Little man Sandow's big field goal snatches miracle win

A mammoth 49-metre, 86^th-minute field goal by Chris Sandow delivered South Sydney a stirring 21-20 victory over archrivals Sydney Roosters tonight.

Parramatta-bound Sandow potted a drop kick from near the half-way line in the sixth minute of golden point extra time after the ancient rivals were locked 20-all after the regulation 80 minutes.

Referees Phil Haines and Brett Suttor were uncertain the towering kick cleared the crossbar, but the replay showed it was good and sparked pandemonium amongst the Bunnies faithful at ANZ Stadium.

Sandow’s decisive play earned the Rabbitohs the win although they had only led for ten minutes of the rivalry round contest.

The Roosters looked home when they led 20-14 after Sam Perrett’s second try in the 67^th minute.

Myles then produced a remarkable play to deny Nathan Merritt a try – the Rabbitohs fullback looked like scoring off a grubber, but the lock-cum-prop managed to kick the ball out of his hands.

However, the Rabbitohs drew level when Greg Inglis touched down with six minutes remaining after John Sutton drew two defenders.

The regulation 80 minutes ended with farce; with Roosters prop Jason Ryles attempting left-footed field goal from 40m out after being found at first receiver by acting half Anthony Mitchell, who seemed concussed minutes earlier.

Souths (18 points) victory moved them to 11^th on the ladder and ended the 15^th-placed Roosters’ (14 points) hopes of playing finals football.

It was also just the fifth Bunnies triumph in 26 attempts against their archrivals.

Kane Linnett drew first blood for the Roosters when he was first to Mitchell Pearce’s well-weighted grubber in the 5^th minute.

The try came after the visitors received a piggyback from Ben Ross, who was penalised for holding down Sam Perrett 70m back down field. Todd Carney converted from the left sideline for 6-0.

Souths’ 11^th-minute equaliser also came through an error; BJ Leilua knocked on Chris Sandow’s cross kick and Isaac Luke touched down two tackles later.

The Rabbitohs shot themselves in the foot in the 16^th minute when Luke fumbled on his own 40m line; the Roosters forced back-to-back sets before Shaun Kenny-Dowall crashed over after a good short ball from Pearce.

At this point the Origin No 7 and halves partner Carney were outshining their South Sydney counterparts Sandow and Sutton, who were struggling to create anything for strike weapon Greg Inglis.

The Bondi club nearly went further ahead in the 29^th minute, but Sandow bundled BJ Leulia into touch just short of the tryline.

That Roosters raid started after Eddie Pettyborne was penalised for abusing referee Phil Suttor after the hulking second rower’s poor ball security led to a turnover.

Sandow, whose form had been impressive leading into the rivalry round clash, then produced a poor kick on the last with the Bunnies 20 metres out from the tryline.

The hosts had a final chance to draw level before halftime, but winger Shaun Corrigan was thrown into touch after an innocuous set with the goal in sight.

The Roosters started the second half as if they wanted to outdo their Redfern rivals in the error count - Jake Friend kicked out on the full before Linnett knocked on 10 metres out from his own in-goal line.

Souths took advantage – and the lead 12-10 – when Dylan Farrell touched down in the corner in the 47^th minute.

Ten minutes later Linnett and Friend then combined to force Chris McQueen into his own in-goal for a line-drop out.

Off the ensuing set, Perrett reclaimed the lead after some razzle-dazzle play from the tricolours.

Sandown potted a penalty goal in the 60^th minute for 14-14 to set up a thrilling finish.

The luckless Rabbitohs, who have hundreds of thousands of dollars in talent on the sideline, lost skipper Michael Crocker to a concussion in the 70^th minute.