Souths skipper defends under-fire coach Jason Demetriou after nightmare start to season: ‘He was dragged through the mud’
- Cameron Murray defends Souths coach Jason Demetriou
- He says the coach didn’t deserve what he was given
- The Rabbitohs have had a horrific start to the NRL season
Cameron Murray has delivered Jason Demetriou’s strongest defense yet, claiming the embattled South Sydney coach was “dragged through the mud” during his side’s disastrous start to the season.
The Souths captain said the players had been hurt by outside speculation over Demetriou’s future and had made a pact to weaponize the pain and turn around their faltering campaign.
The drums were well and truly beating for Demetriou ahead of the Rabbitohs’ final game before their bye into round seven – which they entered having won just four of their previous 15 games.
But the Rabbitohs showed enough improvement in a valiant 34-22 defeat to Cronulla for Demetriou to retain his job, with the team overcoming three mid-match injuries to push the high-flying Sharks.
However, only wins can ease the pressure in the long term, and the Rabbitohs have made the decision to hire new assistant coach David Furner as they aim for a second win in 2024.
Cameron Murray claims his coach Jason Demetriou was “dragged through the mud” during his team’s disastrous start to the season.
Demetriou’s coaching ability has been questioned after his team’s shocking season so far
Demetriou’s detractors have questioned his ability to deal with the bigger personalities in the playing group, an issue raised by former Souths assistant Sam Burgess before his sudden departure last season.
But Murray said the Rabbitohs remained united behind Demetriou, providing the most effusive defense of the coach of any Souths player so far.
“We want to play good football for him because he doesn’t deserve the things that are being said about him in the media and being dragged through the mud like he was last month,” Murray said.
“It’s something we’ve taken quite hard on as a playing group and it’s something we’ve stressed: we want to play for him.
“We want to make sure we use it as motivation to get wins. We all love him here and have confidence in his coaching abilities.
“I don’t think he deserves what was served.”
The Rabbitohs enjoyed three days off in their first bye of the season, with the players and coach returning to Heffron Park with a spring in their step.
“(Demetriou) was pretty good considering the circumstances,” Murray said.
Murray says Souths team united behind coach who didn’t deserve the blame
Murray says Demetriou did well considering the circumstances
“He comes in, does his best to be better than yesterday and continues to fight and be the leader that he is.
“We are always in a good mood, we come to training with a smile on our faces and can do what we love every day.”
The Rabbitohs have five games before their next bye and face competition heavyweights Melbourne and Penrith over the next fortnight.
Clashes with the mercurial St George Illawarra and North Queensland followed soon after.
Murray hopes the bye week can help Souths get a fresh start ahead of a potentially season-defining five weeks.
“You probably need (a break) in times like these. Everyone feels pretty refreshed now,” he said.
“We looked at the next block of games and highlighted what we want to defend, who we are. It’s a new table for us.
