Why Rabbitohs star Lachlan Ilias has blocked all social media

Lachlan Ilias has turned off the noise ahead of a career-defining 2024 season for the Rabbitohs halfback, writes DAVID RICCIO.

South Sydney halfack Lachlan Ilias has turned off the noise ahead of a career-defining 2024 season. NRL Imagery

Lachlan Ilias won’t see this story.

He has no clue who Souths might be chasing on the open market.

And as for the always honest view of his agent Braith Anasta on Fox League’s NRL 360, he probably won’t see that either.

“I don’t follow any NRL pages or news articles. No disrespect,” the South Sydney halfback said.

“I just turn them off and listen to my family and friends and these boys at this club, so that’s all that matters to me.

“Honestly, I don’t hear anything.

“My teammates will tell me about a player that might be moving to another club and I would have no idea.

“Braith is part of my family and friends. He is unreal to me.

“He’s honest, but I don’t see what he says on TV except when people come up to me and tell me something I had no idea about.

“He tells me the truth when we’re together and I appreciate that.

“But honestly, outside of our conversations, I don’t hear anything.”

Welcome inside the tunnelled focus of the 51-game Rabbitohs halfback ahead of a career-defining 2024 season.

“Obviously there was a lot of talk last year (about Ilias’ form) and I might have taken some things to heart,” he said.

Lachlan Ilias is all set for a career-defining 2024 season. Picture: Getty Images

“I think some people (close to me) thought it might be affecting my game. Whether it was or it wasn’t I just thought, I’m not going to do it (rugby league social media). It doesn’t help anything.

“It just brings external noise and something you don’t need.

“Trell (Latrell Mitchell) goes through a lot and tells me you can’t read the comments whether you have a good game kor a bad game, there’s always going to be people that don’t like you out there.

“It’s the people that matter to you that I take advice from.”

The 23-year-old has endured an unenviable entry to the NRL, promoted into first grade as the man to replace one of South Sydney’s favourite sons.

Every move Ilias has made, a shadow has followed, which has been largely the polarising view from Rabbitohs fans, many of which have foolishly been comparing the former Trinity Grammar student to Reynolds, the 274-gamer did for the Bunnies.

Lachlan Ilias has endured an unenviable entry to the NRL. Picture: Getty Images

“People pass Judgement on myself and Reyno and what we achieved at the back end of our careers playing together,” Rabbitohs five-eighth Cody Walker said.

“Our first two years at Souths we came 12th and we were 26, 27 years of age.

“That combination took time to grow.

“I see a kid that’s willing to learn. A kid that is willing to take on advice, that’s pretty rare in young kids coming through.

“Whatever advice I give, he’s willing to take on. He’s willing to ask questions.

“He’s got the work-ethic to go with all that. He trains hard, he’s fit, he’s strong.

“His defence is one of his strengths. We’ve seen that grow over 12-months. I remember a Roosters game last year and they scored a few tries on his edge.

“Well, the next time they played him he went after them.”

Senior teammate Damien Cook says one of Ilias’ greatest attributes is his mental strength, using last season, where the halfback wore the brunt of criticism for the Bunnies fade out before the finals.

“He’s very resilient for how much he’s copped,” Cook said.

One of Lachlan Ilias’ greatest attributes is his mental strength. Picture: Brendan Radke

“I experienced it a lot with Nathan (Cleary) in how he always seemed to be the one that copped it when NSW lost, when really, it's a team thing.

“Lachie seems to be getting a bit of the pressure put on him for how we were at the end of the season last year.

“It’s not a halfback’s fault anymore. It’s not the old game where the halves do everything, everyone is responsible for doing their role.

“Nothing gets to him, which is a good sign for a halfback.

“If it did, we didn’t know it. He’s got all the attributes to be a great half, mentally and physically.”

Ilias openly declares he enjoys the toughest part of the game, as proven by his outstanding physicality and tackles in the most recent Charity Shield.

In San Diego, where the Rabbitohs prepared for their season opener in Las Vegas, Ilias could repeatedly be found putting his body in front of hulking backrower Keaon Koloamatangi.

“I do take pride in my defence,” Ilias said.

Lachlan Ilias and Rabbitohs teammates Taane Milne, and Isaiah Tass play American football on Coronado City Beach. Picture: Getty Images

“I feel like I can get confidence from my defence and if I start the game good defensively I can then focus on my attack.

“I’m trying to keep that right side solid and then we can do our thing in attack.

“I don’t care who I’m up against. I take it as a challenge every week.

“It doesn’t matter who I’m tackling. I think Nelson (Asofa-Solomona) played in the backrow last year in Magic Round against me and it was a good challenge, I loved every bit of it to be honest.

“We did a good job on him.

“Honestly I don’t care who I’m up against.”

As for what 2024 will bring for Ilias? He speaks with an air of genuine confidence.

“I was at pre-season on November 1 and it’s been my toughest yet, but I’m really looking forward to playing with the boys,” Ilias said.

“The stats show that it’s been our toughest pre-season.

“We’ve been running further, lifting heavier, so I think we’re in a good spot at that moment.

“People do say it does take experience.

“That is true, you do need the games under your belt to find your feet.

“But last year, we are leaving in the past.

“I’m grateful to be in such a good environment to come and be the best player I can be for this team.”

Originally published as Why Rabbitohs star Lachlan Ilias has blocked all social media