- Cameron Murray defends Souths coach Jason Demetriou
- He says that the coach does not deserve what they have done to him
- The Rabbitohs have had a horrendous start to the NRL season
Cameron Murray has offered the strongest defense yet of Jason Demetriou, saying the embattled South Sydney coach has been “dragged through the mud” during his team’s terrible start to the season.
The Souths captain said the players had been harmed by outside speculation over Demetriou’s future and had made a pact to weaponize pain and turn around their faltering campaign.
The drums were sounding good for Demetriou ahead of the Rabbitohs’ final game before their round seven bye, which they entered having won just four of their previous 15 games.
But the Rabbitohs showed enough progress in a brave 34-22 loss to Cronulla for Demetriou to keep his place, and the team overcame three mid-game injuries to push the high-flying Sharks.
However, only wins can ease the pressure in the long term, and the Rabbitohs have taken the step of hiring new assistant coach David Furner as they look for a second win in 2024.
Cameron Murray says his coach Jason Demetriou has been “dragged through the mud” during his team’s terrible start to the season.
Demetriou’s coaching ability has been questioned after his team’s impressive season so far.
Demetriou’s detractors have questioned his ability to manage the bigger personalities in the playing group, an issue raised by former Souths assistant Sam Burgess before his sudden departure last season.
But Murray said the Rabbitohs stuck together behind Demetriou, delivering the coach’s most effusive defense ever by any Souths player so far.
“We want to play good football for him because he doesn’t deserve the things that are said about him in the media and being dragged through the mud like he has been for the last month,” Murray said.
“It is something that we have taken into account as a playing group and it is something that we have highlighted: we want to play for him.
‘We want to make sure we use it as motivation to get some wins together. Everyone here loves him and trusts in his ability as a coach.
“I don’t think he deserves what they did to him.”
The Rabbitohs enjoyed three days off during their first break of the season, and the players and coach returned to Heffron Park with joy.
“(Demetriou) has been pretty good considering the circumstances,” Murray said.
Murray says Souths team is united behind coach who doesn’t deserve blame
Murray says Demetriou has done well considering the circumstances
“He shows up, does his best to be better than yesterday and continue to fight and be the leader that he is.”
“We are still in great spirits, we come to training with a smile on our faces and we get to do what we love every day.”
The Rabbitohs have five games before their next break and will face competition heavyweights Melbourne and Penrith over the next fortnight.
Clashes with fickle St George Illawarra and North Queensland ensue soon after.
Murray hopes the bye week can help the South get a fresh start heading into five potentially season-defining weeks.
‘You probably need (a break) in times like these. Now everyone feels quite refreshed,” he stated.
‘We have analyzed the next block of games and highlighted what we want to represent, who we are. It’s a clean slate for us.’