2020 Rabbitohs Rumours, Signings and News

[NovoBunny94]

Definitely won't be happening if Ikin gets the CEO job, he's saying as much

Ikin hates Wayne. Ironically theyre family.

 

[callmack1]

Q&A with Sports Dad Nominee Adam Reynolds: https://www.rabbitohs.com.au/news/2020/08/31/qa-with-sports-dad-nominee-adam-reynolds/

Bennett’s Broncos homecoming ‘a million to one chance’ of happening: https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...n/news-story/1cd0dff79291ace966b7176c68af4a97

The obstacles blocking Wayne Bennett reunion with the Broncos: https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/wayne-...ben-ikin/cd251790-79c2-46a3-aa73-d22f67c1a640

South Sydney Rabbitohs reportedly warned the Brisbane Broncos about Anthony Seibold: https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...d/news-story/429c4407dbd9ffe5d1162d4cc5d46b04

I wish to god this suaali makes his decision this week, his procrastination is putting our recruitment in jepardy, the reason Aj cant be signed is we are saving cap for him, in the meantime, Aj gets offers maybe above what we would have signed him for, pushing his price up

I agree. This has dragged on for too long. Time to make a decision either way so we can continue to plan for the future.

 

[callmack1]

From Fox Sports,

LATRELL INJURY GIVES UNWANTED BUNNY CRUCIAL OPPORTUNITY

Latrell Mitchell’s season-ending injury is a seriously huge blow for both the superstar fullback and his team.

Mitchell and the Rabbitohs were in tremendous form before the 23-year-old ruptured a hamstring tendon in Thursday’s thrashing of the Eels. But if there’s anyone who could benefit from the awful news it’s Alex Johnston, Mitchell’s likely replacement in the No.1 jersey.

There’s next to no chance of off-contract Johnston remaining at the Rabbitohs next year after he was informed by the club that they had no room in the salary cap to re-sign him.

The utility back will undoubtedly be snapped up by a club but Johnston, who proves himself week after week on the wing, will now have the chance to strengthen his case to clubs at fullback.

There’s been reports that Johnston is chasing fullback money and wants to don the No.1 jersey full time. However those reports are false, making his forced exit from South Sydney even more baffling.

The Cowboys and Bulldogs have been in talks with him and the Storm are said to also be interested in him as a replacement for Josh Addo-Carr who is hopeful of returning to Sydney next season.

Filling in at the back for the last weeks of the competition — and the finals series — is only going to help Johnston, a fantastic indigenous ambassador of the game, land the deal he deserves.


From Sporting News,

Latrell Mitchell on his first season at South Sydney and the differences between Robinson and Bennett

South Sydney star Latrell Mitchell's first season in red and green is over after he ruptured a hamstring tendon, but he's given Bunnies fans plenty to look forward to.

Having captured form over recent weeks, Mitchell's campaign come to an unfortunate end when teammate Jaxson Paulo accidentally forced his left leg into an awkward position during the Rabbitohs 38-nil win over Parramatta.

The injury is set to sideline the 23-year-old for four to five months, a tough blow for Souths' premiership hopes and Mitchell's 2021 preparations.

Speaking on the Betoota Advocate podcast before suffering the injury, Mitchell spoke about how he's adapted to his first season as first-choice fullback in the NRL.

"I've been a massive Matty Bowen fan since I was a junior and I just knew straight away I wasn't going to be that sort of Matty Bowen player," Mitchell said, adding he took inspiration from another big-bodied fullback in Greg Inglis.

"I knew that was how I wanted to play my footy, (Inglis) was a great example of how an instinctive footy player should be.

"I look up to that and that's why I took a chance to come over (to Souths) and keep playing the way I do and playing that bigger fullback role, not the little speedy fellas."

Mitchell averages 107 run metres a game, less than half of Roosters number one and competition best James Tedesco, but he said he adds value to his team in other areas.

"I don't worry about stats," he added. "People worry about all this running high metres and it does benefit the team when your positional players are running higher metres, but I think I can benefit my team in icing the plays and putting people over the try line or making the right opportunities where I can put my team in the best positional possible.

"I think my wingers have been loving me, they can't stop shaking my hand."

Mitchell has copped plenty of criticism this season, for both his on-field and off-field actions, but he went some way to silencing them with his performances since returning from suspension.

He was particularly dominant in the 56-16 rout of Manly in round 15, though he denied a 'shoosh' celebration was directed to some sections of the media.

"That wasn't even aimed at the media, there was a lad in the stand just giving it to me," he said.

