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2023 Rabbitohs Rumors, Signings and News

callmack1

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11,609
From The Sporting News,

Rabbitohs coach Jason Demetriou confident of landing World Cup winner

South Sydney Rabbitohs coach Jason Demetriou has admitted he is confident of landing in-demand star Jack Wighton, following a promising meeting at the club's facilities on Friday.

The 30-year-old has been linked with a shock move to the Bunnies this week, despite big-money offers on the table from his current club the Raiders and expansion franchise the Dolphins.

Wighton is weighing an estimated $3.4 million four-year deal with Souths - almost $1 million less than the other formal offers - in a bid to finish his NRL career with a premiership and alongside close mate Latrell Mitchell.

The pair have formed a close bond during their time playing for NSW and Australia, lifting the World Cup trophy together at the end of last year, and the belief is Latrell's influence could become a key part in negotiations.

Speaking to Triple M Radio on Saturday morning, Demetriou opened up on the meeting with Wighton at the club's brand-new facilities in Maroubra and believes the Raiders star is willing to make the move in 2024.

“He was [impressed]…it was good meeting him and obviously there has been a lot of talk about our interest in Jack," he said.

"It was good to sit down and explain what that looks like and what the future might look like if he committed to joining the club.

"It’s in Jack’s hands now, he has got a big decision to make. He has obviously been a one-club player for a long time.

"I’m as confident as you can be...it’s pretty good as a head coach to sit down at the table with players and know what you are presenting them is a fantastic opportunity to join a club that’s got a really stable squad, rich history and quality players.

"It’s a good selling feature for our club and I know he will be happy if he decides to come here and he will really enjoy his footy."

Wighton would bring over 250 games of experience in both the club and representative arenas, but would likely be forced to play in the centres given his preferred role of five-eighth is currently filled by Cody Walker.

His potential addition to the club could leave some noses out of joint at Redfern, but Demetriou claims there will be no issues and believes a competitive environment will only further aid their bid for premiership glory.

“I think there are some individual conversations to be had and make sure there is some clarity in and around what Jack joining the club looks like," he said.

"At the same time, we are in a high-performance environment. If you are playing NRL and don’t have pressure on your spot, you’re not playing in a very good squad and that’s how I approach it.

"It’s my job to make sure we are bringing players in if it improves the squad. We didn’t go to market at all last year because I didn’t think we needed it, I had a lot of trust in the players in the squad.

"But we are always on the lookout for that five per cent that we can add to the team and I think everyone would agree that Jack Wighton certainly does that in multiple positions, which is exciting."
 

Rabbits20

Immortal
Messages
41,606
Riccio on triple M re our cap.

Souths never replaced Gagai with anyone, have his money to spend and he was on marque money
Souths budgeted for a much lower cap increase , so have more room to move
He also rattled off names on lower contracts such as , Tass, Thompson etc etc. So therefore have plenty to spend
 

handyman2190

Bench
Messages
3,386
Riccio on triple M re our cap.

Souths never replaced Gagai with anyone, have his money to spend and he was on marque money
Souths budgeted for a much lower cap increase , so have more room to move
He also rattled off names on lower contracts such as , Tass, Thompson etc etc. So therefore have plenty to spend
My mail is knight will be released,bennet gave him 500k to stay,and he isnt a 500k player,tass will go to the wing, thompson can go while he makes meters in traffic he is no speed machine and we have youngsters who can step up,carty can go, we have cap, cody and cookie esp who was on 825k has been downgradded people can say what they want,but they speculate
 

derekmc

Juniors
Messages
118
Riccio on triple M re our cap.

Souths never replaced Gagai with anyone, have his money to spend and he was on marque money
Souths budgeted for a much lower cap increase , so have more room to move
He also rattled off names on lower contracts such as , Tass, Thompson etc etc. So therefore have plenty to spend
Wouldn’t touch Wighton for anywhere near that money, just to keep players happy. Who is running this show. If we have $$$ go for some pace out wide
 

callmack1

Moderator
Staff member
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11,609
Rabbitohs' smoking gun in Wighton race as big salary cap question answered: https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...s/news-story/c587d36e7d851a7311c991743f820ec0

Staggering twist shows Wighton gamble could decimate Rabbitohs: https://www.news.com.au/sport/nrl/s...s/news-story/20ac786c76d37ad1a66b9827c9ead1b6

Don't be fooled by that clickbait headline, surely the club is smarter than that.

