Rookie Rabbitohs coach Jason Demetriou is reportedly set to sign an extension.
Demetriou took over the reins from Wayne Bennett this season and has led South Sydney to a semi-final without veteran halfback Adam Reynolds, who joined the Broncos this season.
News Corp journalist Dave Riccio revealed on NRL 360 that Demetriou is closing in on a one-year extension, but there’s a chance that could be pushed to two years.
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“It’s a good story for South Sydney fans, a good story for Jason Demetriou and I think it’s a deserved one,” he said.
“I understand that Jason will extend his future at South Sydney through until 2024 at least.
“He was only given a two-year deal to start his NRL coaching at Souths — 2022 and 2023 — and there was a clause in that contract that would trigger a 2024 extension when both (Souths) management and Demetriou, if they saw fit.
“That, I believe, is in the works and will unfold. It will take him to 2024 at least, but I think there’s a possibility it will be longer than that, through to 2025.”
NRL 360 host Braith Anasta said Demetriou “deserves it” after guiding the Rabbitohs to a top eight finish.
“He’s done a good job, he had big shoes to fill,” he said.
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Demetriou has done that with a rookie in Lachlan Ilias donning the No.7 jersey and without Reynolds as well as veteran centre Dane Gagai, who left the club for the Knights.
Riccio said the extension “creates stability as far as recruitment is concerned,” however Paul Kent believes a lot can change within a year.
“It doesn’t create stability. The fact is Des (Hasler) had stability until Manly didn’t make semi’s this year.
“He made top four last year and everyone thought it was a no-brainer that he’d coach this year, next year and well beyond. But he didn’t make the semi’s this year and suddenly his own club is asking him to create a succession plan.”
However Riccio stressed that “it will allow South Sydney to plan going forward.”
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