Rugby League 2023 Rabbitohs Rumors, Signings and News
- Thread starter callmack1
- Start date
Yes--a very interesting year for our hero,Georgie,Peorgie---
* Goes into rehab mid year to address personal issues.
*Arrested by police in Mascot for sexually touching a woman---was charged with sexual assault following the incident.
* But he does get "The Sharpest Tool Award"[mmmmm] for going,ALONE,to deliver a signed guernsey to a single woman at 10am !!!
*He will face court in Feb.2023 & plead not guilty to the charge.
*All the above & a failing body has led to his demise & retirement !!
He can now join his bros Sam & Luke in the "Blunt Tool Box."
* Goes into rehab mid year to address personal issues.
*Arrested by police in Mascot for sexually touching a woman---was charged with sexual assault following the incident.
* But he does get "The Sharpest Tool Award"[mmmmm] for going,ALONE,to deliver a signed guernsey to a single woman at 10am !!!
*He will face court in Feb.2023 & plead not guilty to the charge.
*All the above & a failing body has led to his demise & retirement !!
He can now join his bros Sam & Luke in the "Blunt Tool Box."
Last edited:
Burgess announces retirement: https://www.nrl.com/news/2022/01/27/2022-signings-tracker-official-rosters-for-all-17-nrl-clubs/
Although he hasn't played for us since 2019, I'm actually really saddened by George's retirement. Was hoping he'd return as was rumored and have one last hurrah with us, even if it was in a bit oof a reduced capacity. Just not meant to be I guess.
In my eyes, George is a South Sydney legend. A Premiership winner, and not just a Premiership winner, but a player who played a MASSIVE role in us getting there, both in the years before and in the GF itself. I'm sure no Souths fan will ever forget his try in that game, truly one for the ages. It tipped the scales in our favour, shifted momentum and from there, the rest is history. In fact, I'll never forget his entire Grand Final performance! I have no doubt that had Sam not broken his cheekbone, George probably wins the Clive Churchill, he was that good.
A real shame injuries cut his career short.
Thanks for the memories George and thanks for everything you did for our club.
Although he hasn't played for us since 2019, I'm actually really saddened by George's retirement. Was hoping he'd return as was rumored and have one last hurrah with us, even if it was in a bit oof a reduced capacity. Just not meant to be I guess.
In my eyes, George is a South Sydney legend. A Premiership winner, and not just a Premiership winner, but a player who played a MASSIVE role in us getting there, both in the years before and in the GF itself. I'm sure no Souths fan will ever forget his try in that game, truly one for the ages. It tipped the scales in our favour, shifted momentum and from there, the rest is history. In fact, I'll never forget his entire Grand Final performance! I have no doubt that had Sam not broken his cheekbone, George probably wins the Clive Churchill, he was that good.
A real shame injuries cut his career short.
Thanks for the memories George and thanks for everything you did for our club.
NRL and Senior Pathways Squads and Coaching Structure Taking Shape for 2023: https://www.rabbitohs.com.au/news/2...and-coaching-structure-taking-shape-for-2023/
All confirmed, all officially set in place. Very exciting stuff!!
We all know how big the addition of Sam is, he's probably our buy of the year. But the addition of Andrew Croll as the High Performance manager is big too. He seems very accomplished.
I like the sound of what they're doing with the Pathways squads and with O'Callaghan at the helm of the NSW Cup side, hopefully they can have a much better 2023.
All confirmed, all officially set in place. Very exciting stuff!!
We all know how big the addition of Sam is, he's probably our buy of the year. But the addition of Andrew Croll as the High Performance manager is big too. He seems very accomplished.
I like the sound of what they're doing with the Pathways squads and with O'Callaghan at the helm of the NSW Cup side, hopefully they can have a much better 2023.
From Sporting News,
Jason Demetriou reflects on first Season as Rabbitohs head coach
Jason Demetriou has reflected on his first season as head coach of the Rabbitohs, revealing the major call that turned their 2022 campaign around.
South Sydney had an up-and-down year, struggling in the first-half of the year with the absence of Latrell Mitchell and looking like a side that could miss out on the finals for the first time since 2017.
But after a shocking loss to the Dragons in mid-June, the alarm bells began to sound and Souths managed to turn things around, winning seven of their final 10 games.
