Rabbitohs Part Ways with Coach Demetriou, Hull FC Seek Fresh Start
Rabbitohs Terminate Demetriou’s Contract
On Tuesday, the South Sydney Rabbitohs parted ways with head coach Jason Demetriou after a dismal start to the 2024 NRL season. The Rabbitohs currently sit bottom of the league table, having won just five of their last 20 games, despite reaching the Grand Final three years ago and being title favorites midway through the previous campaign. Demetriou’s assistant coaches, Sam Burgess and John Morris, also departed the club during this turbulent period, signaling a lack of support within the coaching staff.
Hull FC Seek a “Factory Reset”
Another NRL club that has recently sacked its head coach is Hull FC, who dismissed Tony Smith last month, paving the way for Simon Grix to take over on an interim basis. Hull FC have endured a similarly poor beginning to the 2024 season, managing just a solitary victory so far, which came against the league’s bottom side, London Broncos, and required a last-minute try to secure the win.
With significant player turnover at the MKM Stadium, including the arrivals of Richie Myler, Tom Briscoe and Ed Chamberlain, as well as the departures of Tony Smith, Nu Brown and Tex Hoy, it’s clear that Hull FC owner Adam Pearson is seeking a “factory reset” and may be willing to take unconventional risks. In this context, the prospect of Demetriou taking over at Hull FC becomes an intriguing possibility.
“With significant player turnover at the MKM Stadium, including the arrivals of Richie Myler, Tom Briscoe and Ed Chamberlain, as well as the departures of Tony Smith, Nu Brown and Tex Hoy, it’s clear that Hull FC owner Adam Pearson is seeking a ‘factory reset’ and may be willing to take unconventional risks.”
Demetriou’s Potential to Turn Hull FC Around
Despite his recent failure at South Sydney, Demetriou boasts an impressive resume, having served as an assistant coach for several prominent NRL clubs, including North Queensland Cowboys, St. George Illawarra Dragons, and Brisbane Broncos, before his tenure as head coach of the Rabbitohs. The 49-year-old is also no stranger to the British game, having played and coached for Keighley Cougars earlier in his career.
Demetriou’s previous successes, including back-to-back minor Premierships and a Grand Final win with Northern Pride, as well as his involvement in the Cowboys’ 2015 NRL Grand Final victory and the Illawarra Cutters’ NSW Cup triumph, suggest he has the potential to turn Hull FC’s fortunes around. If he can rediscover the form that made him a success in the past, this could prove to be a shrewd appointment by the Hull FC hierarchy.
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