Latest news with #Souths
The Advertiser
14 hours ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Souths' Arrow can only laugh as yet another injured
Jai Arrow can only laugh at how bad South Sydney's injury crisis has become as halfback Jamie Humphreys becomes the latest Rabbitoh sidelined. A head knock has ruled Humphreys out of Saturday's clash against Cronulla, so English recruit Lewis Dodd looks set for a second start at halfback in a season spent out of Wayne Bennett's favour. Humphreys joins Latrell Mitchell, Keaon Koloamatangi, Cam Murray, Pete Mamouzelos, Jayden Sullivan, Cody Walker and Campbell Graham among others in a packed casualty ward at 15th-placed Souths. "This morning, I went in and saw the physio and the rehab crew, there's a pretty solid 1-13 (team) there," Arrow said at the media launch for Saturday's Beer Footy Food Festival at Henson Park. The ankle injury Koloamatangi suffered against Penrith will mean Arrow finishes the Sharks clash as one of only two Rabbitohs to have played every game this year - along with Tallis Duncan. For comparison, Cronulla have had seven players feature in every game so far. Arrow could only laugh when he heard the club had been struck by even more misfortune out of last week's loss to the Panthers, which effectively ended the club's finals hopes. "I just started giggling to myself, to be honest," Arrow said. "It's pretty crazy and pretty laughable with the amount of people we have missing at the moment. "But it is what it is, all you've got to do is keep turning up and enjoying each other's company and turn up for each other on the field. That's all we can do, really." Arrow says there's been no secret sauce for staying fit; if anything, he's the type to take a less-is-more approach to his preparation. "My prep is sitting down, having a coffee with my boys and having a good yarn," he said. "I'm just glad, touchwood, that I haven't had any niggles." The last time the Rabbitohs met the Sharks, they were in the midst of a promising start to the season, with the 27-12 loss in round three their only defeat across the first five rounds. Arrow has resisted temptation to ponder what might have been this year for Souths, who are now fighting to avoid a first wooden spoon since 2006. "It's funny, I think back, we were 4-1 at one stage,' he said. "But I'm not one to dwell on the past. It is what it is. The most important thing is that we've got to have faith in each other and just enjoy this next six weeks of playing footy together." Arrow expected Murray would soon make his return from the achilles injury he suffered in the pre-season, with the NSW representative easing back into field work at training. Pundits have questioned why the club would risk bring Murray back from such a delicate injury so late in a campaign destined to finish without finals, but Arrow held no concerns for his captain. "Someone like Cam, he won't play unless he's ready," Arrow said. "I'm sure he'll make the right decision whether he comes back and plays or not but I'm pretty confident we'll be seeing him back in weeks to come in a Rabbitohs jersey." Jai Arrow can only laugh at how bad South Sydney's injury crisis has become as halfback Jamie Humphreys becomes the latest Rabbitoh sidelined. A head knock has ruled Humphreys out of Saturday's clash against Cronulla, so English recruit Lewis Dodd looks set for a second start at halfback in a season spent out of Wayne Bennett's favour. Humphreys joins Latrell Mitchell, Keaon Koloamatangi, Cam Murray, Pete Mamouzelos, Jayden Sullivan, Cody Walker and Campbell Graham among others in a packed casualty ward at 15th-placed Souths. "This morning, I went in and saw the physio and the rehab crew, there's a pretty solid 1-13 (team) there," Arrow said at the media launch for Saturday's Beer Footy Food Festival at Henson Park. The ankle injury Koloamatangi suffered against Penrith will mean Arrow finishes the Sharks clash as one of only two Rabbitohs to have played every game this year - along with Tallis Duncan. For comparison, Cronulla have had seven players feature in every game so far. Arrow could only laugh when he heard the club had been struck by even more misfortune out of last week's loss to the Panthers, which effectively ended the club's finals hopes. "I just started giggling to myself, to be honest," Arrow said. "It's pretty crazy and pretty laughable with the amount of people we have missing at the moment. "But it is what it is, all you've got to do is keep turning up and enjoying each