NRL Round 18 2024: South Sydney Rabbitohs win 32-16 over Parramatta Eels

South Sydney’s magical run towards the top eight has continued as Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker lead their side to a fifth straight win, as Parramatta slumped to a fourth straight loss.

South Sydney’s magical run towards the top eight has continued with Latrell Mitchell slithering his way over for a crucial second-half try to send the Eels back to the bottom of the table as the club prepares to announce its coach for 2025 and beyond.

It was only two months ago when it looked like the Bunnies would claim the wooden spoon after they sacked their coach and had just one win from their opening 10 games, but the shackles were released in round 12 against the Eels and they’re now playing with the attacking freedom that has them two points off eighth.

The Rabbitohs’ magical run towards the top eight has continued with a fifth straight win. Picture: Getty Images

They’ve won five on the trot on the back of Thursday’s 32-16 victory, with Jack Wighton’s move to five-eighth working a treat, while Mitchell has been the form player in the NRL since returning from suspension.

He laid on the opening try of the night for Jacob Gagai, produced a stunning tackle to deny Dylan Brown a certain four-pointer, powered his way over the line in the second half and then threw a tough pass under pressure to set up Gagai for the sealer.

Having had his effort questioned on a weekly basis before the ban, Mitchell is now involved in everything, with his desperation to win rubbing off on his teammates who were defensively superb in the driving rain.

“I think he took a couple of early carries in the game and had a good kick return,” Ben Hornby said.

“Defensively he’s so strong. I don’t know if people realise the impact he has on our defence when he’s at fullback because we’re always talking about his attack.”

Latrell Mitchell starred as the Rabbitohs cruised past Parramatta. Picture: NRL Imagery

INJURY TO INSULT

Wighton’s late try sent the Eels tumbling back to the bottom of the ladder on for and against, with the blue and golds now sweating on Junior Paulo’s fitness after the veteran prop limped off with a right foot injury.

Paulo is one of the most durable big men in the comp and the Eels can’t afford to lose his ball-playing in the middle, although Reagan Campbell-Gillard did grab a try after coming on to replace him.

“That doesn’t look great,” interim coach Trent Barrett said, with Paulo leaving the stadium in a moon boot.

“He’ll get scans tomorrow, but it doesn’t look good.”

Mitch Moses called on his team to lift after last week’s loss in Newcastle, but there are still some glaring issues they need to fix, with some sloppy defence allowing Cody Walker to score on the stroke of halftime.

The rep star also beat his teammates to the sheds after he was sent to the sin bin for spending too long in a tackle in the final five minutes.

Parramatta’s horrid run has continued, with a fourth straight loss. Picture: Getty Images

ON A WING WITH SOME FLAIR

Whoever takes over at the Eels next year has a lot of work to do with their defence, but the incoming coach has to be excited with their youngsters after they produced some eye-catching plays on Thursday night.

Blaize Talagi’s contract is going to be the number one priority for the Eels going forward, with the youngster scoring for the seventh game in a row to continue his incredible rookie year.

And he isn’t the only outside back who has Parramatta fans a little excited, with debutant Jake Tago running amok down the left edge and showing why he should be the man to play left wing with Maika Sivo out for a month.

Charlie Guymer also impressed on debut, taking it to South Sydney’s forwards in the second half, with Barrett dismissing any fears the coaching speculation distracted the team this week.

“The players are professional and they know their job,” he said.

“We try to alleviate that for the players and try to prepare them as best we can. That didn’t have an impact on the result tonight.”

Originally published as NRL Round 18 2024: South Sydney Rabbitohs win 32-16 over Parramatta Eels