LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
South Sydney coach Jason Demetriou has reportedly apologized to Jacob Host after accidentally 'liking' a disparaging Instagram post about the Rabbitohs forward and his former teammate Liam Knight.
Both players were the targets of a savage spray from a supposed fan after a round 13 loss to Canberra in the NRL.
It has since emerged that Demetriou has 'unliked' the comment, with the Souths coach explaining to the Sydney Morning Herald that he never meant to like it in the first place.
Following the match in question against the Raiders - in which Souths lost 33-26 - Knight didn't play for the next six weeks and featured just one more time for the Bunnies, before being allowed to join the Bulldogs mid-season.
The same report says Demetriou has since told Host the comment 'like' was an accident and has apologized to the playing group for any misunderstanding.
It's far from the only player-related issue the Rabbitohs coach is dealing with right now, with reports emerging that he has not been holding superstars Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker to the same standards as other teammates.
This latest incident adds to the growing pressure on Demetriou, who took over from Wayne Bennett as head coach at the beginning of the season.
The Rabbitohs have been inconsistent in their performances and currently sit outside the top four on the NRL ladder.
Demetriou will need to address these player-related issues and ensure that all members of the team are held to the same standards if the Rabbitohs are to have a successful season.
The coach's apology to Host shows a willingness to take responsibility for his actions and work towards resolving any conflicts within the team.
It remains to be seen how this incident will impact the dynamics within the Rabbitohs squad and whether Demetriou's leadership will be called into question.
The coach will need to navigate these challenges and maintain the trust and respect of his players if he hopes to guide South Sydney to a strong finish in the NRL season.