other's company and turn up for each other on the field. That's all we can do, really." Arrow says there's been no secret sauce for staying fit; if anything, he's the type to take a less-is-more approach to his preparation. "My prep is sitting down, having a coffee with my boys and having a good yarn," he said. "I'm just glad, touchwood, that I haven't had any niggles." The last time the Rabbitohs met the Sharks, they were in the midst of a promising start to the season, with the 27-12 loss in round three their only defeat across the first five rounds. Arrow has resisted temptation to ponder what might have been this year for Souths, who are now fighting to avoid a first wooden spoon since 2006. "It's funny, I think back, we were 4-1 at one stage,' he said. "But I'm not one to dwell on the past. It is what it is. The most important thing is that we've got to have faith in each other and just enjoy this next six weeks of playing footy together." Arrow expected Murray would soon make his return from the achilles injury he suffered in the pre-season, with the NSW representative easing back into field work at training. Pundits have questioned why the club would risk bring Murray back from such a delicate injury so late in a campaign destined to finish without finals, but Arrow held no concerns for his captain. "Someone like Cam, he won't play unless he's ready," Arrow said. "I'm sure he'll make the right decision whether he comes back and plays or not but I'm pretty confident we'll be seeing him back in weeks to come in a Rabbitohs jersey." Jai Arrow can only laugh at how bad South Sydney's injury crisis has become as halfback Jamie Humphreys becomes the latest Rabbitoh sidelined. A head knock has ruled Humphreys out of Saturday's clash against Cronulla, so English recruit Lewis Dodd looks set for a second start at halfback in a season spent out of Wayne Bennett's favour. Humphreys joins Latrell Mitchell, Keaon Koloamatangi, Cam Murray, Pete Mamouzelos, Jayden Sullivan, Cody Walker and Campbell Graham among others in a packed casualty ward at 15th-placed Souths. "This morning, I went in and saw the physio and the rehab crew, there's a pretty solid 1-13 (team) there," Arrow said at the media launch for Saturday's Beer Footy Food Festival at Henson Park. The ankle injury Koloamatangi suffered against Penrith will mean Arrow finishes the Sharks clash as one of only two Rabbitohs to have played every game this year - along with Tallis Duncan. For comparison, Cronulla have had seven players feature in every game so far. Arrow could only laugh when he heard the club had been struck by even more misfortune out of last week's loss to the Panthers, which effectively ended the club's finals hopes. "I just started giggling to myself, to be honest," Arrow said. "It's pretty crazy and pretty laughable with the amount of people we have missing at the moment. "But it is what it is, all you've got to do is keep turning up and enjoying each other's company and turn up for each other on the field. That's all we can do, really." Arrow says there's been no secret sauce for staying fit; if anything, he's the type to take a less-is-more approach to his preparation. "My prep is sitting down, having a coffee with my boys and having a good yarn," he said. "I'm just glad, touchwood, that I haven't had any niggles." The last time the Rabbitohs met the Sharks, they were in the midst of a promising start to the season, with the 27-12 loss in round three their only defeat across the first five rounds. Arrow has resisted temptation to ponder what might have been this year for Souths, who are now fighting to avoid a first wooden spoon since 2006. "It's funny, I think back, we were 4-1 at one stage,' he said. "But I'm not one to dwell on the past. It is what it is. The most important thing is that we've got to have faith in each other and just enjoy this next six weeks of playing footy together." Arrow expected Murray would soon make his return from the achilles injury he suffered in the pre-season, with the NSW representative easing back into field work at training. Pundits have questioned why the club would risk bring Murray back from such a delicate injury so late in a campaign destined to finish without finals, but Arrow held no concerns for his captain. "Someone like Cam, he won't play unless he's ready," Arrow said. "I'm sure he'll make the right decision whether he comes back and plays or not but I'm pretty confident we'll be seeing him back in weeks to come in a Rabbitohs jersey."
