Rabbitohs Rumors, Signings and News

[handyman2190]

Yes Sutto did that. I still won't condemn Reyno for doing what he felt he had to do. Like I said he more than earned the right to ask the club to look after him.

For everyones information, reyno had all intentions of eventually moving to qld, he took the oportunity of moving earlier to establish himself and set himself up, he really didnt put up much of a case or fight to stay,especially when offered the deal at broncos,he grabbed it because thats what he wanted, he could have stayed on 1 year deals, he was also not instilling much confidence because he kept crying injury and limited training, zo it instilled the idea he could not play for long and the club was scared they would cop another medical retirement, so he wasnt fussed to leave, thats why the club didnt push to keep him,it was just time.

 

[Det.Wojciehowicz]

That may be so Handy but why did he want us to extend his extension by another year? If he wanted to go to Qld then he would have just happily taken the deal we offered. I think the true story of this is yet to come out.

 

[BradS]

He was offered 2 years so why did he not take it?

The 2 years was pending he did not get injured

He was once a Rabbitoh but now no longer.

 

[speedster]

SMITH DEAL SET TO BE SEALED... AND COULD COME EARLY

The deal for Kiwi Test hooker Brandon Smith to switch from the Sydney Roosters to 1908 foundation rivals South Sydney is in the closing stages with the Rabbitohs set to check the medical records of the premiership-winning forward.

The Bunnies intend to offer Smith a two-year deal for 2026 and 2027 worth around the $1.1 million mark.

This is where it gets interesting. Souths can only afford to pay Smith around the $150,000 mark for this year meaning the ball will be in the Roosters court if they’re prepared to let Smith leave the Tricolours early.

The Roosters have always been staunch about refusing to chip in a cent if it means a player going to arch-rivals South Sydney but given the way the Smith signing has gone for the club there’s a view they could soften their stance.


Smith is currently sidelined recovering from ACL and MCL surgery with all reports suggesting his rehab is tracking strongly.

The Smith deal for 2026 and 2027 at the Rabbitohs is expected to be finalised in the next fortnight.

Then it will be over the Roosters to see if they’re willing to negotiate an early exit.

Supercoach Wayne Bennett and Smith have been talking and given Bennett’s record with players who have hit a career hurdle the deal makes sense.

At around $550,000-a-season it could prove an astute signing for Souths.

 

[Eric the great]

Hope we get a front rower and a couple of extra wingers for coming seasons as well

 

[speedster]

Rather than pay Smith's freight if he plays for Souths at the back end of this season, the Roosters could offer Smith a severance (good show) package to just end his contract early and just pay him out whatever they agree is an acceptable amount of his remaining salary early - maybe 3/4s of his annual salary?. Then he can come across and also accept the $150k out of our 2025 cap.

There are means and ways. In the end, it's nothing personal, it's just business eh Uncle Nick?

 

[speedster]

I wonder if Wayne will look to try to help Smith to modify his game a bit now he's a bit older so he paces himself more and is less hectic which will then allow him to play longer minutes? Previously, he has gone at 100 mph for about 40 minutes and been very effective at least at Melbourne playing that go hard role in tandem with Harry Grant. But there's no reason he can't scale it back and be more of a 65 minute guy - if not 80.

Bit like how Dennis Lillee changed his game when he got a bit older and lost some pace and ended up being even more deadly swinging and seaming the ball both ways.

Smith is determined to play hooker, not lock and we need an A-list hooker whereas we are not short on locks that's for sure. Wayne is great at value adding players ability to become more versatile but in Smith's case, it ought to be helping him to play longer minutes I reckon.

 

[speedster]

So ravalawa deal will be a loan signing for the 2025 season before he returns to the dragons.
Same as Bud Sullivan

Not a bad bit of business to have him now when we need him but otherwise not tie up our 2026 salary cap unnecessarily.

 

[speedster]

Just looking at our current off contract players -

Players not signed beyond 2025 (13) are:

Johnston
Lovett
Walker
Moale
Myers
Mellars
Host
Sullivan*
Schuster
Le Blanc
S.Mitchell
Havili
Ravalawa*

Players not signed beyond 2026 (6 free to negotiate for 2027 onwards as of Nov 1 2025) are:

Humphreys
Gray
Koloamatangi
Hubner
McCarthy
Keppie

 

[speedster]

Personally, I want to see AJ, Cody, Moale, Humphreys, Gray & Keaon absolutely re-signed and locked up while guys like Havili, Hubbie and Keppie should also be re-signed providing they continue to impress in the first half of this year.

Others? Knock the door down and earn your next contract guys.