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The result lifts South Sydney above their opponents thanks to a superior for and against, which was made better yet by the one-sided scoreline.
Though Walker was the difference in attack, the win was all about defence: Souths started fast, got points on the board and then backed themselves to keep the Parra at bay. Though plenty of attack was thrown at them, the Bunnies had all the answers.
Walker’s tries showcased him at his opportunistic best, and he was ably assisted by Souths’ usual suspects: Latrell Mitchell was topped the metre chart, Damien Cook created two key tries, Cameron Murray owned the middle and Alex Johnston scored his now obligatory two tries.
Beyond the big hitters, Tevita Tatola totally dominated Junior Paulo, running for 172m to his counterpart’s meagre 60m. It certainly whets the appetite for a potential finals meeting between these two, or indeed, for a World Cup clash, as Tongan Tatola could face Paulo, who today declared for Samoa.
Dean Hawkins, in just his third NRL game, was excellent in replacing Lachlan Ilias who injured himself in the captain’s run. If Ilias has been doing his best Adam Reynolds tribute act all year, then Hawkins can get a job as an Ilias impersonator.
Paulo’s poor showing, Reagan Campbell-Gillard was not much better. He managed just 88m off 11 runs in a pack that was well beaten. Despite the battering his side were taking in the middle, Brad Arthur chose not to use Ofahiki Ogden, one of his interchange props, until the 72nd minute.
The backs weren’t much better, though they had little to work with. Clint Gutherson was the only one to emerge with any credit, and that was thanks to several key interventions at the back that kept the score in the first half respectable.
Parramatta had the worst possible start. Dylan Brown dropped the ball cold in midfield and as Souths trucked up the field, Cook caught Isaiah Papali’i cold on the line and slipped Walker through for his first.
The middle defence from the Eels was horrendous. Souths’ average set distance was up close to 60m and twice, Murray was able to pull off a simple inside ball that released Mitchell into the backfield.
On the back of the second such move, Cook again spotted the gap around Papali’i, but this time Walker was denied by the bunker. Two minutes later, it didn’t matter as Keaon Koloamatangi tapped on superbly for Isaac Thompson to cross for his second in two first grade games.
The momentum was constant, and before the first half was out, there would be another. Johnston had the easiest of putdowns. It barely merits mentioning these days, but he is now the 8th highest NRL tryscorer of all time.
Parramatta had cleary been read the riot act at the break, and started like a whirlwind. They forced three consecutive sets, but couldn’t get over the line.
They were punished for their profligacy as Souths were jumped up the field by a Tom Opacic penalty and crossed again through Johnston.
Nothing would go for Parra. Even when they broke through, as they managed through Shaun Lane on the hour, the final pass was missing. His effort to Maika Sivo was well forward, scotching any hopes of a late rally.
Sivo went close again after a smart Gutherson kick, but failed to stick the grounding.
Again, where the Eels failed, Souths succeeded. They went straight up the park, kicked themselves and got a lucky bounce for Walker to complete the hat trick. With ten to play, Souths put the cue in the rack.
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