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2023 Rabbitohs Rumors, Signings and News

callmack1

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11,611
NRL announces financial results for 2022 Season: https://www.nrl.com/news/2023/02/22/nrl-announces-financial-results-for-2022-season/

Wow, that's pretty huge! Great news for the game. The current administration has copped a lot in recent times over this CBA stuff, but they should be commended for this. The way the game's financials have been sorted out since Covid is outstanding.

NRL cancels Season launch due to ongoing pay talks: https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/nr...due-to-ongoing-pay-talks-20230221-p5cme4.html

Disappointed by this, disappointed that it's got to this stage but oh well, is a proper Season launch really that important?

'The show goes on' - Mitchell, Wighton to play out NRL Season after not guilty pleas: https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/mi...-nightclub-fight-charges-20230222-p5cmk7.html

Well, I'm happy with that outcome, fantastic news for us. Good on them for entering a not guilty plea too.
 

callmack1

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Staff member
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11,611
Longest-serving Burgess and Rabbitohs kick-off contract talks: https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/lo...-kick-off-contract-talks-20230223-p5cn2a.html

Yewww how good that we're finally getting some news on Tom after it's been quiet for months. Really glad to see negotiations are underway and going well at this stage. Glad we've got the ball rolling.

Personally, I think we should offer him a two-year deal but the club is only offering one at this stage. That may change and Tom may be happy to just back himself and take the one year, but we don't want another Reynolds situation this year.

I think two for Tom is very reasonable offer. I believe that's what we should be offering.

Will wait and see.
 

Thumper

Juniors
Messages
347
Just saw a news report after Mafs saying Arrow tore his hammy lifting club memorabilia. Gee Up or what?
 

Blossom14

Juniors
Messages
8
Just saw a news report after Mafs saying Arrow tore his hammy lifting club memorabilia. Gee Up or what?
Apparently did it the off season in the club night walk to Heffron.
All healed and fine now and played in the Charity Shield.
 

callmack1

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Staff member
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11,611
Potentially big news from Tom's media interview today!

He said talks are going really well and he wants to stay at Souths. He even said he hopes to have it sorted by Saturday!!

Finished talking about it by saying "happy to be signing at Souths."

Jeez I hope this is true!! Straight from the horse's mouth I guess.
 

callmack1

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Staff member
Messages
11,611
What an inspirational story here from the Daily Telegraph, love you Knighty!! Well done to him for coming out and telling his story.

South Sydney Rabbitohs forward Liam Knight reveals his battle with drugs and binge drinking​

Liam Knight candidly opens up on his alcohol addiction, and how the Rabbitohs enforcer was brought back from his darkest point by a phone call that changed his life, writes Phil Rothfield.

Your first impression of an NRL front-row warhorse can be misleading.
On television and from the stands we see gladiators, rough, tough and indestructible.
It’s why the story of South Sydney Rabbitohs star Liam Knight is an important one.
He might play in the engine room in the world’s toughest collision sport but he’s as vulnerable as anyone to the perils of mental health.
Last year the 27-year-old forward had his season cut short by an illegal tackle that ruptured his ACL and MCL in his knee.

He turned to binge drinking and prescription drugs, anything to escape the pain of two bouts of surgery, the gloom, the depression and the dark thoughts.
Knight emerged from 28 days in a drug, alcohol and gambling rehab centre late last year.
He still goes to Alcoholics Anonymous two nights a week and hasn’t touched a drop since.
He’s telling his story because he wants others to learn from it.
“We’ve got to get the message across that as men, we need to do something around the stigma of mental health,” he said, “That you’re not weak or you’re not soft if you stick your hand up to ask for help.”
This is his remarkable story.

THE BINGES​

“I had this victim mentality,” he explains, “Poor me, poor me. It all just spiralled and I lost control of myself. I was angry on the world. Really depressed.
“I hit the party scene hard to get over it. Huge nights. Sometimes for two or three days. I was out of it. I’d go out wherever there was something going on.
“The prescription painkillers. Endone, Panadeine forte, drinking. All that stuff.
“I was a mess and in a really bad place trying to hide from everything.”

GETTING HELP​

It was a phone call to his coach Jason Demetriou that saved him.
“October 21 was my last drink in Byron Bay,” he said. “I was at my lowest.
“I was having some dark thoughts and knew I had to get help.
“I picked up my phone and rang J.D and told him I was in a really bad way.”
Demetriou got straight onto it. That day the pair met for coffee at a cafe in Cronulla.
“I was so nervous having to front him,” Knight said, “but he was unbelievably supportive. He and Blake Solly organised me help straight away.
“They were f…ing amazing. Like family. So caring.”

