By Christian Nicolussi
What could have been Jason Demetriou’s final pre-match press conference has lasted just 27 seconds.
The under-siege Souths coach took just four questions before he stormed out and disappeared into a room at the club’s Heffron Park training facility.
Demetriou’s future at Souths has been the hottest topic in rugby league, with Canberra legend and Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga confirming this week there had been interest from the club about him taking over for the remainder of the year in an interim capacity.
The Bunnies need a big win against Cronulla on Saturday night if Demetriou is any chance of remaining in the job he has held since the start of the 2022 season.
Despite leading the competition after 11 rounds last year, Souths have gone on to win just five of their past 20 NRL games.
Demetriou, however, was in no mood to talk about himself.
Jason Demetriou at training earlier this week.Credit: Getty
The blink-and-you-miss-it interview, which consisted of 73 words, was shorter than Darius Boyd’s famous 42-second interview when he was at St George Illawarra in 2009.
Wayne Bennett lasted just 80 seconds at a post-match press conference in 2020 when he was Souths coach following a loss to Penrith. Ricky Stuart, however, just edged out Demetriou nine years ago when he lasted 25 seconds after the Raiders lost to Brisbane.
It was not planned, and club officials were surprised themselves when Demetriou vanished so quickly.
There was no chance to ask about the dropping of Damien Cook, nor the arrival of debutant Jye Gray.
“I believe I’m coaching for a great performance this week, and that’s what we’ll get.”
A comparatively effusive Jason Demetriou
When asked how he was travelling, Demetriou said: “We’ve had a great week at training, the energy through the week has been outstanding.”
Pressed on how he had been able to block out the outside noise, Demetriou said: “There are new blokes coming in, Jye Gray, Tyrone Munro, Davvy Moale is back. I’m excited by the energy they have brought.”
What about you personally?
“I’m really looking forward to the performance – I can’t wait, the energy is through the roof,” he said.
Are you coaching for your future on Saturday night?
“I believe I’m coaching for a great performance this week, and that’s what we’ll get.”
Souths players were still on the field stretching and were confused when Demetriou ditched the huge media throng.
Club officials have repeatedly claimed they are a top-four club, and need to be better.
Gray was presented his debut jersey by his family earlier on Friday ahead of his start at fullback.
Regular custodian Latrell Mitchell is suspended for the next three weeks for elbowing New Zealand Warriors playmaker Shaun Johnson, and popped up at the neighbouring basketball centre where a huge crowd had gathered for the Eora Elders Games, a sporting contest featuring five mobs from around Sydney who will compete in a range of sporting contests in the neighbouring basketball complex.
Demetriou is one of the few NRL coaches who continues to hold his weekly press conference after training, not before training, which is a habit he picked up by his predecessor – and potential successor – Bennett.
NRL is Live and Free on Channel 9 & 9Now
Sports news, results and expert commentary. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.