A strong second half has seen the South Sydney Rabbitohs outlast the Canberra Raiders 34-20 at GIO Stadium on Thursday evening.
Recovering from a 14-16 halftime deficit the visitors showed plenty of class to claim their seventh consecutive win for the first time since 2019, while the Raiders slumped to their fourth straight loss.
Suffering a huge blow mere minutes before kick-off with halfback George Williams ruled out with a groin injury, the Raiders defied an early Adam Reynolds penalty goal to post the first try after fullback Caleb Aekins combined to send Jordan Rapana (7th minute) over in the corner.
The Rabbitohs responded with Benji Marshall firing a beautiful cut-out pass to Alex Johnston (18th minute), before Elliott Whitehead (21st minute) - filling in as captain in the absence of Jarrod Croker - broke the Rabbitohs defence to regain the lead.
Taking advantage of a fumble from Jaxson Paulo in-goal, emerging centre Seb Kris (26th minute) touched down only for Campbell Graham (34th minute) to respond shortly before halftime.
Starting the second half on a positive note with Dane Gagai (45th minute) finishing off a pass from Cody Walker, the Rabbitohs established a ten points lead with Johnston (55th minute) collecting his eighth try in as many matches.
Securing the result on the hour mark with Keaon Koloamatangi linking with Jadyn Su'A (59th minute) on the right edge, a brilliant run from Curtis Scott to send Rapana (66th minute) over for his second threatened to inspire a comeback from the home side.
Playing against 12 men during the closing stages with Jacob Host sent to the sin bin for a professional foul, Canberra playmaker Jack Wighton was denied two tries for obstructions much to the dismay of the home crowd.
Reynolds concluded proceedings with his seventh successful kick of the night to give the Rabbitohs a deserved 34-20 win.
Next week, the Raiders host the Knights in Wagga Wagga on Saturday afternoon, while the Rabbitohs take on the Storm at ANZ Stadium on Thursday night.