Wayne Bennett came back to South Sydney to chase an elusive premiership after their 2021 grand final heartbreak, but the Rabbitohs’ current roster has more questions than answers.
Souths have just three players signed beyond 2027 in skipper Cameron Murray, prop Tevita Tatola and back-rower Lachlan Hubner.
Bennett’s three-year deal with Souths expires in 2027 and while the club want to keep him, he has been linked with the PNG Chiefs for their inaugural season; and at 75, his days as an NRL head coach are numbered.
Watch The Ashes 2025/26 LIVE and ad-break free during play with FOX CRICKET on Kayo Sports | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.
WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.
Meanwhile, like Bennett, Souths have a whopping 20 players coming off-contract in 2027, headlined by stars like Latrell Mitchell, Campbell Graham, David Fifita, Jack Wighton, Jai Arrow, Jayden Sullivan and Tallis Duncan.
So the clock is ticking for Bennett to bring Souths a drought-breaking first premiership since 2014, particularly if he leaves the club for the Chiefs at the end of his current deal.
If Bennett moves on, Souths could be looking at a full scale rebuild with a new coach and a brand new roster, with a number of veterans coming towards the end of their careers.
It means Souths have a two year window to bring in the pieces they are missing for a tilt at a title or they could be looking at having to start again from scratch.
Read on for the Rabbitohs’ roster state of play.
Queensland legend Gillmeister charged | 00:34
THE LATRELL SITUATION
At his best Latrell Mitchell is arguably the best centre in the game and one of the most damaging players in the NRL, but it is fair to say he hasn’t found consistency at Souths.
As a centre at the Roosters, Mitchell scored 65 tries and 209 goals in 96 games for the club, winning two premierships in 2018 and 2019, while playing at least 23 games in all four seasons.
However, since joining Souths in 2020, Mitchell has scored 43 tries and 187 goals in just 86 games over six seasons and has reached 17 games in a season just twice.
More concerning, Mitchell has scored 10 tries and 61 goals in just 22 games over the last two seasons, as injuries and suspensions have cut his time on the field to 11 matches each year.
As the club’s highest paid player, that is just not enough time on the field to help Souths be serious top eight and premiership contenders.
Mitchell came to the club to test himself as a fullback and while he has had some shining moments in the No.1 jersey, it is clear his best position is at centre and Bennett has said he will play there in 2026, with Jye Gray the team’s new full-time fullback.
Latrell Mitchell is set to switch to centre next season.Source: Getty Images
Bennett has also flagged the possibility of Mitchell playing five-eighth, but if everyone is fit, centre looks to be his best fit on the current roster.
There is also the awkward question around Mitchell’s commitment to rugby league, given he has so many other facets to his life and is happiest with his family on the farm.
Mitchell has said, he could see himself retiring at the age of 30, which is the exact age he will be when his current contract expires in 2027.
He also has said, he has a burning desire to win Souths a title before he hangs up the boots, but time is fast running out if his retirement prediction comes true.
The best thing Mitchell can do is to get his body right and aim to play every game for Souths next season in the centres, and get back to scoring and setting up tries consistently to lead the club back to the finals.
Souths have the roster to make the top eight and Mitchell is a big game player, but we just haven’t seen enough of his brilliance in the last couple of seasons.
MORE NRL NEWS
NOV 1 LIVE: Origin star set for Cowboys exit; Raiders poach another Broncos gun
‘USED AS GUINEA PIGS’: PVL’s advice to R360 defectors… and star he’ll call to keep
BOMBSHELL: Eels’ plunge for Test enforcer as huge risk shapes roster after Lomax
V’landys declares R360 won’t last | 00:34
THE HALVES DILEMMA
You can’t win an NRL premiership without a star halves pairing and it is fair to say heading into the 2026 season, Souths’ playmaker picture is as clear as mud.
Lewis Dodd was signed to be the club’s halfback saviour, but he was released one year into his three year $1.9 million deal after playing just six games.
The club’s horror injury toll played a part, but Souths tried Dodd, Cody Walker, Jamie Humphreys, Jayden Sullivan, Jack Wighton and Ashton Ward in countless halves pairings last season.
