Wayne Bennett is still in charge of the Dolphins for another few months, but the legendary coach is already making waves at the Rabbitohs ahead of his 2025 move.
After agreeing to return to Redfern next year as head coach, Bennett has begun to pull some strings behind the scenes in a bid to lift the club back to the top of the NRL.
Last time Bennett coached the Bunnies they made a grand final, only falling to Penrith at the final hurdle.
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Reports emerged last week that Bennett has been in discussions with interim coach Ben Hornby, urging him to shift Keaon Koloamatangi from the edge to the middle.
That decision has done wonders for the Tongan international, who has been a shining light for the Bunnies in recent weeks and put himself back in the mix for a NSW jersey.
The other huge call from Bennett will see experienced hooker Damien Cook leave the club in 2025, signing a two-year deal with the Dragons.
Cook was at the club during Bennett’s previous tenure but with other areas in their roster that need attention, the 32-year-old has been pushed out the door as the cardinal and myrtle put their faith in young rake Peter Mamouzelos.
By the time he leaves South Sydney, Cook will have played over 200 games in the famous colours, helping them to a grand final appearance in 2021 and becoming a representative player for the Blues and Kangaroos.
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It’s a bold call from Bennett to part ways with a fan favourite who brings a wealth of experience to the squad and sets the standard at training – but it’s a clear business decision and Cook may not be the only domino to fall before the 2025 season kicks off.
Let’s take a look at the biggest decisions facing Bennett ahead of his Bunnies return.
WHO IS COMING?
English international Lewis Dodd has already put pen to paper on a long-term agreement, giving the side a genuine No.7 that can play NRL for the next decade.
At just 22 years of age, the halfback has already helped take St Helens to a Super League title and a World Club Challenge victory over the Panthers.
Dodd is expected to partner Cody Walker in the halves next year, pushing Jack Wighton back to the centres – the role he was initially slated to play when he signed with the club.
The obvious area of concern for the Bunnies is in the middle of the field, particularly with premiership winner Tom Burgess set to depart at season’s end.
Dolphins back-rower Euan Aitken is also expected to move to the Rabbitohs for at least two seasons, while the noise around Cronulla prop Royce Hunt joining the Bunnies won’t go away.
Jack de Belin was floated as a potential option for Bennett, but the club has reportedly gone cold on luring the Dragons star as he looks to extend his career in the NRL.
And then there’s Tevita Pangai Jr, who has recently been handed a lifeline by Bennett at the Dolphins on a short-term deal and could be in South Sydney’s sights.
At his best, the one-time NSW Blues enforcer can turn a game on its head, but his attitude and ill-discipline have plagued his career across stints at multiple clubs.
If anyone can get the best out of him, though, it will be Bennett and it could be worth the risk given the lack of quality forwards on the market for next year.
Brandon Smith was briefly linked with a shock move to Souths after his recent issues at the Roosters, but both parties have shut that down.
WHO IS LEAVING?
As it stands, the only player who definitely won’t be at the Rabbitohs next season is Cook, with the club confirming on Monday night that he will join the Dragons.
But it doesn’t take a genius to figure out plenty of other players are facing the axe as Bennett looks to reshape an underperforming roster.
With the impending arrival of Dodd in the halves, Lachlan Ilias is already on the outer and his manager Braith Anasta has been vocal about his desire to land a new club.
The only issue may be getting an NRL rival to pick up Ilias’ entire salary for 2025, especially given the serious leg injury that ended his campaign prematurely.
Fellow playmaker Dean Hawkins is off-contract and isn’t expected to be retained by Souths, while plenty of others remain unsigned beyond this season.
Izaac Thompson, Isaiah Tass, Ben Lovett, Leon Te Hau, Michael Chee Kam, Shaq Mitchell and Taane Milne are all yet to secure their futures and none of them jump off the page as players Bennett will be rushing to hand new contracts to.
Looking towards the November free agency period and that’s where it gets even more interesting for Bennett and the club, with some major names set to become available after October 31.
Alex Johnston – for all his tryscoring exploits – may have already played his best football and could be squeezed out, while back-rower Jacob Host and utility Siliva Havili could also find themselves on the chopping block under new management.
It looms as an interesting first month in charge for Bennett and plenty of those players named will be sweating on whether the supercoach has them in his plans long-term.
WHO IS STAYING?
While some of the names unsigned for 2025 and beyond are up in the air, there’s also a list of players who Bennett will be desperate to keep around the club.
Despite his age, 34-year-old Cody Walker remains one of South Sydney’s most important players and could feasibly continue his career into his late-30s, such is his skill and class.
Walker will become available in November, but don’t expect to see the Bunnies push him out the door and instead, Walker will likely be retained for a further year.
Tallis Duncan and Davvy Moale will undoubtedly be a major priority for Bennett to lock down, with both young forwards already showing their potential in the top grade, while teenage speedster Tyrone Munro could also earn a fresh deal if he can stay fit.
Luckily for Bennett, the top portion of the club’s roster is in great shape.
Rep players Cameron Murray, Latrell Mitchell, Keaon Koloamatangi, Jack Wighton, Jai Arrow, Tevita Tatola and Campbell Graham are all signed long-term.
Arrow and Graham have battled injury concerns of late which may yet hamper their signing power down the track.
The aforementioned Mamouzelos is also contracted until the end of 2027, while dynamic young fullback Jye Gray is on the books for at least another two years.
Gray may become even more important to the club if Bennett can convince Latrell Mitchell to move from fullback to the centres.