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Great Scot: From the Commonwealth Games to Newcastle netball
Norths have bolstered their defensive stocks with the acquisition of Scottish international Emily Nicholl as they eye another Newcastle championship netball finals series. The 31-year-old Scot, who has played at the Commonwealth Games and World Cup, stepped out for Norths for the first time at National Park on Saturday and helped last year's minor premiers seize outright second place with a hard-fought 47-39 win over Nova. The two sides were level-pegged on 26 points heading into the round-11 showdown on Saturday, and Nova were quick out of the blocks to lead 14-6 at quarter-time. But Norths fought back with a strong second quarter, outscoring Nova 13-7 to trail 21-19 at half-time before taking a 33-30 lead into the final period. The biggest talking point of the game was the appearance of Nicholl, who played goal defence and at one point lifted goal keeper Maddy Melvelle in a rugby-style line-out move to block Nova's shooters to the delight of the Norths supporters. Nicholl, who captained the Strathclyde Sirens in English Super League, has been playing for Penrith in NSW Premier League this year. Until Saturday, she had never played outdoors. "She's a good friend of [midcourter] Lucy Tonkin and has been playing premier league down in Sydney and wanted to play here with us," Norths coach Leah Gledson said. "She's a really good goal defender. She'll go back and play Commonwealth Games for Scotland. "We've registered her, so hopefully she'll be able to play the back end of the season. She didn't win us the game, but just the experience in that calibre of a player obviously makes a massive difference." Tonkin was back on court after a lengthy stint on the sidelines due to a leg injury. Attacking player Kayle Dyer also returned from a torn calf. "We had a bit of a scrappy first quarter, at one stage we were nine down," Gledson said. "We had a lot of faces come back, so there was a little bit of inconsistency, a few combinations that just haven't been playing together for a long time, so it was moreso just trying to gel, I think. "Going into the second quarter, we just come out like a different team. We turned ball over and it was just a really tough, nitty-gritty, down-to-the-wire win by our girls. "To be nine down against a team like Nova, to claw your way and win that, it's credit to them and the amazing players that they are. "It just goes to show that we are, hopefully, one of the top contenders." The result elevated Norths to 29 points with three rounds remaining, two points behind six-time defending champions West Leagues Balance (31 points) and two ahead of Nova (27). Norths had been competition leaders until back-to-back defeats to Souths (42-38) and West (47-40) in rounds eight and nine respectively. West, who next play Nova, beat fifth-placed Junction Stella 72-42 on Saturday. BNC defeated Waratah 38-29 and Souths were 66-22 winners over Kotara South. Points: West 31, Norths 29, Nova 27, Souths 25, Junction Stella 21, BNC 16, Waratah 15, Kotara South 11. Norths have bolstered their defensive stocks with the acquisition of Scottish international Emily Nicholl as they eye another Newcastle championship netball finals series. The 31-year-old Scot, who has played at the Commonwealth Games and World Cup, stepped out for Norths for the first time at National Park on Saturday and helped last year's minor premiers seize outright second place with a hard-fought 47-39 win over Nova. The two sides were level-pegged on 26 points heading into the round-11 showdown on Saturday, and Nova were quick out of the blocks to lead 14-6 at quarter-time. But Norths fought back with a strong second quarter, outscoring Nova 13-7 to trail 21-19 at half-time before taking a 33-30 lead into the final period. The biggest talking point of the game was the appearance of Nicholl, who played goal defence and at one point lifted goal keeper Maddy Melvelle in a rugby-style line-out move to block Nova's shooters to the delight of the Norths supporters. Nicholl, who captained the Strathclyde Sirens in English Super League, has been playing for Penrith in NSW Premier League this year. Until Saturday, she had never played outdoors. "She's a good friend of [midcourter] Lucy Tonkin and has been playing premier league down in Sydney and wanted to play here with us," Norths coach Leah Gledson said. "She's a really good goal defender. She'll go back and play Commonwealth Games for Scotland. "We've registered her, so hopefully she'll be able to play the back end of the season. She didn't win us the game, but just the experience in that calibre of a player obviously makes a massive difference." Tonkin was back on court after a lengthy stint on the sidelines due to a leg injury. Attacking player Kayle Dyer also returned from a torn calf. "We had a bit of a scrappy first quarter, at one stage we were nine down," Gledson said. "We had a lot of faces come back, so there was a little bit of inconsistency, a few combinations that just haven't been playing together for a long time, so it was moreso just trying to gel, I think. "Going into the second quarter, we just come out like a different team. We turned ball over and it was just a really