Souths prop Luke Higgins broke the deadlock with a crucial 73rd minute try but Lions coach Ben Cross credited goal-line defence as the premiership difference.
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At least three times, twice on Fiji international Junior Rociqa, Souths held Lakes up over the try line before sealing a hard-fought 30-18 grand final victory over the Seagulls.
It was the most pleasing aspect of the triumph and performance for Cross, who proudly held aloft the Newcastle Rugby League silverware with Souths captain Ryan Glanville, injured skipper Brendan Simpson and late inclusion Lewis Schneider at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
“The Luke Higgins try was good and what we needed obviously to get back in front, but it was never going to be a six-point game,” Cross said.
“They’ve got too many points in them … and in big games you’ve got to take those opportunities when they present themselves.
“But our try line D [defence] was outstanding again. We just kept holding them up over the line.
“We’ve kept teams to nil for a half of footy seven times this season and in one game we held a team up seven times over the try line.
“We really pride ourselves on try line defence.”
It was Souths’ second title in the space of three seasons, celebrated in front of the 5000-plus crowd at the Broadmeadow venue.
Only four players in the Lions’ 17-man squad – Higgins, Schneider, Jarrad Flanagan and Jake Lawrence – remain from the previous success two years ago in 2016.
Cross said it came down to club “culture” and “depth”, best highlighted by managing to cover for this week’s loss of Souths lock Tori Freeman (knee) and battling on without fellow forward Simpson the last month.
“It goes to show the good depth of the club and everyone doing their job,” Cross said.
“We train as a club and come through as a club, not separate teams. It comes to fruition when you can call up other guys.”
Lakes five-eighth Jack Kelly and Souths fullback Lachlan Walmsley, who left the field with concussion at half-time and didn’t return, traded tries in the opening 15 minutes.
Seagulls winger Matt Craig and Lions centre Tom Cronan followed suit by crossing in the 17th and 28th minutes respectively.
Toa Mata’Afa then slotted a Lakes penalty approaching the break for a 10-8 lead.
Shortly after the change of ends, Souths halfback Jason Keelan leveled proceedings with a penalty goal after using a strong southerly wind to kick a 40-20.
Between the 52nd and 71st minutes, the tight tussle continued with tries to Seagulls second-rower Nick Glohe and Lions hooker Joey Morris. Mata’Afa and Keelan kicked a conversion and penalty each to make it 18-all.
Higgins then delivered a telling blow before fellow front-rower Cameron King capped it off for Souths with a four-pointer on full-time.
Souths were already marking the 30th and 50th anniversary of premierships from 1988 and 1968.
SOUTHS 30 (L Walmsley, T Cronan, J Morris, L Higgins, C King tries; J Keelan 5 goals) def LAKES 18 (J Kelly, M Craig, N Glohe tries; T Mata’Afa 3 goals)