Walker will be 36 by the time next season kicks off, after inking a one-year extension because Bennett said, there was no one else ready to step up and fill the void.
However, like Mitchell, Walker played just 11 games last season due to injuries and finished the year as a bench utility playing limited minutes.
Whether he can get back to playing a full season at No.6 in 2026 remains to be seen, but it will likely be his last campaign before hanging up the boots.
Humphreys was signed from Manly to be the club’s potential long-term halfback, but despite a strong start to his time at Redfern, he struggled for consistency as the season wore on in 2025.
Again, it didn’t help he had a new halves partner most weeks, but Humphreys, who is off-contract in 2026, needs to show more than he did in his 18 games last year to convince the club he is their long-term solution at No.7.
Turning 24 in January, Humphreys could also potentially move to hooker, with Peter Mamouzelos and Brandon Smith failing to cement the jersey last season.
The club has brought in Jonah Glover from the Dragons to fight with Humphreys for the halfback role and much will depend on how they fair in pre-season.
Cody Walker is getting close to the end of his career.Source: Getty Images
Glover has scored 17 tries and 148 goals in 49 reserve grade games and will back himself to get a crack at a starting halves berth at some stage next season.
Walker faces competition from Jayden Sullivan and Ashton Ward for the five-eighth role and may have to settle for a bench utility role, if the young guns step up or if injuries persist.
Sullivan impressed in 13 games last season before injury cut short his 2025 campaign, but he earnt a contract extension through until 2027 after being released by the Tigers.
21-year-old Ward impressed in six games in his rookie season and earnt a contract extension for 2026.
He has the makings of a player similar to Luke Keary and his lack of size is made up for by his skill and toughness, but he is still very early in his development.
If everyone is fit come Round 1, Walker and Humphreys probably deserve first crack at the starting halves jerseys, with Jye Gray at fullback and Brandon Smith, recruit Bronson Garlick or Mamouzelos at hooker.
Smith also has the court proceedings over his betting and drug scandal hanging over him and could face suspension from the club or NRL depending on the result.
Bennett will be looking for players to stand up and take ownership of the jerseys or he may have to go to market to chase players he believes can take them all the way.
Eels release Lomax from contract | 00:44
BENNETT’S UNCERTAIN FUTURE
From Souths’ perspective Wayne Bennett is their head coach for as long as he wants the job, but the master mentor is getting on in years and has also been linked to the PNG Chiefs expansion side in 2028.
Bennett signed a three-year deal to return to Souths in 2025 from the Dolphins, with the aim of bringing them the title he missed out on in his first stint with the club.
Bennett coached Souths to three straight preliminary finals from 2019 to 2021, including a Grand Final loss to Penrith in his final season, before moving to the Dolphins.
One feels Bennett has unfinished business at Souths and arguably has a better chance to cap off his career with an eighth premiership at the Rabbitohs, than he does with PNG.
However, the current Souths’ roster is not exactly ready made for title success and with two years left on his deal, it remains to be seen if they can go all the way by 2027.
Peter V’landys wants Bennett involved in the PNG franchise and Bennett needs to work out if he wants to build a club from scratch again or chase one last premiership before riding off into the sunset.
Wayne Bennett might not be at the club long-term.Source: Supplied
Bennett will turn 78 in January of 2028 and after 584 wins from 960 games at 60.83 per cent in his career and counting, it remains to be seen how much longer he can and wants to keep coaching in the NRL.
Much will depend on how Souths go in the next two seasons, but if he needs more time to win the title, he may opt to stay at Redfern, rather than start again with the Chiefs.
Or the man with the most premierships in NRL history with seven may decide he has done enough with or without an eighth title.
The problem for Souths is they have 27 players coming off-contract over the next two years and they will want to know who the coach is before they re-sign with the club long-term.
Players love playing for Bennett, but if he is not at the club beyond 2027, some players may opt to move on and chase opportunities elsewhere.
Huge changes being explored for NRL | 01:20
WHICH FIFITA SHOWS UP?
On the surface signing a player of the calibre of David Fifita is a massive win for the club, but Souths will have to wait and see which Fifita they get.
The 25-year-old was snapped up by Souths on a two-year deal, after mutually agreeing to cut short his stay at the Titans with one year remaining on his deal.