After looking like they'd be making up the numbers if they even qualified for the finals, Souths appear to have turned a corner and now pose a genuine premiership threat.

Mitchell left the Roosters as a two-time premiership winner to join the Rabbitohs and spoke about the differences between Trent Robinson and Wayne Bennett.

"He didn't teach me how to play footy, he just put structures into place where I could bring the best footy out of myself, which was good," he said of Robinson.

"Then I come over with Wayne and it's just 'go mad, go and play your footy, be instinctive'.

"He really relaxes me with the role I have to play but when he wants to get something drilled into me, he'll let me know."

Mitchell said Bennett's focus on the individual sets him apart.

"I think he's more of a people person first, before he's a coach. He likes making good men, that's his role is to make better men, then better footy players," he added.

"If you're a better man off field, then you're going to be a better footy player."

 

[Rabbits20]

I don’t understand why we can’t retain AJ @callmack1 it is baffling......

 

[Travitoh]

I don’t understand why we can’t retain AJ @callmack1 it is baffling......

There doesn't appear to be much cap space coming off contract. That'd be a big part of it.

 

[callmack1]

I don’t understand why we can’t retain AJ @callmack1 it is baffling......

To be fair, I can kind of understand it. You look at all the players we've upgraded over the past two years (deservedly so), the signings of Latrell and Arrow, plus leaving space for Suaalii. It's easy to see why there isn't much wiggle room in the cap.

 

[handyman2190]

I don’t understand why we can’t retain AJ @callmack1 it is baffling......

Weve kept 500k for the anticipated signing of suaalli,who is screwing us around time wise,if he makes the decision then we know if we can afford him, the timeing stinks

 

[Rabbits20]

Weve kept 500k for the anticipated signing of suaalli,who is screwing us around time wise,if he makes the decision then we know if we can afford him, the timeing stinks

I’ve heard talk as well that Allan is on 300-350k which is way overs if true.

We have tried to offload him but no one wants him.

 

[Rabbits20]

 

[Rabbits20]

 

[assess5]

To be fair, I can kind of understand it. You look at all the players we've upgraded over the past two years (deservedly so), the signings of Latrell and Arrow, plus leaving space for Suaalii. It's easy to see why there isn't much wiggle room in the cap.

I'd much rather keep Sirronen and put Arrow back on the market, I just don't see any value in him (Arrow) with the forwards Souths have now, The Keotongue (wow, is that even close?) Sirronen, Mago, and next Amone.
These guys are really good footballers who don't take a backward step.
I don't see the value, $800,000, in Arrow.

 

[BotanyBorn&Bred]

I'd much rather keep Sirronen and put Arrow back on the market, I just don't see any value in him (Arrow) with the forwards Souths have now, The Keotongue (wow, is that even close?) Sirronen, Mago, and next Amone.
These guys are really good footballers who don't take a backward step.
I don't see the value, $800,000, in Arrow.

I don't think we can do that, but if we could, the Broncos or Tigers could take him on. The Broncos definitely have the cap space, the Tigers might be able to make some space. And I'm sure they'd jump, they desperately need a half decent foward who can tackle.

I am thinking we paid way overs for Arrow, we panicked after losing Sam. Koloamatangi is going to require a big raise to keep him, Sironen is off contract and could get snapped up by someone willing to pay overs, we can't fit AJ in, how are we going to keep Sironen?

Ethan Lowe is on a back-ended comtract, I think it could be around the 500K mark, with no more money being chipped in by the Cowboys. Who knows if he will play again, maybe he will be medically retired?

 

[CAFPOW]

Telecrap: Angus Crichton pay cut: Roosters star could be pushed out of club

Edge forward Angus Crichton will have to take a significant pay cut to remain with the Sydney Roosters beyond next year. The club’s number one priority is upgrading Sitili Tupouniua, who has been in sensational form.

 

[assess5]

I don't think we can do that, but if we could, the Broncos or Tigers could take him on. The Broncos definitely have the cap space, the Tigers might be able to make some space. And I'm sure they'd jump, they desperately need a half decent foward who can tackle.

I am thinking we paid way overs for Arrow, we panicked after losing Sam. Koloamatangi is going to require a big raise to keep him, Sironen is off contract and could get snapped up by someone willing to pay overs, we can't fit AJ in, how are we going to keep Sironen?

Ethan Lowe is on a back-ended comtract, I think it could be around the 500K mark, with no more money being chipped in by the Cowboys. Who knows if he will play again, maybe he will be medically retired?

I think Sirronen is far better prospect than Arrow and Lowe isn't in the ball park, I agree about the panic.

