2023 Preview: South Sydney Rabbitohs

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Are Jason Demetriou and the South Sydney Rabbitohs ready to take that next step towards the NRL Premiership after once again falling short of the main prize?

A seventh placed finish in 2022 didn't stop the Rabbitohs from forcing their way into the dying stages of the season. After dispatching the Sydney Roosters and the second-placed Cronulla Sutherland Sharks in the first two weeks of the finals, it was once again the Panthers who ended Souths' season for the third consecutive year. Demetriou will have his side fired up to go all the way this season, with the majority of the 2022 squad returning after another successful campaign, however, a fourth loss in the Preliminary Finals in five seasons will have the side reeling as they continue to get ‘oh so close' to the final match of the season.

With essentially the same squad returning for 2023, the chemistry and cohesion of this Rabbitohs' side should arguably be the best in the competition, however, will this be enough to help them improve on their performances last season? It's an unanswerable question for now and it'll come down to how their key players perform this season and whether or not the rest of the members of the 17 can take the experience of losing in another Preliminary Final and use that as a character building exercise in their pursuit for the 2023 NRL Premiership.

Why They'll Win it

Souths are going to be very good this year, as they have been for the past five years. Four of those under Wayne Bennett and one under current coach Demetriou. In those five seasons, the Rabbitohs have made it to the penultimate week of the competition on every occasion and in 2021 qualified for the Grand Final were they were defeated by the Penrith Panthers. This side knows how to navigate an NRL season and importantly, perform in September. Much of this squad has experience in big games and knows that terrible feeling that comes with being knocked out in the Preliminary Finals all too well.

The side features the likes of Latrell Mitchell and Cameron Murray who are fresh off a World Cup winning campaign for the Kangaroos, which should have provided them with an invaluable experience playing with the best players in the country. Cody Walker is expected to perform again this year and with those three firing, you're chances of going deep into the season are very good. Mitchell and Murray are entering their mid-twenties which should see the beginning of their peak period of football, which is a scary thought in itself.

They boast a good forward pack that performed last year with Damien Cook at the base of the scrum and they'll do everything they can to give Mitchell, Walker and Lachlan Ilias the space and time to tear up opposition defences as we've seen in the past.

Why They Won't

The one team that has stood in the Rabbitohs way in recent years is the Penrith Panthers. As mentioned earlier, the Panthers have eliminated the Rabbitohs from the competition in each of the last three seasons. One of those being the 2021 Grand Final which saw the Panthers secure their first Premiership since 2003. In fact, Souths' have only beat Penrith once in their last 10 meetings. They've faced a similar fate against the Storm in recent years, with their win against Melbourne in Round 19 last season being their first against the Victorian club since 2018.

These performances against two of the best clubs over the past five years have plagued the Rabbitohs. Their failure to perform against the best teams has resulted in many pundits, including myself, writing them off when it comes to the end of the year when they are forced to play these clubs in do or die fixtures.

Another potential issue for the Rabbitohs is the injuries to Siliva Havili and Hame Sele. Both forwards are expected to have a fair stint on the sidelines after suffering injuries in the past few weeks. Havili and Sele were expected to play a role from the bench for Souths' and losing both weakens the forward rotation for the club. It's not as fatal as losing Latrell Mitchell for example, but it puts extra pressure on players such as Davvy Moale and the replacements for Havili and Sele, who weren't expecting to be as involved this early in the season. 

Key Players

The Rabbitohs' feature many key players in their line-up, especially the quartet of Latrell Mitchell, Cody Walker, Damien Cook and Cameron Murray. This will be their fourth season playing together, with the previous three ending in Preliminary Final berths or better so it's safe to say that this is an influential group of players.

The duo of Mitchell and Murray, fresh off a World Cup victory, are two of the best players in the game and they both showed their value last season. Mitchell scored seven tries and assisted a further 20 in his 17 appearances as he proved to be a menace in attack, busting four and a half tackles per game in 2022. His lock forward, Murray, completed just shy of 38 tackles per game and was involved in 20 tries during the season. Murray's ability to dig into the line and play out the back is an invaluable asset for the likes of Mitchell and Walker who thrive off the space that is created by the Australian representative.

Both Murray and Mitchell would've learned plenty representing Australia at the World Cup and they'll be looking to bring this to the Rabbitohs and their quest for a Premiership in 2023.

Another player who makes life easier for Mitchell is Cody Walker. Walker was exceptional last season. The 33-year-old led the league In Total Try Involvements with 60! A whopping 12 more than those in second place. 14 of those were scored himself as he once again showed how dangerous he can be with the ball in his hand. Throw in 11 line breaks and 25 line break assists and you have one of the most potent attacking weapons in Rugby League. It will be interesting to see whether Walker slows down due to his age, but there's a high chance that he ages like fine wine once again.

Walker will no doubt be provided with good service from New South Wales dummy-half Damien Cook who will be ready to prove the Australian selectors wrong after his omission from the Australian World Cup squad. The former Australian number nine had a quietly good season in 2022 as he accumulated the second most run metres out of all Hookers (1,417) along with 20 Total Try Involvements and completing just shy of 40 tackles per game. If Cook can hit his best form this season, watch it make life easier for those x-factor players in Walker and Mitchell.

Rookie to Watch

Considering Souths are essentially going to field the same team as they did last year, their isn't much opportunity in their starting line-up for promotion from within, however, the departure of Jaxson Paulo to the Sydney Roosters has opened the door for Izaac Thompson. The 26-year-old winger made his debut for the Rabbitohs in Round 21 last season and only featured in two games. He made his presence felt however, scoring a try in each game and running for 155 and 141 metres respectively. Thompson was excellent in reserve grade too, scoring an incredible 20 tries in just 16 outings whilst averaging 145 run metres and breaking 4.7 tackles per match. He looks set to make the step up into the Rabbitohs NRL side.

Another player to watch, especially with the injuries to Havili and Sele is Davvy Moale. The soon to be 20-year-old featured in 12 games last season and made his presence felt with 47 of his 80 carries gaining him more than eight metres. He could be asked for a bigger role to start the season and it'll be interesting to see how this young star fares.

2023 Rabbitohs' squad

Player Movements

Gains: None

Losses: Mark Nicholls, Kodi Nikorima (Dolphins), Josh Mansour, Richie Kennar (released), Jaxson Paulo (Sydney)

Best 17

1.     Latrell Mitchell
2.     Alex Johnston
3.     Campbell Graham
4.     Isaiah Tass
5.     Izaac Thompson
6.     Cody Walker
7.     Lachlan Ilias
8.     Tevita Tatola
9.     Damien Cook
10.  Thomas Burges
11.  Keaon Koloamatangi
12.  Jai Arrow
13.  Cameron Murray

14.  Blake Taafe
15.  Hame Sele*
16.  Siliva Havili*
17.  Davvy Moale

* = injured for Round 1

2023 Rabbitohs' fixtures

Some statistics courtesy RLP.