Souths Face 2025 NRL Exemption Challenge After 11 Halves Combinations

Morgan Winslow

Published: March 3, 2026 12:16 AM ET

Souths Face 2025 NRL Exemption Challenge After 11 Halves Combinations

The South Sydney Rabbitohs face a significant challenge as they prepare for the 2025 NRL season. The team is looking to establish stable half combinations after fielding a record 11 different pairings last season. This instability can be attributed to injuries and player availability issues.

Impact of Player Injuries

Last season, the Rabbitohs struggled with player fitness. Cody Walker participated in only 11 games due to injuries. Additionally, the experiment with Lewis Dodd, costing the club $600,000 annually, did not yield the expected results.

Cody Walker: limited to 11 games.
Lewis Dodd: unsuccessful experiment.
11 different halves combinations were used last season.

Current Player Availability

This season offers a new outlook for the Rabbitohs. A healthier roster provides a stark contrast to last year. However, some players still face challenges:

Brandon Smith: calf strain, missing early games.
Jai Arrow: on a modified training program due to a shoulder injury.
Alex Johnston and Adam Elliott: expected to be fit for round 1.

Positive Developments for Cody Walker

This year’s pre-season has rejuvenated Cody Walker. He emphasized the importance of being fit for the upcoming matches. Walker expressed his excitement about rediscovering his running game, notably showcased in the recent match against Manly.

“It was really good to enjoy my footy again without limping into the season,” Walker remarked, reflecting on his improved condition.

Community Initiatives

Beyond gameplay, the Rabbitohs’ charity arm, Souths Cares, recently announced a generous donation of $50,000 from the USANA True Health Foundation. This funding will provide healthy meals and food boxes to program participants.

The combination of improving player fitness and community engagement underscores the Rabbitohs’ drive for success in the upcoming season. As they navigate the exemption challenge for the 2025 NRL season, establishing effective halves combinations will be crucial for their performance.