Remember the Charity shield this year when all the Souths first grade forwards got rested and Koloamatangi, Amone Mago Sironen came on and blitzed St George - that has happened all season - these guys are really good and then you add Suua who is also improved out of sight - we don't need another defensive forward to join Sirronen, Suala Murray and all the others.

Be great if they put him out for sale.

Also, for this week, put Campbell Graham fullback and any body else from Gagai, Marsters Johnston to fill the two vacant position of centre and wing, it will make the best balanced side.

 

[callmack1]

Full throttle - New rule triggers tryfest, slashes penalties: https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/09/01/full-throttle-new-rule-triggers-tryfest-slashes-penalties/

Origin set for permanent end of Season stay as Peter V’landys flags eligibility tweaks: https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...s/news-story/39bc9779d89b21eb8e5587d7baa27eb4

Two top execs axed as NRL embarks on $80m cost-cutting blitz: https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...g/news-story/dfdf5b5e51633d4f9ae7b372ca90ebb4

NRL Leadership Changes: https://www.nrl.com/news/2020/09/01/nrl-leadership-changes/

Pressure to sack Brisbane Broncos chairman if Wayne Bennett chased: https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/mole-b...t-return/bf192c04-f5cd-415b-97ee-77d0a1f951d5

 

[Travitoh]

The Betoota Advocate's podcast with Latrell is a good yarn. I recommend giving it a listen.

 

[NovoBunny94]

I'd much rather keep Sirronen and put Arrow back on the market, I just don't see any value in him (Arrow) with the forwards Souths have now, The Keotongue (wow, is that even close?) Sirronen, Mago, and next Amone.
These guys are really good footballers who don't take a backward step.
I don't see the value, $800,000, in Arrow.

Arrow is an origin quality forward. He will improve our pack. At first I was judgemental as to the signing of someone who is the opposite of Sam in playing style, but along with murray he will make alot of tackles hopefully take the pressure of cook and possibly murray as well. He can take burgess spot for tackling...

 

[BotanyBorn&Bred]

I think Sirronen is far better prospect than Arrow and Lowe isn't in the ball park, I agree about the panic.

Remember the Charity shield this year when all the Souths first grade forwards got rested and Koloamatangi, Amone Mago Sironen came on and blitzed St George - that has happened all season - these guys are really good and then you add Suua who is also improved out of sight - we don't need another defensive forward to join Sirronen, Suala Murray and all the others.

Be great if they put him out for sale.

Also, for this week, put Campbell Graham fullback and any body else from Gagai, Marsters Johnston to fill the two vacant position of centre and wing, it will make the best balanced side.

Yeah I agree about the forwards, and yes I saw and remember the Charity Shield, I agree with you on that.

Remember when we signed Luke Lewis, and then he backed out? How is it that the players can do that to clubs but not vice versa? I'm sure Arrow could be offloaded, but we'd probably have to chip in 100-200K per year, which would mean the person who made that deal would get their arse kicked, so I doubt it would happen, but I'd be getting the lawyers to see if we could get out of that deal, like Luke Lewis did to us.

But sorry Brother, I can't see it with Campbell playing fullback. Has he played there before?

 

[BotanyBorn&Bred]

Arrow is an origin quality forward. He will improve our pack. At first I was judgemental as to the signing of someone who is the opposite of Sam in playing style, but along with murray he will make alot of tackles hopefully take the pressure of cook and possibly murray as well. He can take burgess spot for tackling...

The worry is he hasn't been anywhere near that form this year, and now has a pretty serious injury requiring surgery. And we are juggling the cap, with (hopefully) a view to upgrade Keaon, and hopefully keep Sironen. All the while remembering we got at the most 2-3 years max with Adam Reynolds so it's gotta happen like now or next season.
We could get similar efficiency in the forwards with a lot cheaper budget, but I'm happy to be proved wrong and eat humble pie.

For me, I'm seriously worried we will lose Bayley Sironen to the Tigers, Bulldogs, or even Manly because he is off contract this season. Keaon not so worried about, because he's got another year to go, and we got a fair bit of money coming off contract then, most of which we won't be resigning. Amone is another one who is off contract this season

 

[BotanyBorn&Bred]

Telecrap: Angus Crichton pay cut: Roosters star could be pushed out of club

Edge forward Angus Crichton will have to take a significant pay cut to remain with the Sydney Roosters beyond next year. The club’s number one priority is upgrading Sitili Tupouniua, who has been in sensational form.

Well Angus hasn't lived up to the hype and pay packet, we DEFINITELY made the right choice keeping Cam Murray instead.