THE REHAB​

Knight was admitted to Foundation House in Lilyfield.
It is a rehab centre specialising in alcohol, drug and gambling addictions.
He spent 28 days there.
“A couple of people recognised me,” he said, “Not that it worried me.
“Everyone’s there for the same reason. There’s no judgment.
“It was a pretty full-on schedule. Group sessions, one on ones, Alcohol Anonymous meetings.
“I still go to AA meetings twice a week.
“I get up the front and say ‘I’m Liam I’m an alcoholic.’”
“People can judge me anyway they want. It doesn’t faze me.”
You sit back, listen and admire his honesty and bravery.
Lesser men are reluctant to even talk about it, let alone go into such detail.
“You know what,” he says, “I’m not ashamed of myself one bit.
“I just want people to hear my story because I want them to know there is help out there.
“I wish I’d done this sooner. If I can help one or two people, that’ll make the story worthwhile.”

THE TRIGGER​

Knight was playing in the NSW Cup in July last year against Parramatta when Eels winger Solomone Naiduki dived at his legs while he was being held upright in a tackle.
It was a sickening incident and left the Souths forward with one of the worst knee injuries NRL medicos have seen – ACL and MCL ruptures with damage to the meniscus.
The offender got a three-week suspension – Knight has had to endure months of hell.
This followed three bouts of surgery the previous off-season on his shoulder, hip and ankle.
This time it was his knee, another shoulder operation and 12 months on the sideline.
Physical and mental pain that eventually activated his dark thoughts.

THE COMEBACK​

Knight is still at least eight weeks away from returning for the Rabbitohs.
He’s off contract at the end of the season and needs to recapture his best form.
It has been such a journey but he is now in a remarkably good head space.
“I feel so good about myself and so healthy,” he said.
“All I want to do now is play football and help the boys win a few games.
“I could not have done this without the support of the coach, the players and everyone at Souths.”

Their love and care have meant the world.
Last year Souths players were asked to bring a photo to a team meeting of the most inspirational figure in their lives.
The people who inspire them to play NRL.
Liam took in an old picture of his mum Joanna.
His mum who tragically died from cancer when he was just a five-year-old.
“It what’s drives me,” he said, “Just to think she’d be looking down and proud of me.”
 

Runrabbit14

Juniors
Messages
148
Potentially big news from Tom's media interview today!

He said talks are going really well and he wants to stay at Souths. He even said he hopes to have it sorted by Saturday!!

Finished talking about it by saying "happy to be signing at Souths."

Jeez I hope this is true!! Straight from the horse's mouth I guess.
Good to read that our retention of these guys is going well.
I hope Taafe is next as he will improve with more game time and have a big impact this year !!
 
Messages
14,480
What an inspirational story here from the Daily Telegraph, love you Knighty!! Well done to him for coming out and telling his story.

South Sydney Rabbitohs forward Liam Knight reveals his battle with drugs and binge drinking​

Liam Knight candidly opens up on his alcohol addiction, and how the Rabbitohs enforcer was brought back from his darkest point by a phone call that changed his life, writes Phil Rothfield.

Your first impression of an NRL front-row warhorse can be misleading.
On television and from the stands we see gladiators, rough, tough and indestructible.
It’s why the story of South Sydney Rabbitohs star Liam Knight is an important one.
He might play in the engine room in the world’s toughest collision sport but he’s as vulnerable as anyone to the perils of mental health.
Last year the 27-year-old forward had his season cut short by an illegal tackle that ruptured his ACL and MCL in his knee.

He turned to binge drinking and prescription drugs, anything to escape the pain of two bouts of surgery, the gloom, the depression and the dark thoughts.
Knight emerged from 28 days in a drug, alcohol and gambling rehab centre late last year.
He still goes to Alcoholics Anonymous two nights a week and hasn’t touched a drop since.
He’s telling his story because he wants others to learn from it.
“We’ve got to get the message across that as men, we need to do something around the stigma of mental health,” he said, “That you’re not weak or you’re not soft if you stick your hand up to ask for help.”
This is his remarkable story.

THE BINGES​

“I had this victim mentality,” he explains, “Poor me, poor me. It all just spiralled and I lost control of myself. I was angry on the world. Really depressed.
“I hit the party scene hard to get over it. Huge nights. Sometimes for two or three days. I was out of it. I’d go out wherever there was something going on.
“The prescription painkillers. Endone, Panadeine forte, drinking. All that stuff.
“I was a mess and in a really bad place trying to hide from everything.”

