Five of the seven players farewelled remain unsigned for next season.
While Thomas Burges has chosen to end his NRL career and rejoin the Huddersfield Giants in the Super League, Damien Cook will sign a two-year contract with the St George Illawarra Dragons.
Although Cook and Burgess’ departure from the team at the end of the season was already established, the Rabbitohs have now disclosed the addition of five new players.
Dean Hawkins, Dion Teaupa, Isaac Thompson, Leon Te Hau, and Michael Chee-Kam are among the players that said goodbye.
Awarded the NSW Cup Player of the Year in 2023, Hawkins has proven he is a reliable backup in the halves and has been linked to a move to the Parramatta Eels and Gold Coast Titans.
Michael Chee-Kam, a second-rower, is expected to play for the Manly Sea Eagles in the NRL next season, as well. Reports state that the two sides are now engaged in intense talks.
With Chee-Kam’s rumoured arrival, the team would have 28 players in its Top 30 lineup, with him providing a key backup to players like Corey Waddell, Ben Trbojevic, Haumole Olakau’atu, and Nathan Brown.
As of right now, Dion Teaupa, Isaac Thompson, and Leon Te Hau are the other three players that have not attracted the attention of any team.
The decision to bid the players farewell corresponds with the entrance of Max McCarthy (Cronulla Sharks), Jamie Humphreys (Manly Sea Eagles), Euan Aitken (The Dolphins), Gerome Burns, Lewis Dodd (St Helens Saints), and Lachlan Hubner (The Dolphins) for the upcoming season.
Despite not having contracts that extend past this season, Ben Lovett, Isaiah Tass, Shaquai Mitchell, and Taane Milne have not yet been said goodbye.
Tass and Mitchell are rumoured to have received offers from the club.
