Heading into the 2017 playoffs, Southern Districts had won nine straight matches and looked closer than they’d ever been before to a maiden Shute Shield title.

Arguably the form team of the competition, the Rebels finished behind Manly in second spot and faced fifth placed Northern Suburbs in the opening Sunday of the finals.

But a day earlier, sixth placed Eastwood shocked the minor premier Marlins, turning Sunday’s semi final into a must win for Souths.

In almost identical circumstances to 2016, the Rebels faltered, this time at their first hurdle.

Norths were brilliant in a 47-18 victory and forced Souths fans to watch on as their dreams of an illusive premiership disappeared in front of them.

“Words can’t really describe the feeling after that game, it was weird and everyone was very quiet after that match,” Rebels captain Marcus Carbone told Rugby News.

“I think we all sort of isolated ourselves and I know I was in a pretty dark place for a few days because I knew how well we were playing and how close we were.

“To see it all come crushing down so quickly, it was gut wrenching and it was felt by the players, the coaches, our supporters and everyone at the club.”

While many were quick to blame what was perceived as an unfair finals system that failed to reward Souths’ second place finish, Carbone said it was his side’s slow start to the season that really cost them.

“Obviously we look at the finals system and we get frustrated but that’s no excuse for us going out in the first round. It was a performance issue. We’d won nine straight games going into the finals and were probably due for a poor performance, unfortunately it just came in a game that we couldn’t afford to lose.

“Really though, we put a lot of pressure on ourselves after a poor start to the season so we needed to win a lot of games towards the back end of the year. That’s something we’d definitely like to change this year.”

The utility forward, who ended the season playing No.7, said it took months to get over Souths’ sudden end to the season.

“All the injuries starting catching up with me and I started feeling pain from the season. I pulled out of the NRC because of work commitments but deep down, I just wanted to get away from rugby for a while because I was still hurting.”

Two months after their premature exit, Carbone sat down with the Rebels coaching staff and senior players to plot a plan to turn that pain into motivation.

“We spoke about what we needed to change to pick up those few per cent to help us win that maiden premiership. We’ve been thereabouts for the last five or so years now and we just keep falling short, so we obviously need to change something.

“When you look at Warringah and Norths, they were sides that five years ago didn’t look like winning a premiership whereas we’ve been in the mix that entire time.”

Souths recruited new strength and conditioning coach Clint Hoare for the 2018 campaign and Carbone said his fresh approach had worked wonders throughout the preseason.

“He’s introduced a lot more game specific skills and some different kinds of fitness and I think the squad as a whole is in really good shape.”

“We’ve probably got six or seven first graders still on the sideline. Dewet Roos, Luke Smart, Apo Latunipulu, then guys like Jamie Verran who have just returned from injury so we’re still getting everyone on the park together but that will come with time.

“It’s been a little difficult to gauge exactly where we are at because of those injuries, but I think we’re fit and we’re a long way ahead of where we’ve been previously in terms of our structures and how we want to play.”

The Rebels open their campaign at home next Saturday against Penrith before travelling to play a West Harbour side Carbone thinks will be tough to beat in 2018.

“We played them in a trial and they look a lot more structured and a lot fitter compared to previous years so I think they’re going to be in the top six.

“Then you’ve got the usual suspects. Warringah, Norths, Manly, it’s going to be tight again.”