A Terrell Kalokalo-inspired Rabbitohs grabbed their first win of the SG Ball Cup with an impressive display against foundation club rivals North Sydney.
The South Sydney fullback scored three tries in a commanding display with teammate and winger Tyrone Munro kicking a perfect five from five, including a couple of tough shots from the sideline.
The Bears led by 10 points after 20 minutes with wingers Joseph Jaber and Kobe Lepua finding the try line, before Thomas Fletcher and Kalokalo grabbed their first two before half time to see Souths ahead by two points.
Kalokalo scored his second and third try in the first 20 minutes of the second period with his hat-trick try a tremendous individual effort.
Benet Maalo kept the Bears within touching distance with a try in between those two with the centre running onto an challenging Crossfield kick from Cooper Maytom.
Rabbitohs skipper Louis Grossemy barged over in the just before the hour mark, but North Sydney remained in the contest with Darcy Brettle scoring in the 63rd minute with Maytom’s conversion making it an eight-point game.
Any chance of a comeback was scuppered from the kickoff with Norths unable to handle Kalokalo’s booming kick with Fletcher running over for his second try in the following set – Souths winning 36-22.
South Sydney coach John Sutton said his side were able to put aside some difficult early-season results to secure the two points.
“It was a tough start for us, we lost three on the trot,” the Rabbitohs legend said.
“With the weather and that we haven’t been on the field so the boys were really itching today to get out there today and put in a good performance and I think they did that.”
Sutton was keen to give plenty of players a wrap post-match.
“Terrell [Kalokalo] has been training up with the first grade,” Sutton said.
“Being around them in the first grade is good for him and he’s brought that back to the boys so I am expecting big things from Terrell.
“He hasn’t played much league of late because of school commitments, but once he gets a few games under his belt he’s going to be a really dangerous player.
“We haven’t had a kicked kick goals lately so was slotting them
“Louis, our captain, was also great, he led from the front all day.”
Both sides will be on the road in round 6 with Souths travelling to Camden to face Western Suburbs and the Bears taking on Parramatta in Cabramatta.