Speaking on The Bye Round podcast, Demetriou admitted the final stages of their prelim final loss to Penrith was disappointing, but reflected on an overall positive first year in charge.
“I thought the back-end of the year was a great way to finish," he said.
"I'm disappointed in the second 40 minutes against Penrith and I’ve spent a fair bit of time reflecting on that and how we can improve.
“I’ve learned that I cope pretty well under pressure, and I don’t put my feelings or anxieties when I’m under the pump onto the playing group.
"I felt like I handled that pretty well and I felt like that was important, because they were feeling enough pressure and they didn’t need to feel mine.
"To be able to compartmentalise that and turn up every day with a positive outlook [was important]. I was able to bring the players on that journey of a player-driven culture and said ‘you guys need to take ownership of this’ and I feel like they did that really well.
"As a club, the other thing we learned was trust is so important inside your four walls. No matter the external noise is, if we trust in what we do and work hard and do whatever it takes for that 80 minutes and our prep, we know we are a good footy side."
Many players had breakout years for the Bunnies, with the likes of Campbell Graham and Keaon Koloamatangi earning rep honours after the NRL season.
Lachlan Ilias was also a standout in the back-end of the year as he looks to secure the starting halfback spot long-term, finishing with 12 try assists and 16 forced dropouts.
But one moment against St George Illawarra left plenty of supporters and experts concerned about his future at the club, with the playmaker hooked before half-time in the 32-12 defeat.
Demetriou explained the massive decision to bench his No.7 and the events that followed, which saw the rookie coach cop plenty of criticism.
“I understand the reaction and I knew the minute I said I wanted to take Lachy off, I knew what was coming," he said.
"I will stand by it – it was the right decision to make. He was struggling and he had a glassy look in his eye. With young blokes, when things aren’t going their way, they are like a deer in headlights and they haven’t got the experience or capability to come through that yet.
"It was 30-nil at the time and he had been involved in the last two tries – if I leave him out there and we get beaten by 60, how am I going to play him next week? I knew what was coming and I knew how I was going to handle it as well – if I had dropped him to reserve grade, that would have caused more problems.
“I had spoken to Lachy twice in that last four weeks, because I felt like he had lost his motivation to prove people that he could handle it, he was getting a bit comfortable, and he was starting to look a bit fatigued.
“I didn’t mind it, because I copped it and it took pressure off him. We lost on a Thursday night and we had a bye round the next week, so it was 10-12 days until we had contact with the whole team again.
"I found out through that week where he was in practicing his kicking, doing little things. He was really honest and said ‘you told me I need to be better’ and so it was about getting him back out there and getting him going.
"I thought he was outstanding at the back-end of the year and he will be better for it."
After the rookie halfback was benched, South Sydney would turn their season around and eventually go down in the prelim final to premiers Penrith.
Demetriou believes the way the Rabbitohs managed to finish the season, as well as their settled roster, places them in a good spot to challenge for the title again next yea.
"It’s set us up nicely for 2023 and I’ve been doing a bit of PD [personal development] on my own and a bit of reflection and areas we want to improve," he said.
“As soon as the last game finishes, you are thinking about next season already. By the time the last game comes, you know the areas where you think you can improve and how you can improve the squad.
"The exciting thing for us is that we did that internally, I think the emergence of Isaiah Tass and Izaac Thompson and Shaq Mitchell that have come into our top 30.
"We won’t have any new players come in externally from anywhere, so that’s a real positive for us going forward."
Jason Demetriou reflects on first Season as Rabbitohs head coach
Jason Demetriou has reflected on his first season as head coach of the Rabbitohs, revealing the major call that turned their 2022 campaign around.
South Sydney had an up-and-down year, struggling in the first-half of the year with the absence of Latrell Mitchell and looking like a side that could miss out on the finals for the first time since 2017.
But after a shocking loss to the Dragons in mid-June, the alarm bells began to sound and Souths managed to turn things around, winning seven of their final 10 games.
Speaking on The Bye Round podcast, Demetriou admitted the final stages of their prelim final loss to Penrith was disappointing, but reflected on an overall positive first year in charge.
“I thought the back-end of the year was a great way to finish," he said.
"I'm disappointed in the second 40 minutes against Penrith and I’ve spent a fair bit of time reflecting on that and how we can improve.
