RABBITOHS
Players off contract end of 2026: Cody Walker, Jamie Humphreys, Jye Gray, Keaon Koloamatangi, Sean Keppie, Moala Graham-Taufa
Analysis: The big news out of Redfern is that they are targeting David Fifita if he can get a release from the final year of his Titans deal in 2026, which could impact their off-contract stars next season, as they try to make room in their salary cap for the former Origin star. One of the other rare bright spots this season has been Jye Gray at fullback, but he has been linked with a move to the R360 competition. The diminutive fullback has proven time and time again he has to be in the Rabbitohs’ best 17. If Latrell Mitchell is willing to commit to a permanent shift to the centres, Gray should be a priority signing for Souths, but if he moves on they will be on the lookout for a No.1 if Mitchell stays in the centres or converts to five-eighth. The Rabbitohs have both their starting halves in Cody Walker and Jamie Humphreys coming off-contract in 2026. Walker is expected to retire, while Humphreys needs a big season to convince Wayne Bennett he is in his long-term plans. He’ll be battling with rising star and new recruit Jonah Glover for the No.7 jersey in the off-season. The glaringly obvious name that Rabbitohs fans will want their club to lock up before November 1 is Keaon Koloamatangi. The middle forward was outstanding this season and one of the few bright spots for Souths in a tough 2025 campaign, going close to earning a Blues recall and recently being picked for the Kangaroos Ashes squad. Koloamatangi signed a two-year extension with the club in 2023 in the October before the deadline. The fact he only inked two years could be an indication he wanted to see where the club was at, at this time. If that’s the case, Koloamatangi may look to get out of a struggling Rabbitohs team in search of greener pastures. Sean Keppie struggled last season and is unlikely to earn a new deal, unless he improves in 2026 and the price is right.
Potential targets: Souths have watched Adam Reynolds make two Grand Finals and win a premiership since they forced him out of the club and until they find a No.7 they will live to regret the worst blunder in their history. Adding to that calamitous decision, Cody Walker is nearing retirement and Latrell Mitchell might not be far behind him, after saying he might not play past his 30th birthday in the past. Jamie Humphreys is potentially the answer, but he might be a better option at hooker, while Jye Gray is being chased by R360, so Souths could be without halves and a fullback in a year’s time. Mitchell could switch to five-eighth for the back end of his career, which means they still need a No.7 and No.1 to contend for a title. The club should go hard for Jayden Campbell and make him their fullback if Gray leaves and make a big play at Jonah Pezet to build the team around. The Storm star is allowed to leave after Jahrome Hughes re-signed and he could form a devastating partnership with Mitchell and Campbell, with Humphreys at hooker in a new look spine.
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