Andrew Voss has pinpointed one moment in the South Sydney’s 42-12 defeat to the Penrith Panthers that encapsulates the team’s shocking lack of effort.
In the 62nd minute, down 24-12, Rabbitohs half Cody Walker conceded a 20-metre restart after kicking the ball over the dead ball line. Penrith fullback Dylan Edwards proceeded to return the back, catching the South Sydney players off guard, before finding centre Taylan May who ran 80 metres to score untouched.
Speaking on SEN 1170 Breakfast, Voss criticised the Rabbitohs for their concerning lack of effort.
“It’s an embarrassment!,” Voss exclaimed.
“It’s not pub football, it’s the NRL, and these blokes turn their backs on a bloke running back for a 20m restart like they don’t know the rules.
“It’s Round 9, your coach (Jason Demetriou) has been punted during the week, you’re getting hammered and you can say you’re putting effort in, but that moment does not happen with Penrith, doesn’t happen with Melbourne, doesn’t happen with anyone.
“There’s no kick chase on an attacking kick… and they’re jogging all bar Jai Arrow… he’s the only one who chases.”
It isn’t expected to get any easier for the Rabbitohs and interim coach Ben Hornby with their injury toll only growing after Thursday night’s game.
Livewire fullback Jye Gray succumbed to an ankle injury suffered after a hip drop tackle from Izack Tago, while halfback Dean Hawkins injured his quad on a kickoff. Arrow is also under an injury cloud.
The Rabbitohs expect prolific try-scorer Alex Johnston to return from injury while Latrell Mitchell returns from suspension in timely fashion.
Campbell Graham, Tevita Tatola, Lachlan Ilias and Tyrone Munro are all still months away from their respective returns to play.
Voss expressed his worry at South Sydney’s playing stocks, as he expected players to play out of their normal positions.
“They’ve just got to take a stock take of who’s available and then… pick your best players and find them positions,” Voss said.
“They’re just going to have to pick who’s available.”
If Hawkins fails to recover for their Round 10 clash with the St George-Illawarra Dragons, it is expected that Jack Wighton will partner Walker in the halves.