The South Sydney Rabbitohs are potentially facing two big losses to their spine, with Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker's futures being unclear at the club.
Latrell Mitchell is set to hit the open market come November 1 as South Sydney are yet to re-sign him, as the star has only played 34 games in three seasons due to injury.
Cody Walker's future looked certain for a one year extension with the Rabbitohs. However, according to the latest episode of Fanatics TV with James Hooper and special guest Buzz Rothfield, the Rabbitohs have offered Walker just $300,000 to play on in 2027.
With both key players' futures being unknown, where does this leave the Rabbitohs' spine moving forward?
Rabbitohs' halfback Ashton Ward will return from injury next season after a high-grade hamstring injury in Round 24 took the young number seven out for the rest of the 2026 season.
With the halfback position potentially with Ward, who takes over as five-eighth if Walker doesn't re-sign with South Sydney?
Jamie Humphreys is reportedly close to signing an extension with the club after the potential move to the Perth Bears fell through. Humphreys spent the majority of the season competing for the number seven jersey with Ward.
However, due to injuries, Humphreys never found his stable position at South Sydney. His versatility makes him valuable to South Sydney, given he can also play lock, hooker and back row.
The bigger question is whether Wayne Bennett sees him as a long-term replacement. or whether the club will need to bring in another half.
Humphreys is the only halfback off-contract at the club heading into the 2027 season. There are a handful of halfbacks off-contract after 2027 that South Sydney may invest in to find their permanent halves combination.
Potential signings across all positions for South Sydney look unclear until Mitchell decides his future. If the club doesn't re-sign the star, South Sydney will find themselves with a lot more financial freedom to find their marquee man.
Ethan Sanders could be one potential option to slot into the halves if need be.
Jonah Glover is an internal option too given his as yet unrecognised potential. The club is yet to re-sign Glover, but with the familiarity and youth Glover brings, this may be the right choice for South Sydney.
Jayden Sullivan is contracted through to the end of the 2027 season and has spent time in the halfback position for the Rabbitohs. However, with an average season, can the Rabbitohs gamble on him to be the permanent solution in the halves?
As Latrell Mitchell is set to hit the open market, the Rabbitohs are left to find his replacement after the 2027 season.
Tallis Duncan has had a standout season for the club and has proven to be one of their best attacking options.
Without Mitchell, Duncan could move into the centre position full time, although there is an argument to say he is better off in his traditional second-row position.
The 24-year-old performed extremely well in the centre position and looks to be the future of the club on way or another, with a three-year deal understood to be close.
Duncan's size and defensive ability make him significantly valuable to South Sydney, with the star able to run across the field to provide attacking threats.
South Sydney may look to shop the open market for a centre replacement if Mitchell departs the club.
Centres such as Bradman Best, Herbie Farnworth and Billy Smith are all off-contract after the 2027 season. With the lack of halfbacks off contract, the club can make a strong bid for a powerful centre to reshape their spine.
However, amongst the players available after the 2027 season are Rabbitohs stars Campbell Graham and Jack Wighton, with the Rabbitohs facing yet more contract decisions.
As Latrell Mitchell has also been the dominant fullback in previous seasons, the importance of Jye Gray to the club rises, although that is no secret, even after he spent a large chunk of 2026 playing second fiddle to Matt Dufty.
Gray looks to be the permanent option for South Sydney as he extended his contract with the club through the end of the 2029 season. Dufty is without a contract heading into the 2027 season.
This allows the club to focus on the centres and halves, where there are clear issues at Maroubra.
South Sydney have the luxury of internal players to replace Mitchell and Walker if they choose not to re-sign the pair.
The Rabbitohs have spent two seasons developing their young players such as Duncan, Ward, Humphreys and Glover.
Given Payne Haas' arrival and other deals, financial flexibility remains a question for the Rabbitohs.
Ultimately, it could be their young talent, boith debuted and yet to debut, who pave the way forward for Bennett's side.
