Maguire has toned down South Sydney’s preseason but will it have an effect?

MATTHEW JOHNS SCOUTING REPORT: There is an old saying: “Don’t abandon the horse that took you to the top of the hill.” For that reason I’m curious how things turn out for Souths this season.

Tigers v Rabbitohs

THERE is an old saying: “Don’t abandon the horse that took you to the top of the hill.” For that reason I’m curious how things turn out for Souths this season.

Michael Maguire runs a very tough, military regimen, a program he learnt and refined from his time working under Craig Bellamy at Melbourne.

That regimen delivered South Sydney their first long- awaited title since 1971. Yet last year there were murmurings that some players were starting to question the intensity of the training and disciplines which are the cornerstone of Maguire’s coaching. As a consequence, Maguire has adjusted the preparation.

Will the Rabbitohs’ preseason affect their chances?

Word is this pre-season hasn’t been as tough and arduous as previous years.

So will this revitalise the players or cause Souths to slip down the ladder?

The return of Sam Burgess is one of the, if not THE, biggest storylines of this year. The expectation on his shoulders is enormous, but Souths fans will need to be patient. Don’t expect performances like the 2014 grand final in March or April.

Sam has been out of the game for 12 months and has had a limited preparation heading into this year. I have no doubt he’ll find his way back to top form, but it will take time. The loss of Dylan Walker is a big one given Souths aren’t flush with world-class outside backs, and Chris McQueen’s speed and athleticism in the middle are major losses. His style of play will really suit the reduction in interchange.

But the loss of Issac Luke is huge. You can’t replace him. His explosiveness and toughness were major pillars of the Rabbitohs’ past success.

I always said Souths were at their best when they played a momentum-based game, with Luke as the focal point of their attack.

The job of replacing Luke goes to young hooker Cameron McInnes, a good honest footballer, and Damien Cook, a quality signing from the Dogs who is quicksilver fast. They’ll need to have very good seasons.

BEST 13

1 Greg Inglis 2 Alex Johnston 3 Kirisome Auva’a 4 Bryson Goodwin 5 Aaron Gray 6 Luke Keary 7 Adam Reynolds 8 George Burgess 9 Damien Cook 10 David Tyrrell 11 Kyle Turner 12 Sam Burgess 13 John Sutton. Interchange: 14 Cameron McInnes 15 Paul Carter 16 Chris Grevsmuhl 17 Thomas Burgess

INS

Michael Oldfield (Catalans Dragons), Damien Cook (Canterbury Bulldogs), Sam Burgess (English Rugby Union), Hymel Hunt (Melbourne Storm)

OUTS

Tim Grant (Tigers), Issac Luke (New Zealand Warriors), Ben Lowe (retirement), Glenn Stewart (Catalans Dragons), Daryl Millard (released), Joel Reddy (released), Darren Nicholls (released), Dylan Walker (released), Chris McQueen (Gold Coast Titans)

DRAW

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