Endless search ... The 52 halves combinations used by Souths. / The Sunday Telegraph

Since their re-admission to the NRL in 2002, when Owen Craigie and Brad Watts were paired in the halves for the first match, Souths have used 52 different combinations in 172 matches over seven years.

With the help of Fox Sports Stats, The Sunday Telegraph has uncovered the secret behind the Rabbitohs' resurgence to the top of the ladder for the first time in 20 years.

Chris Sandow and John Sutton are poised to cement themselves as Souths' longest-standing halves combination since 2002.

They will notch up their ninth game together tomorrow night when the Rabbitohs take on the Bulldogs at ANZ Stadium, and they then need just six more games to surpass the mark of 14 set by Sutton and former halfback Ben Walker in 2005-06.

The power and creativity of Sutton and the flair and kicking skills of Sandow have come together to form one of the most dangerous halfback pairings in the game.

Souths have won five of their eight matches when Sandow and Sutton have played in the six and seven jumpers together.

Joe Williams and Jeremy Smith, who combined in 2007 for 10 matches, are the only pairing in those eight seasons to have have played more games together than the Rabbitohs' current pair.

However, Williams and Smith managed just four victories in those 10 games before they were sacked. Former veteran halfback and coach of the 2002 Rabbitohs, Craig Coleman, said eight seasons of frustration were now behind the club.

Coleman suggested that Sandow, 20, and Sutton, 24, were the answer to the club's prolonged search for a successful half and five-eighth.

"Any team that is going to finish in the top four are going to have good halves and Souths now have those halves that can play,'' Coleman said.

"It's been a while, but it's worth it when you see what these boys can do.

"Sandow is going to be there for 10 years if he wants to. So is Johnny, he's still only young. And as a Souths supporter, I would love to see them there forever.''

Coleman suggested coach Jason Taylor deserved credit for allowing Sutton and Sandow to evolve.

"The halves are performing because of the coach,'' Coleman said.

"He's an excellent teacher, he really is.

"Their halves have been excellent this year.

"Sutton has always promised a lot, but under 'JT', he has really matured.

"Now he's starting to realise how good he can be. He can be one of the most dominant players in the NRL if he wants to.