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Bud Sullivan will remain at South Sydney for the next two years – and has taken a $100,000-per-season pay cut to do so.
Sullivan joined Wests Tigers on a lucrative four-year deal ahead of 2024 season, but made only eight appearances before being loaned out to the Rabbitohs for this year. Under the terms of the arrangement, Sullivan was required to return to the Tigers at the end of this season unless the parties came to a new arrangement.
That has come to pass after Sullivan agreed terms on a Souths extension. The deal was made possible after the Tigers agreed to pay part of his freight, while Sullivan himself had to take a wage cut. The former Dragons half will leave a six-figure sum on the table, a price he is willing to pay to continue to learn under Wayne Bennett.
The deal appears to be a win-win for all parties. Sullivan originally moved because it appeared he would be stuck behind Jahrome Luai and Lachlan Galvin, although the latter ended up joining the Bulldogs. That still left the Tigers with Luai, Adam Doueihi and Latu Fainu as halves options, while also bolstering the Rabbitohs’ playmaking stocks.
Souths have made no secret of their desire to offload Lewis Dodd, who has two years remaining on his contract and has only been activated at NRL level when all other options were extinguished.
Sullivan agreed terms with Souths at the same time veteran five-eighth Cody Walker re-signed for 2026. Other playmaking options for next year include incoming Dragons halfback Jonah Glover, Jamie Humphreys and Ashton Ward.
Only injuries prevented Sullivan adding to the 13 games he has played for the Rabbitohs to date.
Meanwhile, the “Pride of the League” is close to doing a deal that will result in David Fifita moving across from the Titans. The transfer will be expedited if they are able to move on Dodd, or if prop David Moale – granted permission to negotiate with rivals – finds a new club.
The retention of Sullivan and Walker provides stability after an injury-interrupted season.
“This is a special group of people we have here at South Sydney – players, coaches, administration, members and fans – and I’m certain we can achieve some great things in the coming years,” Walker said in a statement.
“There are some wonderful young talents in our playing group and I see my role as helping mentor them to become regular NRL players, whilst also producing top performances of my own on the field for the team. I know we can achieve great things and I want to be part of that.
“But what is really important to my partner Amy and I is that our family loves this club, and we feel like we are part of the Rabbitohs family. My boys are growing up as Rabbitohs. My eldest son, Kian, has earned his own red and green jersey in the junior rep development teams; my middle son, Kade, is beside me on the field as a ballboy; and my baby son, Kora, is starting to recognise the Rabbitohs logo and the colours that we all represent.
“Amy and I also have a little girl arriving in December and I’m certain she will be a little Rabbitoh too! This is a special place.”