tough, nitty-gritty, down-to-the-wire win by our girls. "To be nine down against a team like Nova, to claw your way and win that, it's credit to them and the amazing players that they are. "It just goes to show that we are, hopefully, one of the top contenders." The result elevated Norths to 29 points with three rounds remaining, two points behind six-time defending champions West Leagues Balance (31 points) and two ahead of Nova (27). Norths had been competition leaders until back-to-back defeats to Souths (42-38) and West (47-40) in rounds eight and nine respectively. West, who next play Nova, beat fifth-placed Junction Stella 72-42 on Saturday. BNC defeated Waratah 38-29 and Souths were 66-22 winners over Kotara South. Points: West 31, Norths 29, Nova 27, Souths 25, Junction Stella 21, BNC 16, Waratah 15, Kotara South 11. Norths have bolstered their defensive stocks with the acquisition of Scottish international Emily Nicholl as they eye another Newcastle championship netball finals series. The 31-year-old Scot, who has played at the Commonwealth Games and World Cup, stepped out for Norths for the first time at National Park on Saturday and helped last year's minor premiers seize outright second place with a hard-fought 47-39 win over Nova. The two sides were level-pegged on 26 points heading into the round-11 showdown on Saturday, and Nova were quick out of the blocks to lead 14-6 at quarter-time. But Norths fought back with a strong second quarter, outscoring Nova 13-7 to trail 21-19 at half-time before taking a 33-30 lead into the final period. The biggest talking point of the game was the appearance of Nicholl, who played goal defence and at one point lifted goal keeper Maddy Melvelle in a rugby-style line-out move to block Nova's shooters to the delight of the Norths supporters. Nicholl, who captained the Strathclyde Sirens in English Super League, has been playing for Penrith in NSW Premier League this year. Until Saturday, she had never played outdoors. "She's a good friend of [midcourter] Lucy Tonkin and has been playing premier league down in Sydney and wanted to play here with us," Norths coach Leah Gledson said. "She's a really good goal defender. She'll go back and play Commonwealth Games for Scotland. "We've registered her, so hopefully she'll be able to play the back end of the season. She didn't win us the game, but just the experience in that calibre of a player obviously makes a massive difference." Tonkin was back on court after a lengthy stint on the sidelines due to a leg injury. Attacking player Kayle Dyer also returned from a torn calf. "We had a bit of a scrappy first quarter, at one stage we were nine down," Gledson said. "We had a lot of faces come back, so there was a little bit of inconsistency, a few combinations that just haven't been playing together for a long time, so it was moreso just trying to gel, I think. "Going into the second quarter, we just come out like a different team. We turned ball over and it was just a really tough, nitty-gritty, down-to-the-wire win by our girls. "To be nine down against a team like Nova, to claw your way and win that, it's credit to them and the amazing players that they are. "It just goes to show that we are, hopefully, one of the top contenders." The result elevated Norths to 29 points with three rounds remaining, two points behind six-time defending champions West Leagues Balance (31 points) and two ahead of Nova (27). Norths had been competition leaders until back-to-back defeats to Souths (42-38) and West (47-40) in rounds eight and nine respectively. West, who next play Nova, beat fifth-placed Junction Stella 72-42 on Saturday. BNC defeated Waratah 38-29 and Souths were 66-22 winners over Kotara South. Points: West 31, Norths 29, Nova 27, Souths 25, Junction Stella 21, BNC 16, Waratah 15, Kotara South 11. Norths have bolstered their defensive stocks with the acquisition of Scottish international Emily Nicholl as they eye another Newcastle championship netball finals series. The 31-year-old Scot, who has played at the Commonwealth Games and World Cup, stepped out for Norths for the first time at National Park on Saturday and helped last year's minor premiers seize outright second place with a hard-fought 47-39 win over Nova. The two sides were level-pegged on 26 points heading into the round-11 showdown on Saturday, and Nova were quick out of the blocks to lead 14-6 at quarter-time. But Norths fought back with a strong second quarter, outscoring Nova 13-7 to trail 21-19 at half-time before taking a 33-30 lead into the final period. The biggest talking point of the game was the appearance of Nicholl, who played goal defence and at one point lifted goal keeper Maddy Melvelle in a rugby-style line-out move to block Nova's shooters to the delight of the Norths supporters. Nicholl, who captained the Strathclyde Sirens in English Super League, has been playing for Penrith in NSW Premier League this year. Until Saturday, she had never played outdoors. "She's a good friend of [midcourter] Lucy Tonkin and has been playing premier league down in Sydney and wanted to play here with us," Norths coach Leah Gledson said. "She's a really good goal defender. She'll go back and play Commonwealth Games for Scotland. "We've registered her, so hopefully