The Rabbitohs entered 2017 looking to bounce back from missing the finals in 2016 for the first time in five seasons under Michael Maguire.
However, another season of mediocrity ensued, the Rabbitohs only able to match their 12th placed finish of the previous year, which resulted in the sacking of Maguire at the end of the season, the Bunnies’ 2014 premiership success now a distant memory.
Season finish: 12th
Nine wins, 15 losses, 464 points scored, 564 points against
Season ranking: 5/10
I wasn’t expecting much more from them than the nine wins they managed. The team never really recovered from being hammered by the Tigers in Round 1, losing Greg Inglis to a season-ending injury in the same game. Their defence was poor for large periods of the season as well, conceding over 23 points per game.
There were some bright spots, with some young players emerging and a decent end to the season, however it’s been a bad fall for a club that made four straight finals appearances between 2012 and 2015.
Coach rating 5/10: Michael Maguire
Maguire was showing signs of regenerating Souths’ roster when he was sacked. While his time at Souths was a marvellous success, the club appeared stale and jaded for large parts of the past two seasons. Maguire is a known taskmaster, and some of his senior guys’ form looked to have really dipped and players looked burnt out.
His sacking was harsh, however both he and Souths might prosper from a change of scenery. Maguire has done more than enough to earn another head coaching role in the NRL, with a winning percentage over 55 per cent.
Photo: AAP
Best win: Round 17 – South Sydney Rabbitohs 42-14 Penrith Panthers
This was a rare day out for the Bunnies, as they came from 8-0 down to overwhelm Penrith. Alex Johnston was dynamic, scoring four tries, and the Rabbitohs threw the football around and scored some scintillating tries.
It wasn’t often Souths really looked to be enjoying their football this year, but here they ran riot, to briefly give fans hope of a late-season revival.
Worst loss: Round 9 – South Sydney Rabbitohs 8-46 Manly Sea Eagles
It would be easy to pick out the Bunnies’ 64-6 horrorshow against the Storm as their worst loss of the season, but by that point they were battered and broken against the best side in the competition.
Back in Round 9 they had everything to play for against the Sea Eagles, but put in a listless display to be thumped 46-8, showing little intensity or competitiveness.
Best player: Sam Burgess
I can’t go past the big Englishman, even if there has been some criticism since his big-money move back to Souths after a failed stint in English rugby.
The argument could be made that Burgess has unbalanced the salary cap at Souths, but he continues to play outstandingly most weeks in a beaten pack, with not many other senior players stepping up.
Special mention to Angus Crichton, who had an outstanding season in the back row and is a player of representative potential.
Most disappointing player: Adam Reynolds
Reynolds was way too passive this season. While his running game has never been his strongest asset, even his general kicking game left a lot to be desired this season.
Alongside the likes of George Burgess, John Sutton and Robbie Farah, the Rabbitohs had a number of senior players who had average seasons.
2018 prospects
Souths could improve on their 12th placed finish this season under new head coach Anthony Seibold. With Inglis back, and having signed Dane Gagai, they have the makings of a good backline given the form of Johnston last season.
With Cameron Murray and Angus Crichton making their mark in the forwards, Souths won’t lack talent in their side; however, whether a rookie coach can bring it all together and get the best out of some of the team’s veterans poses a legitimate question.
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