From Fox Sports,
ILIAS AND HIS ‘ANGRY’ HALVES PARTNER
There was uproar when the Rabbitohs let premiership-winning halfback Adam Reynolds walk out of the club with a little-known playmaker left to fill his shoes.
Lachlan Ilias was hardly a household name when Reynolds made his ugly exit from Redfern at the end of 2021.
But that didn’t stop rookie coach Jason Demetriou from naming Ilias as the premiership contender’s starting halfback at just 21 - and he endured a baptism of fire last year.
Demetriou infamously hooked his skinny No. 7 halfway through a thrashing at the hands of the Dragons in Round 15.
But Ilias took it in his stride and bounced back to help guide the club to a fifth straight preliminary final.
“That was a pretty hectic year last year, I won’t lie, but I’m feeling better this year,” Ilias told foxsports.com.au.
“If I can just keep growing every game and do my role for the team, then I’m doing my job and I’m happy doing it.
“I feel like we’re developing something really strong on the right edge and hopefully we can keep building that as the team goes.”
Ilias also opened up on his relationship with halves partner Cody Walker, who he suggested aid is misunderstood due to his white-line fever.
“I also love training with Cody, he’s an angry fella but he loves competing and that’s just who he is, he’s actually one of the nicest people in the team off the field.
“But JD is (my biggest influence). He keeps me level headed and keeps me mentally where I need to be on and off the field.”
Souths are flying on top of the table after six straight wins and Ilias ominously issued the competition a warning that they have no intention of relinquishing top spot.
Warned the competition they’re coming for the minor premiership before their September title tilt.
“We’re not pushing for top four, we’re pushing for number one,” Ilias said.
“And when it comes September time hopefully our combinations are there (to win a premiership).
“We love playing with each other and hopefully we keep building on that because come September and finals time we need it to be second nature and just flow through our sets.”