South Sydney Rabbitohs WAGS: The wives and girlfriends behind the 2021 squad

Full credit to the real power behind this year’s South Sydney Rabbitohs squad - the wives and girlfriends. Find out about the women behind your favourite footballers.

These are the wives and girlfriends behind the South Sydney Rabbitohs 2021 side.

They are often credited with keeping the boys poised and focused for footy time.

And not just the vital support unit behind the talented men we all know, but they are making waves in their own right, from entrepreneurs to business professionals, all the while cheering their partners on from the sidelines with their adorable bubs.

From new and fresh romances to high school sweethearts, among football’s rookies to veterans, here are your WAGS of 2021.

Benji and Zoe Marshall

Benji Marshall’s wife Zoe gives out real cool-girl, boss-mum vibes.

She has 55.9k followers on Instagram, posting frankly about life and babies and love, and is the creator of the podcast series “The Deep”, which looks at ‘who you are, when no one’s watching’.

“From terminal parents to sex workers, extremists and drug addicts, The Deep is a place for thought-provoking conversations that help us explore who we are, when no one is looking,” the podcast bio reads.

The pair have son Fox, and just had their second child Ever.

“Three weeks today - little Ever came into our world. What I know to be true - emotionally: it’s so much easier than the first time around. Less anxiety, less panic, less trying to control everything- it’s also a dream not having to prepare to go back to work next month.

Mentally: juggling two children is tricky - balancing their needs and your own energy is hectic.

The marriage: it’s beautiful. But the reality is its also strained at times because (sleep deprivation) and we just don’t get to see each other much - we are together all the time but don’t get to “see” each other - know what I mean? Physically, bleeding is slowing, boobs are growing, stitches healing ❤️‍🩹”

Alex Johnston and Taryn Carson

Alex Johnston and his partner Taryn Carson are a wholesome pairing.

Carson has a Bachelor of Commerce and a Masters degree from UNSW.

They welcomed their first child Sonny George Johnston in March to much elation.

“It was the night of my life watching you come into this world. Welcome little man! ❤️💚 PS @taryn___c you’re a weapon!” he wrote on Instagram.

On Mother’s Day this year, Johnston wrote: “Sonny and I are so lucky and grateful to have you all taking care of us ❤️”.

Cameron Murray and Miranda Cross

Cameron Murray and Miranda Cross make one attractive couple.

The pair have been dating since they finished school.

Cross attended St Vincent's College in Potts Point, before studying a Bachelors of Commerce at UTS.

She now works at Frasers Property Industrial.

Damien and Courtney Cook

Damien and Courtney Cook have grown up together.

The two have been together since they were teens and married in late 2018.

They initially postponed their wedding so the hooker could make his international debut for Australia in the end-of-season tests.

They had their daughter Willow in 2019.

On their first wedding anniversary, Damien posted a photo of the pair as teenagers on Instagram, and wrote: “HOW Did I do it? WHAT was she thinking? So many questions come to mind, even I want to punch myself in the face when I was 18. Happy wedding anniversary to my Best friend and my everything (well 33.3% of everything you know what I mean 😂) I’m sorry I’m not home today but we will celebrate when I get home I love you x”.

Adam Reynolds and Tallara Simon-Phillips

Your favourite halfback, and his wife Tallara Simon-Phillips, are a powerful team.

This year, he had to make “the hardest decision of his life” when he signed with the Brisbane Broncos after prolonged contract negotiations.

His wife Tallara wasn’t sure about their big move north, especially for their children, but stuck by her man.

The pair have four children, Nakylah, Aaliyah, Kobe and Zariyaa.

The family are on the sidelines as often as possible, Reynolds has said.

Braidon Burns and Tiannan Pennini

Tiannan Pennini was waiting on the sidelines in May when Braidon Burns returned to the field after 10 months off from injury.

He played 50 minutes in the NSW Cup against Canberra.

“It wasn’t until I got off the field and went up to Tiannan, that’s when I felt that relief. To know I’ve gone through that whole process and got back on the field – it meant a lot,” he told The Daily Telegraph.

After that game, Burns wrote on Instagram: “What a crazy ride the last 10 months have been. By far the toughest I have faced in my footy career. If it wasn’t for this girl and her family I honestly don’t know if I’d be still playing.”

Has been my rock throughout the whole process.”

Josh and Danielle Mansour

Long-term couple Josh and Danielle Mansour complement each other in every aspect.

The veteran winger and his glamorous wife were married in 2016 and have a son and daughter together, Siana and Andre.

Danielle has a Bachelor of Human Resources and Organisational Development, previously working at CBA and Affinity Diamonds.

On Josh’s 30th birthday, Danielle wrote on Instagram: “I’m so lucky to have shared all these amazing years with you & to watch you grow into the man and father you are today. Love you endlessly papa bear.”

Cody Walker and Nellie Bell

If we are going to call Nellie Bell a WAG, we should probably call Cody Walker a HAB.

Bell has played for South Sydney in the Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership and was named in the women’s Indigenous All Stars camp selection in 2020.

She got back into league in 2019, after almost 10 years out of the game.

