South Sydney have a first-choice 17 that could challenge for the title but there are major concerns over their super skinny depth.
Incoming coach Jason Demetriou is inheriting a strong squad from Wayne Bennett after last year’s memorable run to the grand final fell just short of the foundation club’s 22nd premiership.
When Latrell Mitchell returns from suspension in Round 3 against his old team the Sydney Roosters, the rookie coach should have his first-choice spine on the park with the 24-year-old fullback likely to combine with fellow representative stars Damien Cook and Cody Walker, plus young halfback Blake Taaffe.
After Taaffe filled in so admirably last season when Mitchell was ousted for his reckless hit on Joey Manu, he’s set to again deputise in the No.1 jersey with fellow young gun Lachlan Ilias a fair chance of kicking off Round 1 at halfback now Adam Reynolds has taken up a three-year deal at Brisbane.
Souths still have an imposing pack and try-scoring potency in the outside backs but their depth has been vastly eroded by the combined loss of Reynolds, second-rower Jaydn Su’A to the Dragons, centres Dane Gagai back to Newcastle and Braidon Burns to the Bulldogs, as well as bench utility Benji Marshall into retirement.
They’ve brought in Tigers back-rower Michael Chee Kam and Canberra forward Siliva Havili but outside of their first-choice team, they are paper thin on NRL-level experience.
Any team that wins the premiership needs to have a large slice of good fortune on the injury front but South Sydney’s margin for error is miniscule – if Mitchell, Walker or Cook in particular are unavailable for an extended period, Demetriou will be calling on greenhorns to fill key positions.
(Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Replacing Su’A in the second row and Gagai at centre will be key appointments for the new mentor. Jai Arrow played the good soldier and adapted to a bench role last season but he would appear to be the obvious candidate to replace Su’A on an edge given the Bunnies have a glut of middles in their forward rotation.
Jaxson Paulo is in contention to move in a spot from the wing to partner Campbell Graham in the centres with Demetriou’s only other option with NRL experience likely to be journeyman Taane Milne.
Reynolds’ departure after a decade-long 231-game stint at halfback will be felt greatly – so many times over the years, he steered the team to victory in clutch situations. Walker was again one of the most dynamic attacking players in the NRL last season but it would be wrong to overburden him with playmaking duties next season.
The battle between Taaffe or Ilias to play halfback long term will ultimately come down to who can complement Walker the best by doing the organising work so the five-eighth can pick and choose his spots to wreak havoc on defensive lines.
Demetriou has rightly shut down any prospect of Mitchell switching to the halves. He could eventually become a five-eighth but right now the Rabbitohs need him fit and firing at the back.
Off-season signing Anthony Milford’s playing future is clouded after the NRL recently announced the former Broncos pivot would not be registered as a South Sydney player until serious allegations of domestic assault have been resolved in court.
Reynolds has also left the captaincy and goal-kicking positions vacant – Test lock Cameron Murray seems a shoo-in for the leadership, either outright or in a joint capacity with an experienced teammate like Walker or Cook, while Mitchell provides a top-class kicking replacement.
After serving a lengthy apprenticeship, particularly under Bennett at Brisbane and Souths over the past five years, Demetriou is widely respected by his players and regarded as an NRL coach of the future.
His time has finally come and he’s got a roster capable of giving the title a decent shake – much better than other Bennett successors had, such as Ivan Henjak more than a decade ago in Brisbane, Steve Price at the Dragons, Rick Stone at Newcastle and even Anthony Seibold more recently at the Broncos.
But the Rabbitohs will need plenty of luck on the injury front otherwise their depth looms as a major Achilles heel in 2022.
What’s new
Michael Chee Kam and Siliva Havili bring much-needed versatility and depth in the forwards but keep an eye out for Broncos young gun Isaiah Tass. Brisbane officials were not happy when the Bunnies convinced him to head south and the 22-year-old outside back could end up in the centres sooner than expected.
And, of course, the coach is new. Jason Demetriou has been waiting patiently for a chance in the NRL and unlike most rookies, he takes over a team that hasn’t sacked the previous coach and is one that is a legitimate title contender.
Star on the rise
Blake Taaffe has been groomed for a few years to be Adam Reynolds’ replacement at halfback and he proved during his rookie season, mainly filling in for Latrell Mitchell at fullback, that he’s not overawed by the big stage.
