South Sydney are facing a sudden death match against either Melbourne or Manly after failing to take advantage of their saloon passage into the NRL finals with a 26-12 loss to arch-rivals the Sydney Roosters.

A massive 32,126-strong crowd flocked to Telstra Stadium to celebrate the Rabbitohs first finals appearance since 1989 but left disappointed as the Roosters ensured their disappointing centenary season ended on a high.

Souths miserable night finished on an even poorer note with David Fa'alogo sent to the sin-bin after landing a blow to the chin of Braith Anasta as he retaliated to an apparent grapple tackle from the Roosters pivot.

Fa'alogo was given a standing ovation as he headed to the bin, but he could face a ban with the incident likely to be looked at closely by the match review committee.

The home crowd got some of their own back when Anasta was binned with just over a minute left on the clock after becoming involved in a punch-up with Souths No.7 Jeremy Smith.

Down 18-0 at the break, the Rabbitohs piled on the pressure in the second half but time and again came up empty on the scoreboard, Joel Monaghan proving the main stumbling block.

Playing his last game for the Roosters before returning to Canberra next season, Monaghan held both Paul Mellor and then Peter Cusack up over the line with try-saving tackles before John Sutton spilled a ball as he ran over to score.

Craig Fitzgibbon, who had missed with three of his previous four conversion attempts, could have extended the Roosters lead to beyond three converted tries but his penalty attempt from 40 metres out fell short.

One minute later he was given another opportunity this time from a metre closer to the posts, the shorter distance proving all the difference with his kick bouncing on the black dot in the middle of the crossbar before going over for a 20-0 lead on the hour.

Former Souths junior Craig Wing - who will return to Redfern next year - then completed the rout with a runaway try before Fetuli Talanoa and Shane Rigon scored a pair of consolation tries for the home side.

The Roosters stunned the home side early when Paul Mellor spilled a Braith Anasta bomb to gift Joel Monaghan a try and the visitors a 6-0 lead after four minutes.

The crowd was then left stunned when Anasta charged over from close range for a 10-0 lead after as many minutes, South chances of securing a home seemingly slipping from their grasp.

Souths threatened to hit back with four straight sets on the Roosters line, but a double to Amos Roberts just before the break - including a spectacular chip and chase along the sideline - saw the tri-colours take an 18-0 lead into halftime.

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