The Mole's season review: 'Horrendous' South Sydney Rabbitohs' injury toll laid bare in telling statistic
The most horrendous injury run in modern rugby league history scuttled any hope the Rabbitohs had of playing finals footy in 2025.
Statistics show Souths players missed a combined 275 weeks during a nightmare season - incredibly more than 100 games ahead of the next most affected team.
Skipper Cameron Murray played one game all year - the final round against the Roosters, while other key players Latrell Mitchell (11), Cody Walker (11), Campbell Graham (11), Euan Aiten (14), Jacob Host (8), Tyrone Munro (12), Fletcher Myers (3), Brandon Smith (5), Josh Schuster (0) and Jack Wighton (15) spent long periods on the sideline.
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There were weeks when Wayne Bennett struggled to field 17 fit players and little wonder with such a toll, the Bunnies found themselves in wooden spoon contention late in the year.
After losing nine straight games at one point, a positive was the strong finish with three wins out of four, giving Bennett something to build on over the summer.
The coming of age of tiny fullback Jye Gray was a ray of sunshine. Gray probably only got a run because of Latrell's woes but his speed, courage and enthusiasm lifted the team and he will be a key man in the revival plans for 2026.
Latrell Mitchell and Souths had a tough year. Getty
The Rabbitohs were looking to big money signing Lewis Dodd from Super League as a saviour but he proved a disastrous acquisition, playing just six games - and losing every one of them.
Fortunately, former Manly half Jamie Humphreys stepped up and played some good football at number seven before he too fell to the injury curse.
Watch the 2025 NRL premiership live and free on Nine and 9Now.
Keaon Koloamatangi produced some good games up front while Jai Arrow won the club's player of the year award for his tireless work up front.
Arrow and Tallis Duncan, another player to come of age over a tough season, were the only Rabbitohs to play every round and both gave their heart and soul each week against the odds.
Best player: Jye Gray's grit and determination at the back of a team that leaked plenty of points was an inspiration and the fans warmed to his whole-hearted efforts.
Biggest disappointment: Without a doubt Dodd gave little value and the Bunnies are trying to offload him over the summer - even if they have to pay much of his wage for 2026.
Key signing: Youngster Jonah Glover has looked the goods for the Dragons in the lower grades and if he can bring his playmaking skills to the top grade, Souths will benefit greatly. He shapes as the long-term successor to Cody Walker, who is likely heading into his final season.
2026 gains: Moala Graham-Taufa (Warriors), Bronson Garlick (Storm), Jonah Glover (Dragons), Ed Kosi (Warriors), Latrell Siegwalt (Souths Logan), John Radel (Mackay Cutters)
2026 losses: Haizyn Mellars (Warriors), Mikaele Ravalawa (Castleford), Ben Lovett (retired), Josh Schuster (unknown)
