Panthers v Cowboys, Knights v Rabbitohs: NRL round nine live scores, stats and commentary
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The Panthers are looking to consolidate their spot in the NRL top four against the Cowboys in Bathurst, as the Rabbitohs celebrate their 36-18 triumph over the Knights in Newcastle.
Follow the live score, stats and commentary from Bathurst, while looking back at the Rabbitohs' victory.
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Rabbitohs show class in win over Knights
Damien Cook's New South Wales State of Origin chances have received another boost, as he helped South Sydney to a comfortable defeat of Newcastle.
With the Rabbitohs hanging onto the match at 22-12 on the back of a 94 per cent completion rate, Cook put the game beyond doubt midway through the second half when he broke free to run 30 metres and score.
Cook could not have chosen a better moment than on Friday night in Newcastle.
While Blues coach Brad Fittler may not have been in attendance, his two advisors in Danny Buderus and Greg Alexander were.
Buderus too knows the hooking role better than anyone, having played 21 games in the number nine jersey for the Blues.
The 26-year-old Cook topped 90 metres for the ninth consecutive time this year to maintain his status as easily the best running hooker of the competition.
Fittler has already indicated he could carry a second hooker on the bench, meaning he and chief rival Cameron McInnes are both a chance of selection.
Five-eighth Cody Walker turned in an emotional display just two days after the death of his mother Lou.
He put Alex Johnston away in Souths' first set for a trailing Robert Jennings to score, before he took their lead to 12-0 moments later when he barged over himself.
It gave the Rabbitohs a lead they never relinquish, as his halves partner Adam Reynolds also put young winger Campbell Graham over in the first half.
The Knights scored twice just before the break to go to the sheds at 16-12, and they should have drawn level early in the second through a sensational Kalyn Ponga cut-out ball before Ken Sio had the ball knocked out of his hands over the line by Angus Crichton.
Sio's pain was compounded when in the ensuing set he dropped a Reynolds cross-field kick and former Knight Dane Gagai was on the spot to score.
ABC/AAP
Topics: nrl, rugby-league, sport
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