Jason Demetriou has taken responsibility for the Rabbitohs’ shocking late season decline, saying things started to go awry for the club after the State of Origin period.
The Rabbitohs were eliminated from the finals by arch rivals, the Roosters on Friday night in a 26-12 loss.
According to AAP’s Scott Bailey, Souths are the first team since the introduction of the top eight system to miss finals after leading the competition in Round 11.
The under fire coach told reporters the result was that much harder to take considering their start to the year.
“From where we got to, the pre-season we had and the first half of the season, disappointing,” he said.
“That performance probably summed up the back end of our year — just not quite nailing a few things. Our effort and fight was outstanding, but just not capitalising off our opportunities and then leaking points.”
When asked about the implosion at his club, the Souths coach took responsibility and pointed to the post-Origin period as the catalyst for the drop off.
“It’s going to be a part of a deep review, for sure,” Demetriou said.
“I’ve got to hold my hands up there, I’m the head coach, it’s on me to make sure we’re better (and) we’re not falling like we were.
“I could sit here and make excuses but it hurts. It’s a tough lesson to learn but I’ll learn it.
“I’ve got to have a deep look at how I handled that situation, that mid-part especially through the Origin period and how we came out of it.
“Like I said it hurts now and there’s tough lessons but I’ll learn it.”