But can Fifita get back to the form that saw him score seven tries in 24 games for the Broncos in 2019, and had him earmarked with Payne Haas as potentially the best forward in the game.
He also scored 17 tries in 22 games in his first year at the Titans, but his club form has been on a steady decline since that 2021 season.
At his best Fifita has dominated in eight Origins for Queensland and has played four Tests for Tonga to date, but we haven’t seen him at his best consistently in recent seasons.
Last season, Fifita managed just eight games as ankle injuries disrupted his final year on the Gold Coast, while he was dropped by Des Hasler following a run of poor form.
David Fifita has signed a two-year deal with Souths.Source: Supplied
Bennett gave Fifita his NRL debut at the Broncos in 2018 and after 50 tries in 134 NRL games, the master coach will back himself to get his star signing back on track.
Firstly, Fifita has to get fit and put his injury issues behind him and then Bennett needs to work out where he best fits into the team.
Fifita is a damaging edge back-rower, but he has been a bench impact option in recent years at the Titans and not an overly effective one at that.
One option could be to play him in the middle at prop and simplify his role in short bursts, which is a tactic that worked well for Keaon Koloamatangi last year.
However, Fifita needs to put in the work and repay the club’s faith in him because if he produces what he did last season at the Titans, it won’t be enough to return Souths to top eight contenders, especially given the money he commands on the salary cap.
Storm unsure if Katoa will play again | 01:47
KOLOAMATANGI LINKED WITH EXIT
Keaon Koloamatangi was Souths’ best player in 2025, but he has been linked with a potential exit, with the Raiders and the Eels leading the charge to sign him.
Off-contract in 2026, Koloamatangi has been free to negotiate with rivals from November 1 and his stocks have risen since debuting for the Kangaroos and playing three Tests on the victorious Ashes Tour.
Losing your most consistent player from last season would hurt any club, but Souths can’t afford to lose Koloamatangi, given their lack of quality front row options.
Sean Keppie is entering the final year of his deal and hasn’t delivered on what he was brought from Manly to do, while Tevita Tatola has struggled to reach the form of his early Souths career, before injuries threatened him with an early retirement.
Keaon Koloamatangi has been linked with the Eels.Source: Getty Images
Koloamatangi has not only become the cornerstone of their pack, but arguably their most important and indispensable forward.
The Eels are set to have big money to play with after the departure of Zac Lomax, while the Raiders will be looking for a replacement for Josh Papalii when he likely hangs up the boots.
Koloamatangi has said, money is not his motivating factor and he wants to chase a premiership above all else.
However, after 24 tries in 126 NRL games, one Origin for the Blues and 13 Tests for Australia and Tonga, the 27-year-old will be a man in demand and Souths will have to open the checkbook to re-sign him long-term.
Raiders disappointed to miss Magic Round | 01:17
WHO SOUTHS COULD TARGET?
Firstly, Souths need to work out their retention, which will have a flow-on effect for potential recruitment decisions over the next two seasons.
Of the seven players off-contract in 2026, Koloamatangi, Gray and Humphreys are priority re-signings in that order, while Walker, Ward, Keppie and Graham-Taufa are question marks.
If they lose Koloamatangi, they could potentially go hard for Panthers and Kangaroos prop Lindsay Smith or Penrith teammate Liam Henry to be their new alpha up front.
Gray has been linked to R360 and while he is expected to re-sign with Souths after the 10-year ban rule was introduced, he is no certainty until he puts pen to paper.
Jye Gray is a priority re-signing for Souths.Source: The Daily Telegraph
Gray would leave a massive void to fill, but the club could make a play for the likes of off-contract fullbacks Jayden Campbell, William Kennedy, Tyrell Sloan or Connor Tracey.
However, Selwyn Cobbo is a potential marquee signing, who could come to the club to be their new long-term fullback in 2027, given his one year deal at the Dolphins and the Broncos’ salary cap issues.
Humphreys has time on his side to be an excellent NRL playmaker, but he is not there yet and even if he stays, he may not be the solution to lead them to a premiership at halfback for another few seasons, by which time Bennett and half the roster may not be there.
What Bennett and Souths need to decide is what is the biggest missing piece to return them to premiership contention and they might not like the answer.
