2015 in review - South Sydney Rabbitohs

The defending premiers kicked off their season with two solid victories against eventual grand finalists the Brisbane Broncos and eventual minor premiers the Sydney Roosters - but how did it all go so wrong?

Some people - especially die-hard fans of the club - will tell you how hard it is to win back-to-back premierships, while others will tell you it was the loss of inspirational players like Sam Burgess, but could it have just been down to a lack of drive?

After five rounds, many had picked the still-star studded team to go around for another victory lap with their impressive 4-1 record, but that is when the wheels fell off. The Rabbitohs would take a 1-4 record into round ten.

Following the opening ten rounds, Michael Maguire's men never really kicked on and eventually crashed to the ground in the first week of the semi-finals with a loss to the Sharks 28-12. Glory, Glory and that 2014 premiership trophy had faded into the history books.

Turning Point
Honestly, this could have come before the season. A ill-fated preseason trip to Arizona, USA, A inspirational Auckland Nines victory was backed up by a World Club Challenge dominance in England. They didn't serve much time in Australia and anyone focussing on the South Sydney campaign could see that they were looking more and more spent as the weeks wore on. Teams would come into every game with the cliché mindset of destroying the champions. The reality was the Champ got into the ring after fighting a tough two rounds, they couldn't go the distance.

The Good & Bad
Nothing about the season could be classed as good by South Sydney. After their 2014 campaign, it appeared as though the green and blacks underperformed all year. The best thing about their season was standing up in the face of critics to win their first two rounds, before hiding back in their shell.

Disappointing Players
Where to start? At the end of the season the Rabbitohs were fighting for top spot in the dreaded points conceded ladder. Fullback Greg Inglis was a wounded beast all season and his club side really felt the pain. There were glimpses of the old GI, but he was still hurting and you could see that. Halves Luke Keary and Adam Reynolds had a disrupted season and couldn't fire up and the loss of Slammin' Sam and Ben Teo was noticeable in their forward pack.

Best Players & Rookies
Big Chris Grevsmuhl was a rose among thorns this season. The forward game continued to go from strength to strength in 2015, despite the form of the team around him. Alongside him, Issac Luke, in his final year at the club, still put his head down and worked tirelessly for the Rabbitohs. A few brain explosions have marred his final year in Redfern that was still class from the rake.

2016 Chances
On the bright side, the only way for the Rabbitohs to go is up. The offseason may be what the club needs to light the fire inside of them that took the side to a premiership ring in 2014. Clubs will focus on the Cowboys and their attacking prowess, afford the South Sydney forward pack a chance to find their groove and focus on the job ahead of them. If the spine can stay largely uninjured, the Rabbitohs could easily reclaim their best form.

Best line-up for 2016

1. Greg Inglis
2. Aaron Gray
3. Kirisome Auva'a
4. Dylan Walker
5. Alex Johnston
6. Luke Keary
7. Adam Reynolds
8. George Burgess
9. Damien Cook
10. Dave Tyrrell
11. Kyle Turner
12. Chris McQueen
13. John Sutton

14. Cameron McInnes
15. Chris Grevsmuhl
16. Tim Grant
17. Thomas Burgess

Ins: Michael Oldfield (ESL - Catalans), Damien Cook (Bulldogs)

Outs: Issac Luke (Warriors), Ben Lowe (retirement), Glenn Stewart (ESL - Catalans)