GETTING HELP​

It was a phone call to his coach Jason Demetriou that saved him.
“October 21 was my last drink in Byron Bay,” he said. “I was at my lowest.
“I was having some dark thoughts and knew I had to get help.
“I picked up my phone and rang J.D and told him I was in a really bad way.”
Demetriou got straight onto it. That day the pair met for coffee at a cafe in Cronulla.
“I was so nervous having to front him,” Knight said, “but he was unbelievably supportive. He and Blake Solly organised me help straight away.
“They were f…ing amazing. Like family. So caring.”

THE REHAB​

Knight was admitted to Foundation House in Lilyfield.
It is a rehab centre specialising in alcohol, drug and gambling addictions.
He spent 28 days there.
“A couple of people recognised me,” he said, “Not that it worried me.
“Everyone’s there for the same reason. There’s no judgment.
“It was a pretty full-on schedule. Group sessions, one on ones, Alcohol Anonymous meetings.
“I still go to AA meetings twice a week.
“I get up the front and say ‘I’m Liam I’m an alcoholic.’”
“People can judge me anyway they want. It doesn’t faze me.”
You sit back, listen and admire his honesty and bravery.
Lesser men are reluctant to even talk about it, let alone go into such detail.
“You know what,” he says, “I’m not ashamed of myself one bit.
“I just want people to hear my story because I want them to know there is help out there.
“I wish I’d done this sooner. If I can help one or two people, that’ll make the story worthwhile.”

THE TRIGGER​

Knight was playing in the NSW Cup in July last year against Parramatta when Eels winger Solomone Naiduki dived at his legs while he was being held upright in a tackle.
It was a sickening incident and left the Souths forward with one of the worst knee injuries NRL medicos have seen – ACL and MCL ruptures with damage to the meniscus.
The offender got a three-week suspension – Knight has had to endure months of hell.
This followed three bouts of surgery the previous off-season on his shoulder, hip and ankle.
This time it was his knee, another shoulder operation and 12 months on the sideline.
Physical and mental pain that eventually activated his dark thoughts.

THE COMEBACK​

Knight is still at least eight weeks away from returning for the Rabbitohs.
He’s off contract at the end of the season and needs to recapture his best form.
It has been such a journey but he is now in a remarkably good head space.
“I feel so good about myself and so healthy,” he said.
“All I want to do now is play football and help the boys win a few games.
“I could not have done this without the support of the coach, the players and everyone at Souths.”

Their love and care have meant the world.
Last year Souths players were asked to bring a photo to a team meeting of the most inspirational figure in their lives.
The people who inspire them to play NRL.
Liam took in an old picture of his mum Joanna.
His mum who tragically died from cancer when he was just a five-year-old.
“It what’s drives me,” he said, “Just to think she’d be looking down and proud of me.”
Heart breaking to hear this story. Pro sport is such a tough arena and I’m sometimes surprised anyone survives it with everything that goes on and off the field. I’m glad he got help and is finding his way again.
 

Runrabbit14

Juniors
Messages
148
Can’t believe the Roosters are applying for salary cap relief over Angus Crichton.
With all due respect, it is no different to any other long term injury.
Liam Knight has been sidelined for an extended period due to foul play and I am sure we have received no salary cap relief !!!
 

Thumper

Juniors
Messages
347
Can’t believe the Roosters are applying for salary cap relief over Angus Crichton.
With all due respect, it is no different to any other long term injury.
Liam Knight has been sidelined for an extended period due to foul play and I am sure we have received no salary cap relief !!!
I wish I could eat mushrooms, spaz out and still get paid.
 

callmack1

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Staff member
Messages
11,611
BSC and South Sydney Celebrate 20 year Partnership: https://www.rabbitohs.com.au/news/2023/03/01/bsc-and-south-sydney-celebrate-20-year-partnership/

Hahahaha that ad is hilarious!!

'Let him heal' - Rabbitohs and Roosters rivalry put on ice as Latrell puts arm around sidelined Crichton: https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...s/news-story/84f0909e744cd0bb96de7c459c6c2f2d

Move over, Giogio, How Latrell helped land Rabbitohs suit deal: https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/mo...land-rabbitohs-suit-deal-20230228-p5co6m.html
 

callmack1

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Staff member
Messages
11,611
From the Daily Telegraph,

Latrell Mitchell is setting his goals high this season.

