NRL 2024: Strong South Sydney roster built for better than it achieved in 2023
South Sydney failed to play finals in 2023, and with an ageing core of stars the future must be now for the Rabbitohs — MICHAEL CARAYANNIS rates their roster.
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South Sydney boast one of the best rosters in the NRL, and yet they failed to play finals footy in 2023 and have not tasted grand final victory for almost a decade.
With four of their top-10 players the wrong side of 30 the window for the Rabbitohs to return to their glory days is closing.
Michael Carayannis ranks the squad from 1 to 29.
1 Latrell Mitchell
Age: 26
Games: 160 (16 in 2023)
Contract Ends: 2027
South Sydney’s most explosive player. Hasn’t played more than 17 games in a season since joining the club in 2020. At his best he can dominate the competition.
2 Cameron Murray
Age: 25
Games: 147 (21 in 2023)
Contract Ends: 2028
Club captain who leads from the front. Arguably the best lock in the game and there is no more influential player at the club on either side of the football.
3 Cody Walker
Age: 33
Games: 191 (22 in 2023)
Contract Ends: 2025
One of the most durable players having featured in at least 20 plus games each season since his debut in 2016. Had a poor back end of the season but his running game is among the most dangerous in the competition.
4 Keaon Koloamatangi
Age: 25
Games: 82 (18 in 2023)
Contract Ends: 2026
Showed his value when he inked a new long-term deal before hitting the open market. Part of a dynamic forward pack who offers a point of difference to most of his rivals.
5 Damien Cook
Age: 32
Games: 193 (23 in 2023)
Contract Ends 2025
Inching towards the end of his career but is not showing any signs of slowing down. Needs his forwards to help him get on the front foot where he remains one of the most potent attacking weapons.
6 Jack Wighton
Age: 30
Games: 242 (22 in 2023)
Contract Ends 2027
Has the opportunity to be a difference maker at South Sydney after a long career at the Raiders. Will switch permanently to centre where he will need to stay in the game to ensure he has an impact.
7 Jai Arrow
Age: 28
Games: 143 (14 in 2023)
Contract Ends 2024
South Sydney’s enforcer. Can play long minutes but has found a home starting off the bench and lifting the tempo when he gets on the field.
8 Tevita Tatola
Age: 26
Games: 134 (15 in 2023)
Contract Ends 2028
Had a career best year in 2022 but injuries never allowed him to reach the same level in 2023. If he can put that behind him, he is now at the sweet point of his career when he can become one of the code’s elite props.
9 Campbell Graham
Age: 24
Games: 131 (21 in 2023)
Contract Ends 2027
Easy to forget he is just 24. Played on with a stack of injuries at the back end of the year which hampered his season. Injury robbed him of an Origin debut.
10 Thomas Burgess
Age: 31
Games: 225 (16 in 2023)
Contract Ends 2024
Could be in his final season in the NRL after inking a one-year deal. Still has a big impact on the team’s go forward.
11 Alex Johnston
Age: 28
Games: 214 (21 in 2023)
Contract Ends 2025
Still has plenty of years left and will end up breaking the all-time try-scoring record provided he continues to remain largely injury free. Crossed for 21 tries – remarkably his lowest since 2019.
12 Lachlan Ilias
Age: 23
Games: 51 (24 in 2023)
Contract Ends 2025
Enters the season under the microscope. Has huge support of coach Jason Demetriou but his spot will come into question should South Sydney start slowly.
13 Sean Keppie
Age: 25
Games: 79 (20 in 2023)
Contract Ends: 2026
Joins the club after being told he can leave Manly. A massive body who will add to South Sydney’s forward punch which went missing at times during 2023.
14 Tyrone Munro
Age: 18
Games 3 all in 2023
Contract Ends: 2025
Genuine excitement machine who provides South Sydney’s already star-studded backline with another X-Factor. The Rabbitohs need to find a way to make sure he is in the starting team each week.
15 Siliva Havili
Age: 30
Games: 135 (8 in 2023)
Contract Ends: 2025
Underrated member of the squad. Important change of pace off the bench after missing the opening three months of the season through injury.
16 Jacob Host
Age: 27
Games: 97 (17 in 2023)
Contract Ends: 2025
Disappointing 2023 off the back of a season ending shoulder injury the season prior. Lost his starting spot but at his best should be at home on an edge.
17 Tallis Duncan
Age: 21
Games: 7 all in 2023
Contract Ends: 2025
Had a taste of first grade. Those at South Sydney believe he can develop into a Cameron Murray-style of player and will spend some time relieving the skipper.
18 Isaiah Tass
Age: 24
Games: 39 (23 in 2023)
Contract Ends: 2024
Has shown he is too good not to be a regular first grader but is expected to be the unlucky victim of Jack Wighton’s arrival. Has indicated he wants to remain at South Sydney in 2024 but a rival club should snap him up long-term.
19 Davvy Moale
Age: 20
Games: 31 (17 in 2023)
Contract Ends: 2025
Entering his fourth season despite just leaving his teenage years. Is one of the game’s emerging players. Will push hard for a top 17 spot.
20 Daniel Suluka-Fifita
Age: 24
Games: 35 (10 in 2023)
Contract Ends: 2025
Another emerging forward who has had a decent amount of first grade. At his best should be cracking the top team week in week out. At worst, provides great depth.
21 Taane Milne
Age: 28
Games 67 (14 in 2023)
Contract Ends: 2024
Has played plenty of first grade but should slide behind the likes of Munroe and Tass in the pecking order. Could develop his game as a forward which would make him a handy bench option.
22 Michael Chee Kam
Age: 31
Games: 116 (16 in 2023)
Contract Ends: 2024
When fit, found himself playing plenty of first grade. Can handle the backline which makes him a strong bench option and one of the first called upon should injuries hit.
23 Shaquai Mitchell
Age: 27
Games: 14 (11 in 2023)
Contract Ends: 2024
Showed he had the potential to play big minutes and started in games for the first time. Could find himself behind some of the younger props at the club.
24 Ben Lovett
Age: 21
Games: 3 all in 2023
Contract Ends: 2024
Parkes Spacemen junior who made his debut last year. Strong edge player who is off-contract. Should jag more games in 2024.
25 Izaac Thompson
Age: 27
Games: 9 (seven in 2023)
Contract Ends: 2024
Big, strong ball carried who has the ability to start the team’s set on the front foot. Will compete for a starting wing spot but will also spend more time in the centres.
26 Peter Mamouzelos
Age: 22
Games: Seven (two in 2023)
Contract Ends: 2024
Has shown glimpses that he could be an NRL regular if given a chance. Damien Cook’s ability to play 80 minutes has not helped. Reliable back-up if needed.
27 Dean Hawkins
Age: 24
Games: Six (two in 2023)
Contract Ends: 2024
Signed a 12-month extension with his local club. Is waiting just in case the situation in the halves sour but South Sydney now have other options.
28 Jye Gray
Age: 19
Yet to debut
Contract Ends: 2024
The former Queensland under-19 half has been tipped to make his NRL debut at some stage in 2024. Given a top 30 contract.
29 Leon Te Hau
Age: 20
Yet to debut
Contract Ends: 2024
Outside back who once played under-18s for Queensland.
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