John Morris's would have to be odds on now to be Benji's assistant.
Rabbitohs set to part ways with Burgess and Morris after Latrell drama
August 22, 2023 — 5.37pm
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The South Sydney Rabbitohs are set to part ways with assistant coaches Sam Burgess and John Morris after a dramatic day at the embattled club.
Twenty-four hours after the
Herald revealed that the
two assistants were trying to hold head coach Jason Demetriou to account for what they perceived to be special treatment of Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker, the club is set to inform the pair their services are no longer required. The exact nature of the separation between the pair and the Rabbitohs is yet to be made clear.
Sam Burgess and Jason Demetriou.CREDIT:GETTY
Rabbitohs powerbrokers were locked in meetings for most of Tuesday, where it was expected the club would finish the rest of the season without Burgess and Morris, leaving Ben Hornby as the club’s sole assistant coach for the remainder of the year.
The final decision rests with the board, which is meeting on Tuesday night.
The swift action followed a
Herald story on Monday night that revealed there was unrest surrounding the treatment of superstars Walker and Mitchell, amid accusations the duo wield so much power that the coach wasn’t holding them to the same standards as their teammates.
The
Herald reported that concerns had been driven privately by members of the club’s coaching staff, with Burgess and Morris aligned in their concerns over how Mitchell and Walker were being managed.
Latrell Mitchell and Sam Burgess at training during a happier time earlier in the year.CREDIT:GETTY
The article triggered further investigation by the club on Tuesday, which is set to result in Burgess and Morris being placed on gardening leave for the remainder of the season. The
Herald does not suggest any wrongdoing on the part of Burgess and Morris.
Burgess, a club legend given his heroics in leading South Sydney to the 2014 premiership, has signed a deal with Super League club Warrington as their head coach from next season.
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Morris was off contract at the end of the season and has been linked with a return to the Wests Tigers as Benji Marshall’s assistant next year.
The
Herald tried to contact Burgess and Morris on Tuesday afternoon but both their phones were switched off. South Sydney officials didn’t respond to calls.
Earlier on Tuesday, Demetriou apologised to his players after it was revealed he liked a social media post ridiculing two of his forwards after a loss earlier in the season.
This masthead reported on Monday that some players were made aware Demetriou had liked a comment from a fan on the club’s official Instagram account criticising the performances of departed prop Liam Knight and back-rower Jacob Host following a loss to the Raiders in May.
Demetriou told this masthead on Tuesday morning he did not realise that he had liked the comment and had spoken to Host to inform him that it was an accident. He has since returned to Instagram to unlike the comment.
Demetriou’s relationship with Host goes back to 2016 and the pair share a close bond. The Rabbitohs coach was quick to apologise to the back-rower on Monday night, informing club officials that he did not deliberately attempt to disrespect his players.