she'll be able to play the back end of the season. She didn't win us the game, but just the experience in that calibre of a player obviously makes a massive difference." Tonkin was back on court after a lengthy stint on the sidelines due to a leg injury. Attacking player Kayle Dyer also returned from a torn calf. "We had a bit of a scrappy first quarter, at one stage we were nine down," Gledson said. "We had a lot of faces come back, so there was a little bit of inconsistency, a few combinations that just haven't been playing together for a long time, so it was moreso just trying to gel, I think. "Going into the second quarter, we just come out like a different team. We turned ball over and it was just a really tough, nitty-gritty, down-to-the-wire win by our girls. "To be nine down against a team like Nova, to claw your way and win that, it's credit to them and the amazing players that they are. "It just goes to show that we are, hopefully, one of the top contenders." The result elevated Norths to 29 points with three rounds remaining, two points behind six-time defending champions West Leagues Balance (31 points) and two ahead of Nova (27). Norths had been competition leaders until back-to-back defeats to Souths (42-38) and West (47-40) in rounds eight and nine respectively. West, who next play Nova, beat fifth-placed Junction Stella 72-42 on Saturday. BNC defeated Waratah 38-29 and Souths were 66-22 winners over Kotara South. Points: West 31, Norths 29, Nova 27, Souths 25, Junction Stella 21, BNC 16, Waratah 15, Kotara South 11.
Sydney Morning Herald
4 days ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Souths lose their most in-form player; Brian To'o to play on with knee injury
In a complete contrast to Souths, Penrith could be at full strength next weekend. While Ivan Cleary can dare to dream about a fifth straight title, Bennett will be relieved to get through a game – or training session – without a player going down. Souths lost strike weapon Latrell Mitchell to a quad injury at Thursday's captain's run. He will miss a month. Bennett did not need reminding he was already without Cody Walker (hamstring), Cameron Murray (achilles), Campbell Graham (back), Brandon Smith (knee), Davvy Moale (wrist), Bud Sullivan (leg) and Jye Gray. How many rival NRL teams would be seriously in the premiership hunt if they were missing a similar number of players? Jack Wighton was also placed on report for a high shot on Edwards, which will result in an $1800 fine if hit with a grade-one careless high tackle charge by the match review committee on Saturday morning – but a two-match ban if deemed a grade-two offence. Who knows what is behind the shocking number of injuries that have rocked the Bunnies. Some fans are convinced it has something to do with the move away from their spiritual base at Redfern to Heffron Park in recent years. The club reviewed their training programs earlier this year and were none the wiser. Good luck trying to work out who will be fit to take the field against Cronulla next Saturday. The Bunnies are busted. The best thing about them will be whether Alex Johnston can close in on Ken Irvine's long-standing try-scoring record. Johnston's try just before full-time moved him to 207 career tries – five short of Irvine's 212. Johnston was Souths' main attacking threat in the first half. In the next three weeks, Penrith meet the Wests Tigers, Gold Coast Titans and Newcastle – all winnable games on paper – before a Thursday-night bell-ringer against old foes Melbourne. The only knock is their lousy crowds at their makeshift Parramatta home. There were 11,836 fans on Friday night, allegedly. But who cares? At least most of the Panthers' players are fit. Brian To'o confident latest injury no concern Brian To'o, arguably the game's best winger, suffered a fresh cork to his left knee, but vowed to keep playing for Penrith, and declared: 'You'll always be busted and bruised, but never broken.' The premiers made it six wins on the trot when they defeated South Sydney 30-10 on Friday night, with the sight of To'o coming from the field with 20 minutes remaining the only concern. To'o injured his left hamstring earlier this season, then suffered a grade-two lateral ligament tear in his left knee against the Bulldogs, which limited his preparation heading into Origin III for NSW. Panthers medical staff were confident To'o the latest scare would not require scans, and he was likely to play against the Wests Tigers next Saturday. Penrith are one of the few NRL teams that have no players in the casualty ward, with Liam Martin (wrist) and Izack Tago (suspension) to return next weekend, while Isaah Yeo and Nathan Cleary were given the weekend off. Cleary trained at Penrith on Friday morning while being joined by Matildas' partner Mary Fowler. As for To'o and concerns about his knee, he said late Friday: 'It was a bit of a stir-up. It's the same injury, there was just a bit of a knee clash. 'It was a bit of a touchy feeling; it was definitely on the right spot. 'I'll always back myself to keep going. 'It's part of the job [to keep going]. You'll always be busted and bruised, but never broken.' Coach Ivan Cleary said of To'o: ''Biz' can't seem to get through a game without some sort of trauma, but he should be OK.'
