With the start of the season agonisingly close, we can still dream of upcoming glories.
Before that heavy clash with reality, our imaginations may vivify wild glories and hypothesise outlandish scenarios that might – just might – come true.
So as a Bunnies fan, forgive me for falling into a somewhat euphoric mindset, imagining the red and green ticker tape come October.
But my natural pessimism, coupled with a year of dashed hopes by a myopically blinkered British government, mean that I’m going to hold off buying that champagne for now (I never specified October of which year).
On paper, this is the strongest side we’ve had since our 2014 triumph. Latrell Mitchell demonstrated his utility with ball in hand. His injury before the play-offs became one of those ‘what-might-have-been’ ruminations.
Alex Johnston is particularly impressive on the wing, and if he can put the contract talk to one side, I’m expecting big things from captain creative Adam Reynolds.
(Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)
The shrewd acquisition of super-sub Benji Marshall, but more importantly Jai Arrows from Gold Coast, adds depth to a squad that looked jaded and out of ideas come the big time.
So why my hesitancy? Mindset, attitude, call it what you will – what we’re currently lacking is an almost intangible winning mentality.
It might sound odd with Mitchell, Tom Burgess, Johnston and Marshall all being in possession of premiership rings. But just as the Panthers – dominant throughout 2020 – couldn’t get over the line, we’re still a year’s worth of adversarial experience away from forging that truly winning formula.
On any given regular-season day, we could beat any of the other 15. But finals footy is another beast, a fine art honed by Craig Bellamy and Trent Robinson.
It will have been 11 years since Wayne Bennett guided the Dragons to grand final victory, and while no one is writing off the greatest coach in living memory, I’m not filled with confidence of him smiling at the Olympic Stadium in seven months’ time.
Somewhat counter-intuitively, the succession of Jason Demetriou in 2022 could provide that final vigorous push. Again, I’m aware that Bennett’s successors have had a mixed record. But Ivan Henjak (Brisbane), Steve Price (St George Illawarra) and Rick Stone (Newcastle) all inherited sides firmly on the counter-cyclical decline after Bennett-induced peaks.
But even if this was a causative pattern, there’s a difference with Souths. There is still room to improve, and I’m confident that the long-term Bennett-Demetriou duo can carry it out. The assistant has been in the building throughout Bennett’s tenure, and already has proven coaching acumen.
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Albeit in the lower leagues, he has guided Keighley, Cairns-based Northern Pride, and the Illawarra Steelers to glory. He already has an NRL title under his belt after his assistant coaching role with the Cowboys.
The Souths’ hierarchy, who I’d hope would know far more about this sort of stuff, placed enough trust in him to announce his future appointment two seasons before his first-grade debut.
In short, he’s proven himself as head honcho in the state championships, been mentored by the very best coaches, is familiar with the set-up to ensure the continuity of an already very decent side, but can provide a fresh impetus to take the team to the next level.
All of the above would need to be in conjuncture with a few more signings. The squad needs added depth to compensate for the inevitable injuries and allow for rotation that keeps the whole team fresher ahead of the finals.
There are a number of ageing and contractually uncertain players that need replacing or pinning down. Such long-term planning is best overseen not by the outgoing septuagenarian, but rather from the new-ish kid on the block seeking to evolve a solid side in his own mould.
Of course, I’d love all of the above to be a load of old codswallop (and I’m sure many will be typing that opinion below). Demetriou could fail in the transition like so many bib-carriers have before. There’s no real telling whether he’ll follow in the graduate footsteps of Trent Robinson or Ivan Henjak.
On the flip side, I’d like nothing more than to go undefeated, nil the Chooks in the grand final, and be left with metaphorical egg on my face. But the pragmatist in me sees far better chances of securing ultimate victory in 2022.
Who knows, I might even be allowed to celebrate in a pub by then.
Rabbit lover
Roar Rookie
Glory glory! But I have concerns about our halves. CW can be brilliant but seems to get shut down when defences rush up. He needs to find a way to play HIS game instead of being overwhelmed. AR has the best kicking game but cannot spearhead attack. We looked better with Benji on. And can we please get players on the ground instead of rolling forward 5 or 10 meters after tacklers make contact. Go the bunnies. Get that Ferrari backline humming.
steveng
Roar Rookie
:laughing: hey souvalis, remember where the Broncs and the Dogs ended up, the hot premiership 2020 Raiders just won against the Chooks in week 2 playoffs and didn’t pan out like everyone thought, they never looked like beating the Storm in that week 3 playoffs and got beat 30 to 10, with the Bunnies we had allot of players out against the so called hot favourites of 2020 the Panthers and they just won 20 to 16. And this "Penrith Raiders Storm…looks like Preliminary Final and out again for the ‘tohs’" let’s see? As the crucial thing for the Bunnies this year is that they have their full side come September.