Why Souths skipper is the surprise trump card in the race to sign Wighton: https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/wh...-in-race-to-sign-wighton-20230422-p5d2hi.html
 

callmack1

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Staff member
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11,609
House hunting provides clue to Wighton's NRL future: https://leagueinitiative.com/house-hunting-provides-clue-to-wightons-nrl-future/

Also, a fantastic article here from the Daily Telegraph,

South Sydney Rabbitohs Salary cap deep-dive: How they can afford Canberra star Jack Wighton​

It is the question on everyone’s lips, just how can the Rabbitohs afford Jack Wighton? We take an in-depth look at South Sydney‘s salary cap.

The Rabbitohs have arrived at a perfect salary cap storm as they prepare to pull a move out of the Latrell Mitchell playbook in their pursuit of his good mate Jack Wighton.

Wighton met South Sydney officials on Friday afternoon, the culmination of a whirlwind 24 hours for the Raiders star after he jetted to Brisbane for talks with Wayne Bennett and the Dolphins on Thursday.

A factor for Wighton will be planning under Bennett for just 12 months before he is moved on for Kristian Woolf.

The Dolphins emerged from that meeting confident that Wighton would choose them, but Souths arrived at talks with Wighton with a pair of aces up their sleeve in terms of his relationship with Mitchell and the smart planning of their salary cap, which has put them in position to make a calculated play for the now former NSW and Australian back.

Wighton will get more money elsewhere but his close friend Mitchell rejected more lucrative deals to make himself a Rabbitoh when he split with the Roosters at the end of 2019.

The Tigers offered Mitchell a four year deal worth more than a million dollars a year. Instead he opted to take up a one-year-deal with an option for a second year worth just more than half of the Tigers offer.

South Sydney want Wighton to do the same. They have a secret weapon up their sleeve as well

– some smart salary cap strategizing that has given them the ammunition to launch a bid for Wighton. Eye-brows were raised by South Sydney’s pursuit of Wighton but it can be revealed the Rabbitohs have cap space to move the move.

A host of South Sydney players including Damien Cook, Jai Arrow, Tom Burgess and Liam Knight do not have ratchet clauses in their existing contracts because they were signed before the pandemic. It meant when the cap came in higher than anyone expected – an initial proposal to pay match payments, which was backed by some clubs and the player union, was scrapped and the money was rolled directly into the 2023 cap – their pay packets didn‘t move.

It is understood Souths budgeted for the cap in 2024 to be about $10.5 million. It came in closer to $11.5 million. Suddenly, Souths had significant salary cap breathing space. South Sydney were also the only club not to add a player from outside the club into their top 30 this year. However they lost Mark Nicholls (Dolphins), Kodi Nikorima (Dolphins), Jaxson Paulo (Roosters), Josh Mansour (released).

RABBITOHS SALARY CAP BREAKDOWN​

TOP EARNERS - 700K-$1 MILL
Cameron Murray
Cody Walker
Damien Cook
Jai Arrow
Latrell Mitchell
Tom Burgess
MIDDLE TIER - $301-$699K
Alex Johnston
Campbell Graham
Hame Sele
Jacob Host
Keaon Koloamatangi
Lachlan Ilias
Liam Knight
Siliva Havili
Tevita Tatola
BOTTOM TIER - UP TO $300K
Ben Lovett
Blake Taaffe
Daniel Suluka-Fifita
Davvy Moale
Dean Hawkins
Isaiah Taas
Izaac Thompson
Jed Cartwright
Josiah Karapani
Leon Te Hau
Michael Chee Kam
Peter Mamouzelos
Shaquai Mitchell
Taane Milne
Terrell Kalo Kalo

Heading into 2022 they also lost representative stars Adam Reynolds (Brisbane), Jaydn Su’A (Dragons), Dane Gagai (Knights) and Benji Marshall (retirement) while only adding minimum wage players Isaiah Taas, Michael Chee Kam and Canberra journeyman Siliva Havili.

That resulted in about $3 million worth of cap savings. It is also understood the Rabbitohs have space on their salary cap this year, which they will have to use to forward pay players and create extra savings in future years.