The Advertiser
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Mitchell injury adds to 'pressure' on Souths coach
Wayne Bennett is remaining calm as pressure increased on South Sydney's dismal season with a torn quad injury to star fullback Latrell Mitchell. Bennett said he'd become used to the heat during 40 years in the rugby league coaching furnace, but hours after making that statement it emerged Mitchell had suffered an injury at training that is set to keep him out for at least a month. It was hoped Mitchell could inspire a post-State of Origin renaissance for the Rabbitohs, but that expectation has now been scuppered. Bennett insists he has seen signs the Rabbitohs are on the right track despite a horror year of injuries and on-field results that threatens to end with the club's first wooden spoon since 2006. Missing nine players to injury, Souths could drop to the bottom of the NRL ladder this weekend if they lose to resurgent Penrith on Friday and Gold Coast beat Wests Tigers on Sunday. It's been a far cry from Bennett's first stint in charge, which ended with a grand-final appearance in 2021. The results have been enough for media coverage to begin questioning veteran mentor Bennett. "I've spent 40 years under pressure, mate. I don't feel it. It doesn't worry me," he said. It's not all doom and gloom from where Bennett is standing, though the coach felt it was inevitable lifting the Rabbitohs up the ladder would take time. "You can't click your fingers and think it's all going to work tomorrow for you. You've got to stay true to it and you've got to get the players to buy into it. I believe that's happening,' he said. "I know we're doing the right things and I know we're on the right track, but we're not where the top teams are." Bennett said Souths' attitude and their attack had impressed him. "They've been pretty brave, there's pretty good morale in the place still. We've had no crisis meetings, which I'm very pleased about," he said sardonically. "Their ball control has improved a great deal, there's a lot of energy in their games." Souths received some rare good news this week, with mid-season recruit Brandon Smith likely to miss only two or three more weeks with what had been feared a long-term knee issue. Veteran playmaker Cody Walker, meanwhile, is four to six weeks away after tearing a calf muscle during his rehabilitation for a hamstring injury. Mitchell, Campbell Graham, Cameron Murray, Alex Johnston and Jamie Humphreys are among other key men to have been sidelined in a diabolical season of injuries. Of the top-30 squad, only Jai Arrow and Keaon Koloamatangi have featured in every game, but Bennett shrugged at suggestions Souths may need to review their strength and conditioning or training practices. "A lot of them have been on the field, they haven't been training injuries," he said. "Cody's is coming on a rehab run, which he's got to do to get himself back from the hamstring injury, and he tears a calf muscle. You can't blame anybody for that." Friday's clash with Penrith will mark only the fourth NRL game for Englishman Lewis Dodd, recruited on big money to become the Rabbitohs' new halfback but largely overlooked by Bennett this season. The coach wants to see some physicality from Dodd when he comes on from the bench for his first NRL game since round nine. "(He needs to) put his body on the line. He's a small guy and there's a lot of big players out there playing against him,' Bennett said. "You've got to be committed to stopping them and taking them on with the ball. If he does that, I'll be pleased with him." Wayne Bennett is remaining calm as pressure increased on South Sydney's dismal season with a torn quad injury to star fullback Latrell Mitchell. Bennett said he'd become used to the heat during 40 years in the rugby league coaching furnace, but hours after making that statement it emerged Mitchell had suffered an injury at training that is set to keep him out for at least a month. It was hoped Mitchell could inspire a post-State of Origin renaissance for the Rabbitohs, but that expectation has now been scuppered. Bennett insists he has seen signs the Rabbitohs are on the right track despite a horror year of injuries and on-field results that threatens to end with the club's first wooden spoon since 2006. Missing nine players to injury, Souths could drop to the bottom of the NRL ladder this weekend if they lose to resurgent Penrith on Friday and Gold Coast beat Wests Tigers on Sunday. It's been a far cry from Bennett's first stint in charge, which ended with a grand-final appearance in 