Sam Burgess positional switch the only Rabbitohs roster conundrum

This year felt like one which got away from South Sydney - who ran out of gas in their premiership pursuit. Now, despite losing Angus Crichton, can they reload for another tilt? FULL ROSTER ANALYSIS

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South Sydney have been minor players on the transfer front, however the loss of Angus Crichton could have a major impact on their forward rotation.

With a near identical 17 that came within one win of the grand final in 2018, the Rabbitohs can expect to continue forging combinations in a bid to take them a step further next season.

Here’s how the Rabbitohs roster is shaping up ahead of the 2019 NRL season.

South Sydney 2019 roster analysis.

Full squad

1. Adam Doueihi, 2. Adam Reynolds, 3. Alex Johnston, 4. Bayley Sironen, 5. Braidon Burns, 6. Cameron Murray, 7. Campbell Graham, 8. Cody Walker, 9. Connor Tracey, 10. Corey Allan, 11. Damien Cook, 12. Dane Gagai, 13. Dean Britt, 14. George Burgess, 15. Greg Inglis, 16. Jacob Gagan, 17. Kurt Dillon, 18. Kyle Turner, 19. Mark Nicholls, 20. Matt McIlwrick, 21. Mawene Hiroti, 22. Rhys Kennedy, 23. Sam Burgess, 24. Tevita Tatola, 25. Thomas Burgess, 26. William Brittain, 27. John Sutton

Ins

Corey Allan (2021), Kurt Dillon (Cronulla Sharks, 2020), Matt McIlwrick (Wests Tigers, 2019), Bayley Sironen (Wests Tigers, 2019)

Outs

Jesse Arthars (Gold Coast Titans), Jason Clark (Warrington Wolves), Angus Crichton (Sydney Roosters), Robbie Farah (Wests Tigers), Zane Musgrove (Wests Tigers)

Corey Allan is a highly regarded youngster. (AAP Image/Darren England)

Recruitment strength

There’s been minimal movement on the transfer front for South Sydney outside of Angus Crichton’s departure to the Roosters. It’s a big loss for the club, but Cameron Murray’s promotion to the starting side won’t take too much away from the strength in the back-row. Highly touted former Bronco Corey Allan impressed at fullback in the PM’s XIII game in Papua New Guinea this year and looks a strong addition to the club’s depth.

Best 17

1. Alex Johnston, 2. Campbell Graham, 3. Greg Inglis, 4. Dane Gagai, 5. Robert Jennings, 6. Cody Walker, 7. Adam Reynolds, 8. George Burgess, 9. Damien Cook, 10. Tom Burgess, 11. John Sutton, 12. Sam Burgess, 13. Cameron Murray. Interchange: 14. Adam Doueihi, 15. Dean Britt, 16. Tevita Tatola, 17. Mark Nicholls

Sam Burgess could be set for a positional switch. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt)

Forwards

Cam Murray is expected to be promoted into the starting side at lock in place of Crichton. With a vacancy on the right edge, Sam Burgess may revert to a back-row role. Anthony Seibold may promote a back-rower into the starting side to allow Burgess to remain in the middle, but an edge role appears the best fit for the current roster. Overall the pack is expected to be one of the most dominant in the competition yet again.

Backs

The competition’s most lethal attacking unit will remain unchanged from 2018. 19-year-old Campbell Graham boasts one of the best defensive reads in the competition for an outside back. The rangy winger looks set for a massive year on the end of a stellar backline.

Campbell Graham will continue his NRL development in 2019. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins)

Spine

Again, South Sydney will be unchanged through their 1, 6, 7 and 9. We saw the potency of the Rabbitohs with ball in hand last season, so expect them to hit new heights in 2019 as combinations continue to flourish. Frightening…

What they’re lacking

It’s a fairly complete squad, but Crichton’s departure does leave South Sydney an impact player short off the bench. Murray had the role last year and produced loads of energy when injected into the game, but he’ll likely win a starting spot in 2019. While the likes of Tevita Tatola, Mark Nicholls and Dean Britt are very capable first-graders, none exactly fit the criteria of strike-forward.

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