It is believed that the Rabbitohs have no million dollar players this season. They have a host of regular first graders – Daniel Suluka-Fifita, Isaiah Taas, Izaac Thompson, Jed Cartwright, Michael Chee Kam and Shaq Mitchell who were unwanted by their previous Clubs. These players have given the Rabbitohs terrific value for money and allowed them to balance their books.

Much has been made about the club’s decision to let premiership winning halfback Adam Reynolds go before the start of last year. That decision was two-fold. South Sydney held off committing to a long-term deal until they had some clarity surrounding the salary cap. Had Reynolds opted to take up the short-term offer he could still be a Rabbitoh. That would have made the Wighton play impossible. Instead, Souths let Reynolds leave and replaced him with Lachlan Ilias, who is on far less than what Reynolds would have earned.

Wighton will play centre at South Sydney at least in his first two seasons.

The Rabbitohs are wary on how much they will spend on Wighton. They know whatever they stump up will reflect on what they need to offer Campbell Graham to keep him at the club before his deal expires at the end of next year.

The Rabbitohs have Graham, Keaon Koloamatangi, Tevita Tatola and Jai Arrow off-contract at the end of next season and have made the quartet a priority. They won’t up their offer to Wighton in fear of losing those players.

Graham and Koloamatangi could command about $750,000 on the open market while Tatola is also in line for a pay bump. Arrow‘s current $700,000 deal remains about market value.

The Rabbitohs are likely to lose Liam Knight at season’s end, while Wighton’s arrival could spell the end for Blake Taafe. They are also locked in talks about a long-term deal for Hame Sele.

So if they don’t land Wighton expect them to again be patient before pursuing another star quality player to boost their premiership chances.
 

handyman2190

Bench
Messages
3,386
As ive stated before the key to wighton is knight who is on 500k and clearly not worth it, he will not be resigned ,money has already been allocated to keep others so they will hppefully stay,keon campbell etc, we need to understand that the only 1 who got a raise was latrell,cookie and cody took less, cookie 300k less we have money
 

BotanyBorn&Bred

Juniors
Messages
1,896
As ive stated before the key to wighton is knight who is on 500k and clearly not worth it, he will not be resigned ,money has already been allocated to keep others so they will hppefully stay,keon campbell etc, we need to understand that the only 1 who got a raise was latrell,cookie and cody took less, cookie 300k less we have money
And like the article says, don't forget Mansour.
We had to fully pay the last 2 seasons of his contract originally signed with the Panthers, and that was rumoured to be 550K/season.Like

I know you probably know this, but the irony of the Knight/Bennett thing is that we could have had Addo-Carr, he was busting to come here, for the sa same reasons as Wighton, but Bennett doesnt like to spend in money on wingers.

You could have a debate whether JAC might have been a better fit, and more value for money than a possible Wighton signing.
 

handyman2190

Bench
Messages
3,386
And like the article says, don't forget Mansour.
We had to fully pay the last 2 seasons of his contract originally signed with the Panthers, and that was rumoured to be 550K/season.Like

I know you probably know this, but the irony of the Knight/Bennett thing is that we could have had Addo-Carr, he was busting to come here, for the sa same reasons as Wighton, but Bennett doesnt like to spend in money on wingers.

You could have a debate whether JAC might have been a better fit, and more value for money than a possible Wighton signing.
100% true,id rather jac, bloody knight has been a waste
 

Thumper

Juniors
Messages
347
And like the article says, don't forget Mansour.
We had to fully pay the last 2 seasons of his contract originally signed with the Panthers, and that was rumoured to be 550K/season.Like

I know you probably know this, but the irony of the Knight/Bennett thing is that we could have had Addo-Carr, he was busting to come here, for the sa same reasons as Wighton, but Bennett doesnt like to spend in money on wingers.

