Rampant Rabbitohs turn on the afterburners to power past Eels

HOW do you beat a premiership heavyweight by 38-0 in a scintillating performance yet walk away feeling gutted?

When your star player is injured and told he may not play again this year.

South Sydney champion Latrell Mitchell sustained a grade three hamstring strain against Parramatta on Thursday night and will miss between four to six weeks.

The Rabbitohs have just four regular rounds to play.

Mitchell’s injury came as Souths embarrassed and buried a faltering Parramatta at Bankwest Stadium. The Eels were left red faced and green with envy by a team wearing red and green. South Sydney finally made a powerful statement — they are ready to rock this year’s NRL premiership.

Almost overnight, the ad-lib Bunnies have transformed from also-rans to genuine contenders.

It was spectacular stuff. It’s one thing to whack an injuryravaged Manly 56-16 last week but something else to whack a premiership hot shot by 38-0. It was 22-0 at halftime.

Parramatta was jeered from the field by some irate fans at a ground where they are virtually unbeatable.

It was the first time this year Souths have beaten a top four side and the first they have defeated a side above them on the competition ladder. Souths led Manly 38-0 at halftime last week — that’s 60-0 in the opening halves of their past two games.

Souths halfback Adam Reynolds enjoyed two assists in an eye-opening first half while scoring in the second half.

Mitchell and team-mate Cody Walker were also brilliant, Souths possessing the xfactor to worry any side.