Paul
Roar Guru
Melbourne Cup brekkie, Christmas morning, any time before going to the races, these are all pretty good excuses for a GOOD, cold champagne - then back to the beer! :happy:
Chilli
Roar Rookie
What the??
Big Mig
Roar Rookie
Sam, agree with most the only correction I would make is that the Rabbitohs will win the Premiership in 2021 AND 2022. Glory glory.
Cool Paul
Guest
Beers for breakfast on the river bank , for sure . But never goon .
Cool Paul
Guest
Troglodyte ? Seriously, who uses s word like that ? A psychologist may say you were simply projecting an unrealistic level of intelligence by doing so.
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
Sounds veryTrumpian.He is perfect too,just ask him.
Chilli
Roar Rookie
It’s hype based on last years results and this years talent pickups mate. Although the charity shield is always more than a trial the result was 100% expected and hasn’t really added any weight to my optimism. I just think we are near perfect is all
Chilli
Roar Rookie
Lock in Friday morning Walter I am up for it. Storm= no chance
Nat
Roar Guru
"IMO medical retirements should be covered by the games governing body," Who would have thought!! Just give Reynolds, Walker, Gagai, Cook and Burgess another 5yrs! No problem! No more Toddy mate. Rusty's 'special treats' won't work on V'landys. :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
Lots of Ships n planes in there.we’ll compare notes near Round 26.Good luck PS keep away from Goat’s they can damage your yard
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
just hope it's not the 2 weeks that count - finals series!
Retro Rabbit
Roar Rookie
IMO medical retirements should be covered by the games governing body, the NRL, who register all contracts and are the ultimate employers of the game. No club should be disadvantaged if this is a genuine medical issue and forced retirement. Just remember mate before you can fly under the radar you must first leave the runway and take-off. ;-) IMO Johnson will be a key part of that but I don't see where he will get much help keeping the ship afloat (to mix metaphors). I'm well aware that there has been a ridiculous amount of hype surrounding the Bunnies at present and from the player interviews I have seen they are well aware of what needs to be done, are blocking out the hype and are focused on the task ahead. Importantly there has been a major focus during the off-season on improving their defence. This will be a key factor if they hope to win their 22nd premiership in 2021.
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
RR my caustic reply was more directed towards the over-hype one club has been receiving,at this stage of the season ,based on a great 40 minutes ,against an opposition - generously described “as in a Rebuilding Phase”. I’d say Charity Shield would be an apt description,as the Bunnies took the foot of the pedal in the 2nd Half. The Sharks have been flying under the radar this year with the only attention given the J Morris/Bellamy scenario. The South’s halves pairing of AT/CW are superior to the current Sharks pairing CT/MM but the team has many other strengths.SJ’s return is an unknown ,as he may be gun-shy, One aspect the Sharkies(an others) can thank South’s for is the early Medical Retirements precedents GI & Sammy achieved.Our ageing Stars may allow the Club to take advantage there,if the need arises - Faf n Duges may well fit in(out). I expect a few younger guys like Pele Hamlin n Wilton to put pressure on that ageing forward roster. As for this year’s expectations-I’ll reserve my judgement for a couple of weeks
steveng
Roar Rookie
Sam, I sort of agree with you to a certain extent but, you forgot the skills and addition of Josh Mansour (one of the top tries scorers of 2020) on the wing! Josh is a scoring machine, strong, determined and he is just an absolute weapon, add that to our backline and with LM’s plays, Josh is going to flourish like he’s never done before. Don’t be surprised if LM and Josh will concoct many tries out of nothing and by just shear power and skill. We are looking good for 2021 and this is our year. Go You Bunnies.
Nat
Roar Guru
I don't think you can under-rate two parts to Bennett's involvement. He can ge the best from his charges and he has been building for this year since he took over. The pack isn't the best in the comp but they have a lot of diverse qualities. I've said many times over arguable the best spine in the comp and good finishers. However, a lot of guys are coming 'of age' and contracts are looking to be renewed. It has to be this year if at all. While I highly rate Demetriou and he's probably doing 90% of the face time work now, he's not Bennett. Players will stay/play for him but there has to be some losses. By the time the young pack hit their peak, it will be a new spine and backs. It's going to get tough for Demetriou just by the nature of the game.
Paul
Roar Guru
This Dragon's supporter has done the same on more than one occasion and I'll bet more than a few Roar contributors have done likewise. That you obviously haven't means you've missed out on one of life's great pleasures.
Paul
Roar Guru
love the optimism
Retro Rabbit
Roar Rookie
If only they could mate. But what would be the fun in that? If memory serves you support the Sharks, correct? Are you feeling optimistic for 2021? I think the Sharks need to ditch both Moylan and Dugan myself and probably Fifita as well.