Wayne Bennett’s shock plan to resurrect Lachlan Ilias’ career

Out-of-favour South Sydney half Lachlan Ilias is at a crossroads, but Wayne Bennett has unveiled a plan to save his career.

Forgotten halfback Lachlan Ilias’ time at South Sydney may not yet be over after incoming coach Wayne Bennett revealed a surprise move to resurrect his career.

Ilias’ 2024 season kept finding new rock bottoms early in the season after he was dropped after just two rounds, suffered a season-ending broken leg in round 5 in NSW Cup, replaced for 2025 by England halfback Lewis Dodd’s signing later in April, and told he could negotiate with rival clubs.

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Safe to say, it was about as brutal a year as the 24-year-old could have faced, but finally, there may be a silver lining.

The Daily Telegraph has reported Bennett is planning for Ilias to stay at the club for the final year of his deal, although he might return with a different number on his back.

This about sums up Ilias’ season. NRL Imagery

The report says Ilias will be given the chance to challenge Dodd for the starting halfback spot, but Bennett is believed to be looking at Ilias shifting to the back up hooker role.

With Damien Cook leaving the club for the Dragons, Peter Mamouzelos is expected to start the season in the No. 9 jersey, but Ilias will battle with new recruit Jamie Humphreys for the back up role.

Although the move appears to be a step back for a player former Souths coach Jason Demetriou claimed was “going to be the best halfback the club has had in a long time”, it gives the 53-game star a chance to push his claims to be in the Rabbitohs’ NRL team.

Having previously been given the job of filling the enormous shoes of Adam Reynolds, who made the Rabbitohs’ No. 7 jersey his own for 231 appearances over a decade before being shown the door, Ilias’ first season was only ended by eventual premiers the Panthers in a 2022 preliminary final.

But after missing the playoffs in 2023 and the nightmare that was his 2024 season, Ilias was left in limbo after being replaced by Dean Hawkins and Dion Teaupa, before Cody Walker donned the No. 7 jersey for much of the back end of the year.

If anyone can get the best out of Ilias, it’s Wayne Bennett. Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Wayne Bennett has a plan.

Bennett has also already confirmed Walker would be moving back to five-eighth as well.

“Cody will be playing six,” Bennett said.

“He played a bit of seven this year but he had to play there to help them out.

“He did a good job at halfback, but I think he’s a better five-eighth.”

Bennett has also spoken to The Daily Telegraph about his plan to get the best out of mercurial fullback Latrell Mitchell.

“I’m not an idiot,” he said.

“I won’t be changing Latrell. I will just let him play, that’s what he does best.”

It comes as the Rabbitohs announced the arrival of former Manly half/back rower Josh Schuster on a one-year deal earlier in the week.

Originally published as Wayne Bennett’s shock plan to resurrect Lachlan Ilias’ career