2025 NRL Team Previews

South Sydney Rabbitohs NRL 2025 Team Previews, Predictions & Player Movement

Jeremy Darke

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Last updated: 12 Feb 2025

Jeremy Darke 12 Feb 2025

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South Sydney Rabbitohs predicted to finish eighth in the 2025 NRL season.
Key player movements include ins like Lewis Dodd, outs like Damien Cook.
What effect will the return of Wayne Bennett as coach have for Rabbitohs' 2025 NRL season.

South Sydney Rabbitohs predicted to finish eighth in the 2025 NRL season. (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)

South Sydney Rabbitohs NRL 2025 Team Previews, Predictions & Player Movement

South Sydney Rabbitohs NRL 2025 Team Previews, Predictions & Player Movement
Where the South Sydney Rabbitohs finish in 2025: 8
Projected Win Total: 13
Best contender for Dally M: Latrell Mitchell
What’s to like
What’s NOT to like
South Sydney Rabbitohs Offseason Player Movement
South Sydney Rabbitohs Predicted Starting 17

Where the South Sydney Rabbitohs finish in 2025: 8

Plenty happened in the offseason for the Bunnies but nothing more substantial than the return of Wayne Bennet to Redfern.

The Rabbits had plenty of problems in 2024 and missed the finals with a talent group that should have never been outside the eight. There were some really rough patches for South Sydney defensively last season (finishing 15th with an average of 28.4 opposition points per game) and that will be the first point of attack for the Master coach upon his arrival.

Lachlan Ilias and Damien Cook are big exits for the Rabbitohs, however, they have brought in some good talent that Bennet can work with to fill the void.

Projected Win Total: 13

Due to a really poor 2024 where they finished 16th on the ladder with just 7 wins, but more importantly having a disastrous defensive year, the Pythagorean expectation had the Bunnies on just 11 wins in 2025, however, their projected total has been adjusted to 13 wins.

The Bunnies cannot possibly have a year as they did in 2024 and it is a well-known fact that Wayne Bennet will get the most out of his big personalities like Latrell Mitchell, Cody Walker and Jack Wighton, while also developing the youngsters.

With an improved defence the Rabbits will land inside the eight with 13 wins going over their total of 11.5 at most bookmakers.

Best contender for Dally M: Latrell Mitchell

After a disastrous 2024, Latrell Mitchell is set to hit back in a big way and looks to be in the best preseason shape he has been in for a while.

With Wayne Bennet keeping his fullback’s mind on football and getting the most out of him as a leader of this group, Mitchell has the potential to have his best year yet in the NRL. It will be important for Latrell to stay on the field, avoiding injury and suspension to play more than the 11 games he did for Souths in 2024.

What’s to like

The Rabbits certainly have what it takes in their squad to be a contender in NRL 2025 and they now have the coach that will unlock the best from some of the league’s biggest stars.

The success of the Bunnies will depend on the improvement of their defence and what level Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker can take this team to.

The Bunnies backrow is also a strength with Cameron Murray, Keaon Koloamatangi and Jai Arrow all Origin level players. Their mobility and speed along with the skill to link up with their outside backs will be a danger for their opposition.

What’s NOT to like

There are two areas of concern heading into the 2025 season for the Rabbitohs, their spine and their front row.

Coming into a season with a new hooker and a new halfback is never easy, especially considering Lewis Dodd, who is likely to start in the No.7, has never played NRL footy before, coming over from St. Helens. Also Damien Cook’s impact in the No.9 is going to be missed, just how much will be felt after the first few rounds.

Tevita Tatola and Davvy Moale have games under their belt at prop but compared to other frontrows in the competition I wouldn’t say that they compare as a top 8 pairing. This is an area of weakness for the Rabbits and they will need a lift from their bench props to churn metres for 80 mins.

South Sydney Rabbitohs Offseason Player Movement

Ins: Jamie Humphreys (Sea Eagles), Euan Aitken (Dolphins), Lewis Dodd (St Helens), Josh Schuster (Sea Eagles), Jayden Sullivan (Wests Tigers)

Outs: Thomas Burgess (Huddersfield), Damien Cook (Dragons), Dean Hawkins (Eels), Taane Milne (released), Michael Chee Kam (Sea Eagles), Leon Te Hau (released), Lachlan Ilias (Dragons), Izaac Tu’itupou Thompson (released)