NRL fans and fellow players are expressing their sympathies for Adam Elliott after the South Sydney player was ruled out for the rest of the season. The 31-year-old only played three games this year for the Rabbitohs before his season was ended by a ruptured deltoid ligament in his ankle.
Elliott hobbled off the field late in the Rabbitohs’ loss to the Cowboys in Round 12. The club announced this week that he won’t play again this season.
Adam Elliott (R) hobbled off in Round 12 and won’t play again this NRL season. Image: Getty/Channel 9
“Adam Elliott suffered a deltoid rupture in his ankle playing against the Cowboys, ending his season,” the club said in a statement. “With a rehabilitation period of approximately five months.”
It’s a similar story for young gun Talanoa Penitani, who tore his hamstring in the same game. The Rabbitohs said Penitani will miss 12-14 weeks, and there’s only 14 rounds remaining in the regular season.
Elliott’s last two seasons have been plagued by injuries. He didn’t make his Rabbitohs debut until Round 10 because of a calf injury, and last year his season with Newcastle was ruined by a torn bicep.
Adam Elliott only played three games in 2025.
(Jason McCawley)
The back-rower played 101 games for the Bulldogs, 24 for Canberra and 48 for the Knights before signing with Souths for 2026. He’s only on a one-year contract, plunging his future into doubt.
He wrote on social media this week: “Be back soon, loved being out there with my brothers and so grateful and proud to represent this club. I’m ready for the challenge and my boy and my girls got me sorted.”
Fans and fellow players have been sending him messages of support after he was ruled out for the rest of 2026. Wife Millie – a champion NRLW player – wrote: “Got you darling.” Teammates Jack Wighton, Euan Aitken and Tallis Duncan all wrote messages of support.
Latrell Mitchell still a few weeks away
In better news for the Bunnies, Wayne Bennett’s side welcome back Campbell Graham, David Fifita and Brandon Smith for Thursday night’s clash with Manly. But Latrell Mitchell is still a few weeks away.
Speaking on Sunday, Bennett said they’re not expecting Mitchell back from his back injury until Round 17 at the earliest. “His back is no worse, it’s just taken a little longer to rehab, that’s all,” Bennett told the Sydney Morning Herald. “He won’t be picked in Origin 2. He won’t be back until we play Parra, which is after Origin 2.”
A round 17 return would put Mitchell in line to play State of Origin 3. But that would only give him one game to convince Laurie Daley to pick him for NSW.