The decision to let Adam Reynolds leave to join the Broncos will go down as the worst decision in the club’s history.
Selwyn Cobbo could be a long-term fullback option for Souths if they lose Gray.Source: The Courier-Mail
The club refused to give Reynolds a multi-year deal in 2021 and he chose to move to the Broncos on a three-year deal, ironically after Bennett urged him to consider Brisbane.
Privately, Bennett didn’t want to let Reynolds go, but because he was leaving for the Dolphins himself, it wasn’t up to him and he offered the Broncos as a potential landing spot for his captain.
The rest is history, as Reynolds has gone on to score 16 tries and 279 goals in 78 games for the Broncos over four seasons, including two Grand Final appearances and one premiership in 2025, while he will play on into a fifth season at Red Hill in 2026.
In that same time, Souths have made one preliminary final in 2022, before missing the finals for three straight years and are much further away from a title win than they were with Reynolds and Bennett at the club in 2021.
Interestingly, despite his success at the Broncos, Brisbane have signed Jonah Pezet to be Ezra Mam’s long-term halves partner in 2027, which could force Reynolds out if he wants to play on.
Adam Reynolds could return for a Souths swan song in 2027.Source: News Corp Australia
Reynolds has indicated he is open to playing on in 2027 if his body holds up and could potentially play for an NRL club other than the Broncos.
It remains to be seen if enough water has gone under the bridge for Reynolds and Souths to have a fairytale reunion in 2027.
However, with Walker likely retired, Latrell Mitchell weighing up retirement and Bennett also considering retirement and the PNG role, 2027 could be the last dance for Souths in their current form.
Bennett is a massive supporter of Reynolds and he knows how important a halfback is to winning a premiership, so don’t rule out him making a play for the halfback.
Whether Reynolds can be the missing piece in their premiership push at 37 years old in 2027 remains to be seen, but if his body holds up, he is a better option than what they have right now.
NRL, NRLW magic round dates released | 01:21
And if Daly Cherry-Evans can help develop Sam Walker and Hugo Savala at the Roosters at 37, why can’t Reynolds do the same for Humphreys, Glover, Ward and Sullivan at Souths?
Halfback is not the only question the Souths’ roster needs to answer.
Should Koloamatangi leave the club, Souths will need to go to market to find an elite prop to fill the void and they are arguably two quality front-rowers short of a title push.
But halfback is undoubtedly the most important hole in their roster and the key position that can take them form a middle of the table team back to title contenders.
Put aside the magic of a fairytale reunion between Reynolds and his boyhood club for one last hurrah in 2027, with the lack of quality playmakers coming off-contract in 2026, this may be Souths’ best shot at becoming relevant again.
RABBITOHS 2026 SQUAD
Top 30: Alex Johnston (2027), Ashton Ward (2026), Brandon Smith (2027), Bronson Garlick (2027), Cameron Murray (2028), Campbell Graham (2027), Cody Walker (2026), David Fifita (2027), Ed Kosi (2027), Euan Aitken (2027), Isaiah Tass (2027), Jack Wighton (2027), Jai Arrow (2027), Jamie Humphreys (2026), Jayden Sullivan (2027), Jonah Glover (2027), John Radel (2027), Jye Gray (2026), Keaon Koloamatangi (2026), Lachlan Hubner (2028), Latrell Mitchell (2027), Latrell Siegwalt (2027), Liam Le Blanc (2026), Max McCarthy (2026), Peter Mamouzelos (2027), Sean Keppie (2026), Tallis Duncan (2027), Tevita Tatola (2028), Thomas Fletcher (2027), Tyrone Munro (2027), Moala Graham-Taufa (2026)
