SOUTH SYDNEY players kissed the black rabbit logo sitting on top of their hearts all night long from their very first try in the eighth minute. Canberra players kissed their season goodbye after 80 minutes.
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The season is over for the Raiders, but not all is lost.
While the Raiders were outclassed last night, they have shown enough in the second half of this season to be optimistic about the next.
Then again, there has been plenty of false promises in seasons past too for Raiders fans not to be a little cautious about 2013.
In 2008 the Raiders made a strong resurgence on the way to the finals. They failed in 2009. Towards the back end of 2010 they charged again, only to go backwards fast in 2011.
So why should we believe they can carry on this time?
Halfback Sam Williams is one reason. The 21-year-old has shown in this finals series, and in the winning run preceding it, that he can be an NRL quality halfback.
His kicking game was precise again last night, but it was the confidence in his running game that showed his attack can really develop further. He challenged the line without fear last night, putting doubt into the minds of the defence.
He cut through the Bunnies at least twice, once for a solo try. At other times he used the players running off his hips.
Williams may not yet even be a first choice in the halves for the Raiders next year, with Josh McCrone showing this season he can be consistent and Canberra's No.1 playmaker Terry Campese to come back from injury.
Williams is part of the young Raiders coming through.
Centre Jack Wighton is only 19. Last night he was thrown into the starting team for an NRL final, just his seventh NRL game. He had played only 40 minutes of football in the past five months, and that was in the under-20s competition last weekend. The Orange product made some crunching tackles on Souths giant Dave Taylor, particularly in the 12th minute when he forced an error from the 122-kilogram back-rower. But, just minutes later, he made his own clumsy fumble from the first play after a penalty.
Still, he should take confidence from last night, if only for the confidence shown in him by his coach, David Furner.
Josh Papalii is still only 20 and he learned something last night, too. Built up by media hype as some type of mythical hero after his dominance over Australian forward Paul Gallen last weekend, Papalii was mortal again last night.
But he has two NRL seasons under his belt now, and there are plenty more players he will belt in years to come.
More positives. Blake Ferguson has found his place at centre, the Raiders have found him a strong friend and ally on the right flank in Sandor Earl.
Josh Dugan is the club's No.1 fullback, but in Reece Robinson they have a more than capable back-up.
Let's not forget that Canberra's player of the year for the past two seasons, Shaun Fensom, doesn't turn 24 until next month.
The Rabbitohs march on after last night, searching for their first premiership since 1971. It could be the fairytale of the 2012 season.
The Raiders must come back in 2013 and start where they left off.
