With his team leading 31-30 with a minute remaining in Saturday's Group 11 elimination semi-final against Westside, the bustling prop attempted an offload 20 metres out from the opposition try-line.

What followed was one of the more remarkable phases of play seen in Group 11 in a long time, as the Rabbitohs went almost the length of the field in three plays before Kurt Fuller dived over in the corner from dummy-half to give the Dubbo side a 34-31 win.

All hope appeared lost when a 78th minute field goal to Magpies five-eighth Carl Johnson gave the visitors a one-point buffer, and the ensuing kick-off was put out on the full by Corey Cox.

But in a finish only rugby league can produce, the Rabbitohs got out of jail to book themselves a place in next week's minor semi-final against Wellington.

To his credit Merritt accepted the blame for the loss, although it could be argued he had played a major role in helping the Magpies to the lead in the first place as he was a handful every time he touched the ball.

"I threw a stupid pass, one I shouldn't have thrown, and then that happens. It's pretty gutting to tell you the truth," he said.

"We've worked hard all year so it's hard for it to all end based on a mistake like that, but that's football. It can be a cruel game sometimes.

"But to get where we have this year from where we have been for the past few years is a big achievement and something I think everyone involved with the club can be proud of."

While the last two minutes of the contest was chaotic, the previous 78 was enthralling.

In total the lead changed on seven occasions with Westside skipper Dylan Hill, who was arguable the best player on the field, admitting it was the strangest match he had ever been a part of.

"When 'Coxy' put that kick-off out on the full I thought it was over but we just stuck at it, the luck went our way and we played it out right to the final siren," Hill said.

"It was actually a really fun game to be a part of. I think the crowd would have enjoyed it as well but we have a few things to work on for next week.

"One of the things we want to avoid is going try-for-try with teams and we did that again today, but we're another step closer and we have a week to work on that."

Five-eighth Josh Merritt was again good for Westside, bagging two tries while Fuller's 80th minute heroics capped off his double as well.

Westside will be boosted for next week's clash with the return of regular skipper Shane Konz, who had to watch Saturday's action unfold as he served the final game of a three-match suspension stemming from Westside's infamous clash with Dubbo Macquarie last month.

o DUBBO WESTSIDE 34 (Josh Merritt 2, Kurt Fuller 2, David Peachey, Justin Shillingsworth, Dylan Hill tries; Corey Cox 3 goals) defeated FORBES MAGPIES 21 (Matt Morris 2, Tyson Rewiti, Ben McGuire, Chris Hancock tries; Carl Johnson 5 goals, field goal)