After focussing on rebuilding in 2023, Garrick Morgan thinks his Magpies are ready to take the next step and match it with the competition’s best this season.

Morgan has recruited well and is hopeful his new players will combine with the young talent at the club to turn Souths into a premiership threat.

Overview with Garrick Morgan: 

“We’ve had a really good preseason and followed that up with trials against Norths, Bond and Hunter Wildfires from the Shute Shield,” Morgan told Rugby News.

“We met Hunter halfway in Coffs Harbour, camped at the ground and enjoyed a great bonding experience.

“A lot of new players have joined the club. Some we recruited, others came out of the blue. In total we’ve probably got about 25 new guys at the club this year

“Alofa Alofa and Kohan Herbert will be co-captains this year, giving us a really strong leadership on the field. I was very surprised that Kohan wasn’t kept on down at the (Melbourne) Rebels. 

“I strongly believe that it’s not a reflection on his personal performance and think he’s one to watch again this year.

“Last year, I was told that if we could win more than six games, then it would be a successful year and we ended up winning eight.

“It was my foundation year and that’s how I looked at it. We had to rebuild and start anew which is always tough to do. Building a team has to happen before playing great rugby.

“The perception was we had two good second grade teams in 2023 but that narrative has changed. We’ve strengthened our depth and quality this year.

“We’ve got a lot of depth through the grades as well. There are players starting the year in third grade who I think could end up playing Premier Grade by the end of the season.

“I’m delighted to say we’ve  retained pivotal players like Lachie Stewart, Tye James, Culla Kunotuba, Sia Qiokata and James Wood.

“When you add in getting Reds players back, like Harry (McLaughlin-Phillips), John (Bryant), Taj (Annan) and Connor (Vest) and then Australian U20 players Trevor (King), Xavier (Reubens), Dom (Thygsen) and Will (Mason) we’re going to have a really strong starting side and depth in grades, which will make us very competitive as a club. 

“We also have good colts players pushing for spots including Rourke Symons, Kaleb Akaroa, Sam Hanna, Denzil Perkins, Te Oho Totorewa, Harry Raff and Riley Bierton.

“2023 was a challenging year at Souths, however we’re going into 2024 focused and brilliantly supported with a new President Derek Thomas, a new committee and ongoing essential support from Taffy Longman and Jane Williams. 

“Our team management and culture is massively strengthened with the “Souths Way” spearheaded by Paul Boyland and Alex McCardle.”

2024: 6th (8 wins, 8 losses)

Ins: Connor Vest (Uni), Vilikesa Raboiliku (Wests), Andrew Romano (Western Force), Helaman Samuela (Bond),  Filimoni Koroi (Easts),  Frank Buadromo (London Irish Academy), Peron Faimalo (Canberra), Michael Van Rooyen, Remo Van Rooyen, Edward Tuagrave (Western Australia), Sio Uia (Norths), Pelesio Aho (Norths), Jack Farrell (Western Australia).

Outs: Jackson Clarke (Uni), Corey Davis, Harry McMahon and Willem Johnson (Brothers)/

What style of rugby will be seen from Souths this year? 

“2023 was a foundation year, with strong input from Graham Herlihy & Ray Thomas. We went back to basics, playing a direct game with strong connected support play. Everything was about ‘team’.

“As a result, we held on to the ball longer, and had more possession than any other side last year.

“We’ll evolve our playing style this season with a powerful squad of front rowers led by George Francis, Cal Lauder and Phransis Sula-Siaasi. It should be exciting rugby to watch. Souths will look very different.”

Player(s) to watch:

“I think Sam Von Blanckensee could be anything. He’s 6’9 with an incredible work rate and really good lineout skills. There aren’t many players like that.

“He’s matured a lot and is training the house down.

“Sean Farrell, enjoyed a professional stint in Italy in the off-season, and returns with a sharp focus. He wants to be the the difference for the team.

“Jake Kurbatoff is definitely one to watch. He was 2023 QPR U20s player of the year and ready to step into grades.

“Finn Hearn has great talent and this season will be one to keep an eye on.

“In the backs, Vilikesa (Raboiliku) and Alofa Alofa, who made a big impact at the end of last season, are also going to be dangerous.”

Which two teams will play in this year’s grand final and why?

“I’d love to see a Souths v Brothers grand final. Atmosphere would fantastic and it’d be a great game of rugby and I think we’d give them a run for their money.”