10/06/2026
The Bluff Rabbitohs moved into second position on the ladder with an impressive 26-0 victory over the Middlemount Panthers at Maccaβs Oval on Saturday night.
A strong first-half performance saw the Rabbitohs take a 14-0 lead into the break, with tries to halfback Preston Byrne, centre Ari Hannah, and lock forward Riley Shadlow, who crossed after running a superb line.
Bluff made a few errors in the second half but responded with determined defence, repeatedly turning Middlemount away from their try line and keeping the visitors scoreless.
Captain Baxta Lancaster was next to score, crashing over to extend the lead to 20-0. Five-eighth Akeem Williams-Coveney then raced away to score, putting the result beyond doubt and sealing a convincing Rabbitohs victory.
Ho**er Riley Comiskey delivered another strong performance through the middle, constantly testing the Panthersβ defence with his running game.
The forward pack laid the platform for the win, with front-rowers Frank Tau and Baxta Lancaster leading from the front, both recording 16 hit-ups. Second-rower Noah Corcoran produced a huge work rate, finishing with 41 tackles and 22 hit-ups. He was well supported by Riley Shadlow (30 tackles), Jayden Morgan (18 tackles), and Ari Hannah (10 hit-ups).
In the halves, Preston Byrne and Akeem Williams-Coveney controlled the game well, with Williams-Coveney also contributing 20 tackles in a composed all-round performance.
Match Leaders
π Most Hit-Ups: Noah Corcoran β 22
πͺ Most Tackles: Noah Corcoran β 41
AFULE Awards
β Playersβ Player: Baxta Lancaster β 33 tackles, 16 hit-ups
π Man of the Match: Riley Comiskey β 19 tackles, 9 hit-ups
Player Points
π₯ 3 Points β Riley Comiskey
π₯ 2 Points β Akeem Williams-Coveney
π₯ 1 Point β Noah Corcoran
The Rabbitohs now sit second on the ladder and will look to carry this momentum into their Round 6 clash against the Emerald Tigers this Friday night at McIndoe Park. ππβ€οΈ
