Jason Demetriou appointed Rabbitohs interim head coach after Bennett forced into isolation

·

Jason Demetriou, currently assistant coach of South Sydney Rabbitohs, will have a taste of the head coaching role for two weeks after Wayne Bennet will be forced to undergo isolation.

Bennett confirmed he had lunch on Wednesday at the popular Leichhardt Italian restaurant Grappa with a woman, believed to be his partner. Breaching the NRL’s strict biosecurity rules, he has been ordered to go into a 14-day “COVID hold”.

The Greek Australian was given Bennett’s blessing on Thursday to take control for the next weeks, saying, “he’ll be head coach here in 12 months time so of course he’ll be up for it.”

Jason Demetriou, right, is expected to be given full control while Wayne Bennett is in isolation. NRL PHOTOS

The two coaches are reportedly expected to speak every day over the next couple of weeks. However, Demetriou will be left alone in the box on game day, with no phone calls being permitted during the match.

Most training sessions are filmed with a drone, giving Bennett the chance to lend his feedback to Demetriou and fellow assistants Ben Hornby, John Sutton and Sam Burgess, who are all in charge of calling the shots and directing players on the field.

It was announced in February by the Sydney Morning Herald that Demetriou will take over as Souths head coach for the start of the 2022 season when Bennett steps aside.

Raised in the St George area, Demetriou spent his junior career playing for St George Illawarra Dragons before sailing across the seas to play in the English Super League. The Sydney coach spent majority of his playing career in England at Wakefield Trinity.

Demetriou has two seasons as assistant coach to prove to Rabbitoh’s fans that he can continue Bennet’s success, with this two week trial a strong opportunity to show his potential leadership.

Cretan Convention - Web Banner

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Dr Christos Theologos: ‘Dance keeps us bound to our roots, from Chios to Sydney’

As part of the Zeibekiko Festival Australia, respected folklorist Dr Christos Theologos will lead a series of lectures and workshops.

South Melbourne turns to supporters ahead of Australian Championship kick-off

The opening clash of the Australian Championship will be an event shaped by the voices of the fans themselves.

Low birth rates and ageing: The silent enemy of the Greek nation

From the late 1990s it had become clear to Greek demographers and social scientists that the number of births in Greece was falling.

Peta Trimis: The new star of Australian football with a Hellenic soul

At just 19 years old, Peta Trimis is already being hailed as one of the brightest young stars of Australian football.

A second chance at life: Angelo Alateras’ journey from mechanical heart to transplant hope

After years on life support, 80kgs lost, and 615 days of physio, Angelo finally received the gift of a new heart.

You May Also Like

South Melbourne FC crowned Premiers of the NPL Victoria season

Without nine key players and with an emergency squad, South Melbourne FC defeated the in-form St. Albans on Sunday.

Victoria left without 24-hour pharmacies due to funding cuts

Paul Krassaris has shared his thoughts on the Victorian Government’s announcement of cutting pharmacy funding. Read more here.

Greece’s Deputy FM meets with Archbishop Makarios of Australia and Ecumenical Patriarch

Greece's Deputy FM, Kostas Vlasis, has met with Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew and Archbishop Makarios of Australia in Instanbul.