RABBITOHS
Off-contract 2023: Dean Hawkins, Michael Chee Kam, Terrell Kalo Kalo, Jye Gray (Dev, CO), Richard Kennar (Dev)
Off-contract 2024: Ben Lovett, Isaiah Tass, Izaac Thompson, Jai Arrow, Josiah Karapani, Keaon Koloamatangi, Leon Te Hau, Peter Mamouzelos, Shaquai Mitchell, Taane Milne, Tom Burgess
Analysis: The Rabbitohs didn’t sign a single player last season, which was seen a sign of stability, but settled or not their squad just hasn’t lived up to the hype in 2023. Granted they were first early in the season, but Latrell Mitchell’s injury has exposed some glaring weaknesses in their team that he papers over when he is fit and firing. Of the five players off-contract at the end of this season only Michael Chee Kam warrants an extension based on what he has produced in 2023. As of November 1 the club will need to work hard to re-sign Origin stars Keaon Koloamatangi and Jai Arrow long-term as both are crucial members of their pack. Tom Burgess is widely tipped to retire after next season, but given his form he could go around again in 2025 at this stage. Isaiah Tass is likely to be forced out with Jack Wighton coming to the club to play in the centres. However, it is impossible to deny that the Rabbitohs have failed to fill the huge hole left by their blunder of letting Adam Reynolds go. Lachlan Ilias has plenty of potential, but likely won’t develop into a consistent No.7 in the NRL for a few more years. Between Ilias and Cody Walker, who is not a noted kicker, Souths’ poor kicking game has been exposed since Reynolds’ departure and they can’t win a premiership without one. Souths’ management need to swallow their pride and restructure their roster to bring in a halfback while they wait for Ilias to develop. Playing Wighton and Walker in the halves may be an option, but neither player is a noted kicker, so they may have to look at chasing a No.7 on the open market. That would be admitting they made the wrong call with Reynolds, but it is better to admit your mistakes than bury your head in the sand because what they are doing at the moment isn’t working. Unfortunately there are not many halfbacks available on the open market.