The former NSW under-20 representative has eight games under his belt, including three finals appearances, and his development will be crucial to South Sydney’s 2022 prospects.
(Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
Who’s under the pump
Damien Cook’s position as the best hooker in the game has been challenged by the likes of Harry Grant, Brandon Smith and Api Koroisau over the past couple of years.
The NSW and Australian rake gets through a mountain of defensive work but, surprisingly in the six-again era, he has not been as effective at generating line breaks from dummy half.
Best-case scenario
They could go one better than last season – if, and it’s a big if, their three main playmakers remain injury free, and avoid a suspension like the one Mitchell received late last season.
Their middles are arguably the strongest in the NRL and Walker will again be a prominent contender for the Dally M Medal.
Worst-case scenario
One or two key injuries and the Bunnies could fall back into the pack pretty quickly. For a title contender, their roster is a curious mix of experience and newcomers at both ends of the spectrum.
Round 1 predicted team
1. Blake Taaffe
2. Alex Johnston
3. Jaxson Paulo
4. Campbell Graham
5. Josh Mansour
6. Cody Walker
7. Lachlan Ilias
8. Mark Nicholls
9. Damien Cook
10. Tevita Tatola
11. Keaon Koloamatangi
12. Jai Arrow
13. Cameron Murray
14. Hame Sele
15. Jacob Host
16. Liam Knight
17. Thomas Burgess
Others: Latrell Mitchell (suspended until Round 3), Taane Milne, Michael Chee Kam, Siliva Havili, Jed Cartwright, Peter Mamouzelos, Zane Bijorac, Terrell Kalo Kalo, Davvy Moale, Isaiah Tass.
The Sporacle
Roar Rookie
Papi
William W
Roar Rookie
You are kidding Sporacle as the Eels are the May Premiers every year and every year they choke... I will give you a piece of Info, the Rabbitohs have tho wood on you... The Rabbitohs have beaten the Eels the past 4 games in a row plus 6 out of the last 7 games... Totalling 236 to 126, they were some thrashings!
William W
Roar Rookie
I also remember the so-called experts saying the Rabbitohs lacked depth last year also... In fact these so-called experts have said the Rabbitohs have lacked DEPTH since 2015... Every year the Rabbitohs lack depth and every year they make the Top 4 and also at least the Prelim... All of a sudden every other club's depth of kids/Juniors seem to pass muster but every year the Rabbitohs kids don't... WHY is it the Rabbitohs are the ONLY Club lacking DEPTH? I never read of any other club lacking depth Why is this so? Top 4 again in 2022... At least!
William W
Roar Rookie
Paul Sutton, you are NO expert when it concerns the Rabbitohs.
blahblah
Guest
I think it's smart business by the Bunnies. Look to the future. Reyno could have stayed if he'd wanted to. Being offered 700K and the captaincy of a competitive on a year-by-year basis isn't such a bad deal. He made his own bed there. Su'A has potential but he hasn't taken his game to the next level. He got selected in Origin because of injuries and was kept out of the team for a lot of last season. If you can't elevate your game under Bennet them it's unlikely to happen. He's no loss. Gagai was unispired for most of his time at Souths. He came good last year, so it's a shame he's going. Bennett made a mistake bringing Jimmy the Jet there to take Gag's centre spot. Anyhoo, I got faith in the young Bunnies.
Boingo
Guest
Rabbits will be there when the whips are cracking - depth or no depth. The club is too well run and too professional.
tbag
Guest
Damien Cook has to unlock his attacking game this year. He's got all the physical attributes. He can't just continue to be a ball distributor. He needs to become a theat. Run the ball Cookie!
