LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
Latrell Mitchell's absence was keenly felt as the South Sydney Rabbitohs crashed back to earth in a brutal NRL loss to the Dolphins.
The Bunnies, known for their fighting spirit and never-say-die attitude, were left licking their wounds after a disappointing 36-28 defeat in Redcliffe.
Despite scoring six tries apiece, it was their abysmal goal-kicking that proved to be their downfall.
In a game where every point counts, the Rabbitohs only managed to convert two out of six attempts, while the Dolphins' Jamayne Isaako was deadly accurate with all six of his kicks.
The importance of having a reliable goal-kicker, like Mitchell normally is for the team, was starkly evident as Cody Walker struggled with just one successful conversion out of four, and Taane Milne faltered when he took over.
The injury to Mitchell, a linchpin in the team's attack and known for his precision in kicking, threw the Rabbitohs off their game.
Without his steadying presence, the team faltered in crucial moments, unable to close the gap on the scoreboard.
It was a tough lesson for Ben Hornby's men, a group known for their resilience and fighting spirit, but they will need to regroup and find a solution before their next match.
The loss snapped a promising streak of five consecutive victories, but with the right adjustments and a renewed focus, the Rabbitohs can bounce back stronger than ever.