South Sydney Rabbitohs 2025 NRL season scouting report: Best 17, every player’s contract status, rookie watch
Will Wayne Bennett spark a Rabbitohs revival at Redfern? Or will it be another year of disappointment for the Bunnies? TYSON JACKSON analyses how they’re shaping for 2025, issues they’ll face, rookies to watch and more.
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It’s been four years since the Rabbitohs went down to Penrith in the grand final in Wayne Bennett’s final game in charge, and they haven’t been the same since.
It’s why Rabbitohs fans are giddy heading into the new year after the club moved quickly to lure Bennett back to Redfern from Redcliffe.
And with star trio Latrell Mitchell, Cody Walker and Cameron Murray still in the fold, there is an air of premiership expectation brewing in the south of Sydney.
Tyson Jackson dives into what lies ahead for the Bunnies in 2025.
Free agency wrap & rating
The Rabbitohs have brought in just as many players as they have lost for season 2025, but they may be the only club where punters won’t know what to expect until they hit the field. Long-term hooker Damien Cook was let go by the Rabbitohs after 207 games. In return the club brought in Jamie Humphreys who has only bagged one game so far in his young NRL career. Lachlan Ilias will follow Cook to the Dragons in place of English halfback Lewis Dodd, who has massive question marks following him after being dropped to the Super League’s reserve grade competition last season. Euan Aitken will take the place of utility Michael Chee-Kam, but is expected to miss the first month of competition with injury. While Josh Schuster steps in after being released from his former club following a string of poor performances.
The Rabbitohs have a mountain of potential in 2025, but they lack consistency. Pile that with losing one of their prominent forwards in Tom Burgess, it seems as though South Sydney have not made much impact on the recruitment scene. The club has been able to find a suitable back up half in Jayden Sullivan, but again has struggled to find consistent form in his short NRL career.
RATING: C-
Coach status & safety rating
South Sydney fought hard to lure the 74-year-old Wayne Bennett back to Sydney following a two-year stint with the Dolphins, and expect him to have his full contract length of three years to turn the once powerhouse club around. Bennett left the Rabbitohs following the 2021 grand final, where they came an interception away from winning the game, and the club hasn’t been the same since. Only making the finals once from the last three years without him, many fans and club officials will praise any move the super coach makes if it means a more favourable outcome for South Sydney. While he is set for three years, no one should get their hopes up for a longer stay by Bennett, with teams, some not even yet in the competition, already planning a bid for what will be the 78-year-old coach.
RATING: A+
Likely debutant(s)
Dodd will be set to make his NRL debut in round one of 2025, only competing with new signing Sullivan to partner Cody Walker. Dodd, 22 is coming to the Rabbitohs with 88 games experience playing for super league powerhouse St Helens, with one of those games being a win against reigning NRL champions Penrith. Unlike other clubs, Dodd seems to be the only one in a good enough position to debut for South Sydney at this stage. With no glaring juniors coming through the ranks and a very similar squad to last year, the Rabbitohs are going to rely on their top 17 to hopefully go through most of the year healthy.
Who takes the next step
Latrell Mitchell will become a leader for his team in 2025 and thrive under the spotlight. In what was a tumultuous year for the Rabbitohs and more so their star fullback, Mitchell will come out firing in 2025, making fans and critics forget his back end to last year.
Mitchell looked to be peaking after making his State of Origin comeback in game two of last year’s series, and leading the Bunnies to a win against the Eels, but that was the last time we saw him. While it won’t solely rest on Mitchell’s brilliance, the 27-year-old loves a challenge and no one should be surprised if the club sees the best of him.
Joining him will be hooker Peter Mamouzelos, who, after a four-year apprenticeship, will get to finally claim the role of starting hooker. Seen sporadically since 2021, Mamouzelos will be desperate to show Souths officials they made the right decision putting their faith in a 23-year-old over a grizzled veteran in Cook. He will get first crack at hooker for the 2025 season, and will have to start fast to stay there, with veteran Siliva Havili and young gun Jamie Humphreys nipping at his heels.
The three burning issues
Does Wayne still have it?
Bennett struggled to find the same success that he did at Souths after moving to the Dolphins for the 2023-24 seasons. Bennett’s IQ and coaching prowess can never be questioned, but his return will pose the question on if he can work his magic on a Rabbitohs side that desperately needs it. The super coach is coming with the goal to turn the club around and do it fast, meaning time will tell just how much of an impact Bennett still has.
How much does experience count for?
The Bunnies cleared out a few older heads from their roster, for a variety of young and unproven rookies with results still yet to be seen. Losing the only player from their 2014 premiership in Tom Burgess and one of their most senior playmakers in Cook, the Rabbitohs could struggle for experience when it comes to big moments. It is unclear who will replace Burgess in the front row, but the decision will be crucial as it was a real weak point for the side last year. When it comes to Cook’s replacement, fans already know what they are getting in Mamouzelos, however what is unclear is if he can do it at an NRL standard week to week.
What is wrong at the Rabbitohs?
After a two year spiral, it is still unclear what exactly went wrong at the Rabbitohs. There were signs it was a Sam Burgess rift with players, some said it was Jason Demetriou, others said it was a culture problem. Only one thing is clear: there has been no confirmation what caused a once premiership heavyweight to slide right to the bottom of the NRL ladder. With what looks like a complete revamp of the club following Bennett’s return and a clear out of players, fans will be looking for answers in season 2025.
Crystal ball
Rabbitohs will improve, but in what will be disappointing for fans it will be another season outside of the eight. The club just doesn’t have enough strike or consistency to put together a decent finals campaign, and while we’re predicting a big year out of Mitchell and Walker, it won’t be enough.
2025 odds
Winners: $17
Minor premiership: $15
Top 4: $3.75
Top 8: $1.80
Most losses: $19
Originally published as South Sydney Rabbitohs 2025 NRL season scouting report: Best 17, every player’s contract status, rookie watch
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