The Rabbitohs have fallen on tough times since their remarkable premiership in 2014, finishing in 12th spot in both 2016 and 2017. Under a new head coach in Anthony Siebold optimism abounds, however will the same problems rear their head?
Last season
12th, nine wins, 15 losses, 464 points scored, 564 points conceded
Last five seasons
second (Eliminated preliminary final), third (Won grand final), seventh, 12th, 12th
2017 review
The Rabbitohs never really got going in 2017, languishing in 12th spot for the second year running. They never really recovered from being hammered by the Tigers in Round 1, and losing Greg Inglis to a season-ending injury in the same game.
The team’s defence, which was the cornerstone of four straight finals appearances between 2012 and 2015, fell apart last season, as the side looked mentally and physically ragged under Michael Maguire, conceding just over 23 points per game on average.
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, and won the competition in 2015.
2018 gains
Jesse Arthars (Storm – 2019), Dane Gagai (Knights – 2021), Jacob Gagan (Knights – 2018), Richard Kennar (Bulldogs – 2019), Jesse Martin (Sea Eagles – 2018), Mark Nicholls (Storm – 2018), Vincent Leuluai (Storm – 2018)
2018 losses
Bryson Goodwin (Leigh), Jack Gosiewski (Sea Eagles), Aaron Gray (Sharks), David Tyrrell (Brisbane Easts), Anthony Cherrington, Brett Greinke, Luke Kelly, Dane Nielsen, Toby Rudolf (released), Sitiveni Moceidreke (Raiders)
The Rabbitohs managed to snare one big fish in the off season, recruiting Newcastle and Queensland outside back Dane Gagai to bolster their backline. Gagai has been sensational for the Maroons the past couple of seasons, and also played some good football in an outmatched Newcastle side.
He is a very strong player, capable of breaking numerous tackles, as well as being quick and a good finisher. Gagai more than makes up for the loss of Bryson Goodwin and Aaron Gray who have both moved on.
(AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts)
Head coach – Anthony Seibold
Coach Anthony Seibold has been given the reins at South Sydney, after the axe controversially fell on long term coach Michael Maguire.
Maguire had a stellar six seasons at Souths, including four finals’ appearances and a Premiership in 2014, before the side started to look stale and broken the past couple of years. Physically and mentally they looked a spent force, resulting in two straight 12th placed finishes.
Seibold has been building a handy resume the past few years, working as an Assistant Coach at the Melbourne Storm under Craig Bellamy, and was recruited to join the Manly Sea Eagles before joining the Rabbitohs. Seibold is also assistant coach of the Queensland State of Origin team. He talks confidently and seems a very intent guy, however the heat will be on straight away at Redfern.
He seemed fairly bullish about changing some of the Bunnies’ training methods over the off-season, so it will be very interesting to see whether this team will be refreshed at the beginning of the season.
Most important player – Greg Inglis
The man they call GI will be champing at the bit to get back on to the field, having missed practically all of 2017 after doing his ACL in Round 1 against the Tigers. Inglis admits himself he mentally struggled to deal with his injury last season, so it wouldn’t be surprised if he takes a while to get into his stride.
The flip side of having the year off is Inglis has had the first proper pre-season in close to a decade, and the body and mind would have been refreshed from the rigours of professional football.
While his very best might be a thing of the past, that Inglis will benefit from the break, and around mid-season might start to hit his stride once more, which gives Souths the much needed threat and presence that they were lacking at times last season.
Greg Inglis (AAP Image/David Moir)
2018 likely side
1. Alex Johnson 2. Campbell Graham 3. Greg Inglis 4. Dane Gagai 5. Richard Kennar 6. Cody Walker 7. Adam Reynolds 8. Sam Burgess 9. Damien Cook 10. Tom Burgess 11. Angus Crichton 12. John Sutton 13. Cameron Murray. Bench – 14. Tyrell Fuimaono 15. George Burgess 16. Robbie Farah 17. Kyle Turner
2018 verdict – 12th
I thought long and hard about putting the Bunnies in my top eight, however I just have some doubts over the quality of football some of their senior players have produced of late.
I think the likes of John Sutton and Robbie Farah are right at the back end of their careers, while halfback Adam Reynolds has really come back to the field the past couple of years.
Despite being an excellent goal kicker, Reynolds does not possess a dangerous passing or running game, and often plays well behind the advantage line. Throw in Greg Inglis coming off an ACL injury, and the very indifferent form of Tom and George Burgess, and you have a lot of players with plenty to prove in 2018 despite the optimism of being under a new coach.
The new head coach might well freshen up all these guys and, if he can, they have close to a top eight roster on paper. However, it’s a baptism of fire for Seibold, despite the big wraps, and I’m sure he will make some mistakes on the run while he is learning.
