South Sydney extend coach Jason Demetriou’s contract

South Sydney have locked in a raft of coaching and staff changes after the turbulent exit of club great Sam Burgess.

South Sydney coach Jason Demetriou . Pic by Max Mason-Hubers

After a turbulent end to the 2023 season South Sydney have moved to extend coach Jason Demetriou‘s contract and found a replacement for departing club great Sam Burgess.

Both Burgess and fellows assistant coach John Morris left the club amid reports of a falling out with Demetriou over his handling of star players including Latrell Mitchell.

As the club confirmed a two-year extension for both Demetriou and senior assistant Ben Hornby, the Rabbitohs confirmed premiership-winning NSW cup coach, Joe O’Callaghan, will move into a full-time assistant role, effectively replacing Burgess.

Sam Burgess leaving South Sydney.Picture: Julian Andrews

South Sydney legend John Sutton will also become a full-time development coach, working with O’Callaghan, to revive the club;s fortunes after missing the finals in 2023 on the back of a late-season fade out.

Rabbitohs chairman, Nick Pappas, said Demetriou, who replaced Wayne Bennett as coach, was someone the players “want to play for”.

“The Board is delighted to be able to extend Jason’s tenure with the Club for a further two seasons,” he said.

“Jason is a coach NRL players want to play for, as well as a head coach aspiring coaches want to learn from and be led by.

“We are confident that he will bring more success to the Rabbitohs in coming years.”

Joe O’Callaghan coaches South Sydney to the NSW Cup premiership Photo: Steve Montgomery

Demetriou, who led the Rabbitohs to a preliminary final appearance in his first year as an NRL head coach in 2022 is going to have a more “hands on approach” next season as he takes control of the team’s defence.

Already contracted until the end of 2024, the new deal means he can enter next season with no speculation about his future.

“It is an absolute honour to coach this club and I feel very privileged to be extending my time at South Sydney,” Demetriou said.

“I’m really looking forward to the challenges ahead of us in 2024.

“I’m really excited by the staff group we’ve put together for new season as well as the strength of the squad we have available.

“I can assure all of our members and all of our fans that we will be representing the Rabbitohs in the best way we can each and every day and we are all very excited about what lies ahead for us next season and into the future.”