You could have a debate whether JAC might have been a better fit, and more value for money than a possible Wighton signing.
The club was getting rid of AJ so addo carr could come. It wasn’t until the fans uproar that they changed there minds.
 

handyman2190

Bench
Messages
3,386
Zero tackle BS about whitons signing causing carnage for other players is just that,bullshit,then it mentions knights 500k and others, i would listen, knights 500 plus 350k will see jacko over the line with leftover to resign our boys who would all want a premiership and play with a talent like jack,we gona kick some but
 

BotanyBorn&Bred

Juniors
Messages
1,896
Zero tackle BS about whitons signing causing carnage for other players is just that,bullshit,then it mentions knights 500k and others, i would listen, knights 500 plus 350k will see jacko over the line with leftover to resign our boys who would all want a premiership and play with a talent like jack,we gona kick some but
It is probably taken from old man Rothfield.
He is the one spinning this chite, you can find it on that garbage website.
He is crying about Knight. Like, who cares? It's been a total waste of money.
Then he tries to hook Ilias into it. NOBODY said Iliad would be dropped, moved, or dumped, but this old corpse is implying it.
Then he tries to cry for Campbell Graham. Campbell is going to get what he asks for, the club will NEVER LET HIM GO.
Honestly, this FOX has become like their counterpart in the US. Full of LIES, CONSPIRACY THEORIES, and sensationalist click-bait trash.
You know what happened to them? They are paying over a BILLION DOLLARS in a lawsuit for their LIES, and they have been exposed for the world to see. And it ain't over yet, with another lawsuit for nearly 3 BILLION about to hit the courts.
The best thing for the world would be to see this company of pirates bankrupted out of existence.
 

callmack1

Moderator
Staff member
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11,609
The shock fallout from Rabbitohs' Wighton bid revealed as contract circus' end nears: https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...t/news-story/e9e9848e30b4cf600dccf972e3819dd9

What a stupid, stupid article. I admit, if this article was true, there's no way I'd want to sign Wighton. But it aint. Do we really think the club would be that dumb and lose a few of our biggest stars just to sign one? Hell no. Does Buzz not think? Also, there has been MULTIPLE articles as well as quotes from JD and Blake Solly on how we can afford it and how little impact it would have on our current roster. Has Buzz not read these? God, it just defies belief, it really does. There's a chance we might lose Knight and maybe Taaffe but that's not the end of the world. The club will keep who we want to keep and we wouldn't put ourselves in this position if it was going to stuff that up. Gutter jornalism.

'Shows how worried they are' - NRL's $1m response to Rugby threat: https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...n/news-story/8aa49b7aeae3017e7233216683a25d48

NRL plot for Vegas blockbuster as secret talks revealed: https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...s/news-story/cf858e5fd49a2792c7cefce021abe276

'I can't be responsible' - Annesley, journo clash over hip drop furore as NRL's big problem laid bare: https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...y/news-story/e57520e48fcc23328802901ecdcb8c22
 

handyman2190

Bench
Messages
3,386
It is probably taken from old man Rothfield.
He is the one spinning this chite, you can find it on that garbage website.
He is crying about Knight. Like, who cares? It's been a total waste of money.
Then he tries to hook Ilias into it. NOBODY said Iliad would be dropped, moved, or dumped, but this old corpse is implying it.
Then he tries to cry for Campbell Graham. Campbell is going to get what he asks for, the club will NEVER LET HIM GO.
Honestly, this FOX has become like their counterpart in the US. Full of LIES, CONSPIRACY THEORIES, and sensationalist click-bait trash.
You know what happened to them? They are paying over a BILLION DOLLARS in a lawsuit for their LIES, and they have been exposed for the world to see. And it ain't over yet, with another lawsuit for nearly 3 BILLION about to hit the courts.
The best thing for the world would be to see this company of pirates bankrupted out of existence.
As if the club would jeperdise losing keon ,campbell junior etc wighton like gagai was, is to play centre, tass will go to the wing,if we lose anyone it will be thompson who is slow,carty who is a fumbler, keecham who is past it and 500k from knight who has barely put in and injured.
 

BotanyBorn&Bred

Juniors
Messages
1,896
The shock fallout from Rabbitohs' Wighton bid revealed as contract circus' end nears: https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...t/news-story/e9e9848e30b4cf600dccf972e3819dd9

What a stupid, stupid article. I admit, if this article was true, there's no way I'd want to sign Wighton. But it aint. Do we really think the club would be that dumb and lose a few of our biggest stars just to sign one? Hell no. Does Buzz not think? Also, there has been MULTIPLE articles as well as quotes from JD and Blake Solly on how we can afford it and how little impact it would have on our current roster. Has Buzz not read these? God, it just defies belief, it really does. There's a chance we might lose Knight and maybe Taaffe but that's not the end of the world. The club will keep who we want to keep and we wouldn't put ourselves in this position if it was going to stuff that up. Gutter jornalism.

