The South Sydney Rabbitohs are exceptionally difficult to get a read on at the end of 2025.
It's weird to say a club most had in the top eight at the start of the year actually overperformed by missing it, but that was the nature of their season.
Never before have we seen such a horrific injury tally. Wayne Bennett was forced to coach his way out of a duct-taped cardboard box more often than he wasn't throughout the campaign.
Their form in the final weeks of the season though was exceptionally strong as they started to get some players back on deck, and fans of the Maroubra-based outfit should be somewhat excited by what is to come.
That excitement only grows when you realise much of the squad is already locked away for the coming years, while they welcome a handful of new faces for 2026.
The Lewis Dodd fiasco is also over, with the halfback being released back to the Super League after a disastrous single season in the NRL.
Things appear to be heading in the right direction for South Sydney - that much is clear - but there are still plenty of questions that will need answering on the park as they attempt to string together some seasons of fitness where they don't miss a collective 200-plus weeks of action.
Current South Sydney Rabbitohs 2027 squad
Euan Aitken, Jai Arrow, Tallis Duncan, Bronson Garlick, Jonah Glover, Campbell Graham, Lachlan Hubner, Matthew Humphries, Alex Johnston, Elijah Keung, Edward Kosi, Peter Mamouzelos, Latrell Mitchell, Tyrone Munro, Cameron Murray, Talanoa Penitani, Latrell Siegwalt, Brandon Smith, Isaiah Tass, Tevita Tatola, Jack Wighton
Off-contract at the end of 2026
Moala Graham-Taufa, Jye Gray, Jamie Humphreys, Sean Keppie, Keaon Koloamatangi, Liam Le Blanc, Max McCarthy, Cody Walker
Current best 17 for 2027
1. Latrell Mitchell
2. Alex Johnston
3. Campbell Graham
4. Isaiah Tass
5. Tyrone Munro
6. Jack Wighton
7. Jonah Glover
8. Jai Arrow
9. Peter Mamouzelos
10. Tevita Tatola
11. Euan Aitken
12. Tallis Duncan
13. Cameron Murray
Interchange
14. Brandon Smith
15. Lachlan Hubner
16. Elijah Keung
17. Talanoa Penitani
Not in 17: Bronson Garlick, Matthew Humphries, Edward Kosi, Latrell Siegwalt,
As it stands, the Rabbitohs have 21 players locked away for 2027. That number was 22 prior to the cutting of Lewis Dodd recently.
That move doesn't change a whole lot in terms of what they need to bring in, although even that is a tricky situation before we get to the point of knowing who they will re-sign.
It's a safe bet to assume they want to re-sign Jamie Humphreys and Keaon Koloamatangi, as well as Jye Gray.
Whether they will land any of the trio with the Perth Bears about to enter the mix and other teams desperate for re-enforcements remains to be seen.
Either way, it's the middle third where the Rabbitohs currently look short on outstanding talent and depth, with the bench in particular in the best 17 looking skinny.
They are okay at fullback and hooker, while Jack Wighton's role shifting to five-eighth could ensure they need another outside back - of five-eighth if Wighton makes the unlikely play and remains in the centres.
Money is going to be tight for the Rabbitohs, so with that in mind, here are the five budget conscious options they could look at from November 1.
Option 2: Samuel Hughes (Canterbury Bulldogs)
Sam Hughes has been in and out of the Bulldogs' side throughout 2025 after a breakout 2024 season.
What has become clear is that he is not currently a major part of Cameron Ciraldo's plans at Belmore.
That could be enough to send the prop to the free agency market, where he would be an enticing prospect for a number of clubs.
A player with the potential to play well above the value he would be signed for always will be.
That is the exact sort of player South Sydney are looking for in this recruitment window, and Hughes' improvement could be limitless under Bennett.
A win-win for both club and player?
I can’t see Colquoon wanting to go to the Rabbits to be a bench player when he will be the starting 13 for the Sharks in 2026.
Equally, I think any of these guys who are attracted to being coached by Wayne probably realise that he is contracted only until the end of 2027 season, so they may get to be coached by him for just a single season.
What Souths need are players for 2026 – as much as for 2027. If Wayne likes any of these guys, he might be able to negotiate a couple of them for 2026. Matterson would be an obvious cheap pick-up.