The Rabbitohs have overcome the loss of halfback Adam Reynolds to concussion to record a 20-8 victory over the Sea Eagles, in a game full of memorable big hits.
Reynolds collected the hip of Manly back-rower Feleti Mateo with his head in the 24th minute with scores tied at 0-all, but the Rabbitohs led by Luke Keary and fleet-footed winger Aaron Gray were able to record a 12-point victory.
While Manly had their chances to score multiple times, they tried too hard to get around the South Sydney defence rather than through them, though five-eighth Kieran Foran appeared unperturbed by his tumultuous week of contract drama.
Manly were the first to score in the 26th minute when centre Peta Hiku capitalised off the back of four consecutive attacking sets in good territory with Reynolds and Ben Lowe off the field for concussion tests.
The Rabbitohs were able to score in the 29th minute when winger Aaron Gray crossed out wide to equal the ledger thanks to Sea Eagle James Hasson dropping the ball on the following set after points.
Issac Luke's penalty goal two minutes from half-time helped the Rabbitohs gain a slender two-point lead.
Up 6-4, the Rabbitohs were first to score in the second stanza when Gray did amazingly well to stay in-field, despite pressure from opposite winger Tom Trbojevic, and throw the ball back in for his centre Bryson Goodwin to score in the 45th minute.
A John Sutton cross field kick three minutes later saw Gray score his second try of the game when he outpaced the Manly defence to further his team's lead to 10.
Manly wouldn't die wondering though when a handy scrum play in the 55th minute allowed centre Steve Matai to cross out wide, which in turn helped cut the Sea Eagles' deficit back to four.
It would all be in earnest though when South Sydney scored in the 63rd minute. Thanks to a fantastic over the head offload from winger Alex Johnston, recipient Keary juggled the ball slightly to race away for his third try of the year.
The Rabbitohs looked to have sealed the game in the 69th minute but it was ultimately disallowed when their captain Greg Inglis was judged to have his foot over the dead ball line when he attempted to bat the ball back in for Johnston but it meant nothing by game's end as Souths held strong.
In a game where three sets of brothers took part, it would be Glenn Stewart and the Burgess twins who would take home the bragging rights to mum.
South Sydney Rabbitohs 20 (Aaron Gray 2, Bryson Goodwin, Luke Keary Tries; Issac Luke 2 Goals) defeated Manly-Waringah Sea Eagles 8 (Peta Hiku, Steve Matai Tries) at ANZ Stadium. Crowd: 14, 236. Half-time: Rabbitohs 6-4.
