The abrupt departure of Sam Burgess from South Sydney sparked considerable controversy during the 2023 season. Following the club’s rocky start to the year and the subsequent removal of halfback Lachlan Ilias, speculation surrounding the messy fallout has resurfaced.
As a revered figure within the club, Burgess resigned from his position as an assistant coach due to a rift with Jason Demetriou. Reports suggested Burgess was concerned that Demetriou, the head coach, was not assertive enough with star players Cody Walker and Latrell Mitchell.
This saga, combined with Souths’ disappointing performance of winning only four out of their last 13 games in 2023, placed significant pressure on the club and Demetriou entering the current season. The team’s struggles continued with only four wins in their last 15 games, leading to the decision to drop Ilias and promote Dean Hawkins, the reigning NSW Cup player of the year, to the starting lineup.
However, some pundits, like Paul Kent, believe that the issues at South Sydney run deeper than just the halfback position. Kent argues that there are underlying problems within the team, which were hinted at during the Burgess saga the previous season.
Burgess’s departure from the club after expressing concerns reflects a broader issue that remains unaddressed. Despite Walker’s underwhelming performance and Mitchell’s off-field controversies, the core issues within the team persist.
Journalists and commentators, including Brent Read and Danny Weidler, suggest that Burgess had valid reasons for his concerns, and his departure may have been justified given the current state of affairs at the club.
Burgess’s success as the head coach of Warrington Wolves in the Super League serves as a contrast to South Sydney’s struggles, raising questions about whether the club made the right decision in parting ways with him.
As the season progresses, Souths may still turn their fortunes around, but if not, Demetriou could face mounting pressure and speculation about his future. Already, discussions have begun about potential replacements, including Burgess returning under Wayne Bennett, Demetriou’s former mentor, which could mark a complete succession plan for the coaching role.