NRL 2020: James Roberts and South Sydney Rabbitohs to part ways
He still has a year to run on his contract at the Rabbitohs, but James Roberts is set to walk away from South Sydney in a dangerous move that could see him lost to the NRL.
NRL
Don't miss out on the headlines from NRL. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The career of one of the NRL’s most explosive yet enigmatic attacking weapons has hit a dangerous crossroads with James Roberts set to officially part ways with South Sydney this week.
Known throughout the game as “Jimmy the Jet”, Roberts still has a year to run on his $550,000-a-season contract but has come to an agreement that his future won’t be at the Rabbitohs.
What is most intriguing is that Roberts seems prepared to walk away from the final year of his lucrative contract at Souths even though he doesn’t appear to have another deal secured at this point.
Kayo is your ticket to the best sport streaming Live & On-Demand. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >
All NRL clubs announce their preliminary squads this week and Roberts’ name won’t be on the Bunnies’ list.
Roberts’ management is said to have been on the lookout for a new home but it remains unclear if any rivals have shown genuine interest at this stage.
It is understood Newcastle and Canterbury are two clubs not entertaining signing Roberts at this point.
Roberts, 27, hasn’t played since suffering a pectoral injury earlier in the season.
He also checked himself into a mental health facility this year to help with personal issues reportedly related to anxiety and depression.
Roberts’ management could not be contacted and South Sydney officials are also not willing to make any comment.
On his day Roberts is one of the fastest and best strike centres in the game and is at an age where he should be entering his best footballing years.
It would be a great shame to see his career cut short at this point but that appears a definite possibility.
Rival clubs are understandably wary to gamble on his enormous talent given his off-field history that has troubled his career to this point.
MORE NRL NEWS
NRL 2020: Storm vow to keep Craig Bellamy as Cameron Smith eyes retirement
NRL 2020: Storm damage as another star faces exit | What’s the Buzz
NRL 2020: Saint, Sinner, Shoosh | Origin commentary to be most biased ever
NRL signing news 2021: James Roberts leaves South Sydney, Roosters keen on Keighran
It’s no secret that Roberts has struggled throughout his career because of personal issues dating back to his childhood.
It’s the reason why Souths and in particular Wayne Bennett have been so understanding of Roberts’ situation in the past.
But it has now got to the point where the Rabbitohs have made a final decision to part ways.
This is Roberts’ second stint at Souths while he also had time at Penrith, Gold Coast and Brisbane.
After debuting at Souths in 2011, Roberts has made 149 NRL appearances and played three games for NSW in their triumphant 2018 State of Origin series.
Originally published as NRL 2020: James Roberts and South Sydney Rabbitohs to part ways