As the National Rugby League season draws closer, we look at how the South Sydney Rabbitohs will go in 2020.
The South Sydney Rabbitohs should look back on 2019 with some regret, as they were the NRLs hottest team before State of Origin, and played some wonderful rugby league. A slump thereafter reduced them to finals bit players, and with some key playing losses one wonders if they have missed the premiership boat.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
Signings
Latrell Mitchell (Roosters), Bryson Goodwin (Warrington), Troy Dargan (Broncos), Steven Marsters (Dragons), Patrick Mago (Broncos), Joshua Cook, Dean Hawkins, Keaon Kolomatangi, Ky Rodwell (upgraded from development contracts).
Key Signing
Latrell Mitchell is the big name signing for 2020, but with his game-turning brilliance and skill comes baggage, and a reputation for being very hot and cold. Look to his 2019 State of Origin campaign and post-Origin events for the worst case scenario, or his one-man show against the Wests Tigers for the very best.
He could add that spark that Greg Inglis brought to the Rabbitohs, but the big question is whether he will do it consistently.
The move to fullback that Mitchell seems insistent on is a worry too. If he doesn’t make the best of it will they persist to keep him happy? Or will the toys be thrown from the pram if a move if suggested? He showed signs of good and bad against the Dragons in the Charity Shield, but time will tell, and for Souths fans let’s hope he will be worth the hype.
Judging on value for money, Bryson Goodwin and Patrick Mago look like good signings. It’s a shame that Mitchell’s recruitment has slowed the progress of new signing Edene Gebbie; the PNG International tore it up in the Intrust Super Cup last season, but looks to be beneficial only to Souths’ Canterbury Cup side now.
Departures
John Sutton, Greg Inglis, Sam Burgess (retired), George Burgess (Wigan), Dean Britt (Bulldogs), Connor Tracey (Sharks), Billy Brittain (Dragons), Mawene Hiroti (Sharks), Adam Doueihi (Tigers), Kyle Turner, Jacob Gagan (released).
Key Departure
There have been quite a few key departures for the Rabbitohs, but you get the feeling that John Sutton’s loss will be felt the most in 2020. He was in terrific form last season despite being at the end of his career, causing problems all season long on the left side.
Sam Burgess is also a key loss, but he seemed somewhat angry and distracted in 2019. Adam Doueihi may be one they regret letting go as the season progresses, while the ever reliable Alex Johnston has been pushed out of the starting side. They will also miss decent back ups in Billy Brittain and Connor Tracey.
SQUAD
TOP 30 SQUAD: Corey Allan, Tom Amone, Tom Burgess, Braidon Burns, Damien Cook, Josh Cook, Troy Dargan, Corey Denniss, Kurt Dillon, Dane Gagai, Bryson Goodwin, Campbell Graham, Dean Hawkins, Alex Johnston, Liam Knight, Keaon Kolomatangi, Ethan Lowe, Partrick Mago, Steven Marsters, Latrell Mitchell, Cameron Murray, Mark Nicholls, Adam Reynolds, James Roberts, Ky Rodwell, Bayley Sironen, Jaydn Su’a, Junior Tatola, Cody Walker.
SPOTS AVAILABLE: one.
DEVELOPMENT SQUAD: Brock Gardner, Edene Gebbie, Jack Johns, Jaxson Paulo.
First Five
Sharks (H), Broncos (A), Roosters (H), Storm (A), Bulldogs (H).
WHAT TO EXPECT
Expect the unexpected. They have had some important losses, one significant new face (who has caused some shuffling of the backline and the squad), and players that the team was built around are no longer there. Throw in that Wayne Bennett will probably have up to five separate beefs with various rugby league media/personalities and it could be interesting at a minimum.
On one hand, Souths could be one of the NRLs most exciting teams. Mitchell at his arrogant best is almost unstoppable; James Roberts doesn’t get the title of ‘Jet’ for being too slow; Dane Gagai won an Origin best player award from the wing; and Cody Walker has been one of the NRLs great stories from the past decade. On the other hand, there is the big question of whether all, or a couple, of those great attacking weapons will fire at once – and consistently – through the season. One thing that will be consistent is halfback Adam Reynolds bombing on the last tackle with regularity.
It’s not just at the back where there are doubts coming into the new season for Souths; the loss of Sutton, who had a magnificent final season, may be harder than first realised. One direct problem is that Cameron Murray – Souths’ best from last season – appears to be moving to cover him. Whether Murray will be as effective on the edge remains to be seen. Souths will also miss the aggression and leadership of Sam Burgess. His presence on the field was unmistakable. Jai Arrow would certainly have made a difference if he was able to arrive a year early, but Souths couldn’t convince the Titans to release him, and who could blame them?
There are things happening off-field too. Bennett had an awful time with the Great Britain side in the off-season, and one wonders if he can motivate a team that has failed to shine in the finals under himself and predecessor Anthony Seibold. Bennett is out of Redfern at the end of the year too. Maverick general manager Shane Richardson is also joining the exit queue at the end of the season.
The sliver lining: the second half of the Charity Shield proved that there is nothing wrong with South Sydney’s depth, with their back up players putting on a fine show against the Dragons.
FEARLESS PREDICTIONS
Top Tryscorer – Campbell Graham.
Top Pointscorer – Adam Reynolds.
Club Player of the Year – Tom Burgess.
WHERE WILL THE SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS FINISH?
They have too much potential firepower to finish dead last, but there’s loads of implosion potential to finish in the bottom half of the ladder. They could end up being as low as fourteenth.
