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In the ninth minute, Sharks winger Ronaldo Mulitalo bombed what looked like a certain try with Ilias diving in to knock the ball out of his hands.

On the next set, the Rabbitohs carried the ball all the way down to the Sharks’ tryline and Ilias was able to charge over and score.

Sharks halfback Braydon Trindall then scored an impressive four-pointer, soccering the ball forward three times before diving on it to score.

Cronulla fullback Will Kennedy sparked the move with a chip and chase before his second attempt trickled off his foot.

Koloamatangi was the next to cross the line from an Ilias short ball however the Sharks hit back on the stroke of halftime.

Sione Katoa was able to finish aerially as the score sat 12-all at halftime.

From then on, Ilias took control, finding Graham to score on the right side of the field twice before Teig Wilton crossed for a four-pointer for the Sharks.

Cronulla veteran Wade Graham was also sent to the sin bin for a tackle that “was like a car crash” according to Ginnane.

Read below for all the big talking points from Saturday night’s clash!

MITCHELL’S INJURY SCARE

South Sydney produced the bravest performance of the weekend to open their season with a win in the Shire, but all eyes will be on Latrell Mitchell after the Rabbitohs superstar battled through a knee injury that hampered him for 40 minutes.

Mitchell needed assistance from the trainer for the final two minutes of the first half and then had his left knee heavily strapped at the break, with fears that he’d done serious damage.

Those fears were allayed 10 minutes into the second half when he charged back from a kick return and skittled several Sharks with a trademark carry, but there are no guarantees the World Cup winner will be right for next week’s epic showdown with the Panthers.

He wasn’t as dominant as he can be, but Mitchell did kick a crucial penalty goal to make it 20-12, then threw the final pass to set up Campbell Graham for the sealer and then kicked a field goal as the siren sounded.

Mitchell’s fitness will determine how far the Rabbitohs go in 2023, and a five-day turnaround isn’t ideal for a man who has dealt with several hamstring injuries throughout his career, often coming at the worst possible time.

The Rabbitohs have other concerns with Jai Arrow forced off with a hamstring strain while Tevita Tatola lasted just one tackle before he was knocked out of the contest following a head clash with Dale Finucane.

SEVENTH HEAVEN

There were times last year when it looked like the decision to release Adam Reynolds was one of the worst calls ever, but South Sydney officials look like geniuses after Lachlan Ilias produced the best 80 minutes of his career.

It looked like the footy gods had concocted a Greek tragedy when Ilias was hooked in the first half of a game last year against the Dragons, but he was Herculean on Saturday in a Rabbitohs side that lost two players in the opening half hour.

The young half spoke in the off-season about playing with more confidence, and he lived up to that promise with a lot more touches in dangerous areas as South Sydney’s right edge outplayed its usually dominant left.

It was fitting that Ilias opened the scoring with a solo effort close to the line, but only after he produced the try-saver of the season to deny Ronaldo Mulitalo in the corner – although the Sharks winger did something special in defence minutes later.

Ilias then put it on a plate for Keaon Koloamatangi who dropped it cold over the line, but the back-rower made amends before half-time after receiving a nice pass from his halfback who was also superb in defence.

Fox League’s Dan Ginnane made a big statement after Ilias’ stunning performance.

“This, you’d have to say, is the best we have seen of him as he continues his development,” Ginnane said.

Souths coach Jason Demetrious was asked whether it was the young gun’s best game in the NRL.

“I don’t know, it is up there he was good,” Demetriou said

”He wasn’t perfect and I didn’t think he was going to be. I didn’t think anyone was going to be it is Round 1.

“But he’s a first grader. He has an established first grader and he knows how to play footy and I thought he identified some areas that we could exploit in the first half and in the second half they were pretty clinical in going after it.

“That effort in the first half that was a big play,” Demetriou said of Ilias’ defence. 

”We went up the other end and scored as well, but I’ve watched him do that all pre-season

“I have seen him make those efforts and every week and I wasn’t surprised to see him put it in.” 

BUNNIES’ NEW THREAT

Every NRL team knows just how dangerous the Rabbitohs’ right edge can be and winger Alex Johnston has reaped the rewards, scoring 30 tries in 2022.

With Cody Walker and Latrell Mitchell often making their mark on the left, South Sydney’s right side is often forgotten about.

But against the Sharks, the right side of Ilias, Graham and Koloamatangi proved to be most lethal.

Fox League’s Dan Ginnane believes the trio were “making a statement” with a damaging display.

“It’s almost like they are making a statement tonight… a big Saturday night, they are going to the right before they go to the left It seems,” Ginnane said.

“Just warning everyone in the NRL, they’ve got options both sides.”

Traditionally the Rabbitohs have relied on the marquee duo of Walker and Mitchell, but the South Sydney guns didn’t even have a hand in any of the four tries.

“That’s a great sign for South Sydney, when you aren’t relying on Cody or Latrell coming up with those brilliant plays,” Alexander said.

“When you have got Ilias who proves to be an enormous threat tonight.”

ORIGINAL SIN

Wade Graham faces a nervous wait for the charge sheet to come out after the former skipper was sent to the sin bin for a spectacular shot on Davvy Moale.

It initially looked like Graham had pulled off the hit of the year when he rushed out of the line to belt the young forward, but referee Todd Smith marched him for 10 minutes after replays showed the tackle was high.

“You’ve left the ground to make contact with the head,” Smith said as he sent Graham to the sin bin.

Fox League’s Dan Ginnane said the hit was “like a car crash” and Moale was able to remain on the field.

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