- South Sydney are at the bottom of the standings after six rounds
- Coach Jason Demetriou is under extreme pressure
- It comes despite the fact that the team has several renowned stars
David Furner is set to return to the South Sydney coaching staff as Jason Demetriou’s side look to revive their stuttering NRL season.
The Rabbitohs have begun talks with Furner, who was Tim Sheens’ assistant at Wests Tigers last season, about rejoining the club.
Furner previously worked as an assistant coach.
It is understood Furner is yet to sign on the dotted line but the club, who are 17th in the NRL standings, want to give Demetriou experience as part of their coaching staff.
Last year at the club’s end-of-season review, the Rabbitohs advised Demetriou to hire a senior assistant to replace John Morris and Sam Burgess.
Jason Demetriou remains South Sydney head coach despite poor start to NRL season
Latrell Mitchell’s three-week suspension couldn’t have come at a worse time for the embattled South Sydney coach.
David Furner is set to return to the South Sydney coaching staff as Jason Demetriou’s side look to revive their faltering NRL season (pictured in his previous spell at the club in 2018)
Instead, Demetriou promoted NSW Cup coach Joe O’Callaghan and also overlooked the option of introducing Furner in late 2023 as a direct swap for Burgess.
Furner is expected to focus heavily on defense once he returns.
“I am close to David and I know he will have a good impact,” Demetriou told the Sydney Morning Herald.
It’s an area the Rabbitohs need to improve, and quickly.
They concede an average of 32.6 points per game, the worst defensive record in the competition.
Ominously, South Sydney have the second worst offensive record in the competition with an average of 15.6 points scored per game, which is unacceptable given the ability of Cody Walker, Latrell Mitchell and Jack Wighton with the ball in hand.
Furner was the Raiders’ head coach from 2009 to 2013 before landing. assistant coaching roles with the Knights, Bulldogs, Cowboys, Tigers and now the Rabbitohs in recent years.
South Sydney will be next in action on Anzac Day against the Melbourne Storm at AAMI Park.