In Sam Burgess and Angus Crichton they have two outstanding forwards; however, the fact Crichton is moving to arch rival the Roosters next season could be a factor in him producing consistently excellent performance as he did last year.
I’m expecting plenty of pundits to have the Rabbits in the top eight and, while I think they are capable, I just think some of their senior players are on the way down, and the roster still needs a bit more of a freshen up before they are to seriously challenge again. I expect them to win around ten games, and be in a cluster of teams that fall 1-2 games short of the finals.
Eddie’s ladder
12th: South Sydney Rabbitohs
13th: Gold Coast Titans14th: Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs15th: Wests Tigers
16th: New Zealand Warriors
Steve
Guest
Good point about Reynolds....and I agree....he has been average for quite a while. The difference this year though is that South's have other options in Douehi and Tracey to call on if needs be. The only reason Reynolds wasn't dropped last year is that they literally had no one to replace him with. Not the case this year.
The Barry
Roar Guru
It actually wasn’t. Poor old George cops the wrap for the bad handling but he made 6 errors all season in 595 minutes of footy. Tom made 18 errors in 911 minutes. Tom averaged 41.4 minutes. George 33.4 minutes. Tom made 113 metres from 11.6 runs per game. George made 87 metres from 8.6 Tom missed 2.1 tackles per game. George missed 0.9 per game. Tom made 1.2 tackle breaks per game, George 0.9 per game. George made 1 line break all year, Tom made 0. Neither scored a try or a try assist. I’ve heard the “Tom was better than George” theory a few times and it seems Maguire thought it given their minutes and Tom starting most games and George playing from the bench. But really there’s not much quantifiable data to support it. I don’t think either were particularly good and certainly nowhere near what they’re capable of. Those attacking stats are woeful for blokes their size, speed and strength.
Eddie Otto
Roar Guru
Fair point Rod it was George making the majority of those terrible handling errors. Like I said I think at their best Souths could be a pretty decent side. However I just think they are a bit fragile and I want to see them prove it rather then go tipping them to do something decent.
Rod
Guest
I hope as a Souths fan we have a better year, but I agree they could fiinish in the top 8 or could be as bad as the last few years. I hope this is going to be like 2012 again. I will take you to task on the Burgess twins. It's assumed if one has been the poor so has the other. The fact is Tom was actually good last year, every bit as good as he was in 2014. But George really has struggled. If he finds form, plus I like the look of Nicholls and the number 17(name escapes me ) he looked good, it's looks as though we have much better depth up front. We have a stronger all round squad we are going make the 8 this year!
The Barry
Roar Guru
That’s fair enough and particularly if even a percentage of the rumours about the players being sick of Maguire’s methods are true. Souths fall into that group (of about eight sides) that if things go right they’ll finish 5-8 and if they go poorly they’ll be 11-13.
Wascally Wabbit
Guest
Hopefully the improvement will come with a change in attitude under Seibold. Last two years in many games, our players just went through the motions. We are more capable than a 12th position finish, we should be 5 - 8.
The Barry
Roar Guru
You’d expect some improvement from Souths with Inglis and Gagai coming into their side from last year. That certainly addresses some of their 2017 issues where they had a bit of a revolving door in the outside backs with Burns, Hunt, Jennings, Talakai and Fuimaono all getting opportunities but not being able to nail down a spot. But another - and I think more important - issue is in the forward pack. There were times when they were on song that the Souths side looked tough in the forwards but more often than not it was poor handling, simple errors and at times lazy defence. Has that been resolved? Certainly not by new players coming in. The other is the form of Adam Reynolds. I really liked him when he debuted and in his early career. There was a semi final in 2012 or 13 against the Dogs that Souths were leading until Reynolds did his hammy. Souths folded after he went off. Can you imagine the 2017 Reynolds having that much influence on a game? To me, he looks gun shy to take the ball to the line like he did in his early days. His kicking game is still very influential but he’s not creating anywhere near enough opportunities with the ball in hand and his running game is virtually non-existent. I think there’s too many uncertainties around Souths to tip much of an improvement from last year. If everything comes together well, they can certainly make the eight but there’s a fair bit of improvement required in a few areas that based on the last couple of seasons it’s hard to see where that comes from.
rossco
Guest
Must have been written before any trials and contains mistakes. Souths won in 2014 (not 2015). Sam Burgess will not play prop and players who have done so well against Wigan and St George will be in the 2018 team - like Mark Nicholls, Hymel Hunt and Robert Jennings and its unlikely Graham will be in the team. I'm expecting a top 5 position.
peeko
Guest
i cant really get a read on Souths , could finish anywhere from 5th to 13th
Wascally Wabbit
Guest
I'm sure I read this article several weeks ago.