Souths coach Jason Demetriou has denied that there is a rift within the Rabbitohs organisation following rumours that Cody Walker and Latrell Mitchell are given preferential treatment at the club.
The Sydney Morning Herald has reported that assistant coaches Sam Burgess and John Morris are unhappy at the leniency shown to the star duo by Demetriou.
Burgess is set to leave to take up a head coaching role at the end of the year, while Morris may also depart for a job with the Wests Tigers.
“We’re not winning footy games at the moment so the rumour mill is going overdrive,” said Demetriou.
“Latrell Mitchell was out for 12 weeks so if he was running the show during that time, I don’t know what the problem was there.
“They are two very influential players in a group, but they are part of a group. The only way to answer that stuff is to win footy games.
“At the moment there is lots of talk. That is because we are not winning.”
Latrell was filmed at a Luke Combs concert last week skulling a beer on stage, before finding himself in the bin, then banned, for an elbow on Tyson Frizell in Sunday’s loss to Newcastle.
Walker has been out of form since making his Origin return and is reported to have had a blow up with Demetriou following their loss to Cronulla three weeks ago, though club sources denied this.
The Wests Tigers are used to copping it from all angles – and now, they’re taking a roasting on social media after departing half Luke Brooks was given a BBQ as a leaving present.
Brooks will join Manly next year after over 200 games at the Tigers and was given a farewell on Saturday for the club’s final home game of the year, appearing on the pitch at half time to say his goodbyes. He was not playing due to a calf injury.
Fans were confused to see him given a $1000 BBQ engraved with his name on it rather than the usual jersey or photo tribute.
“We all know Luke loves cooking,” said CEO Justin Pascoe to the Sydney Morning Herald. “He said as much during a podcast he did with us. Rather than give him a ball or another signed jersey, why not give him something he will use?
“Luke has a ute, and I was hoping he’d fire up the barbie and start a tailgate party in the CommBank car park after the game.”
As with all things Wests Tigers, it came off badly in the court of social media.
“Tigers fans wonder why other fans & media make a complete mockery of this basket case of a sporting organisation,” wrote one punter.
Another added: “The part about the Luke Brooks BBQ that has sent me is that they didnt even give him the gas bottle with it. Bloke still has to swing by BP and get a Swap’n’go ffs”
Andrew Fifita sailed off into the rugby league sunset late last year after a stellar career with Cronulla – but has now returned to the game in the most unlikely of circumstances.
The former NSW star was pictured playing park footy in the UK with Crigglestone All Blacks, a local club in Wakefield, against Westgate Common ‘A’ grade.
Fififa was in the UK visiting brother David, who has played for Wakefield in the Super League for several years and made his 150th appearance for Trinity last weekend in a crunch relegation clash with local rivals Castleford.
Andrew was interviewed on the TV coverage of the match – wearing a full Wakefield tracksuit – and admitted that he nearly joined the club last year before being convinced to stay in the Shire by Sharks coach Craig Fitzgibbon.
“I was very, very close,” he old Sky Sports “I was about to sign a deal then I had a little phone call from Fitzy and that settled me in Cronulla. I was very close to, just playing with my brother would have been massive for myself and my family.”
mushi
Roar Guru
And does he think Manly has more of them than the inner west
mushi
Roar Guru
Well you straight away rule out anything that takes up space but is worse than what he already has. This is where the saying “it’s the thought that counts” there was some here, but surely someone had to point out he’s probably got a 20k+ outdoor kitchen if that’s his hobby. You either have to go sentiment, cliche or utility 1k at one of the many inner west commercial kitchen suppliers is of more value and he’d hopefully think of the team whilst using his new knife set or whatever. Maybe an experience like Churchill’s meat, sauce and/or butchery cooking class/s. Maybe a signed jersey of his juniors clubs with comments of junior rep players who have come through since on how they looked up to him. Maybe one of the stadium seats that can be man caved. But not a gift where the first thought is probably “how long before it’s no longer poor form to sell it on eBay”
KenW
Roar Rookie
But in that vein what exactly do you buy someone on a reported $1m per year? Either they already have it or it's going to push the budget.
MB088
Roar Rookie
Mitchell will stay, his buddy wighton is coming to party it up next year
mushi
Roar Guru
I'm not in the "this is disrespectful " camp (it's a farewell gift) but seriously if the bloke does love cooking meat and is on high end 6 figures, he's already got a better bbq or he doesn't want one.
Worlds Biggest
Roar Pro
What a shambles at Souths. Where is the leadership ? Good on Sammy and Morris for calling it out. Demetriou could be looking over his shoulder after this train wreck second half of the season. Either that or one or both players depart.
Robbo
Roar Rookie
Cowboys, Chooks or Tigers?
Birdy
Roar Rookie
Big call Muzz!
Succhi
Roar Rookie
Something ain’t right at Souths. Not sure what, but that decline is recession-like. As for the BBQ gift to Brooks, maybe the CEO thought he signed with the Dragons!
Muzz Manyana
Roar Rookie
I’d be surprised if both Demetriou and Mitchell are both at the Bunnies next year.
andrew
Roar Rookie
A barbecue isn't a bad gift. Better than getting a $2 scratchie.
Drac
Roar Rookie
Can we run a sweep on the first team to sack their coach in 2024?
Birdy
Roar Rookie
:laughing:
Birdy
Roar Rookie
I’m sure theres been a link somewhere
KenW
Roar Rookie
Exactly. How many players get scheduled a public farewell and a personalised gift when they leave for another club? Good on the Tigers for celebrating him.
Horses for Courses
Roar Rookie
What has been vegan got to do with been woke?
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
"…. Who would want a signed Tigers jersey anyway? " I'm guessing the 2023 Tigers signed jersey wouldn't be in big demand, but I'd kill to have one from that 1969 team that beat Souths in the GF
Bernie
Roar Rookie
i reckon the first thing that L.Brooks will put on his new BBQ is his Tiges jumper and photos of his 37 coaches he's had. probably can't wait to get outta there.
Andrew01
Roar Rookie
it is quite possible, the Club asked his partner what they should get him and she said "not another bleeping" framed jersey!" I actually think it is a good gift given it is something he likes (presuming it is a good quality grill). .... Who would want a signed Tigers jersey anyway? :silly:
London Panther
Roar Rookie
Lots of reasons to bag Wests about; Brooks’ barbie isn’t one of them.