South Sydney Rabbitohs unveil 2024 backline as Latrell Mitchell urged to switch to halves

South Sydney coach Jason Demetriou has revealed his positional plans in the spine after calls to shift superstar Latrell Mitchell into the halves.

South Sydney have been urged to shift Lachlan Ilias. Picture: NRL Imagery

South Sydney coach Jason Demetriou has revealed his positional plans in the spine after calls to shift superstar Latrell Mitchell into the halves and use new recruit Jack Wighton at fullback.

Former Newcastle forward Alex McKinnon called for Mitchell to partner Cody Walker in the halves, ahead of Lachlan Ilias, to bolster the Rabbitohs’ title chances in 2024.

Leading the competition after 11 rounds this year, the Rabbitohs only managed five from seven wins after Mitchell was sidelined for 10 weeks with a calf injury picked up in late May.

Demetriou told this masthead that it is proof of Mitchell’s impact on the side at fullback.

“I respect Alex McKinnon’s opinion but when you see Latrell day in day out, people forget our season started going pear shaped when he got injured. And that’s not only about what he brings to the team but how the team feels when he is in it,” Demetriou said.

“I’m really excited about Latrell in 2024. I’ve had conversations with him about getting him ready for a full season at fullback which he hasn’t had yet.

“He hasn’t trained before early or mid-January since he came to the club and to have him doing the workload he’s doing at the moment, that is going to set him up for a really good season.”

Latrell Mitchell will stay at fullback for the Rabbitohs. Picture: Rohan Kelly

Former Canberra five-eighth Jack Wighton, who signed a four-year deal with the Bunnies, has played 89 games at the back, is an option at fullback and in the halves for Demetriou.

But the coach is looking to inject Wighton’s experience at left centre.

However, Demetriou revealed he would make the final call on where Wighton will be used later in the preseason.

“I just know Jack is going to make us a better footy team. At the moment, if I was to pick him, I’d pick him at left centre,” Demetriou said.

“I’m going to spend time in the preseason to see where Jack fits best. What I love about Jack is that he is committed to play wherever the team needs him to play.

“For a player of his stature to have that mindset, that rubs off on the rest of the team.”

Jack Wighton

Calls for a shake-up in South Sydney’s spine come on the back of a mixed season form wise for young halfback Lachlan Ilias – and the side missing the top eight after going to the preliminary finals in 2022.

But Demetriou is “confident” Ilias can find his voice in the No.7 jumper and assert his authority on the side in 2024.

“Lachy got the highs of the NRL in the first half of last year but he also got the lows. He’s such a mature kid and a pleasure to coach.

“He can physically handle the rigours of the NRL,” Demetriou said.

“He’s going into his third year, I want to see him back himself and have a voice and he’s been great in preseason so far.

“He’s strong too, so we’re looking at him implementing his running game a bit more and implementing his style on the team. I’m confident he can do that.”