NRL 2024: Rabbitohs coach Jason Demetriou’s heartfelt visit to broken star Lachlan Ilias | What’s the Buzz

He might be under pressure to keep his job, but embattled South Sydney coach Jason Demetriou recently took time out to spend time with injured halfback Lachlan Ilias.

Lachlan Ilias is entitled to be dirty on the world.

He is lying at home with a 40cm metal rod holding together his fractured right tibia bone.

There are screws in his knee and ankle to hold the rod in place.

Surgeons at the Mater Hospital in North Sydney spent almost three hours in the operating theatre after difficulties trying to drill through his bones.

This is the result of an illegal tackle in NSW Cup last weekend that has ended Ilias’ season.

This 23-year-old Rabbitohs halfback is a tough young man.

Mentally tough.

Only three weeks earlier he was axed from the Rabbitohs’ NRL squad, made a scapegoat for the team’s terrible start to the season.

But Ilias quickly brushes off any suggestions of anger towards embattled coach Jason Demetriou.

“JD came up to the hospital and saw me, which was really nice of him,” he said.

“We were talking not as coach and player, but just as humans.

“We had a bit of a laugh about my bad run.

South Sydney's Lachlan Ilias is recovering from surgery after suffering a broken leg playing in NSW Cup. Credit: Supplied

“He’s a caring bloke. I texted him afterwards to thank him.”

You’ve got to admire this remarkably resilient young footballer. He’s entitled to be down in the dumps but sounds in a great head space, despite the setbacks.

“Honestly, I’m all good,” he said. Everything happens for a reason. All you can do is control what I can control. I’m out for four to six months and there’s nothing I can do about it.”

He is also quick to declare his loyalty to the Rabbitohs, where he is under contract for another two years.

“I love Souths and I definitely want to stay there,” he says. “It’s been hard watching such a tough start to the year but I honestly think they can turn it around.

“The support and encouragement I’ve had from all my teammates and everyone at the club has been quite overwhelming. I honestly love the place.”

JAILED NRL STAR’S FAMILY FIGHTBACK

The shattered family of jailed NRL star Manase Fainu have finally got something to celebrate.

Fainu’s brothers at the Wests Tigers — Latu, Sione and Samuela — have picked up the pieces and bought their parents their first family home.

Manase — who was playing for the Manly Sea Eagles at the time — was sentenced to eight years behind bars for stabbing a youth leader during a bloody brawl outside a Mormon church dance in October 2019.

It cost him his NRL career, a potential $6 million in contract earnings and ruined any hopes he had of providing his struggling family with their dream home.

And that’s where his three brothers stepped up.

While the family was in Brisbane last weekend to watch Latu’s NRL debut against the Dolphins, their agent Mario Tartak was at an auction bidding for the six-bedroom home in Sydney’s west on their behalf with mum, Lily, listening in via her mobile phone.

Lily has eight children and has always rented.

“It’s been a struggle,” Lily said.

“My husband Chris has worked two jobs to support the kids. We’ve always lived on a tight budget and many weeks struggled with the bills.”

The family spent more than $200,000 on legal fees while Manase was fighting the stabbing charges.

“We had to fight for what we believed in,” Lily said.

“We’re leaving a room empty in the house for Manase. He’ll be home in two and a half years to enjoy it with us.”

Fainu family outside new house

Lily is so proud of her boys Latu, Sione and Samuela and what they are achieving at the Tigers.

She took a family photo outside the new house and even insetted Manase into the picture.

The house is their dream — the big swimming pool, outdoor entertaining, all the mod cons and a huge backyard for the five grandchildren.

“What the boys have done is so lovely,” Lily said. “We’re so happy and so grateful.

“And their manager Mario … what a great influence he has been for the boys.

“I hope this story might inspire other young kids and show you can become a homebuyer when you’re young.

“Just like my boys have.”

Originally published as NRL 2024: Rabbitohs coach Jason Demetriou’s heartfelt visit to broken star Lachlan Ilias | What’s the Buzz