“I’ve learned that I cope pretty well under pressure, and I don’t put my feelings or anxieties when I’m under the pump onto the playing group.
"I felt like I handled that pretty well and I felt like that was important, because they were feeling enough pressure and they didn’t need to feel mine.
"To be able to compartmentalise that and turn up every day with a positive outlook [was important]. I was able to bring the players on that journey of a player-driven culture and said ‘you guys need to take ownership of this’ and I feel like they did that really well.
"As a club, the other thing we learned was trust is so important inside your four walls. No matter the external noise is, if we trust in what we do and work hard and do whatever it takes for that 80 minutes and our prep, we know we are a good footy side."
Many players had breakout years for the Bunnies, with the likes of Campbell Graham and Keaon Koloamatangi earning rep honours after the NRL season.
Lachlan Ilias was also a standout in the back-end of the year as he looks to secure the starting halfback spot long-term, finishing with 12 try assists and 16 forced dropouts.
But one moment against St George Illawarra left plenty of supporters and experts concerned about his future at the club, with the playmaker hooked before half-time in the 32-12 defeat.
Demetriou explained the massive decision to bench his No.7 and the events that followed, which saw the rookie coach cop plenty of criticism.
“I understand the reaction and I knew the minute I said I wanted to take Lachy off, I knew what was coming," he said.
"I will stand by it – it was the right decision to make. He was struggling and he had a glassy look in his eye. With young blokes, when things aren’t going their way, they are like a deer in headlights and they haven’t got the experience or capability to come through that yet.
"It was 30-nil at the time and he had been involved in the last two tries – if I leave him out there and we get beaten by 60, how am I going to play him next week? I knew what was coming and I knew how I was going to handle it as well – if I had dropped him to reserve grade, that would have caused more problems.
“I had spoken to Lachy twice in that last four weeks, because I felt like he had lost his motivation to prove people that he could handle it, he was getting a bit comfortable, and he was starting to look a bit fatigued.
“I didn’t mind it, because I copped it and it took pressure off him. We lost on a Thursday night and we had a bye round the next week, so it was 10-12 days until we had contact with the whole team again.
"I found out through that week where he was in practicing his kicking, doing little things. He was really honest and said ‘you told me I need to be better’ and so it was about getting him back out there and getting him going.
"I thought he was outstanding at the back-end of the year and he will be better for it."
After the rookie halfback was benched, South Sydney would turn their season around and eventually go down in the prelim final to premiers Penrith.
Demetriou believes the way the Rabbitohs managed to finish the season, as well as their settled roster, places them in a good spot to challenge for the title again next yea.
"It’s set us up nicely for 2023 and I’ve been doing a bit of PD [personal development] on my own and a bit of reflection and areas we want to improve," he said.
“As soon as the last game finishes, you are thinking about next season already. By the time the last game comes, you know the areas where you think you can improve and how you can improve the squad.
"The exciting thing for us is that we did that internally, I think the emergence of Isaiah Tass and Izaac Thompson and Shaq Mitchell that have come into our top 30.
"We won’t have any new players come in externally from anywhere, so that’s a real positive for us going forward."
Cody Walker named as Player Assistant Coach for the Indigenous All Stars: https://www.rabbitohs.com.au/news/2...assistant-coach-for-the-indigenous-all-stars/
First time something like this has happened in the All Stars I believe. Pretty cool! Congrats Cody!!
First time something like this has happened in the All Stars I believe. Pretty cool! Congrats Cody!!
'Competitive advantage' - Why Souths coach wants his players to tackle 'smarter' - https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...k/news-story/2a459181c5e7fcdda1c7e9e8cf20b39b
'All but done' - Cook reveals news Souths deal after club knocked back three-year extension: https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...s/news-story/c6877a5d6f5229be0266a0e40244e5dd
Yewwww!! How good does that sound?! Very positive! Good call from the club to deny the three-year deal for now and hats off to Cooky for accepting that!
Yewwww!! How good does that sound?! Very positive! Good call from the club to deny the three-year deal for now and hats off to Cooky for accepting that!
'I'm back on my feet' - Burgess on why he knocked back Bennett and his 'totally different' role at Souths: https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...n/news-story/c97c7a82495a0fc40478b1c00e110779
A couple of articles from Zero Tackle. I looks as though these stupid CBA negotiations could finally, finally be over after all the drama,
Peter V'landys wants to guarantee NRL club's futures for a century
Peter V'landys is back to his best, and now the ARLC chairman wants rugby league club's futures sorted for the next 100 years.