2021. The results have been enough for media coverage to begin questioning veteran mentor Bennett. "I've spent 40 years under pressure, mate. I don't feel it. It doesn't worry me," he said. It's not all doom and gloom from where Bennett is standing, though the coach felt it was inevitable lifting the Rabbitohs up the ladder would take time. "You can't click your fingers and think it's all going to work tomorrow for you. You've got to stay true to it and you've got to get the players to buy into it. I believe that's happening,' he said. "I know we're doing the right things and I know we're on the right track, but we're not where the top teams are." Bennett said Souths' attitude and their attack had impressed him. "They've been pretty brave, there's pretty good morale in the place still. We've had no crisis meetings, which I'm very pleased about," he said sardonically. "Their ball control has improved a great deal, there's a lot of energy in their games." Souths received some rare good news this week, with mid-season recruit Brandon Smith likely to miss only two or three more weeks with what had been feared a long-term knee issue. Veteran playmaker Cody Walker, meanwhile, is four to six weeks away after tearing a calf muscle during his rehabilitation for a hamstring injury. Mitchell, Campbell Graham, Cameron Murray, Alex Johnston and Jamie Humphreys are among other key men to have been sidelined in a diabolical season of injuries. Of the top-30 squad, only Jai Arrow and Keaon Koloamatangi have featured in every game, but Bennett shrugged at suggestions Souths may need to review their strength and conditioning or training practices. "A lot of them have been on the field, they haven't been training injuries," he said. "Cody's is coming on a rehab run, which he's got to do to get himself back from the hamstring injury, and he tears a calf muscle. You can't blame anybody for that." Friday's clash with Penrith will mark only the fourth NRL game for Englishman Lewis Dodd, recruited on big money to become the Rabbitohs' new halfback but largely overlooked by Bennett this season. The coach wants to see some physicality from Dodd when he comes on from the bench for his first NRL game since round nine. "(He needs to) put his body on the line. He's a small guy and there's a lot of big players out there playing against him,' Bennett said. "You've got to be committed to stopping them and taking them on with the ball. If he does that, I'll be pleased with him." Wayne Bennett is remaining calm as pressure increased on South Sydney's dismal season with a torn quad injury to star fullback Latrell Mitchell. Bennett said he'd become used to the heat during 40 years in the rugby league coaching furnace, but hours after making that statement it emerged Mitchell had suffered an injury at training that is set to keep him out for at least a month. It was hoped Mitchell could inspire a post-State of Origin renaissance for the Rabbitohs, but that expectation has now been scuppered. Bennett insists he has seen signs the Rabbitohs are on the right track despite a horror year of injuries and on-field results that threatens to end with the club's first wooden spoon since 2006. Missing nine players to injury, Souths could drop to the bottom of the NRL ladder this weekend if they lose to resurgent Penrith on Friday and Gold Coast beat Wests Tigers on Sunday. It's been a far cry from Bennett's first stint in charge, which ended with a grand-final appearance in 2021. The results have been enough for media coverage to begin questioning veteran mentor Bennett. "I've spent 40 years under pressure, mate. I don't feel it. It doesn't worry me," he said. It's not all doom and gloom from where Bennett is standing, though the coach felt it was inevitable lifting the Rabbitohs up the ladder would take time. "You can't click your fingers and think it's all going to work tomorrow for you. You've got to stay true to it and you've got to get the players to buy into it. I believe that's happening,' he said. "I know we're doing the right things and I know we're on the right track, but we're not where the top teams are." Bennett said Souths' attitude and their attack had impressed him. "They've been pretty brave, there's pretty good morale in the place still. We've had no crisis meetings, which I'm very pleased about," he said sardonically. "Their ball control has improved a great deal, there's a lot of energy in their games." Souths received some rare good news this week, with mid-season recruit Brandon Smith likely to miss only two or three more weeks with what had been feared