Never before had the South Sydney Rabbitohs scored 60 points against the Sydney Roosters. That is until round 20, 2020.
In 112 years of history and rivalry, that barrier was reached and surpassed.
It was a frighteningly good display by the Rabbitohs who dismantled a Roosters side many believed were premiership favourites.
The Roosters will now have to defy history; no team has ever conceded 50 or more points in a game and gone on to win the premiership.
The game could not have started any better for the Tricolours.
They scored the first try, as they often do, with James Tedesco and Josh Morris linking up.
The ageless centre powered his way over easily to give the Roosters an early lead.
Struggling with some early momentum, it would take a spark from Cody Walker to kick the Rabbitohs into gear.
Making a break from his own end, Walker was there to back up to finish try off.
With the Rabbitohs then back on the attack, Walker was again involved with a bullet-like pass for Johnston to score his first.
Johnston would go on to score five tries in the game to finish as the leading try-scorer in 2020.
Additionally, Johnston is now the fifth most prolific try-scorer for the Rabbitohs passing Robert McCarthy’s 102 tries.
The Rabbitohs had a try disallowed via the bunker who deemed that Campbell Graham had bobbled before grounding.
Johnston would slice over on the wing for his second try and 100th career try before Graham got on the scoresheet.
On the back of Corey Allan’s break and kick, Graham was first to the ball and he did the rest.
A further penalty goal saw Souths in control at the break and leading 26-4.
There was no slowing down Walker, who was having perhaps the game of his life.
He would offload to Allan who scored his first try of the game.
Doing everything they could to stem the tide, the Roosters did pull one try back.
A Luke Keary grubber found Daniel Tupou but that would be all the points the Roosters would score.
Walker found yet another gear, racing to the ball and winning it to score his second of the game.
A scrappy try then ensued for the Rabbitohs, with Cameron Murray capitalising on the back of several ricochets.
Remarkably, on the next set, Walker again broke the line and was there to set up Alex Johnston for his hat-trick.
Continuing to carve up the Roosters defence, the Rabbitohs would score two more tries, both to Johnston.
Allan, who had a chance to score another try of his own, unselfishly passed the ball to Johnston for his fourth.
Johnston’s fifth and final try of the game would come on the next set in the corner.
Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett had nothing but praise for Walker.
“Cody’s got great instincts, that’s what he plays with and what makes great football players. Nothing has to be structured for him,” said Bennett.
“He’s had some great games for us… it was up there with his best.”
The big loss was a shock to many and Roosters coach Trent Robinson admits that it hurt.
“It hurts a lot. Very embarrassing for us,” Robinson said.
“There’s not much more to say than that really.
“To go out and perform like that is really disappointing. You can’t feel much worse.”
NRL News Player of the Game
3. Cody Walker
2. Alex Johnston
- Adam Reynolds