As the financial feud between NRL clubs and the governing body begins to wind down, the dust is settling and the result is becoming clearer, revealing a big win for struggling clubs.
The two parties have created a future funding model for the NRL, giving relieving assurance to clubs with murky futures in the competition, guaranteeing they'll remain in the NRL for as long as they wish.
V'landys played a key role in finding the mutual ground, the chairman revealing the NRL is on the cusp of of a practically infinite license period.
“We are going to introduce perpetual licenses which run forever.
“The law says we have to put a figure on it so it will be 99 years for arguments sake," V'landys told News Corp.
The current agreement comes to an end in 2023, the new funding model putting ease to clubs that were reportedly considering not signing the upcoming agreement due to the feud.
It means an end to the current negotiation system.
“From here on the clubs won't have to sign a new agreement every 10 years,” V'landys said.
While it does give guarantees to clubs that aren't as financially well off as their rivals, the licenses can still be cancelled under an extreme circumstance, with V'landys using the current Titans ownership as an example.
“Right now the Titans have two great owners,” V'landys told News Corp.
“I hope they keep the ownership forever.
“But what if they decide to sell down the track?
“What if we find out a year later that the new owner is actually an international cocaine smuggler.
“What if he goes to jail. It's only that sort of scenario that might put a license at risk.”
The funding model is set to be confirmed in the 2023 agreement, with the NRL also adding in an equality factor to the deal, meaning that clubs will need to fill a certain number of seats on the board and senior internal positions with women.
Signing frenzy set to commence as salary cap negotiations approach finale
An NRL signing frenzy is set to commence in the run to Christmas, with the salary cap and collective bargaining agreement set to be agreed upon this week.
While the same line - that progress would be made by the end of the week - has been trotted out by the NRL and Rugby League Players Association over the stalemate on a regular basis over the last two months, frustration in the competition is growing.
The RLPA and NRL have both seemingly refused to budge from their respective positions over the future financials of the game, with the salary cap for 2023 - let alone 2024 - still to be locked in.
It will be determined by the CBA, which expired on October 31. It - combined with the lack of knowledge around the 2023 salary cap - has left players like Cooper Johns and Matthew Lodge on $1000 per week train and trial deals to train with insurance while they wait to be told what they can be paid in 2023.
Further on from that, there are over 190 players off-contract at the end of the 2023 season who have been able to sign with other clubs since November 1.
On that front, a smaller pool of players off-contract at the same time last year saw many sign with rivals or re-sign with their own clubs throughout the month of November, however, save for a pair of player swaps, some re-signings and the move of Keenan Palasia to the Gold Coast Titans for 2024, no moves have yet been made.
It means that a rush once the CBA is signed is expected, and The Daily Telegraph's Phil Rothfield told Sky Sports Radio's Big Sports Breakfast on Monday morning that some stars will be amongst the names to make the first moves, or re-signings calls.
“Burton at the Canterbury Bulldogs, Gus (Phil Gould) and Cameron Ciraldo have offered him a significant pay rise and a long-term deal,” Rothfield said on Big Sports Breakfast.
“But they can't actually sign him or do a deal because they don't know what the salary cap is so that's why this week is so important.
“Nathan Brown at the Parramatta Eels, I think if the cap goes up to what it's supposed to what they're hoping then Nathan Brown will sign at the Wests Tigers. I wrote last week he met Tim Sheens at a coffee shop.
“Also players like Marty Taupau at Manly, he isn't getting paid right now and doesn't have a club.
“But for example if Nathan Brown goes to the Wests Tigers that will trigger an opportunity for a Marty Taupau type player, same with Newcastle - he's also talking to them.
“Brian To'o will sign at Penrith, so it's a really, really important week for the game. This has been going on 12 months these negotiations."
Pre-season for all clubs ahead of 2023 is now underway, with Round 1 just 13 weeks away, and pre-season trials commencing in 10 weeks.
Peter V'landys wants to guarantee NRL club's futures for a century
Peter V'landys is back to his best, and now the ARLC chairman wants rugby league club's futures sorted for the next 100 years.
As the financial feud between NRL clubs and the governing body begins to wind down, the dust is settling and the result is becoming clearer, revealing a big win for struggling clubs.
