South Sydney coach John Lang compared half-back Chris Sandow to legendary Manly playmaker Cliffy Lyons after the brilliant No.7 landed a series of knockout blows on the Warriors in Sunday's vital 38-28 win.
Sandow scored a try, was involved in two others and kicked five goals as the Rabbitohs kept their season alive before a small but vocal crowd at ANZ Stadium.
Lang describes the lively No.7 Sandow as a work in progress, likening him to another Aboriginal great in Lyons, who engineered premiership wins at the Sea Eagles in 1987 and 1996.
"I always use Cliffy Lyons as an example. Cliffy was brilliant but erratic in the first half of his career and in the second half of his career was probably the most consistent footballer I've ever seen," Lang said.
"Chrissy's got something special. He's doesn't know how to get it out all the time yet but that will come with experience."
"He's got a special talent for the game. He stepped up and it really showed out there today."
"When you've got these great talents it takes a while to harness them all. It’s an ongoing thing."
"Chrissy's still coming to terms with playing at this level."
"He'll continue to improve. Scott Prince and Johnathan Thurston can do it on a more regular basis and as he gets more experience he will do it on as much more regular basis."
"We felt Chrissy's got to take a more senior role – not the senior role – but that happens over time."
Sandow acknowledges he still has flaws in his game but paid tribute to Lang for showing patience and understanding.
"John's been around for years so I've pretty much learnt my game from John. He gives me a lot of confidence," he said.
"I just love to dig in and have a go for the boys. They're doing it for me so why can't I do it for them."
The victory over the Warriors edges Souths back into top eight territory but the wins have to keep coming if they are to reach the play-offs for only the second time since 1989.
"We haven’t been focusing on the top eight;we've just been trying to win footy games," Lang declared.
"If you win footy games you'll make it and if you don’t, you won't."
"We've got the talent but it doesn’t always happen for you."
The Rabbitohs' great obstacle is their growing injury toll.
In-form second-rower Dave Taylor broke his collarbone against the Warriors and will miss at least six weeks of football, while Issac Luke (shoulder), Luke Stuart (hand), Crocker (leg), Scott Geddes (knee) are all on the injured list.