LeagueNews.co | Jess Malloy
In a tumultuous turn of events at the Rabbitohs, the looming specter of a major shake-up is set to rock the struggling NRL squad.
Coach Jason Demetriou's fate hangs in the balance, with reports suggesting that a decision on his coaching tenure will be made within the next 48 hours, leaving injured halfback Lachlan Ilias in a state of uncertainty.
Veteran league journalist Phil Rothfield has hinted at a pivotal Tuesday board meeting at South Sydney that could spell the end for the under-fire coach.
Despite rumors of Demetriou's imminent axing after a dismal round six loss to the Sharks, a valiant effort from his injury-plagued team granted him a temporary reprieve.
However, a crushing 54-20 defeat at the hands of the Melbourne Storm on Anzac Day has only intensified the pressure on the embattled coach.
Acknowledging the mounting scrutiny surrounding his future, Demetriou stressed that the focus would remain on his coaching position until his team starts delivering the desired results.
Meanwhile, speculation of Kangaroos coach Mal Meninga stepping in as an interim replacement until the end of the season has added fuel to the fire, despite CEO Blake Solly downplaying such rumors before the Storm match.
As the saga unfolds, the stage is set for a decisive week that could determine the fate of the Rabbitohs' coaching staff.
Will Demetriou rally his troops and steer the team to victory, or will he fall victim to the relentless demands of the NRL landscape? Only time will tell in this high-stakes game of Rugby League politics.