The two parties have created a future funding model for the NRL, giving relieving assurance to clubs with murky futures in the competition, guaranteeing they'll remain in the NRL for as long as they wish.
V'landys played a key role in finding the mutual ground, the chairman revealing the NRL is on the cusp of of a practically infinite license period.
“We are going to introduce perpetual licenses which run forever.
“The law says we have to put a figure on it so it will be 99 years for arguments sake," V'landys told News Corp.
The current agreement comes to an end in 2023, the new funding model putting ease to clubs that were reportedly considering not signing the upcoming agreement due to the feud.
It means an end to the current negotiation system.
“From here on the clubs won't have to sign a new agreement every 10 years,” V'landys said.
While it does give guarantees to clubs that aren't as financially well off as their rivals, the licenses can still be cancelled under an extreme circumstance, with V'landys using the current Titans ownership as an example.
“Right now the Titans have two great owners,” V'landys told News Corp.
“I hope they keep the ownership forever.
“But what if they decide to sell down the track?
“What if we find out a year later that the new owner is actually an international cocaine smuggler.
“What if he goes to jail. It's only that sort of scenario that might put a license at risk.”
The funding model is set to be confirmed in the 2023 agreement, with the NRL also adding in an equality factor to the deal, meaning that clubs will need to fill a certain number of seats on the board and senior internal positions with women.
Signing frenzy set to commence as salary cap negotiations approach finale
An NRL signing frenzy is set to commence in the run to Christmas, with the salary cap and collective bargaining agreement set to be agreed upon this week.
While the same line - that progress would be made by the end of the week - has been trotted out by the NRL and Rugby League Players Association over the stalemate on a regular basis over the last two months, frustration in the competition is growing.
The RLPA and NRL have both seemingly refused to budge from their respective positions over the future financials of the game, with the salary cap for 2023 - let alone 2024 - still to be locked in.
It will be determined by the CBA, which expired on October 31. It - combined with the lack of knowledge around the 2023 salary cap - has left players like Cooper Johns and Matthew Lodge on $1000 per week train and trial deals to train with insurance while they wait to be told what they can be paid in 2023.
Further on from that, there are over 190 players off-contract at the end of the 2023 season who have been able to sign with other clubs since November 1.
On that front, a smaller pool of players off-contract at the same time last year saw many sign with rivals or re-sign with their own clubs throughout the month of November, however, save for a pair of player swaps, some re-signings and the move of Keenan Palasia to the Gold Coast Titans for 2024, no moves have yet been made.
It means that a rush once the CBA is signed is expected, and The Daily Telegraph's Phil Rothfield told Sky Sports Radio's Big Sports Breakfast on Monday morning that some stars will be amongst the names to make the first moves, or re-signings calls.
“Burton at the Canterbury Bulldogs, Gus (Phil Gould) and Cameron Ciraldo have offered him a significant pay rise and a long-term deal,” Rothfield said on Big Sports Breakfast.
“But they can't actually sign him or do a deal because they don't know what the salary cap is so that's why this week is so important.
“Nathan Brown at the Parramatta Eels, I think if the cap goes up to what it's supposed to what they're hoping then Nathan Brown will sign at the Wests Tigers. I wrote last week he met Tim Sheens at a coffee shop.
“Also players like Marty Taupau at Manly, he isn't getting paid right now and doesn't have a club.
“But for example if Nathan Brown goes to the Wests Tigers that will trigger an opportunity for a Marty Taupau type player, same with Newcastle - he's also talking to them.
“Brian To'o will sign at Penrith, so it's a really, really important week for the game. This has been going on 12 months these negotiations."
Pre-season for all clubs ahead of 2023 is now underway, with Round 1 just 13 weeks away, and pre-season trials commencing in 10 weeks.
Souths' early Christmas present - Transfer Whispers: https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...s/news-story/2356f6315366f7acc056c4ade022c831
We were told the same thing a couple of weeks ago. Surely we get an announcement before Christmas!
We were told the same thing a couple of weeks ago. Surely we get an announcement before Christmas!
‘That’s all I’m chasing’: Latrell has done it all at 25. The next phase of his career is about one thing
Latrell Mitchell has done it all at 25. The next phase of his career is ALL about one thing
www.foxsports.com.au