Development players: Nazareth Taua (2026)
2026 gains: Moala Graham-Taufa (Warriors), Bronson Garlick (Storm), Jonah Glover (Dragons), Ed Kosi (Warriors), Latrell Siegwalt (Souths Logan Magpies), John Radel (Mackay Cutters), David Fifita (Titans)
2026 losses: Haizyn Mellars (Warriors), Mikaele Ravalawa (Castleford), Ben Lovett (medically retired), Jacob Host (released), Siliva Havili (London Broncos), Shaquai Mitchell (released), Fletcher Myers (released), Gerome Burns (medically retired), Josh Schuster (released), Lewis Dodd (released)
2027 losses: Davvy Moale (Sea Eagles)
O’Brien joins Bulldogs coaching staff | 00:27
OFF-CONTRACT IN 2026 BY POSITION
FULLBACK
Jayden Campbell, Tom Chester, Kade Dykes, Sione Fonua, Trai Fuller, Jye Gray, William Kennedy, Luke Laulilii, Heath Mason, Nick Meaney, Sean Russell, Tyrell Sloan, James Tedesco, Connor Tracey, Taine Tuaupiki
WING
Josh Addo-Carr, Michael Asomua, Selwyn Cobbo, Mathew Feagai, Reuben Garrick, Moala Graham-Taufa, Jamayne Isaako, Thomas Jenkins, Sione Katoa, Greg Marzhew, Marcelo Montoya, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Jaxson Paulo, Richard Penisini, Phillip Sami, Sam Stonestreet, Jed Stuart, Jake Tago, Murray Taulagi, Christian Tuipulotu, Daniel Tupou, Will Warbrick
CENTRE
Jesse Arthars, Jake Averillo, Rocco Berry, Jack Bird, Braidon Burns, Wilson De Courcey, Max Feagai, Dane Gagai, Delouise Hoeter, Brian Kelly, Nathan Lawson, Will Penisini, Jesse Ramien, Solomone Saukuru, Aaron Schoupp, Jeral Skelton, Enari Tuala, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Chris Vea’ila
FIVE-EIGHTH
Jack Cole, Tyson Gamble, Te Maire Martin, Josh Rogers, Trent Toelau, Manaia Waitere, Cody Walker
HALFBACK
Coby Black, Tanah Boyd, Daly Cherry-Evans, Jake Clifford, Jamie Humphreys, Tom Duffy, Chanel Harris-Tavita, Zac Herdegen, Kodi Nikorima, Jaxon Purdue, Niwhai Puru, Adam Reynolds, Brad Schneider, Ronald Volkman, Tyran Wishart
PROP
Tom Ale, Jake Clydsdale, Harrison Edwards, Sione Fainu, Emre Guler, Payne Haas, Braden Hamlin-Uele, Tuku Hau Tapuha, Liam Henry, Samuel Hughes, Jaiyden Hunt, Jaimin Jolliffe, Tui Kamikamica, Sean Keppie, Kaiden Lahrs, Simione Laiafi, Blake Lawrie, Matthew Lodge, Ata Mariota, Sam McIntyre, Francis Molo, Michael Molo, Josh Papalii, Junior Paulo, Toby Rudolf, Lindsay Smith, Daniel Suluka-Fifita, Siosiua Taukeiaho, Xavier Va’a
HOOKER
Jayden Berrell, Damien Cook, Lachlan Croker, Zach Dockar-Clay, Harry Grant, Tristan Hope, Freddy Lussick, Cameron McInnes, Zaidas Muagututia, Cory Paix, Jake Simpkin, Sam Verrills, Billy Walters
SECOND ROW
John Bateman, Shawn Blore, Billy Burns, Thomas Cant, Kurt Capewell, Angus Crichton, Beau Fermor, Tyson Frizell, Luke Garner, Mavrik Geyer, Jack Gosiewski, Charlie Guymer, Eddie Ieremia-Toeava, Brodie Jones, Oryn Keeley, Viliame Kikau, Mason Kira, Keaon Koloamatangi, Karl Lawton, Luciano Leilua, Connelly Lemuelu, Zyon Maiu’u, Toni Mataele, Ryan Matterson, Max McCarthy, Marata Niukore, Kai O’Donnell, Joe Roddy, Scott Sorensen, Tony Sukkar, Lewis Symonds, Siosifa Talakai, Kelma Tuilagi, James Walsh, Siua Wong
LOCK
Nathan Brown, Josh Curran, Jesse Colquhoun, Matthew Eisenhuth, Kalani Going, Lipoi Hopoi, Blake Hosking, Kit Laulilii, Liam Le Blanc, Kurt Mann, Hohepa Puru, Hame Sele, Morgan Smithies, Ray Stone, Jack Todd, Jake Trbojevic, Dylan Walker