‘It’s pretty laughable’: Worrying stat exposes South Sydney’s horror injury toll

South Sydney’s horror injury toll has been laid bare by one worrying stat, but there could be a silver lining in the coming weeks.

South Sydney veteran Jai Arrow says his side’s unprecedented injury crisis has become “laughable” ahead of Saturday’s showdown with the Sharks where he’ll be just one of two guys to have played every game for the club this season.

The Rabbitohs are in the midst of one of the worst injury runs we’ve ever seen, with Cody Walker (eight games), Latrell Mitchell (10) and Campbell Graham (11) just some of the luckless stars, while skipper Cam Murray is yet to play this year after rupturing his achilles in the pre-season.

Arrow, Tallis Duncan and Keaon Koloamatangi are the only Souths stars to have played all 18 games this season, but the latter won’t play again in 2025 after he suffered a serious ankle injury in the loss to Penrith.

He’ll join Jamie Humphreys and Peter Mamouzelos in the casualty ward after the spine players suffered head knocks last Friday that should mean Lewis Dodd starts at halfback.

Keaon Koloamatangi will go for scans on a right ankle injury after getting his boot caught in the turf during a tackle.

Mechanism involved foot turning to the outside - brings concern for syndesmosis injury. Was said to be the initial concern from the sideline - considering… pic.twitter.com/z6lWSflI3p

— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) July 18, 2025

“It’s pretty laughable at the moment, the amount of injuries we have. But you’re dealt the cards you’re dealt,” Arrow said at the launch of the Beer, Footy and Food Festival that will be held at Henson Park on Saturday.

“It is what it is, we’ve just got to keep turning up for each other, keep turning up to training and hopefully results will turn. It was funny this morning, I went in and saw the physio and the rehab crew, there’s a pretty solid 1-13 (of guys missing).

“I remember walking into the club the other day and finding out we lost Keaon, we lost Pete Mamouzelos and Jamie both to head knocks and Keaon to his ankle. I just started giggling to myself, to be honest.

“It’s pretty crazy and pretty laughable with the amount of people we have missing at the moment. But it is what it is, all you’ve got to do is keep turning up and enjoying each other’s company and turn up for each other on the field.”

It’s a relief that Arrow has stayed fit after his injury troubles in previous years, with the workhorse putting it down to his simple midweek routine.

Brandon Smith is one of several Rabbitohs to be on the long-term injury list. Picture: Brett Hemmings/Getty Images

“I think I’m the only one in the squad that’s played every game so far. I’m just glad touch wood that I haven’t had any niggles, I haven’t had any essentially that’s pulled me from playing and training,” he said.

“I’ve been in and around the squad the whole year. I’m just happy I’m playing.

“I haven’t really changed much other than probably avoiding the physios more than I have been. Realistically, I’m one that likes to get going on the field more than off the field.

“I wouldn’t say I’m the best person with prep. My prep is sitting down, having a coffee with my boys and having a good yarn and then when I’m out on the field I start to tick them over then.”

The Rabbitohs are fighting to avoid the wooden spoon but could get Murray back in the final few rounds of a season that started with so much promise under the guidance of the returning Wayne Bennett.

Jamie Humphreys has joined the casualty list. Picture: Brett Hemmings/Getty Images

“It’s funny, I think back and we were 4-1 at one stage, but I’m not one to dwell on the past. It is what it is,” he said.

“The most important thing is that we’ve got to have faith in each other and just enjoy this next six weeks of playing footy together.

“Someone like Cam, he won’t play unless he’s ready and I know he wants to play footy as well. He’s obviously missed a fairly big chunk of footy.

“I know he’s someone who wants to play for his teammates, I know he’s someone who wants to play for the club. He’s our skipper, our leader.

“I’m sure he’ll make the right decision whether he comes back and plays or not, but I’m pretty confident we’ll be seeing him back in weeks to come in a Rabbitohs jersey.”

Originally published as ‘It’s pretty laughable’: Worrying stat exposes South Sydney’s horror injury toll