Embattled South Sydney are dealing with growing internal unrest surrounding the treatment of superstars Cody Walker and Latrell Mitchell, amid accusations the duo wield so much power that coach Jason Demetriou is not holding them to same standards as their teammates.
It comes after some players were made aware that Demetriou had liked a comment from a fan on the club’s official Instagram account criticising the performances of departed prop Liam Knight and back-rower Jacob Host earlier in the year.
The Rabbitohs are in danger of missing this year’s finals series after winning just four of their past 12 games to plummet from the top of the table to equal eighth with the Cowboys and Roosters.
The club has been made aware of concerns – believed to be driven by members of Demetriou’s football department – that he isn’t tough enough on the club’s superstar duo.
The Herald has been told that assistant coaches Sam Burgess and John Morris are aligned in their concerns over the way Mitchell and Walker are being managed.
Burgess, who did not respond to calls, is departing the club at the end of the season to become the head coach of Super League club Warrington. The club has indicated that it would not stand in Morris’ way if he decided to take up an opportunity as Benji Marshall’s assistant at the Wests Tigers next year.
Cody Walker (left) and Latrell Mitchell (right).Credit: Getty
The issues have been bubbling away in the background for some months but have come to the surface in light of the team’s loss to Newcastle on Sunday.
South Sydney officials have invested significant time and money in creating an environment to keep Mitchell in particular in love with the sport, but there are now concerns about his level of commitment to the organisation.
The club last year sent him to America to work with Bill Knowles in his comeback from hamstring injuries and recently added Mitchell’s personal physiotherapist to the books.
Video footage of Mitchell downing a can of beer on stage with American country music singer Luke Combs last week hasn’t gone down well with certain teammates and staff who are walking on eggshells around the enigmatic fullback in fear of upsetting him.
Tight bond … Latrell Mitchell speaks with Jason Demetriou at training earlier in the year.Credit: Getty Images
It has left Demetriou and the club at a crossroads in terms of their approach to dealing with Mitchell.
Concerns over the video of Mitchell drinking on stage with Combs were exacerbated by the fullback’s sub-par performance against Newcastle four days later, in which he was sin-binned and subsequently rubbed out of next week’s do-or-die showdown against the Sydney Roosters for an elbow to the back of Tyson Frizell.
Multiple sources talking on the condition of anonymity to protect their identity told the Herald that Mitchell and Walker hold so much power at the club that they aren’t held to the same standards as their teammates.
Those with knowledge of the situation say that Demetriou has tried to create a similar environment to the one fostered by former coach Wayne Bennett but isn’t being afforded the same level of respect given the sense of entitlement that has been allowed to fester.
New recruit: Latrell Mitchell with Luke Combs’ No. 1 jerseyCredit: Sunny Brar/South Sydney Rabbitohs
Demetriou told the Herald on Monday afternoon he was aware of rumblings but declined to comment about the accusations of double standards.
“I understand why people are talking,” Demetriou said. “It’s because we’re not winning. My job is to get us winning the next game. We’re not winning games and I’m at the coal front. It comes with the job.”
Demetriou also upset some players by liking a comment on a post on South Sydney’s Instagram page after the club’s loss to the Raiders in round 13.
The post Demetriou liked said: “We had @liam_knight and @hostyyy playing for us tonight. It’s a wonder we didn’t lose by 50 having those clowns pretending to be first graders.”
Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker are the Rabbitohs’ trump cards.Credit: Getty
A source with links to South Sydney said that Walker would sometimes walk out on training sessions if he didn’t get things his way. It has never been raised as an issue previously given the team has performed to a high standard for a long period of time, but it’s now coming to the surface.
Tension within the squad became an issue after Demetriou heatedly addressed the group following their round 12 loss to Parramatta at Allianz Stadium.
Demetriou also denied that he and Walker have fallen out after he attempted to hold the five-eighth to account following the team’s unconvincing win over wooden spoon favourites the Wests Tigers in Tamworth a month ago.
The manager of Mitchell and Walker was contacted for comment.
The club is yet to announce it, but Demetriou has agreed to terms with the Rabbitohs on a three-year extension to keep him at the club until the end of 2026.
A rugby league source who was unable to speak publicly due to concerns around confidentiality recently told the Herald that a high-level South Sydney identity had reached out to Bennett to gauge his interest in returning to the club he led to a grand final and two preliminary finals in his three seasons at the club.
South Sydney chairman Nick Pappas, chief executive Blake Solly, co-owner Russell Crowe and Bennett all denied any knowledge of a potential approach when contacted for comment.
Solly, like Demetriou, is aware of some discontent within the ranks but chose not to address the specific accusations.
“We understand the scrutiny,” Solly said. “Results over the last couple of months haven’t been what we want. We have an important two weeks to prepare for the game against the Roosters and our full focus is on winning that game and securing a finals berth.”
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