All 17 players rated from South Sydney's triumphant NRL Grand Final performance against the Bulldogs.
Rabbitohs crowned NRL premiers at last
Bulldogs Grand Final Player Ratings
Record crowd for 2014 NRL Grand Final
1. Greg Inglis – Waited 27 minutes to inject himself, and didn't he what. Swerving and bustling his way past seven defenders in a 50-metre gallop, he made plenty of yards on the kick return from there out. With the game on the line, produced the most important kick of his life for Auva'a's try, and then busted out the goanna for his own four-pointer. 8.5
2. Alex Johnston – Finished well for the opening try, his 21st of the year. Was peppered with kicks and made one error that could have cost the Rabbitohs, but otherwise faultless on the biggest stage of his 19 years. 7.5
3. Dylan Walker – Very dangerous early, and always a threat in that roving role. Strong with his up-and-in defence, but came up with a crucial error 10m out from his own line that led to the Bulldogs' sole try. 8
4. Kirisome Auva'a – Will never have to buy a beer in Redfern for the rest of his days. Scored the match winner, threw the last pass for Johnston's opener, looked more at home as game wore on, and waged an enthralling running battle with Tim Lafai all night. 8
5. Lote Tuqiri – Didn't get too many opportunities in a forwards' game so got himself involved in defence. Missed a critical take of a Hodkinson bomb. 6.5
6. Luke Keary – Always probing, produced the first try from nothing out of acting half, and was arguably the most dangerous Bunny on the park. Did give away two penalties but otherwise top notch. 8.5
7. Adam Reynolds – Found his kicking radar early and forced three repeat sets and kept the foot on the throat of the Dogs. Missed a few shots at goal but nailed the ones that mattered, and bagged a try to cap the biggest night of his life. 8
8. George Burgess – A red and green Mack truck. Broke the game open with an incredible try, following up a monumental first half where he racked up 120-plus metres either side of copping a whack on the melon. 9
21. Apisai Koroisau – Struggled early before finding his rhythm, the Bunnies looked clunky without him calling the shots from acting half but were right as rain when he came back on. Phenomenal given he hadn't played in three months. 8
10. Dave Tyrrell – Knocked into next week by James Graham, and received a standing ovation as he left the field. Played the same way he has his whole career before that – understated, with a minimal fuss, but getting the job done. 6.5
11. Ben Te'o – Whacked anything that moved in blue and white with 33 bruising tackles, and offered more in attack as the contest wore on. Fitting way to leave the game. 7.5
12. John Sutton (c) – Got through a mountain of work with the ball in hand early, and looked the most dangerous of Souths forwards. Great captain's knock, and none more deserving than the bloke who's been there through thick and thin. 7.5
13. Sam Burgess – Straight from the book of John Sattler. Could've gone another 80 minutes, and another 225 metres and 36 tackles, all with a suspected fractured cheekbone. Will go down as one of the best to don the red and green. Outstanding. 9.5
Interchange
14. Jason Clark – Gave away what could've been a crucial penalty on Morris, but otherwise slotted into the pack easily and powered through 26 tackles. 6.5
15. Kyle Turner – Solid in defence but few opportunities in attack, gets the chocolates in his first grand final at any level. 6
16. Chris McQueen – Made an immediate difference when he got his chance midway through the second half, and had that bat-down for Auva'a's try. Great impact from the pine. 7
17. Thomas Burgess – Took up where George left off, with his best game in the red and green. Packed the fire and brimstone, and ended up with 181 metres and 25 tackles. 8.5
