Prediction: 7th

Finish: 4th

It’s hard to believe that South Sydney didn’t spend a single week inside the top four during the 2022 season. Had it not been for the implosion of Brisbane and Manly’s ‘Jerseygate’ fiasco, the Rabbitohs may have been watching the finals from the couch. As it happened, they limped into seventh place following a 26-16 loss to Sydney Roosters in the final round.

They say the finals is a whole new competition, and Souths certainly proved the old adage carries some weight. In the first week they turned the tables on the Roosters, winning 30-14 in a brutal match which produced a record number of sin-binnings. They then disposed of Cronulla 38-12 to move within a game of the grand final, but came unstuck at the hands of their recent nemesis Penrith.

While the finish was disappointing, South Sydney can take many positives out of 2022. Firstly, they overcame the loss of their halfback and captain Adam Reynolds, and legendary coach Wayne Bennett. Jason Demetriou has served a long apprenticeship, and he has shown he is able to steer a team through some difficult times. Let’s remember the Bunnies didn’t even crack the top eight until round six. Young halfback Lachlan Ilias grew into the role during the season and looks to be the long-term solution at Redfern.

Talk of South Sydney cannot end without mentioning the freakish talents of winger Alex Johnston. The former Australian representative became the first player in the history of the league to score 30 tries twice in a season. That he did it in consecutive years is astonishing.

Johnston would be the first to say he owes some of his success to the attacking flair of Latrell Mitchell, Cody Walker, Campbell Graham and others. Cameron Murray has become one of the best forwards in the game, Damien Cook is still a top level hooker, and the form of Keaon Kolomatangi was good enough to have earmarked as a future Origin player. South Sydney look to be in good hands.

Grade: A