On March 15, 2025, the South Sydney Rabbitohs pulled off a stunning comeback victory, defeating the St George Illawarra Dragons 25-24 at WIN Stadium. The hero of the match was Jamie Humphreys, who kicked the winning field goal from 30 meters out with just four minutes remaining, solidifying his status as the Rabbitohs’ newest star.
Coming off the back of another victory against the Dolphins, Humphreys demonstrated remarkable composure under pressure, especially considering he was initially signed to be the backup halfback for the Rabbitohs. The Rabbitohs found themselves down 24-12 at one point, but their resilience shined through as they clawed back to snatch the win.
The match started with Jye Gray’s playmaking skills setting up the first try from a penalty, leading to Humphreys adding the extras and securing an early lead. It was Gray’s determination and craftiness, along with his close to 30 carries during the match, which laid the foundation for Souths’ eventual success.
Dragons coach Shane Flanagan had publicly expressed his disappointment with his team’s inability to maintain their lead, noting, "I am really really disappointed because… that's not what this team showed me during the trials or pre-season training." His criticisms stemmed from the team’s lack of energy, especially when they were up by 12 points.
Humphreys’ field goal capped off what has been described as both thrilling and dramatic. Despite making the error of receiving what should have been a clean pass from Siliva Havili, Humphreys smartly seized the opportunity with limited time left, taking the shot without hesitation. After the match, Coach Wayne Bennett highlighted, "He has just stood up and put his hand up and said 'I could do this.' We won the game last week on his goal-kicking and we won again tonight on his goal-kicking."
While Souths executed their game without several key players, including Latrell Mitchell and Cameron Murray, their spirit shone through. The Dragons had previously taken the lead through Tyrell Sloan and Kyle Flanagan, who each scored doubles, energizing their side and pushing them to the forefront early. A penalty try awarded to Souths less than ten minutes in gave them the momentum needed, but it quickly shifted as the Dragons retaliated.
The game was not bereft of drama. Midway through the second half, South Sydney faced even greater adversity with Jai Arrow exiting the match for repeated head injury assessments and Tallis Duncan sidelined due to hamstring issues. Despite having limited reserves, the Rabbitohs managed to focus on their discipline and capitalized on every scoring opportunity.
With the game on the line, South Sydney’s ability to recover after trailing significantly showcased their character. Gray's contribution on defense, saving potential tries, coupled with fearless attempts to break through the Dragons' line, were instrumental. Bennett affirmed, “At 24-12, they [Dragons] were all over us. We kept turning up.”
Shane Flanagan’s frustration with his side stemmed from their apparent lack of willpower toward the end of the game, allowing the Rabbitohs to sneak away with the match. He stated, "Even their field-goal, the ball hit the ground twice, he [Humphreys] gets it and goes, 'I might as well have a shot here', and we had no pressure on him." His remarks echoed the sentiment felt by fans who had watched the Dragons fail to capitalize on their earlier dominance.
Despite the high stakes and pressure, the excitement surrounding Jamie Humphreys marks the beginning of what may be seen as his ascent within the Rabbitohs’ ranks. After the game, he grinned when questioned about his late field goal, expressing confidence throughout the process: "I just backed myself; I just whacked it over. Even when Cody Walker asked if I was thinking about it, my instinct led me to go for it without overthinking."
The future looks bright for the Rabbitohs now at 2-0 for the season, leaving many to speculate on their potential with Humphreys at the helm. The Dragons now have time to regroup, facing the bye week next. Both teams will be eager for their upcoming challenges with lessons learned from this thrilling encounter. Flanagan concluded, "You wouldn’t want to be one of my players for the next 10 or 12 days—it won’t be pretty," assuring fans they would see dramatic improvements before their next match against the Storm.”