Embattled Rabbitohs coach Jason Demetriou cut a frustrated figure following the team's loss to the Storm on Thursday night, calling on his players to "take some ownership" for the latest drubbing.
South Sydney slumped to the bottom of the league ladder once again after being made a passenger in its 54-20 Anzac Day thrashing at the hands of Melbourne.
Despite being fresh from a bye in round seven, the side hemorrhaged 10 tries — including a five-try blitz either side of the half-time break.
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Speaking post-match, Demetriou was disheartened by his side's showing considering their preparation.
"Very disappointing especially with the two-week lead-in that we've had and the detail on how we wanted to play — especially defensively," he said.
The Rabbitohs remained within striking distance during the opening 20 minutes of the match before an error from Cody Walker saw Xavier Coates score his second try of the match.
It then appeared the floodgates had been thrust open as the Storm piled on four unanswered tries before the main break.
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"We got back into the contest [through a Jacob Gagai try] and then there's one kick that goes dead, we don't touch the ball for seven sets and we go in 30-4," Demetriou told media.
"It was just a myriad of errors defensively that we've 100 per cent practiced in and around our ruck, in and around our decisions on our edges — we're just not nailing them when the pressure is on."
With Demetriou locked in a fight to keep his job as the team's ledger sits at 1-6, he implored his players to take responsibility for their substandard showing.
"Three weeks in a row where we've let the game go, so players need to take some ownership of that, take some ownership of their own performances and start executing things that we know we can," he said.
"The technical side in the contest, where we're not controlling offloads, we're not prepared to get dirty at times… stuff over the last few years we've been good at.
"We've dropped that level a bit and are focusing more on the outcome rather than sticking at the moment and owning each moment on its merit.
"If we get back to do doing that — like we did in periods of the second half — then we'll get out of it. But, like I said to the players, the talk's over, we need to deliver, we need to get it done."
Probed about what the result may mean for his future at the club, Demetriou was coy.
"I've got no idea. That's what I'll turn up to do. Like I've said before, I love coaching this club, I love coaching this team," he said.
"I'll turn up and keep giving my best and if someone taps me on the shoulder and says, 'Time's up' then I can't control that."
Asked if the Bunnies' season was repairable, Demetriou replied: "100 per cent it is salvageable."
"You see periods tonight, where the team looks like the team we're capable of. We've just got buy-in and do it for longer periods," he said.
"There's been some changes over the last couple of weeks but yeah 100 per cent we'll be looking at [more].
"At the moment we've got 21 fit players available, it's not like we've got a host of players we can bring in. But we've got Tallis Duncan and Sean Keppie…
"Ultimately it's not about changes, it's about changes in each individual owning their roles in key moments of the game.
"For three weeks in a row at the 30-minute mark it's a contest, then by the 45th minute the game's been blown away."
The Rabbitohs next face the Panthers at Accor Stadium on Thursday night.
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