As the 2024 NRL premiership season draws closer, The Daily Telegraph’s Michael Carayannis weighs in on which player at every club needs a big 2024.
In this final iteration, Carayannis looks at which player from the South Sydney Rabbitohs is under the most pressure to perform.
Jack Wighton
“He arrives at the club as the guy who is supposed to get them into (premiership) contention,” Carayannis said on SEN 1170 Breakfast.
“Jack had a poor final season at Canberra. He was well down on his best. Maybe he was stale and that Canberra forward pack didn’t dominate like we saw the last couple of years.
“He will start the season at centre but he’ll miss the first couple of games due to suspension.
“He could easily switch to the halves if the Lachlan Ilias situation doesn’t work out.
“The Rabbitohs must find a way to get him into the game because he does have a tendency to float in and out of the contest.
“Jack is a great trainer and he sets the standards. There have been criticisms at ZSouth Sydney for not having great standards so (Jack) can lift everyone up.
“He will be a real key signing as South Sydney move back to being a top four side.”
The Rabbitohs were considered premiership favourites at the midway point of the 2023 season after sitting top of the ladder with an 8-3 record.
The Bunnies remarkably won just four games in their final 13 fixtures to finish ninth and miss the finals entirely.
Whilst Carayannis nominated Jack Wighton as his player under the most pressure at the club to begin the 2024 season, he believes every member of the club including coach Jason Demetriou must deliver in 2024 or risk sweeping changes at the end of the year.
“There is no doubt that South Sydney imploded last year,” Carayannis added.
“We talked about the rise of Newcastle last year but the downfall of South Sydney was just as extraordinary.
“(Assistant coach) Sam Burgess walked and is now coaching Warrington and John Morris has left the club to join the Tigers.
“There is also no doubt that Demetriou is under a huge amount of pressure because he has a side that should be challenging for the Grand Final and not scrambling for a spot in the finals.
“You look at that roster and players like Damien Cook and Cody Walker are on the other side of 30 now.
“There are still guys with a lot of footy ahead of them and they are a strong side for years to come.
“If the (senior players) look back on their career and haven’t won a competition, they’ll think of those wasted and missed opportunities.
“If they don’t get back (to the finals) then Demetriou will be under pressure (to keep his job).”
South Sydney will travel to Las Vegas and take on Manly in their opening round fixture at Allegiant Stadium.
