Teams:
SOUTHS: Jye Gray; Alex Johnston, Jack Wighton, Isaiah Tass, Mikaele Ravalawa; Cody Walker (c), Jamie Humphreys; Sean Keppie, Peter Mamouzelos, Tevita Tatola, Keon Kaloamatangi, Jai Arrow, Tallis Duncan. Res: Davvy Moale, Jayden Sullivan, Siliva Havili, Liam Le Blanc. 18th man: Fletcher Myers.
PENRITH: Daine Laurie; Paul Alamoti, Izack Tago, Thomas Jenkins, Brian To’o; Jack Cole, Trent Tolau; Moses Leota, Mitch Kenny, Isaiah Papali’i, Scott Sorensen, Liam Martin, Isaah Yeo. Res: Lindsay Smith, Liam Henry, Luke Garner, Brad Schneider. 18th man: Casey McLean.
Referee: Ashley Klein.