William W
Roar Rookie
Lachlan Illias does have a fantastic kicking game it is just you blokes haven’t seen it as yet! Everyone doubted the Rabbitohs when Chris Sandow was allowed to walk out to the Eels… Up stepped Reyno in 2012… The same will happen in 2022 out goes Reyno, incomes Lachlan Illias… 10-years later, History repeats…
Timnaik O'Shaughnessy
Roar Rookie
I'd have Jed Cartwright given more time off the bench in the new season. JD could try to use mold him into something of an Isaah Yeo type player.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Not sure I will add much different to the previous user comments. I think Souths have too much potential to score points not to be serious contenders again in 2022. They have match winners in Mitchell, Walker & Cook. They have a more than solid pack & bench with Cam Murray providing the X-factor in the middle. The queries are the obvious counters for the loss of Reynolds & Gagai and just how soon the replacements can get up to speed , if they can. We know Reynolds will be tough to replace, but I particularly think the loss of Gagai cannot be under estimated . I don't think Paulo looks to be a great option as his left edge replacement ? Only time will tell there. The other query is impacts of injury to their key players , their spine. Like most teams, they can generally cover for most of the canon fodder and battlers , but covering the key positions should that be needed, will determine their fortunes in 2022.
mushi
Roar Guru
Also I still see them in the 3-5 mix
mushi
Roar Guru
Not really a like for like though. Reynolds was clearly a quality kicking half from day dot.
Rod
Guest
The way I see it , is the top 4 teams are all weaker from the season just gone . I can’t see any of the sides below the top 6, being a threat at all . Souths will be there at the pointy end of the season . Who knows , in 2012 Reynolds was an unknown and he had a great season
Statler and Waldorf
Roar Guru
How terrible that I made a mistake.......
William W
Roar Rookie
The last time the Rabbitohs so-called lack of depth in the outside backs did occur was in 2014 when Beau Champion only played in 2 games… Up stepped an unknown Kirisome Auva’a to fill the breach along with another Rookie named Dylan Walker… When Nathan Merritt was injured, up stepped another Rabbitohs Rookie named Alex Johnston… Can you blokes see that the Rabbitohs Pathways system continually churn out fantastic kids… I believe 2022 will be another one of those years.
mushi
Roar Guru
My worry for the team structure is that from what I can find on Ilias he's a ball running play maker. So more a natural replacement for Walker than Reynolds. I think they'll miss having an elite kicking half and they'll have to adjust that frenetic early set line speed in defence as a result.
William W
Roar Rookie
It is difficult to gauge a teams' "Depth" when opposition fans have no idea what these kids coming through can do... The Rabbitohs have 27 players slotted in and need another Middle, a Half as I doubt Milford will be at Souths in 2022 so that leaves a Spot for either Dean Hawkins OR Jack Campagnolo from Wynnum Manly Seagulls, by the way, he was the Queensland Cup player of the year last season, 2021 The Rabbitohs have a spot open for another outside back, most likely Josiah Karapani from the Warriors. Rabbitohs Youngsters on the way up are... Terrell Kalo Kalo: Fullback/Centre/Wing Top 30 Contract Another gun from Penrith’s junior system who did slip through the net to end up on a Souths’ scholarship at Scots College. The word at the Rabbitohs is that when Joseph Suaalii was the young gun everyone was raving about, those in the know at Souths always thought Kalo Kalo wasn’t that far behind. Can play anywhere in the outside backs with good height, plenty of pace and all the skills. Didn’t play a lot of footy in 2021 after copping a head knock but has gone straight into the top 30. Could easily find his way into the NRL team at some stage in 2022. Zane Bijorac: Centre/Wing Top 30 Contract A big outside back, tall and very athletic who looks an absolute nightmare to tackle. Came from down Canberra way initially before moving to Souths to play Flegg. Has now had a few games in NSW Cup but he is in the Top 30-Squad going forward. Josiah Karapani: Centre Contract status is yet to be determined! Most likely will be included in Top 30... Another outside back who could end up cracking an NRL debut at some stage in 2022. Powerfully built in a Konrad Hurrell-type frame, he’s a beast with a handy offload. Another of the youngsters the Rabbitohs rate very highly.
mushi
Roar Guru
I think the difference is that the starting point. Souths over the past three years have had an average F/a margin of 8.75 per game which is the type of team that is a lucky break or two from a GF win. Parra’s is less than half that over the same span (4.01) which is more a team that is a punchers chance at the top 4 and lightning in a bottle for a premiership. So both find themselves in a similar point on the development curve, it’s just one is far more talented at that peak development so have more margin for error.
William W
Roar Rookie
It is Cardinal, Not Cerise mate And you call yourself a Guru?
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
I'll take the Hoodoo Guru's word for it then and remind them each time one gets broken. :silly: