Rugby League 2022 Rabbitohs Rumours, Signings and News

Rabbits 21

Rabbits 21

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7. RABBITOHS

Halves: No.6 Cody Walker, No.7 Lachlan Ilias

Analysis: They may have led the Rabbitohs to a fifth straight preliminary final, but that was more down to the strength of the Souths squad as a whole than their halves pairing. At his best Cody Walker is up there with the best players in the game, but he was a fair way short of that in 2022 as he struggled in life after Adam Reynolds’ departure to the Broncos. Walker was required to do more organising and kicking, which played away from his strengths as a broken field runner and ball player. Ilias was solid in his first full season of NRL and will only get better with another full pre-season under his belt. However, Ilias still has a lot of work to do on his kicking game and could face pressure from Dean Hawkins if Souths get off to a slow start again next year. Still, with another year of experience Ilias could fire and potentially form a devastating combination with Walker in 2023.


We are ranked at 7th for best halves in NRL
 
callmack1

callmack1

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Rabbits 21 said:

Souths’ new era stalled by salary cap delays​

The club have a host of key players coming off-contract within the next week.​

DAVID PIEPERS

WRITER | OCTOBER 27, 2022 - 9:49AM

The South Sydney Rabbitohs are on the cusp of unveiling their $57 million Centre of Excellence, but the club’s CEO has confirmed that their other big investment – the contracts of Latrell Mitchell, Cody Walkerand Damien Cook – is being held up by the wait for a 2023 salary cap figure.

The Heffron Centre, based in Maroubra, was unveiled to members of the media during the week and is expected to offer the team a significant advantage with its state-of-the-art set-up.

But while things are moving on schedule in that respect, the club’s attempts to retain their star trio have been caught in the logjam as the RLPA and NRL continue to negotiate a new agreement.

There are currently 15 Rabbitohs players who will be able to talk to rival clubs from November 1.

“We are in discussions which are progressing nicely, but ultimately it would be helpful to have a salary cap figure,” Souths CEO Blake Solly told the Daily Telegraph.

Though the trio are yet to commit their future to the club, Solly was happy to use them as a selling point when speaking about the new cutting-edge facility. He also acknowledged the club’s departure from their traditional base at Redfern.

“From an elite athlete point of view, this (facility) is as good as anywhere in the world,” Solly said.

“This secures our future for the next 20-40 years, it’s a game changer.

“Redfern has been wonderful to us – and it will always be our spiritual home – but there are limitations about what we can do (there). We’ve grown out of it.

“This facility is purpose-built for an NRL team in 2023.

“Community patrons can mingle with players. People can have a coffee next to Cody Walker or Latrell Mitchell. We want our club and players at the heart of the community.”

The club also revealed the extensive research they’d done in regards to establishing the facility, with a world-wide influence on the project.

“We’ve got consultants who have worked in basketball arenas and NFL stadiums in America who have come out here in different capacities to work on the project.

“We didn’t want to imitate them, we wanted something specific to Souths.”

Redfern Oval will continue to be used by the club for local and junior finals, as well as NSW Cup games.
Click to expand...
Gotta admit, this is concerning. November 1st is just days away and we'll have so much talent up for grabs. However, I can understand the hold up in terms of waiting for the salary cap and I'm sure there'd be a lot of other clubs in the same boat.

The fact that it's almost November and we still don't have a set salary cap is ridiculous. An absolute joke!
 
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Rabbits 21

Rabbits 21

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callmack1 said:
Gotta admit, this is concerning. November 1st is just days away and we'll have so much talent up for grabs. However, I can understand the hold up in terms of waiting for the salary cap and I'm sure there'd be a lot of other clubs in the same boat.

The fact that it's almost November and we still don't have a set salary cap is ridiculous. An absolute joke!
Click to expand...
You shouldn’t be surprised though mate once again amateur hour from the NRL!
 
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Southy

Southy

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Latrell Mitchell, Cody Walker and Damien Cook staying to win Souths premiership​

In a ringing endorsement for the trajectory of South Sydney under the direction of head coach Jason Demetriou, the club’s three biggest names are about to extend their future at Redfern.

David Riccio David Riccio
.
 
Rabbits 21

Rabbits 21

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Latrell Mitchell, Cody Walker and Damien Cook staying to win Souths premiership
In a ringing endorsement for the trajectory of South Sydney under the direction of head coach Jason Demetriou, the club’s three biggest names are about to extend their future at Redfern.

David RiccioDavid Riccio

3 min read

October 29, 2022 - 12:00PM

News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom

NRL

Christmas has come early for South Sydney with Latrell Mitchell, Cody Walker and Damien Cook on the verge of rejecting rival interest to lock-in their futures at Redfern.

The stunning triple treat keeps South Sydney’s premiership window open, while hampering the build of the NRL’s new baby, The Dolphins.

