Fascinating dilemma facing Bennett over 'problem child'

One of the worst starts to a season since Souths were founded in 1908 ensured this would be one of the sorriest years in the Rabbitohs' history. Regarded as a big chance for finals footy back in March, the Rabbitohs lost nine of their first 10 games and never looked like making up the lost ground. Popular coach Jason Demetriou was a casualty of the terrible start, replaced by Ben Hornby who warmed the seat for his mentor Wayne Bennett in 2025. The club did enjoy a brief revival mid-season, winning six games from seven, to give their fans hope of finals footy. But it was all too brief, with losses in their last seven straight games capping a year to forget, with only the Tigers finishing behind the battered Bunnies on the ladder. Marquee man Latrell Mitchell managed just 11 games, his season marred by ill discipline on and off the field and it will be fascinating to see how renowned hardman Bennett handles his talented problem child. Souths' other magic man Cody Walker had a better season - 21 try assists from 21 games - but didn't look a happy camper for much of the year. Big signing Jack Wighton was something of a disappointment in his first season in red and green, playing some good footy but overall not finding his Canberra form. Inspirational skipper Cam Murray struggled with injury throughout the year, playing only 14 games, and they took a toll on him as he did much of the defensive work up front. Damien Cook had some good touches in his final season at the club and the heat will be on youngster Peter Mamouzelos to steer the team around the park in 2025. Special mention for Thomas Burgess, the last member of the marvellous family dynasty, who played his heart out in his final season, appearing in every game and scoring a try and booting a goal in his farewell appearance.

South Sydney Rabbitohs: 2023 finish: 9th | 2024 finish: 16th.

2025 gains: Jamie Humphreys (Sea Eagles), Euan Aitken (Dolphins), Lewis Dodd (St Helens)

2025 losses: Thomas Burgess (Huddersfield), Damien Cook (Dragons).

Emotional reunion as Rabbitohs touch down in America

The South Sydney Rabbitohs arrived in Los Angeles ahead of their NRL season opener to strong support from locals. The Rabbitohs are the first of the league's four teams to touch down on American soil with the 2024 premiership to kick off in Las Vegas on March 3. At the airport the team was met by American Rabbitohs fanatic Kaine Charleston —who came with a gift after the club supported him through his cancer battle. "I'm supposed to be at chemo now but my doctor let me off," Charleston told Australian media at the airport. "It was touch and go but my numbers are good so he said, 'Go see your guys'. So we came straight from the hospital to here. "I just wanted to see them off and say welcome and how much they mean to me." The rest of the club's stars, including Latrell Mitchell, set off on the long commute on Tuesday. "It's not as bad as going to England so I should be all right. We're looking forward to it," Thomas Burgess said of the flight to the states. After slipping out of the competition's top eight last season, the Rabbitohs are ready to make amends with a successful campaign. "It's probably been the longest pre-season I've had since being with Souths in my 12 years so if that's something to go by, and it definitely sets up the season," Burgess said. South Sydney coach Jason Demetriou echoed the sentiment of having a strong season, encouraging his players to look beyond the bright lights of Vegas. "We're not here for a holiday. We're here to work and the players know that," he said. "But we want to enjoy the experience as well, be respectful of the area that we're in, and we understand the interest so we'll soak that up for eight days and then look forward to getting into Vegas."

Bunnies shake up coaching staff after Burgess drama

South Sydney has extended the contract of Jason Demetriou and announced an overhaul of his coaching department.The Bunnies on Wednesday revealed a two-year extension for Demetriou, which ties him to the role until the end of 2026, as well as a new two-year deal for Dragons legend Ben Hornby.Hornby has agreed to be full-time assistant coach of the team until the end of 2025, but is the only designated assistant to Demetriou named in the new structure.Joe O'Callaghan is the other assistant to Demetriou, but will juggle those duties while also coaching the club's NSW Cup team.The club statement also says Demetriou "will have a more hands-on coaching role from 2024 onwards, taking control  of the team's defence".The shake-up comes after former assistant coaches Sam Burgess and John Morris left the club in acrimonious circumstances in what was a bizarre end to the Rabbitohs' season.Bunnies legend Burgess was suddenly punted from the job in August after media reports claimed he and Morris had spoken out against Demetriou's favourable treatment of star players Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker.Morris was allowed to remain in the role, but has now left the burrow to join Benji Marshall's staff at Wests Tigers.South Sydney's season ended in turmoil and the team missed NRL finals as rumours about Demetriou's future began to swirl, including speculation Wayne Bennett could return to retake the job. Nevertheless the club has shown faith in Demetriou with a new deal."We have identified the areas in which we can improve to return the club to its goal of being a top-four team every year," club CEO Blake Solly said in a statement."We worked with Shane McCurry and spoke extensively to players, coaches, staff and our board on what we needed to improve in 2024. "We have already taken some steps towards rectifying the key areas that have been identified as capable of improvement. We will continue to make the required changes to return this club to where it belongs. We're confident that we can return to the right end of the ladder in 2024. "We were not looking for excuses, we were looking at solutions, and we'll continue to implement changes prior to  players returning for training in November. "We know a ninth-place finish is not what is expected of our club. Our members and supporters expect more, our partners expect more, and we expect more of ourselves."In other coaching department changes, club legend John Sutton has become a full-time development coach, while head of performance Andrew Croll has extended his contract and agreed to cease working with Queensland's State of Origin team during the season.

Taaffe set for more NRL chances in 2023

Blake Taaffe can expect to play NRL week in, week out next year after impressing South Sydney coach Jason Demetriou more than any other player so far this pre-season.Latrell Mitchell's understudy, Taaffe has managed 18 NRL appearances in two year, most notably filling in at fullback when Mitchell was suspended on the run to the 2021 grand final.The 23-year-old spent some more time in first grade this year as Mitchell recovered from his hamstring injury but played only one game after the Rabbitohs' marquee man returned.Taaffe's days of missing out appear over, though, with Demetriou declaring him ready to slot into the bench utility role previously filled by Benji Marshall and Kodi Nikorima."He's probably been our best in the pre-season," Demetriou told AAP."He learned some good lessons last year and that's put him in good stead for this year."He's got some good versatility, Blake."He's definitely shown that he needs to be in the NRL side every week."Mitchell opted to sit the State of Origin period out this season to focus on club duties but is likely to play for NSW in 2023 if fit, opening the door for Taaffe to start at fullback for Souths."That makes him even more important for us," Demetriou said.