Fans travelling from the CBD to Redfern Oval have witnessed a transformation that has turned the Rabbitohs from underachievers into genuine threats.
The Sydney Times Desk is a contributing writer covering sports and public affairs for The Sydney Times.
The South Sydney Rabbitohs forward pack has been the defining feature of their 2026 campaign, positioning the club as genuine premiership contenders heading into the finals series. The physicality of their game has carried Wayne Bennett's men from the lower half of the table to a credible finals berth. Fans travelling from the CBD to Redfern Oval have witnessed a transformation that has turned the Rabbitohs from underachievers into genuine threats.
The Rabbitohs' forward pack has been the cornerstone of their campaign. Led by captain Cameron Murray in the halves and a formidable middle row, the club has dominated the tackle count throughout the regular season. According to the NRL Telstra Premiership, the Rabbitohs recorded 694 points scored and 581 conceded, a differential that reflects their forward-dominated approach to winning matches. The transport arrangements for supporters heading to matches at Redfern Oval have been a talking point, with the local council adding extra services on match days.
Keaon Koloamatangi has been the standout in the forwards, accumulating 750 tackles across the season. The second-rower's work rate has been extraordinary, and his ability to carry the ball through contact has set the tone for the entire pack. Latrell Mitchell has complemented the physicality with 132 points and 41 goals, providing the kind of playmaking ability that separates a good forward pack from a truly dangerous one. The takeaway from the season is clear: when the forwards win, the backs thrive.
Alex Johnston's 30 tries placed him among the competition's leading try scorers, and his chemistry with the forwards has been evident in the Rabbitohs' attacking patterns. The club's ability to win the field position battle has been crucial, with the pack consistently winning the kick chase and securing possession in favourable territory. For more on Sydney sports coverage, see Sports.
The South Sydney Rabbitohs forward pack has been built on a foundation of brute force and tactical intelligence. The front row, anchored by Peter Mamouzelos and Sean Keppie, has provided a platform that allows the second-rowers and locks to operate with freedom. The club's recruitment over the past two offseasons has focused on acquiring powerful, physical forwards who can dominate the tackle count and win the field position battle.
The coaching staff under Wayne Bennett has emphasised the importance of forward dominance as a pathway to finals football. The Rabbitohs' ability to control the tempo of the game through physical superiority has been a defining characteristic of their approach. This strategy has served them well through the regular season, but the finals series will present a different challenge entirely. The opposition will not allow the Rabbitohs to set the pace.
The finals series is a gruelling examination of endurance, and the Rabbitohs' physical style of play carries inherent risks. A forward pack that has been carrying a heavy tackle count throughout the regular season will face opposition teams that are equally determined to impose their will. The Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and the Sydney Roosters both possess formidable forward units that will test the Rabbitohs' depth.
The NRL Telstra Premiership finals format demands consistency across multiple weeks. A single injury to a key forward could disrupt the entire chain. The coaching staff will need to manage minutes carefully, balancing the need for physical dominance with the necessity of preserving players for the knockout rounds. According to the Rugby League Project, the Rabbitohs finished 7th in the 2026 season with 12 wins and 10 losses, a record that reflects their late-season surge rather than sustained dominance.
The path to the Grand Final at Accor Stadium runs through the semi-finals and preliminaries. The Rabbitohs will need to maintain their physical intensity while adapting to the heightened pressure of finals football. The club's experience in this regard is limited compared to the competition's traditional powers, and that inexperience could prove costly. For deeper analysis of the NRL finals picture, see Opinion & Ideas.
The Rabbitohs' supporters, known for their passionate backing at Redfern Oval, will be hoping for a fairy tale ending. The atmosphere at home matches has been electric, and the players have drawn energy from the crowd. The club's connection to the Redfern community remains a source of strength, and the forward pack has played with a sense of purpose that reflects the expectations of the local faithful. The petrol costs for fans making the trip to the outer suburbs have been a concern, but the support has never wavered.
The Rabbitohs' journey through the finals will be the ultimate test of their forward pack. The physicality that carried them through the regular season will need to be sustained across multiple weeks of intense contest. The club's supporters, who travel from across the city to back their team, will be hoping that the forward pack can deliver the goods when it matters most.
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