2020 - The Cyber View from the Hill

5th February 2020

A new Era begins

Welcome to season 2020. For South Sydney, it will start looking like a new era on the back of a number of retirements. There will be no Sam, George, Sutto, Turner or GI vital members of our 2014 campaign. But as always as we say goodbye to some players every year, opportunity knocks. The 2020 team will move from a forward dominated team of the past decade to a team that now has huge strike power out wide. It looks like an exciting year where tries will flow. Are you ready for the ride?

Thank You Sam, George and Kyle

Three members of our 2014 premiership winning team have said Goodbye over the off season. Sam shoulder injury last year took its toll on Sam's body and he was forced to retire. He had been the heart and soul of Souths since 2009 when he came across as a 21 year old, and his lead from the front style will be missed. Big George is another we see in 2020 as his hip injury concerns have taken its toll. While the ever willing worker in Kyle Turner is off after concerns about welfare after that nasty neck injury a few years back.

Welcome Latrell Mitchell

The other big news in the off season has been the signing of Latrell Mitchell. The Australian representative fullback or centre is a welcome addition to our backline after the departure of GI and looks like he will solve our fullback problem. His addition means we have one of the most potent spines Mitchell-Walker-Reynolds-Cook in the competition.

Who will have a breakout year?

2020 is a year of change, and one of the biggest areas of change will be in our forwards. 2020 will mean some fresh faces will get given their opportunity. We saw improvements in Sironen as grew late in the year. While Amone was also having an impact after some first grade experience, Koloamatangi is expected return strong from his surgery mid-year last year, with Jack Johns potentially ready for a breakout year. And right on their heels are Rodwell and Gale. Competition is really hotting up in the trials.

U20s to rebuild

After the success of 2019 our U20s will go through a rebuilding period in 2020. A number of older players will step into reserve grade and a few U18 players will get their chance.

Juniors Week Off

Round 1 in the NSWRL Juniors, kick-off this weekend with Souths having drawn the bye. So the boys have the week off in U18s and U16s.

Widders arrives

The reign of Dean Widders has arrived in our girls team. And boy did it start. His first mission was the get the girls ready for the year ahead with a bootcamp and girl's up at 4am doing training. We will watch with interest when the season gets underway.

Growth in Africa

Over the off-season one of the pleasing things occurring has been the continued growth in International Rugby League. The effort to get GAISF recognition a few years ago is paying dividends in Africa where the game is growing from strength to strength. With growth in Cameroon, Ghana and Nigeria, the return of Morocco and Kenya, stability in South Africa, the future is looking good for Rugby League in Africa.