NRL pre-season news: Rabbitohs stars return, recruits arrive at new clubs
The NRL pre-season is well underway, with a host of Rabbitohs stars returning to Redfern. But there was one notable absentee, with coach Wayne Bennett still M.I.A. SEE THE LATEST PRE-SEASON PICTURES AND VIDEO.
South Sydney superstar Latrell Mitchell has joined star signing David Fifita at Heffron Park, as senior Rabbitohs players officially kicked off pre-season preparations this week.
Fifita was all smiles when he hit the training paddock with his new teammates for the first time.
The former Titans back rower, who was granted a release from the final year of his deal on Gold Coast to join the Rabbitohs on a two-year deal, will spend the early stages of pre-season on a modified training program.
The 25-year-old is being eased back into full training as he receives treatment for an ankle injury that limited him to just eight games for the Titans last season.
Fifita had been spotted around Heffron Park earlier this month but Monday marked his first day on the training paddock.
Also on the injury front, Australian Test forward Keaon Koloamatangi underwent surgery on a knee injury late last week. The surgery was delayed until after the Ashes tour of England and is expected to have a three-month recovery period.
Star centre Campbell Graham is back at training but is also on a modified program as he overcomes the back injury which prematurely ended his season after Round 18.
Mitchell, who was ruled out of the Ashes tour with a back injury, headlined the return of the club’s seasoned campaigners, which also included five-eighth Cody Walker and skipper Cameron Murray.
Veteran winger Alex Johnston is yet to return and is on an extended break after playing for Papua New Guinea in the Pacific Championships.
Another noticeable absentee was Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett who, like last year, won’t return to Redfern until December. Instead his assistant coaches, including Ben Hornby are calling the shots.
In Townsville, marquee recruit Reed Mahoney reported for his first day as a Cowboy.
The former Bulldogs hooker cut a relaxed figure as he met teammates, including new spine partner and fullback Scott Drinkwater, in the club’s gym.
While his teammates clocked in for pre-season earlier this month, Mahoney spent his final weeks in Sydney working with a performance coach working on his strength and conditioning.
Coach Todd Payten also put his players’ fitness levels to the test, forcing his troops to tackle Townsville’s iconic Castle Hill carrying tackle and weighted bag.
Back in Mahoney’s former stomping ground at Belmore, new Bulldogs recruit Leo Thompson officially kicked off his Canterbury career this week.
His first days as a Bulldog included gym and field sessions, under the watchful eye of coach Cameron Ciraldo.
Thompson had been working with a specialist development coach in the weeks leading up to his first day of pre-season.
Players were also put through their paces with a number of fitness tests.
Young gun halves Lachlan Galvin and Mitchell Woods finished first and second, respectively, in this year’s yoyo test – a fitness test which measures endurance levels.
Rising halfback Woods is edging closer to an NRL debut and Ciraldo is expected to go with Galvin and Matt Burton as his first-choice halves pairing for Round 1 against St George Illawarra at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
FOZ RETURNS HOME
– Dean Ritchie
Recently retired Kieran Foran has returned to Brookvale as an assistant coach and immediately started tutoring rising star Onitoni Large.
Five-eighth Large is considered one of the brightest prospects in rugby league and was spotted working closely with Foran on Monday.
Large is a former Junior Wallabies captain and was keenly chased by both codes before signing a three-year deal with the Sea Eagles.
He sustained a shoulder injury in June this year which required a reconstruction.
Manly officials are also confident Foran can help another of the club’s fine young playmakers, Joey Walsh.
While Manly has signed Jamal Fogarty to replace Daly Cherry-Evans, Large and Walsh are touted as being the club’s next long-term halves combination.
Foran worked strongly with Large, guiding and assisting the rookie through a morning field and skills sessions.
One of the best five-eighths of the modern era, Foran played 196 games for Manly through two stints over nine seasons.
Foran finished his NRL career with Gold Coast this season.
NEW PLAYMAKER ARRIVES AT DRAGONS
In Wollongong, St George Illawarra have been back at training for two weeks but coach Shane Flanagan’s pre-season preparations were bolstered by the arrival of senior players and his new recruits.
Former Cronulla playmaker Daniel Atkinson, who agreed to join the club on a three-year deal almost 12 months ago, made his long-awaited arrival to pre-season training.
Atkinson is expected to slot into the halves, alongside Kyle Flanagan, next season but coach Flanagan’s halves puzzle is far from solved.
Rookie playmaker Lyhkan King-Togia, who is highly-rated at the club, is also in the mix and is expected to push for a spot over the summer.
New forward signing Josh Kerr was all smiles when he clocked in for training on Monday.
Skipper Clint Gutherson cut a fit figure on day-one but the veteran fullback is well-known for his high fitness standards. Star centre Valentine Holmes missed the final rounds of 2025 with a shoulder injury but was also back on deck for training on Monday morning.
FRESH FACE AT THE RAIDERS
In the nation’s capital, Canberra coach Ricky Stuart welcomed the club’s newest faces Jayden Brailey and youngster Sione Finau.
Former Knights hooker Brailey is in for a big summer, with his place in Stuart’s round one outfit far from locked in.
Brailey will be in a three-way battle with form dummy-half Tom Starling and rising rake Owen Pattie for a place in Stuart’s hooking rotation.
While Finau is in a similar predicament in the outside backs. The talented winger will have to usurp the likes of Savelio Tamale and Xavier Savage to win a spot in the top 17 in 2026.
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Originally published as NRL pre-season news: Rabbitohs stars return, recruits arrive at new clubs
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