Infotainment Factory: Rabbitohs 'magic' steals epic against Panthers

South Sydney had won the game. Then lost it. Then won it.

On the back of a masterclass from fullback Latrell Mitchell and his mate at five-eighth Cody Walker, the Bunnies got one over old enemy Penrith in what was another epic between the two powerhouse teams.

For a while it looked like Panthers centre Stephen Crichton was once again going to be the game winner, crushing the hearts of thousands of cardinal and myrtle supporters.

AS IT HAPPENED: Bunnies pull off miracle win against Panthers

He did it in the 2021 grand final when an intercept try from a Walker pass iced an epic premiership victory.

Crichton scored a hat-trick at Accor Stadium on Thursday night. His try in the 66th minute put the Panthers in front, then his third in the 71st minute and subsequent conversion seemingly put the result to bed, another win for the two-time reigning premiers.

South Sydney players celebrate the winning try of Isaiah Tass against Penrith.

However the soap opera that is rugby league had a couple more twists to come.

Mitchell scored in the 75th minute - his second for the game - and converted to bring the Bunnies back within two points.

Stream the NRL premiership 2023 live and free on 9Now

Then with little more than a minute on the clock, South Sydney shifted left and some magic from Cody Walker put Isaiah Tass into space and he was able to find the line.

Penrith had one more play to pull a rabbit out of the hat - no pun intended - but couldn't, and Andrew Demetriou's men won 20-18.

NRL Highlights: Rabbitohs v Panthers - Round 8

"Cody Walker and Latrell Mitchell, they come up with a bit of magic," Billy Slater said as the final siren sounded.

Mitchell's form has been questioned over the opening rounds of this season.

So much so his place in the New South Wales team has been put out to tender by some experts picking their early State of Origin teams.

The Bunnies No.1 responded with a brilliant performance against the competition benchmark.

"It was well deserved. It was scrappy and it went to chaos there," Mitchell told Nine after the win.

"We stuck to what we've been practicing the last few weeks and we've been building nicely. Great result.

"We know what the blueprint is and we've just got to keep following it."

The Bunnies travel to Brisbane next week, while Penrith hosts the Wests Tigers in Bathurst.

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