‘They’ve got to make a decision’: JD throws down gauntlet after shock loss derails finals tilt

Rabbitohs coach Jason Demetriou has thrown down a challenge to his players with a cutting message after their loss to Cronulla.

South Sydney Rabbitohs coach Jason Demetriou. Fox Sports

Rabbitohs coach Jason Demetriou has thrown down a challenge to his players following a poor loss against the Sharks on Saturday night.

“I said to the playing group, they’ve got to make a decision and make it quick about what this season means to us,” Demetriou said.

“Because we’re saying the right things but we’re not putting it out on the field, and not consistently.

“We’ve got to be honest with ourselves, our staff, players, and get it right starting next week.”

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Souths were on top of the NRL ladder after Round 11 but superstar fullback Latrell Mitchell was injured the following week which triggered a tumble down the ladder.

They’ll fall outside the top eight if the Eels enjoy a convincing win over the Dragons on Sunday afternoon.

That would mean Demetriou’s men would have to win their remaining games against the Dragons, Knights and Roosters to cement their finals spot.

The Rabbitohs started short-priced favourites against the Sharks but were badly beaten to the punch and trailed 26-0 after 60 minutes.

They clicked into gear in the final 15 minutes but left their fun too late and an error-riddled night cost them in the 26-16 loss.

“They got the jump on us physically and we tried to come back but discipline killed us,” Demetriou said.

South Sydney Rabbitohs coach Jason Demetriou. Fox Sports

“We completed at 60 per cent so even at 26-16 there was time for us and we just couldn’t hold the ball.

“We were just killing ourselves, we gave ourselves no chance tonight.

“I can’t defend it because we’ve just conceded 26 points but I know what this team can do and we saw signs of it in the second half.

“One team was more desperate tonight and once we were more desperate it was too little, too late.

“I felt like we’ve shown some signs we’re heading in the right direction and I really like the way we fought from 26-0 to get back to 26-16 and we just lacked any smarts in the last eight minutes to give ourselves any chance.

“There were still points out there but from that point we had another five errors and probably another four penalties and just gave ourselves no chance.

Souths will be sweating on the match review committee’s findings after Thomas Burgess was sent to the bin for a high shot on Tom Hazelton that left the commentators confused as to whether there was any contact with the head.

“I like the intent, but you can’t make contact with the head,’ Demetriou said.

“But I’m not going to argue with a single decision tonight because I thought they were spot on and our discipline was poor.”

Originally published as ‘They’ve got to make a decision’: JD throws down gauntlet after shock loss derails finals tilt