Bell played her first Koori Knockout as a 15-year-old.

The long-term couple were set to get married in November last year but decided to postpone the festivities to a post-Covid moment when they would be able to dance.

The pair have two boys together.

Latrell Mitchell and Brielle Mercy

Star fullback Latrell Mitchell has a beautiful family with his long-term partner Brielle Mercy.

The 24-year-olds share two daughters — Inala, 4 and Aleena, 1.

Brielle became a mother at 20.

In a picture with his family, Mitchell wrote on Instagram: “3 important women @briellemercy 🥰 #MyWhy”

Dane Gagai and Kelly Turner

If their social media is anything to go by, Dane Gagai and Kelly Turner are all about family, beachside adventures and stylish date nights.

They had their first son Dante, 5, in 2016, and their second Cruz, 2, in 2019.

On Mother’s Day, Gagai wrote to Turner: “You have given us 2 beautiful &...CRAZY boys (partly my fault/mostly my fault) and there’s nothing that we could ever do to repay you except tell you how much we love you and do everything we can to make you proud!”

Thomas Burgess and Tahlia Giumelli

Thomas Burgess and Tahlia Giumelli are an ambitious couple.

Giumelli is a model and a former Miss Universe finalist.

She is a dedicated Crohn’s and Colitis ambassador, openly educating her Instagram followers about the inflammatory bowel diseases.

It comes after she was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease in 2013, when she was just 20.

At the time I had just been accepted into the NSW Police Force and was unable to accept due to active Crohn’s,” she said in an Instagram post from March last year.

“I vowed that day and every day to not let this disease affect my everyday living,” she continued.

“I’ve never been ashamed to tell people that I have Crohn’s disease and In return I hope it helps break the stigma of this disease.”

The Rabbits prop and Guimelli have two daughters together, Sophie and Elodie.

Thomas gave Tahlia a gorgeous shout out on Mother’s Day this year via Instagram.

“We appreciate everything you do and have done, every pile of washing, every sink of dishes, every meal you’ve cooked, every dirty nappy, countless vacuuming ... love you always and may your efforts never go unnoticed,” he said.

Tevita “Junior” Tatola and Shannon Massey

Young couple Tevita “Junior” Tatola and Shannon Massey have already celebrated plenty of milestones together with the pair recently celebrating their 8th anniversary together on March 3 this year.

The two lovebirds were spotted celebrating Shannon’s birthday in isolation in March last year, with white robes and champagne to match.

“When there’s no restaurants open and it’s your partner’s birthday, you have to think outside the box and improvise,” Tatola said.

The couple even went on a Tonga trip, and dressed in traditional garb.

Mark Nicholls and Perrie Nicholls

Mark Nicholls and Perrie Nicholls are best friends and it shows.

They were married in November 2019, when Perrie was 12 weeks pregnant to their daughter Darcie Isla, now 1.

Perrie works as social media manager for soll. the label and Cleanse & Co, a baby clothing store and a popular ethically-sourced crystals brand.

Liam Knight and Danielle Bazergy

Liam Knight and Danielle Bazergy just celebrated their second anniversary.

“2 years with my best friend. Happy anniversary baby girl,” Knight wrote on Instagram.

Bazergy is an athlete, fitness coach and presenter.

She exceeds prop Knight on Instagram followers, with more than 15,000 following her home workouts and sponsorships.

Jed Cartwright and Laura Hawthorne

Jed Cartwright and his girlfriend Laura Hawthorne are very much loved up.

“Very lucky to have you in my life,” he wrote on an Instagram post, which showed the pair close-up at a celebration.

Steven Marsters and Elle McFarlane

Steven Marsters, 21, and his girlfriend Elle McFarlane, 22, both live in Wollongong.

Marsters made his debut for the 2021 Rabbitohs side earlier this year, after joining the squad in 2020.

Joshua Cook and Caitlin Birrell

Joshua Cook’s girlfriend Caitlin Birrell is a hard-worker and netball-lover.

She went to Our Lady of The Sacred Heart in Kensington, before studying a Bachelors Degree in business management at UTS.

She now works as a Business Development Associate at IT service management company Gartner.

She plays netball on the weekends.

With his arm in a sling, Cook posted a picture at one of Birrell’s netball games, writing: “Netball may be taking over the next few weekends @caitlinbirrell”.

Hame Sele and Maria José

At just 24, Hame Sele and Maria José have built a beautiful family together.

The pair share three daughters, Valentina Rose, Maia Ariana and Ximena Malia, born just a month ago.

Blake Taaffe and Sarah Madden

One of the new starters at Souths, making his debut just a few weeks ago, Blake Taaffe is tipped for a bright future at the side.

And by the 21-year-old’s side is Sarah Madden.

On her last birthday, he wrote on Instagram: “I wouldn’t want to do life with anyone else, thank you for everything”.

Peter Mamouzelos and Ally Beaufils

Young Peter Mamouzelos made his debut for Souths last month.

Just 20 and 19, Mamouzelos and his girlfriend Ally Beaufils are high school sweethearts.

Beaufils has played touch footy and women’s rugby league as a junior.