Jason Demetriou and Cameron Murray’s calming influence behind Rabbitohs revival
Sometimes it takes a special relationship to kickstart momentum. That is why coach Jason Demetriou and captain Cameron Murray have the Rabbitohs making serious headway.
Jason Demetriou is laser-focused on winning a premiership with South Sydney but for the moment, he is happy to take a quick trip down memory lane.
Let’s start with 2015 and working alongside Paul Green, where he played a major role in helping North Queensland secure their maiden premiership.
“It was a huge moment,” Demetriou said.
“I have obviously reflected on it more over the last few weeks. For us at the time and forever now in history there is only one group of men — playing group and staff — that will be involved in the first premiership in history.
“[Can I] lean on what happened in ’15? I think so and in ’21 [with South Sydney]. I think we got our prep bang on for that game and it went right down to the wire, as did the ’15 game.
“Out of those games you learn that the big moments matter in big games. That is the biggest message you can give to players — defend well and make those efforts that win you those extra moments, that will win you the game in the end.”
Demetriou went perilously close to winning a second premiership last season when he worked alongside Wayne Bennett at the Rabbitohs. They were pipped by Penrith and Bennett departed, leaving Demetriou at the helm.
Now, the buck stops with him.
“Green was very process (driven) — making sure we know the things that got us this far and valuing them in the finals,” Demetriou said.
Cameron Murray and Jason Demetriou have build up a rewarding relationship.
“Wayne was pretty similar but he spoke a bit more about moments and owning the big moments in the game.
“They weren’t too dissimilar.”
Having served an apprenticeship under two of the best coaches in the game’s recent history, Demetriou now has the chance to make his mark.
The Rabbitohs started the season slowly but hit their straps with the return of Latrell Mitchell and will head into Sunday’s game at Allianz Stadium feeling good about their chances.
At the heart of their revival has been Demetriou, who has helped Rabbitohs fans quickly move on from Bennett’s departure.
“He has done a great job,” Rabbitohs captain Cameron Murray said.
“I had no doubt at the start of the year that he would because he is a great coach and great mentor, very passionate about what he does.
“Everyone wants to play for him. We always knew it was going to be difficult from the start [of the year] and it was. The good thing was we regrouped and stuck together.”
Jason Demetriou has helped Rabbitohs fans quickly move on from Wayne Bennett’s departure.
Demetriou and Murray have taken to talking on the phone after every game. Their relationship has been crucial to Souths success — when Murray was overthinking things earlier this year, it was Demetriou who helped snap him out of it by sending him away for a couple of days after the State of Origin series.
“I tend to overthink and be someone I am not when I am not playing my best footy,” Murray said.
“When I got to where I felt comfortable, I would suffer a little setback. It is hard to enjoy your footy when you are having these setbacks. I overthink and it is hard to lead a footy team when you are not playing the best yourself.
“That was the hardest point. After Origin, I got away for two weeks — the coach was really good about it and said get away from footy. I turned my phone off and relaxed.
“JD is very passionate, he just loves his footy. When he wants to get a message across, he gets it across.
“He is just a good fella. He has a great mix similar to Wayne, of a really good relationship with players but he is not scared to pull someone up.
“Very emotional, very passionate.”
