Awkward Bunnies issue laid bare by Latrell absence

Latrell Mitchell's injury absence has highlighted an awkward issue for South Sydney and potentially for the club's future head coach Wayne Bennett.

The Rabbitohs went down to Bennett's Dolphins 36-28 on Thursday night at Redcliffe.

Each team scored six tries but it was the goal kicking that ultimately made the difference on the scoreboard.

READ MORE: Aussies topple favourites to reach Wimbledon final

READ MORE: 'Terrific' Tevita puts rivals on notice in Dolphins win

READ MORE: Awkward Olympics truth exposed by Aussie stars

Jamayne Isaako slotted six attempts for the Dolphins, while the bumbling Bunnies could only knock over two of their six kicks.

Those eight points left on the table proved the final margin, and the loss all but ended South Sydney's hopes of playing finals this season.

Cody Walker had a tough night off the tee, before handing it to Taane Milne who also had a shocker.

"We probably let ourselves down with our goal kicking there as well," Walker told Nine.

"We don't have any genuine goal kickers in the side. I haven't goal kicked since 2014 in reserve grade at Easts Tigers.

Watch the 2024 NRL premiership live and free on Nine and 9Now. 

"You just underestimate how important it is and how much pressure is on you in that particular moment.

"I have a newfound respect for our goal kickers out there up with that 70 or 80 per cent (conversion rate)."

Mitchell is the team's regular goal kicker and boasts a conversion rate of 71.7 per cent this season.

Walker sits at a miserable 33.3 per cent and the team doesn't have another recognised goal kicker.

The veteran halfback was visibly shattered after his efforts on Thursday night.

"Obviously Latrell is a wonderful kicker and he slots them from everywhere," he said.

"So you're obviously going to miss a guy like Trell's goal kicking ability.

"I put my hand up, I take full responsibility. It just wasn't good enough."

Interim Bunnies coach Ben Hornby refused to lay the blame at Walker's feet.

"It shouldn't come down to goal kicking," Hornby said.

"We had opportunities to score points in that second half that we should have put away, and it wouldn't have come down to goal kicking.

"That's not the reason we lost the game in my opinion."

Mitchell is sidelined for at least a month with a foot injury.