A Rabbits Curse

Why do players leave South Sydney and become better players?

It’s a question all Rabbitohs fans want answered. It’s frustrating and infuriating, especially when you see potential talents like Luke Keary and Cameron McInnes leave to join two clubs who are arguably the cardinal-and-myrtle’s arch rivals.

There’s been plenty of speculation about coach Michael McGuire’s trainings are too intense. Is it true?

Any one-eyed Rabbits fan would tend to disagree but when you look at results and player burn-out, it’s hard to think otherwise. “Madge” is known for his high-intensity workouts and if you look at where the club came from when he first took the helm in 2012 to capturing the 2014 NRL premiership, the regime he implemented obviously worked. In the last few years, the club has seen a number of roster changes and it has come back to bite them. Apparently, some players can’t take the heat that comes with certain coaching mindsets and that’s why they leave.

A number of the Rabbitohs 2014 Premiership side have moved on to other sides. Api Koroisau hasn’t looked out of place in the number-nine jersey for Manly; Chris McQueen has played for the Gold Coast before signing with Wests Tigers; Josh Starling is giving the Knights a boost of experience, and Issac Luke was signed as part of a lethal spine at the Warriors.

Promising youngsters, McInnes and Keary, also left the club at the end of last season. McInnes departed South Sydney because of Robbie Farah’s arrival, offered a starting role with a decent salary and the hope of developing into something greater at the St George Illawarrra Dragons. Keary’s situation was peculiar with the Russell Crowe debacle during last year’s offseason. The Sydney Roosters came calling and he took up a contract to play under Trent Robinson.

Five rounds into the NRL, if both players keep up their early-season form they are on track as contenders for the Dally M award. Keary and McInnes were both playing consistent footy at Souths and it was apparent why the organisation held them in high regard. Fans of the club were seeing glimpses of brilliance week-in, week-out from them.

After leaving South Sydney, they’re playing sensational footy and playing to their promising potential in steering their respective teams. Before their arrivals, the Roosters and Dragons suffered disappointing results in missing last season’s finals. The Roosters and Dragons are both enjoying season revivals with impressive 4-1 starts to sit high on the ladder this year.

Is it in retort to South Sydney?

After offseason scrutiny over their lack of attack, Dragons coach, Paul McGregor introduced new offensive systems into place. After finishing 15^th in 2016, St George-Illawarra is leading the NRL in most points scored with 128 points this season – averaging 25 points per game. McGregor has catered this season’s effective attack towards McInnes and his dummy-half options.

Keary looks like a man with a new lease on life at the Roosters. Deservedly so, Keary’s early-season form has drawn high praise with suggestions of an Origin debut for NSW. His dynamic partnership with Mitchell Pearce makes his combination with Adam Reynolds look like a distant memory. Trent Robinson instructs Keary to play his natural game without a lot of structure.

The emphasis on ad-lib styles of attack is the reason why McInnes and Keary are playing the best football of their careers.

Is the structured game dying? League is a simple game – if you defend resiliently and play with a natural instinct, success will ensue.

Maguire loves structure – possibly to the detriment of the team. The progression of Keary and Mcinnes indicates it’s time to focus his attention on an ad-lib style of attack to enhance his side’s performance.