Mole’s season review: Busted Bunnies find ‘future captain’ as $600k star flops
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Their team may have bowed out in the first week of the finals, but 2026 will still go down as a memorable season for Rabbitohs fans.
The club produced one of the highlights of the year when Alex Johnston broke the all-time try-scoring record previously held by Ken Irvine – and he did it against arch rivals the Roosters in round two on their own home turf.
Jai Arrow leads South Sydney out, with Cody Walker by his side. Getty Images
Then there were the emotional tributes to Jai Arrow, capturing headlines around the sporting world and bringing tears to countless thousands of Australians.
The club handled Arrow’s brave MND battle with dignity and grace and the man himself has become a folk hero throughout the game.
On the field, it wasn’t always smooth sailing for Souths, with injuries making life difficult for Wayne Bennett and his squad.
Marquee man Latrell Mitchell played just 11 games in the regular season and significantly, the Bunnies won seven of those.
Several other key players missed long patches as the Rabbitohs’ depth was tested, but the squad proved up to the task, with Matt Dufty perhaps the best example.
Fans scoffed when the club signed Dufty for their NSW Cup team after he was sent packing from Super League, but the absence of Mitchell and Jye Gray soon saw the speedster tossed into the top grade.
The 30-year-old Dufty played the best football of his career, scoring, saving and setting up tries in fine style in his new colours.
Cody Walker had his ups and downs and did play 23 of the 25 games, showing touches of his old magic – enough to earn him another contract for 2027.
Inspirational captain Cam Murray led from the front when fit and Tallis Duncan came of age, shining in both the centres and second row.
A pumped up Knights team ended the Rabbitohs’ campaign and while it was a disappointing way to go out, the season was overall a success and the impending arrival of Payne Haas has fans already counting the days until 2027 kicks off.
Best player: Tallis Duncan is seen as a future captain and his wholehearted displays saw him bag 12 tries in 22 games, which is a fine haul for a player alternating between the forwards and the backs.
Brandon Smith. Getty Images
Biggest disappointment: Brandon Smith is one of the Rabbitohs’ biggest names and biggest wage earners, but he seemed to drift in and out of games. He needs to take more games by the throat because the ability is there.
Key signing: Haas could well be Souths’ best signing since Sam Burgess and if he can find his best after a mixed final year at the Broncos, the Bunnies should again be finals bound.
2027 gains: Payne Haas (Broncos)
2027 losses: Keaon Koloamatangi (Dragons)