'Shows how worried they are' - NRL's $1m response to Rugby threat: https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...n/news-story/8aa49b7aeae3017e7233216683a25d48

NRL plot for Vegas blockbuster as secret talks revealed: https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...s/news-story/cf858e5fd49a2792c7cefce021abe276

'I can't be responsible' - Annesley, journo clash over hip drop furore as NRL's big problem laid bare: https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nr...y/news-story/e57520e48fcc23328802901ecdcb8c22
Yeah, this is the article.
People laugh at Rothfield, he has no credibility.
Knight will be gone, Taafe will be gone, maybe one of Milne or Thomason will be gone, Cartwright probably too. I years
Tass can play wing, he won't be let go. If he chooses to move on, so be it. In two years time, hopefully Kalo Kalo or Karapani or both, will be ready to take a wing spot, or even a centre spot.
None of that is a major loss.
Also, the senile corpse forgot to mention Cook and Cody are off contract after year 2 of Wighton's contract, there's 1.5mil at least right there. Even if they are extended, it might be for one year, and it will be lower than $750K each.
Remember when we were blowing up saying Solly didn't know what he is doing? Well so far, he's gotten all the maths right. I'll keep trusting him until I see evidence otherwise.
My only concern is big bopper forwards. We need Latrell to start recruiting some mates who fit that category
 

BotanyBorn&Bred

Juniors
Messages
1,896
As if the club would jeperdise losing keon ,campbell junior etc wighton like gagai was, is to play centre, tass will go to the wing,if we lose anyone it will be thompson who is slow,carty who is a fumbler, keecham who is past it and 500k from knight who has barely put in and injured.
I know, it's BS.
You beat me to a reply, I just said my bit in a reply to Callmack
 

handyman2190

Bench
Messages
3,386
Yeah, this is the article.
People laugh at Rothfield, he has no credibility.
Knight will be gone, Taafe will be gone, maybe one of Milne or Thomason will be gone, Cartwright probably too. I years
Tass can play wing, he won't be let go. If he chooses to move on, so be it. In two years time, hopefully Kalo Kalo or Karapani or both, will be ready to take a wing spot, or even a centre spot.
None of that is a major loss.
Also, the senile corpse forgot to mention Cook and Cody are off contract after year 2 of Wighton's contract, there's 1.5mil at least right there. Even if they are extended, it might be for one year, and it will be lower than $750K each.
Remember when we were blowing up saying Solly didn't know what he is doing? Well so far, he's gotten all the maths right. I'll keep trusting him until I see evidence otherwise.
My only concern is big bopper forwards. We need Latrell to start recruiting some mates who fit that category
You got it brother,100%all youve said,milne just resigned thompson can go,i dont want to lose taafe i think we have others that can go,but i hVe no issue,we signed gags on 700k and there was an uproar,and he worked out,and we should have kept him but for an extra year, but jack will do us fine,agressive fast and a winner
 

BotanyBorn&Bred

Juniors
Messages
1,896
You got it brother,100%all youve said,milne just resigned thompson can go,i dont want to lose taafe i think we have others that can go,but i hVe no issue,we signed gags on 700k and there was an uproar,and he worked out,and we should have kept him but for an extra year, but jack will do us fine,agressive fast and a winner
👍
Look, there is no space for Taafe. He is not a fullback, despite what some have said here. We seen it. Ragdolled 10metres backwards in every run, can't be depended on to be the final tackler on D. He is not a centre, way too small, can't tackle. He is a half, but Illias is there, he won't be going anywhere soon, and Latrell will probably move to 5/8 when Cody retires. There's no openings for Taafe.
 

handyman2190

Bench
Messages
3,386
👍
Look, there is no space for Taafe. He is not a fullback, despite what some have said here. We seen it. Ragdolled 10metres backwards in every run, can't be depended on to be the final tackler on D. He is not a centre, way too small, can't tackle. He is a half, but Illias is there, he won't be going anywhere soon, and Latrell will probably move to 5/8 when Cody retires. There's no openings for Taafe.
He was being groomed to take codys spot,if he can wait 2 years he will slot straight in,unless he gets more elsewere then i wouldnt match
 

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