SYDNEY - South Sydney are back in the NRL top eight and looking finals-bound for the first time since 1989 after coming from behind to beat Manly 24-18 at Telstra Stadium last night.
The Rabbitohs leapfrogged Brisbane into eighth spot after scoring three unanswered second half tries, turningan 18-6 halftime deficit into a gritty six-point win.
Manly's loss all but handed Melbourne back-to-back minor premierships, with the Storm holding a four-point lead at the top of the ladder with two rounds remaining.
The game was tied at 18 apiece with nine minutes remaining when Souths lock Ben Rogers backed his instinct and kicked in behind the line early in the tackle count, with flying winger Fetuli Talanoa winning the race to the ball to give the home side their first lead in the game.
The Bunnies didn't look like getting into the contest until powerhouse hooker Issac Luke sparked them to life with a try 10 minutes after halftime to close the gap to 18-12.
The Rabbitohs were back, and as the 12,087-strong crowd found its voice so too did the home side's game plan as Joe Williams sent John Sutton through a gap to level it at 18-all four minutes later.
Manly coach Des Hasler sent out a starting line-up which bore little resemblance to the one listed in the programme with Matt Orford (thigh) a late withdrawal.