The man who clicks turnstiles and attracts more TV eyeballs than any other player has done and won just about everything in rugby league – a premiership, a State of Origin series, a World Cup.

Now the Rabbitohs superstar wants a Dally M Medal – to be better than Tedesco, Turbo, Cleary, Hynes or any of the champions of the game.

It’s one of two goals he has set himself for the 2023 season – to be crowned the best player in rugby league and to win the premiership with the Rabbitohs.

“You’ve got to chase greatness,” he tells The Daily Telegraph.

“I’m hungrier than ever before.

The Dally M is one of those things I’d love to tick off. Why not? It would be really special.

“There are so many great players so it’s going to be hard. Even the players in my team are taking points off each other … but I know it’s achievable.”

What has worked against Latrell with individual awards in previous seasons is that he has lacked consistency.

One week he is the best player in rugby league bar none – a game-breaking powerhouse and an unstoppable force in the Souths backline that can destroy any opposition.

The next week he can struggle to back it up with the same level of involvement.

Mitchell is the first to admit that it’s an area of his game he wants to improve.

“I can do it all on a football field but there’s improvement in me for sure,” he says.

“It’s about doing it consistently and playing good footy week to week.

“Getting into each game. Staying in the game longer. I’m not your regular fullback.

“I tend to show myself when needed. Maybe I’ll start the process a bit earlier.

“Plus working on my defensive organisation is important in getting the boys where we need to be.”

From a fitness level, Latrell has never been in better shape.

There is no question he is ready to make an early impact, starting with Cronulla on Saturday.

“I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself but I’m going to start strong,” he says.

“I came back after the World Cup with a goal with my weight, something I’ve never worried all that much about during the off-season.

“I’ve worked hard on myself mentally and physically and I feel really good … three or four kilos under my normal playing weight for the first time ever.

“It’s been a real lifestyle change which comes down to your eating and we have a great nutritionist, Alice Sharples, at Souths.

“She’s really hard on a few of the boys, myself included, and it’s making a huge difference.”

The hard physical work on his farm for six weeks over the summer obviously helped as well.

Every day he was working on the property.

“We probably put in 140 posts around the farm,” he says. “We’re not professionals and just learning along the way. But it helped keep the weight off.”

Mitchell is now 25 and about to enter his eighth season of NRL.

It’s an age and level of experience where the great players are ready to peak.

We’re chatting on the eve of the kick-off before he heads off to the Souths season launch.

The Rabbitohs face a huge early test against Cronulla at Shark Park, then the Panthers at Penrith and arch-rivals the Roosters at Allianz Stadium.

The rivalry with his old club the Roosters is what this great player loves more than anything else.

He laughs and even calls Allianz Stadium Trellianz Stadium as we talk about the round three blockbuster. It’s the first time these two sides have met since seven players were sin-binned in last season’s unforgettable knockout final.

I ask Mitchell if the rivalry and hate has gotten out of hand.

That the fans turn up to watch footy, not what we saw last season when both sides had only 11 players at different stages.

Even after spending two months in England as a teammate of Roosters stars James Tedesco, Lindsay Collins and Angus Crichton at the World Cup, nothing has changed.

“The game you are talking about was actually an enjoyable one to be part of,” he says.

“Let’s be serious - it’s the game everyone talks about.

“I love it. It’s a great rivalry and it’s good for rugby league.

“It’s my favourite game of the year, 100 per cent

“Playing against them feels like an Origin game. That’s what the feeling’s like.

“You don’t want boys sent to the bin but it’s part of the game.

“And at the end of it all, what happens on the field stays on the field.”

As for the season ahead, he sounds so motivated and so hungry.

He credits coach Jason Demetriou throughout the interview, the untried coach who stepped in for Wayne Bennett last year.

“I love the bloke,” Mitchell says. “I say that with an open heart.

“He’s just the guy we needed when Wayne left. He’s very genuine. We get on like a house on fire. A good family man with three daughters. He’s created an environment that all the boys have bought into. Where you can express yourself and be yourself. It’s working out really well.”

He also still stays in touch with Bennett.

“Wayne’s Wayne - you loved him because he wanted to be part of your life, not just your football each week,” Mitchell says. “He invests in his players. I learnt a lot from him about leadership.

“I still ring him every now and then for some guidance. Probably three weeks ago. We talk about cows and farms, not footy.”

Finally we get around to State of Origin and his passion for the Blues jersey.

Typical of Latrell, he gives himself a rap: “We only seem to win when me and Turbo are playing.”

He then starts laughing.

He’s happy and raring to go.
 
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