South Sydney have just two games remaining of their disastrous season as the club edges towards welcoming Wayne Bennett back to the hot seat.
Ben Hornby has been put in temporary control of the Rabbitohs following Jason Demetriou’s departure two months into the campaign.
However, the interim coach has been unable to reverse the club’s fortunes as they have lost five matches on the bounce in the backend of the year.
Injuries have been a major issue for the Bunnies with Campbell Graham confined to the sidelines for the entire season, while Tevita Tatola, Lachlan Ilias, Jai Arrow, Alex Johnston and Latrell Mitchell have gradually joined him in the long-term casualty ward at Redfern.
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Shaq Mitchell ruled out for the rest of the Rabbitohs' season
Ahead of their clash against Penrith, the club was hit with another hammer blow as Cameron Murray failed to downgrade a high tackle charge at the NRL Judiciary.
Their captain will now sit out the final two games of 2024 with another forward also added to the growing absentee list.
Shaq Mitchell has been ruled out for the rest of the season after suffering a calf injury during his side’s loss to Newcastle in Round 25.
It concludes a disappointing period for the prop who has played just six games this season after he previously managed to force his way into regular first-team calculations under Demetriou.
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All but one of those appearances have come via the interchange bench with limited minutes available to him even when he has featured late in the campaign.
The 28-year-old now faces an uncertain future after being sidelined for the rest of the season as he is due to come off-contract at the club.
Mitchell is one of a number of players without a deal for next year with Ben Lovett, Dean Hawkins, Isaiah Tass, Izaac Thompson, Leon Te Hau, Michael Chee Kam and Taane Milne also unsigned.
