“He’s one of the best finishers I’ve come across,” Walker said of Johnston.

“He knows where to be in certain positions on the footy field,we’ve built up a great relationship on that left edge ... he makes me look good.”

There was more good news for the hosts. Cameron Murray came through his comeback game unscathed. NSW coach Brad Fittler made it clear he would pick Murray even if he didn’t play in this game. However,Murray,wearing jersey No.24,gave his recently operated shoulder a solid workout. As ever,the Souths captain got through a mountain of work,including 115 running metres and 26 tackles.

“I just told myself after the surgery I will do everything I can to get back as soon as possible,” Murray said.

“There wasn’t really a game that I was eyeing off,Origin wasn’t really in the back of my mind at all. It was about returning for the Rabbits.”

Damien Cook also rediscovered his running game just before “Freddy” picks his team. Importantly,the hooker also made 38 tackles without a single miss. Bench forwards Siliva Havili and Hame Sele were also inspirational.

The scoreline appeared inconceivable at half-time. The Tigers led 12-0 early and 18-12 at the main break. However,they didn’t come out for the second stanza,conceding six unanswered tries.

It’s likely that,for the 11th season in a row,the Tigers won’t participate in the play-offs. The dramas at Belmore,at least momentarily,have shifted the spotlight away from Michael Maguire. That will change after this result. However,“Madge” is adamant his side can still make an appearance in the post-season.

“We can win every game,” Maguire said. “We’ll roll up with the attitude each week to win every game. So yes,definitely.”

David Nofoaluma,one of the Tigers’ highest-paid players,can’t crack the side. The winger taking his place,Asu Kepaoa,showed why when he plucked an intercept from Lachlan Ilias and raced 90 metres for glory. When the Tigers’ Ken Maumalo scored the first of his two tries shortly afterwards,the clock couldn’t keep up with the scoreboard.

However,when possession swung the way of the Rabbitohs,they floodgates opened.

The opening half of the season has been a difficult one for the “Pride of the League”. Their first-grade team wasn’t the only one struggling to live up to expectations after last year’s grand final. They are coming sixth in the NSW Cup (in a 12-team competition),10th in SG Ball,11th in Harold Matthews and last in the Jersey Flegg. If the old club championship competition existed,they would be at the wrong end of it.

However,they showed enough in 40 minutes to suggest they are not spent yet.