South Sydney coach Jason Demetriou in fight to save his job as Rabbitohs face huge call

South Sydney coach Jason Demetriou has 80 minutes to save his job as popular opinion turns against the embattled mentor.

Jason Demetriou. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Damian Shaw

Rugby league is a results-driven business.

And it’s why the South Sydney Rabbitohs could be only a week away from having to make a big call on the future of embattled coach Jason Demetriou.

The Rabbitohs are at rock bottom and officially in crisis following their 34-4 loss to the New Zealand Warriors on Saturday.

They have won just five of their last 20 games.

If he’s to save his job, Demetriou will have to do it without superstar fullback Latrell Mitchell, who was hit with a three-week ban, four if he challenges it and loses, for a grade-two striking charge on Warriors halfback Shaun Johnson.

A source has revealed that although Demetriou recently signed a three-year contract extension, there is a payout clause for nine months’ salary, should they part company before the end of his deal.

Already, Ben Hornby is being spoken about as stepping up as a caretaker coach while CEO Blake Solly takes a more in-depth look at other possibilities, including Wayne Bennett and Sam Burgess.

There is also talk of investigating whether to bring back John Morris from the Wests Tigers, eight months after he and Burgess left the club following a falling out with Demetriou.

Fans have firmly voted against Demetriou in our poll, with an overwhelming 90 per cent of more than 3000 readers believing he won’t be coaching the Rabbitohs in 2025.

Souths’ roster is so superior to St George Illawarra, Wests Tigers or Canterbury – teams we expect to struggle.

Mitchell, Cameron Murray, Jack Wighton, Cody Walker, Damien Cook, Keaon Koloamatangi and injured pair Campbell Graham and Jai Arrow.

A side that started the season as $9 third favourites on the TAB, now out to $34.

A side that now has the softest defence in the competition, leaking 32.4 points per game.

The question needs to be asked: Why?

How could this side go from being such a premiership force midway through last season to a team that is now playing so poorly and so lethargically.

Obviously, the big names Mitchell, Walker, Cook and Koloamatangi are hopelessly down on form and confidence. It’s actually sad to watch.

Assistant Ben Hornby could step into a caretaker role.

We’re told from reliable sources there are no major internal issues.

Everyone is frustrated but there is no backstabbing or blame games.

It comes back to someone needing to take responsibility for the manner in which the stars are presenting themselves on game day.

And that’s the coach.

He has run out of ideas.

The players have stopped playing for Demetriou.

If Souths lose to Cronulla next weekend, it will all come to a head.

Saturday night, 7.35pm, Accor Stadium. Then there is an opportunity with the bye to look at all opportunities before they play heavyweights Melbourne Storm and the Penrith Panthers.