‘How the hell?’: Fans call out double standards over Souths try

South Sydney were off to the perfect start against Penrith but fans had more than a few questions after a can of worms from last week was reopened.

The post-Jason Demetriou era got off to the perfect start for the Rabbitohs after the last-placed side scored twice in the opening 10 minutes against the Panthers.

But the three-time defending champs have shown just why they’ve been the benchmark for so long, scoring 42 unanswered points to run away with a 42-12 domination.

If Souths were looking for a reaction from the club’s stars after the unceremonious sacking of Demetriou during the week, interim coach Ben Hornby looked to have had the perfect response as the side opened up a 12-0 lead.

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Aided by an ugly hip drop on Jye Gray that saw Izack Tago sin binned, Souths made the most of the man-advantage to race into the lead.

But the opening try had more than a few question marks after Izaac Thompson crossed in the corner.

Utilising the man advantage, Cody Walker threw a crisp cut-out ball, hitting Thompson on the outside as he raced Sunia Turuva for the corner.

While the Panthers winger pushed out, he played at Thompson’s arm, making it at best a messy put down as the ball clearly bobbled on its way to the ground.

But a week after Wests Tigers captain Api Koroisau was denied as he bobbled before seemingly regathering in a try that was denied, fans had more than a few questions about the try.

Another issue was that Thompson’s left hand also touched the in-goal line.

Fans had some questions about this try. Photo: Fox Sports

“It appeared to be moving in the hands of Izaac Thompson, with our memories harking back to Api Koroisau,” Warren Smith said in commentary.

On Nine, Andrew Johns also questioned if Thompson had got it down, while Cameron Smith was surprised after the try was awarded, questioning: “Was his left hand in touch at the same time the ball was placed in the in-goal?”

However, after the try was confirmed, Smith said he felt the right hand didn’t come away from the ball, adding his left hand was “millimetres” inside the touchline.

Regardless, it was quickly confirmed.

WWOS’ The Mole posted: “If that was API — NO TRY.”

One fan posted: “Hand on the line … Ball not grounded … Dropped it … Bunker gonna bunker.”

Another added: “How the hell is that a try?! He’s clearly lost control of that!”

A third said: “looks like a no try but you never know with this lot.”

Plenty more suggested it was a “sympathy try”.

It didn't look great. Photo: Fox Sports

It comes just days after NRL head of football Graham Annesley backed the controversial call to deny Koroisau, saying The Bunker had “operated within the existing rule”.

The rule states: “A player who has had possession or touches/touched the ball and knocks the ball forward must regain possession (catch, hold or grip) prior to the ball hitting the ground, another player, goalpost or cross bar.”

Regardless, it’ll go into the books as a try, while Dean Hawkins made it 12-0 soon after when he pounced on a Walker kick just four minutes later.

It was about as far as the luck went for the Rabbitohs with Jye Gray succumbing to the early hip drop, while Hawkins also suffered a suspected quad injury.

The injury blows saw 200-gamer Damien Cook move back to fullback.

However, the Panthers bided their time, making the most of a Jai Arrow sin bin in the 17th minute, scoring twice before hitting the lead in the 32nd minute when Luke Garner barged his way across the line.

The Panthers rode their own luck after a pass from Brad Schneider that set up a try for Turuva was deemed to have been a falcon, although there were questions as to whether it was from a forward pass.

But there were no doubt about the final score as the Panthers ran away with a 42-12 victory, dominating the second half.