Minor premiers Macquarie simply missed too many scoring opportunities in the slippery conditions, and were unable to capitalise on having an extra man in the final stages of the second half.

“We had three chances there and dropped the ball three times before play three, which was just killer,” Macquarie coach Adam Bettridge told the Newcastle Herald after the match.

“We had to take our opportunities and we didn’t do that today. It’s disappointing. Grand finals are a different beast and we lacked in key areas and we’re a bit off the pace.

“Souths came out and played good wet-weather footy, probably near the perfect game. So credit where credit is due, they were the better team today and they got the biscuits.”

Macquarie levelled at 6-all in the 14th minute when second-rower Randall Briggs ran onto a short ball provided by skipper and halfback Andy Sumner.

Five-eighth Scott Briggs kicked the conversion. 

Six minutes after the break Scorpions centre Teason Fa’avae-Eli strolled over after a cut-out pass from playmaker Briggs, who then added the extras for a 12-7 lead.

“It’s a hard one to handle that one,” Bettridge said.

“We hadn’t played our best footy but we were still in the game. There was just a little period where we should have taken some more points.”

Macquarie had prop Isaac Briggs (neck) and substitute Tye Alchin (knee) both sidelined with match-ending injuries before the half hour mark. 

Ultimately, Souths were able to break a 27-year premiership drought on the back of a touch of Willie Heta class and strong 12-man defence.

Souths’ captain-coach Todd Hurrell was sent to the sin bin for a swinging arm with 14 minutes remaining. 

It came shortly after five-eighth Heta helped Souths regain the lead courtesy of back-to-back tries.

With Souths trailing 12-7, Hetta laid on one try for fullback Sam Cook with a deft grubber kick from short range in the 56th minute before following it up with his own solo “show and go” effort near the hour mark.

Despite being up 19-12 the Lions were forced to repeatedly protect their own line a man down and successfully repelled the Scorpions attack before Heta sealed victory with a penalty goal from in front, with four minutes remaining.

Bettridge, who was named coach of the year last month, signed a two-year deal with Macquarie earlier this season to extend his stay until the end of 2018.

“It’s just gut wrenching,” he said.

“Hopefully we can regroup and use the pain as a motivator for next year.”