Souths were one of the big disappointments last season and unless they get their spine clicking and fix two crucial areas of their game it could be more of the same in 2024.
The Rabbitohs led by Lachlan Ilias and Cody Walker need to improve their kicking game and the onus is on Latrell Mitchell to take more responsibility and ownership of the side because Jack Wighton won’t be a silver bullet to return them to finals alone.
After a review of their coaching setup Souths made some changes last season parting ways with Sam Burgess and John Morris. Souths extended the deal of Jason Demetriou until 2026 and assistant Ben Hornby signed an extension until 2025. Joe O’Callaghan, will move into a full-time coaching role as an NRL Assistant Coach as well as maintaining the role as NSW Cup Coach. South Sydney legend John Sutton will become a full-time Development Coach, working with O’Callaghan and the club’s elite young talent.
2024 squad: Alex Johnston (2025), Benjamin Lovett (2024), Cameron Murray (2028), Campbell Graham (2027), Cody Walker (2025), Damien Cook (2025), Daniel Suluka-Fifita (2025), Davvy Moale (2025), Dean Hawkins (2024), Isaiah Taas (2024), Izaac Tu’itupou Thompson (2024), Jack Wighton (2027), Jacob Host (2025), Jai Arrow (2027), Josiah Karapani (2024), Jye Gray (2024), Keaon Koloamatangi (2026), Lachlan Ilias (2025), Latrell Mitchell (2027), Leon Te Hau (2024), Michael Chee Kam (2024), Peter Mamouzelos (2024), Sean Keppie (2026), Shaquai Mitchell (2024), Siliva Havili (2025), Taane Milne (2024), Tallis Duncan (2025), Tevita Tatola (2028), Thomas Burgess (2024), Tyrone Munro (2025
Development players: Dion Teaupa (2024), Ethan Ferguson (2025), Haizyn Mellars (2025), Liam Le Blanc (2025), Thomas Fletcher (2024)
PLAYERS IN: Jack Wighton (Raiders), Sean Keppie (Sea Eagles)
Jack Wighton comes to Souths on a four-year deal with a view to playing centre for the next two seasons and then taking over at five-eighth when Cody Walker hangs up the boots. Wighton adds to Souths’ impressive centre stocks with incumbents Campbell Graham and Isaiah Tass. Jason Demetriou wants Wighton to bring some physicality to his edges, while he provides depth in the halves should injuries or poor form strike. Sean Keppie was signed long-term at Manly, but found himself on the outer under Anthony Seibold and chose to jump ship to the Bunnies on a three-year deal. With Tom Burgess in the twilight of his career, Keppie will provide excellent depth behind incumbent props Tevita Tatola and Jai Arrow.
