NRL news 2024 | South Sydney Rabbitohs season, Jason Demetriou future; Cody Walker; The Mole exclusive

His body language has been poor in Souths’ disastrous start to 2024 and with the club struggling for answers, dropping him for a few weeks to find his mojo has to be an option.

MANLY STAR DESTINED FOR RECORD

Popular utility back Reuben Garrick joined some Manly legends in the record books in his team’s narrow loss to Parramatta on Sunday.

When he scored a try right on half-time, Garrick became only the fifth player to score 1000 points for the Sea Eagles.

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And what illustrious company he joins – the great Graham Eadie (1917), Jamie Lyon (1410), Bob Batty (1154) and Matthew Ridge (1093).

Still only 26, Garrick could well catch Eadie in coming years, such is his tryscoring ability and goalkicking prowess.

Sadly for Garrick, it wasn’t an afternoon to savour with the Eels finishing just too strong.

They won the battle up front in a fast-paced game, with props Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Junior Paulo paving the way up front.

API PUTS HIMSELF IN ELITE COMPANY

Tigers fans probably thought they would never see a better player wearing the No.9 jumper at their club than the great Robbie Farah.

One of the heroes of the ‘never before, never again’ premiership of 2005, Farah is a Tigers legend – if somewhat polarising figure – who led the club to many famous wins.

But early in his second season at the Tigers, Api Koroisau appears to have him covered.

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Api gave one of the most complete performances by a hooker in modern day history as the Tigers thrashed Cronulla 32-6 on Saturday night before a delirious crowd at Leichhardt.

He laid on two tries, had two linebreak assists, kicked three goals from three attempts – and topped his team’s tackle count for good measure.

And all while battling a painful bout of gastro.

On his day, Api is as good as any hooker in the game and he is the glue that holds the young Tigers side together.

HOLMES PUSHING COWBOYS’ TOP FOUR CHANCES

It was very much Val Holmes’s night as the Cowboys thumped the Dragons 46-24 at Kogarah on Saturday.

After a slow start to the season by his high standards in the opening two rounds, the star centre put it all together.

Holmes ran a game high 247 metres, scored a try and set one up.To cap a memorable night, the veteran centre scored his 1000th career point when he converted Kulikefu Finefeuiaki’s try in the second half.

The Cowboys came from 18-4 down to score a fine win, at one stage going on a seven-straight try rampage.

They now sit at the top of the ladder after three rounds and are looking a great chance for the top four at this early stage.

GUS’ MASTERSTROKE WITH NEW SIGNING

Connor Tracey struggled to hold down a top grade spot in his four seasons at Cronulla, but he’s proving too good to leave out at the Bulldogs in 2024.

One of a host of new signings by Phil Gould, the speedy utility has fitted in superbly.

Tracey can play anywhere in the backline and for the moment he looks like settling on the wing.

He ran for 220 metres in the demolition of the Titans, and topped it off with a fine try in the left corner.

A player who knows his way to the line, he’s been a good pick-up by the Dogs and should score plenty more.

SHOCKING STAT EXPOSES DES’ STRUGGLES

It’s hard to say after two games what is worrying Des Hasler more – the Titans’ fumbling attack or their diabolical defence.

The Titans have conceded 60 points and scored just four… a shocking start to the year in their first couple of games.

Against the Bulldogs – a team that has had their own problems – they barely looked like scoring and conceded tries with embarrassing ease.

I’ll be very surprised if Tanah Boyd doesn’t join the list of halfbacks getting dumped in the opening rounds – the Bulldogs put the heat on him and he had a ‘shocker’.

UNSUNG HERO EMERGES FOR CHOOKS

The Roosters have found a handy back-up for star halfback Sam Walker in Sandon Smith.

When Walker was forced from the field with a head knock in the big win over Souths last Friday night, Smith took control.

The youngster looked right at home calling the shots as the Roosters put their arch rivals to the sword, coming up with two try assists and one line break assists.

Walker has started the season in great form – but the Roosters are fortunate to have such a capable replacement in their ranks.

SMOKEY EMERGES FOR ORIGIN

Michael Maguire will be looking for new blood for the Blues to turn the tide against Queensland in a couple of months – and Warriors hard man Mitch Barnett fits the bill perfectly.

While fellow prop Addin Fonua-Blake gets most of the headlines, Barnett does plenty of the heavy lifting for the Wahs and came up with some massive plays as they came from behind to beat a determind Raiders outfit on Friday night.

Strong and tough, Barnett has ‘Origin’ written all over him and would not let the Blues down.

GENIUS PANTHERS PLOY IN VICTORY

The great teams learn from their mistakes – and the Panthers certainly did that in the big grand final re-match with the Broncos.

During the week, Penrith watched video of the decider last October, in which they were slow out of the blocks and only just got out of jail thanks to Nathan Cleary’s brilliance.

So the Panthers’ mission was to come out firing – and boy did they perform!

They completed 19 of 21 sets in the opening half and had five line breaks to Brisbane’s none, having the two points in the bag at 22-2.

Cleary again haunted the injury-hit Broncos with three try assists and three line break assists – he is now unchallenged as the best player in the game.