Without a contract beyond 2023, the club’s biggest fish, Mitchell, is aiming to sign a long-term deal which is designed to tie him to the club until the end of 2027.

In a ringing endorsement for the trajectory of South Sydney after just 12-months under the direction of head coach Jason Demetriou, Mitchell’s retention will be the longest NRL contract he has ever signed.

Star trio (L-R) Damien Cook, Cody Walker and Latrell Mitchell are all poised to extend their stay at the club. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Star trio (L-R) Damien Cook, Cody Walker and Latrell Mitchell are all poised to extend their stay at the club. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Demetriou’s relationship and man management of Mitchell throughout 2022 – by encouraging freedom to express himself both on and off the field – was pivotal to the emotional fullback producing some of his best football during the Rabbitohs’ charge towards the finals last season.

Also off-contract beyond 2023, Walker is about to put pen to paper on a two-year deal, which will take the star five-eighth out to 2025.

Walker, meticulous in his preparation and study of the opposition through hours of video, is being backed by management to maintain his football smarts and elusiveness beyond his 33rd birthday in January, while being a major influence in the development of rookie halfback Lachlan Ilias.

Jason Demetriou has formed a great bond with superstar Latrell Mitchell. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

Jason Demetriou has formed a great bond with superstar Latrell Mitchell. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

Ilias has already committed his future to Souths until the end of 2025.

Like Mitchell, Walker’s ability to temper his emotions, particularly when needled by the opposition, will be crucial for the Rabbitohs to get the best out of the damaging duo.

Cook, one of the most lethal hookers in the NRL, will also strike a two-year deal until the end of 2025.

Cook turns 32 next June and is passionate about winning a premiership with the Rabbitohs before he retires.

Revered by his coaches for his discipline and preparation, Cook will also be crucial in helping show the club’s next batch of young playmakers, notably hooker Peter Mamouzelos and half/fullback Blake Taaffe, what is required for the week-to-week grind of the NRL.

The retention of (L and C) Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker will help the development of young playmaker Lachlan Ilias (R). Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

The retention of (L and C) Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker will help the development of young playmaker Lachlan Ilias (R). Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

The three big signings will be trumpeted by South Sydney once Mitchell returns from the World Cup.

The re-signing of Mitchell, Walker and Cook is a further blow for The Dolphins, who are suffering from a slower than expected build of their roster.

The new kids on the block had been hoping that former Souths coach Wayne Bennett’s relationship with either of the three Rabbitohs could entice one of them to Queensland.

In the end the dynamic trio have decided to stay under Demetriou, who is preparing for the new season with a squad that will be unchanged and without any key changes to their spine ahead of 2023.

In a further boost for South Sydney and Demetriou’s settled squad, Shaquai Mitchell – the older brother of Mitchell – will also extend his stay at the Bunnies by at least another 12-months.

Shaquai is a sensational story of perseverance and desire.

Earning $1,000 a week on a train and trial contract last summer, the 26-year old lost almost 30 kgs with the Rabbitohs last summer.

His new deal to stay at Redfern for 2023 and potentially beyond has emerged just a few years after reportedly ballooning to 167 kgs as he fought depression and anxiety.

Shaquai Mitchell has also extended his stay at the Rabbitohs. Picture: Sunny Brar/South Sydney Rabbitohs

Shaquai Mitchell has also extended his stay at the Rabbitohs. Picture: Sunny Brar/South Sydney Rabbitohs

Shaquai made his NRL debut in round eight this year, finishing with a total of three games in 2022, offering size and punch from the interchange bench on all three occasions.

Finishing within one game of the grand final, the Rabbitohs are a club that are thriving from stability across every facet of their business, but needing one final puzzle piece locked-in to ensure their entry into 2023 is without distraction.

Impressed with the head coach’s style, development of players and individual performances, South Sydney management indicated last month they are in the process of extending Demetriou’s contract – which expires at the end of next season – to at least the end of 2024.

With the re-signing of the club’s biggest stars secure, tying down their coach long-term is a must.
 
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Southy

Southy

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Burgess is back
Danny Weidler
SMH
30 October 2022

It’s a significant week for the Rabbitohs. One of their favourite sons, Sam Burgess, makes his long-awaited return to the fold as an assistant coach. Burgess is going to be a valuable assistant to Jason Demitriou and will help provide even more steel to the Souths set-up.

Burgess has been through a personal hell in recent years but appears to be coming through the other side following the sad breakdown of his marriage and then a media campaign to destroy him publicly and privately.

As a result of that campaign and some poor decisions on his part, Burgess has barely seen his kids in recent years. But he posted some lovely shots of them together on Instagram during the week.

The Souths coaching unit was already impressive, with John Morris and Ben Hornby helping Demitriou, but now it’s one of the strongest in the NRL.
.
 
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