Home Ground: Accor Stadium (Olympic Stadium Homebush)

Coach: Wayne Bennett

TAB odds: Premiers $17

South Sydney is experiencing a resurgence with the Messiah's return to Redfern, aiming to revitalize the club's performance following a disappointing 2024 season. The team were incredible for half the season in 2023 under Jason Demetirou before falling apart like a wet cardboard box. Sam Burgess departed signalling plenty was wrong at the club. Last season they started in terrible fashion, floundering along before putting together five wins in a row after Demetriou was shown the front door. It was all too little to late, however injuries, strange selections and the coaching dilemma really didn't help their cause. The Rabbitohs slumped to 16th in 2024; a far cry from the grand final they reached during Bennett’s previous farewell season, going down by two points to the Panthers in 2021.

The club have now turned back the clock, relying on WAYNE BENNETT to lead a revival after he spent the past two seasons helping to establish the DOLPHINS. South Sydney have received mixed news with superstar LATRELL MITCHELL reportedly cleared to play in round one, but CAMPBELL GRAHAM potentially suffering another injury setback. Graham’s availability is in doubt with the Rabbitohs confirming he is undergoing scans for a hand problem which could continue his horror run with injuries. It comes after Rabbitohs superstar JACK WIGHTON confirmed he is set to play at left centre under the supercoach, forging a scary partnership with five-eighth CODY WALKER.

MITCHELL will be crucial for the Bunnies, given their talisman's recent injury history and subpar performances, including some hot-head moments that cost the team dearly at critical moments in the season. He will be supported by Cody Walker and new recruit LEWIS DODD, who look set to form a new halves partnership, while a first-choice dummy-half will have to be bedded in following Damien Cook’s departure. PETER MAMOUZELOS is the front runner, however SILIVA HAVILI can share the hooker role or shift to play in the second row.

“Oh, you’re the Pommy" was Bennett's welcoming words to the English recruit LEWIS DODD on first meeting. Dodd had already helped the Saints to three Super League titles, a League Leaders’ Shield, a Challenge Cup and a World Club Challenge, with years of good football still ahead. While Dodd is yet to feature in the NRL, the crafty playmaker is no stranger to Australian fans. At only 21 years of age, he kicked a winning field goal in the World Club Challenge to down the Panthers fresh off their second straight premiership. Securing that victory in golden point proved to Dodd that he has what it takes to cut it in the NRL.

EUAN AITKEN suffered a pectoral injury in the final rounds of the 2024 season which cut short his stay at the Dolphins. He is likely to be Bennett’s first choice for the backrow spot on the left when fit, but JAI ARROW could fill in for him in the meanwhile. KEAON KOLOAMATANGI will likely also revert to an edge despite prospering through the middle. Captain CAMERON MURRAY will take the No.13 jersey but is in doubt for the start of the season after suffering a wrist injury in the Pacific Championships. If the skipper is unavailable for the opening weeks of the season, he is likely to be replaced at lock by TALLIS DUNCAN. We expect the 2025 version of the RABBITOHS to be far more consistent and this team to be a threat come playoff time with a fully fit side across the entire season - but BENNETT is no miracle worker, just a clever old coach.

First five: Dolphins (A), Dragons (A), Sharks (A), Panthers (H), Roosters (H)

Last year's finish: 16th

Predicted 2025 finish: 5th

PREDICTED STARTING SIDE

1. LATRELL MITCHELL

2. ISAISH TASS

3. JACK WIGHTON

4. CAMPBELL GRAHAM

5. TYRONE MUNRO

6. CODY WALKER

7. LEWIS DODD

8. TEVITA TATOLA

9. PETER MAMOUZELOS

10. DAVVY MOALE

11. JAI ARROW

12. KEAON KOLOAMATANGI

13. CAMERON MURRAY

14. Jamie HUMPHREYS

15. Sean KEPPIE

16. Tallis DUNCAN

17. Josh SCHUSTER  

PRE SEASON: Sat 15 Feb

Rabbitohs v Sea Eagles at Industree Group Stadium 3:30pm

Sat 22 Feb

Dragons v Rabbitohs at Glen Willow Stadium, Mudgee 3:00pm