a long-term knee issue. Veteran playmaker Cody Walker, meanwhile, is four to six weeks away after tearing a calf muscle during his rehabilitation for a hamstring injury. Mitchell, Campbell Graham, Cameron Murray, Alex Johnston and Jamie Humphreys are among other key men to have been sidelined in a diabolical season of injuries. Of the top-30 squad, only Jai Arrow and Keaon Koloamatangi have featured in every game, but Bennett shrugged at suggestions Souths may need to review their strength and conditioning or training practices. "A lot of them have been on the field, they haven't been training injuries," he said. "Cody's is coming on a rehab run, which he's got to do to get himself back from the hamstring injury, and he tears a calf muscle. You can't blame anybody for that." Friday's clash with Penrith will mark only the fourth NRL game for Englishman Lewis Dodd, recruited on big money to become the Rabbitohs' new halfback but largely overlooked by Bennett this season. The coach wants to see some physicality from Dodd when he comes on from the bench for his first NRL game since round nine. "(He needs to) put his body on the line. He's a small guy and there's a lot of big players out there playing against him,' Bennett said. "You've got to be committed to stopping them and taking them on with the ball. If he does that, I'll be pleased with him."
7NEWS
5 days ago
- Sport
- 7NEWS
South Sydney coach Wayne Bennett staying calm despite mounting pressure
Wayne Bennett is remaining calm as pressure mounts in South Sydney 's dismal season, saying he's become used to the heat during 40 years in the rugby league coaching furnace. Bennett insists he has seen signs the Rabbitohs are on the right track despite a horror year of injuries and on-field results that threatens to end with the club's first wooden spoon since 2006. Missing eight players to injury, Souths could drop to the bottom of the ladder this weekend if they lose to resurgent Penrith on Friday and Gold Coast beat Wests Tigers on Sunday. It's been a far cry from Bennett's first stint in charge, which ended with a grand-final appearance in 2021. The results have been enough for media coverage to begin questioning veteran mentor Bennett. 'I've spent 40 years under pressure, mate. I don't feel it. It doesn't worry me,' he said. It's not all doom and gloom from where Bennett is standing, though the coach felt it was inevitable lifting the Rabbitohs up the ladder would take time. 'You can't click your fingers and think it's all going to work tomorrow for you. You've got to stay true to it and you've got to get the players to buy into it. I believe that's happening,' he said. 'I know we're doing the right things and I know we're on the right track. But we're not where the top teams are.' Bennett said Souths' attitude and their attack had impressed him. 'They've been pretty brave, there's pretty good morale in the place still. We've had no crisis meetings, which I'm very pleased about,' he said sardonically. 'Their ball control has improved a great deal, there's a lot of energy in their games.' Souths received some rare good news this week with mid-season recruit Brandon Smith likely to miss only two or three more weeks with what had been feared a long-term knee issue. Veteran playmaker Cody Walker, meanwhile, is four to six weeks away after tearing a calf muscle during his rehabilitation for a hamstring injury. Campbell Graham, Cameron Murray, Latrell Mitchell, Alex Johnston and Jamie Humphreys are among other key men to have been sidelined in a diabolical season of injuries. Of the top-30 squad, only Jai Arrow and Keaon Koloamatangi have featured in every game but Bennett shrugged at suggestions Souths may need to review their strength and conditioning or training practices. 'A lot of them have been on the field, they haven't been training injuries,' he said. 'Cody's is coming on a rehab run which he's got to do to get himself back from the hamstring injury and he tears a calf muscle. You can't blame anybody for that.' Friday's clash with Penrith will mark only the fourth NRL game for Englishman Lewis Dodd, recruited on big money to become the Rabbitohs' new halfback but largely overlooked by Bennett this season. The coach wants to see some physicality from Dodd when he comes on from the bench for his first NRL game since round nine. '(He needs to) put his body on the line, he's a small guy and a lot of big players out there playing against him,' he said. 'You've got to be committed to stopping them and taking them on with the ball. If he does that, I'll be pleased with him.'
