The two players have both been linked with a move to the club in recent weeks.
The leader of the South Sydney Rabbitohs, Jai Arrow, stated that he would “have no problems” with Brandon Smith and John Bateman joining the team soon.
Uncontracted front-rower Matthew Lodge and the international pair, who are out of favor with their respective sides, have been linked to an unexpected move to the Rabbitohs in recent weeks.
After the Sydney Roosters completed the signing of NSW Blues hooker Reece Robson from the North Queensland Cowboys, Brandon Smith, who is expected to miss the first half of the 2025 NRL season due to injury, is unlikely to stay with the team past the end of next year.
After Bateman signed a short-term loan with the Warrington Wolves at the end of the 2024 season, it is understood that the Wests Tigers are prepared to pay up to $350,000 every season for him to play elsewhere.
When asked about the club’s ties to Bateman and Smith during the announcement of their partnership with Wahu at Maroubra Beach, Jai Arrow responded that there were “quality players” as well as “quality people” in those words.
“Clearly, there is a great deal of conjecture. “A lot is coming to us right now,” Arrow remarked.
We probably don’t have many openings, but these are clearly good names that were passed up. Excellent players and, without a doubt, excellent people.
“I’d have no problems with those names coming to the club and hopefully playing good footy for Souths.”
After Lachlan Ilias left for the St George Illawarra Dragons, where he will join former Rabbitohs hooker Damien Cook, the Rabbitohs have three spaces left on their Top 30 roster for the 2025 NRL season.
After captain Cameron Murray sustained an injury at the 2024 Pacific Championships and may miss up to the first two months of play, they are also seeking salary cap compensation.
Rabbitohs Best 17 and Full Squad for 2025
1. Latrell Mitchell
2. Alex Johnston
3. Campbell Graham
4. Jack Wighton
5. Tyrone Munro
6. Cody Walker
7. Lewis Dodd
8. Tevita Tatola
9. Peter Mamouzelos
10. Davvy Moale
11. Keaon Koloamatangi
12. Jai Arrow
13. Cameron Murray
Interchange
14. Josh Schuster
15. Euan Aitken
16. Tallis Duncan
17. Lachlan Hubner
Rest of squad
18. Haizyn Mellars
19. Thomas Fletcher
20. Sean Keppie
21. Jamie Humphreys
22. Jye Gray
23. Jacob Host
24. Siliva Havili
25. Shaquai Mitchell
26. Ben Lovett
27. Isaiah Tass
28. No player signed.
29. No player signed.
30. No player signed.
2025 development list
1. Liam Le Blanc
2. Gerome Burns
3. Max McCarthy
4. Fletcher Myers
5. Nazareth Taua
