Rabbitohs look to tie up rookie coach Demetriou for two more years

The South Sydney Rabbitohs are closing in on re-signing rookie boss Jason Demetriou for a further two years after Wayne Bennett’s hand-picked successor guided the team into the 2022 NRL semi-finals over arch-rivals the Roosters.

Demetriou and the Bunnies haven’t put pen to paper yet, but everything seems sealed.

The original deal put in front of the Rabbitohs helmsman at the beginning of negotiations was to add 2024 to his contract — the 46-year-old is currently signed through to the end of next season — as well as a pay bump. Demetriou’s current package has a club-option extension, but Souths are now plotting to tie him up until at least through to 2025.

As well as reward Demetriou for his first season in charge, South Sydney powerbrokers also want to make sure the future is clear for the gamut of off-contract stars — Cody Walker, Latrell Mitchell, and Damian Cook are all tossing up new deals.

Lachlan Ilias is the only spine star signed, having just re-upped his contract.

The Sporting Base would be shocked if Demetriou has any issues with his pay rise and extended deal; the rookie coach has been very happy commanding the cardinal and myrtle squad this year.

The Bunnies boss took the reigns from Bennett heading into the 2022 NRL Season and successfully navigated them past a long-term Mitchell injury, the departure of Adam Reynolds, and a blooding period for Ilias to land in seventh with a 14-10 record heading into finals.

Then, on Sunday, the Rabbitohs won the war at Allianz Stadium to eliminate the Roosters.

With their arch-rivals in the rearview mirror, Demetriou and South Sydney turn their attentions to the Cronulla Sharks. The sky-blue outfit is led by another young coach, Craig Fitzgibbon, and finished second behind the near-undefeated Penrith Panthers. Many have been tipping Fitzgibbon’s Sharks as one of few smokeys that could bowl over the defending champs.

Demetriou certainly has a challenge on his hands but, win or lose on Saturday evening, the 46-year-old will be back for year two of at least four, if the Rabbitohs can seal the NRL extension deal this week.

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