South Sydney Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett has orchestrated a significant coup by recruiting influential trainer Corey Bocking from the Penrith Panthers. This strategic move is part of Bennett’s broader efforts to overhaul the Rabbitohs’ dressing room staff following a challenging season marred by injuries.
Bocking played a pivotal role in the Panthers’ physical preparation over recent NRL seasons, contributing to their premiership successes by maintaining player fitness under the guidance of coach Ivan Cleary. However, his tenure at Penrith was not without controversy. Earlier this year, Bocking was involved in a contentious incident when he inadvertently obstructed Titans kicker Jayden Campbell during a conversion attempt. The incident, which led to a missed kick, sparked widespread criticism, with Fox Sports commentator Andrew Voss notably condemning Bocking’s actions amid boos from the crowd.
Despite Cleary’s defense of Bocking, the Panthers faced significant backlash, resulting in a five-game suspension for Bocking and a $50,000 fine for the club. This penalty marked the most severe upfront sanction for Penrith since their breach of Covid biosecurity measures. Now, Bocking transitions to the Rabbitohs, assuming the role of head of strength, conditioning, and sports science.
Major Staff Overhaul at South Sydney
In addition to Bocking’s appointment, the Rabbitohs have promoted Jack Milligan to high-performance manager, following Trent Elkin’s departure. Rabbitohs CEO Blake Solly expressed gratitude to outgoing staff members in a statement, acknowledging their valuable contributions and wishing them success in future endeavors.
The revamp continues with the addition of Davis Theobald, former Dragons head of performance, who joins the Rabbitohs as the new rehabilitation physiotherapist. These changes come in response to the Rabbitohs’ injury-plagued 2025 season, which Bennett described as the worst in his 38-year coaching career. At one point, the team had half of their 30-man squad unavailable for a game against the Brisbane Broncos, with only five players managing more than 20 games throughout the season.
“We have the utmost confidence in our football department coaches and staff, led by Wayne, to return the club to the right end of the competition ladder, and to produce future first graders through our pathways systems,” Solly stated.
Addressing the Injury Crisis
The Rabbitohs’ 2025 season was severely impacted by injuries to key players. Captain Cameron Murray missed the majority of the season, only returning in round 27. Other crucial players, including Cody Walker, Campbell Graham, and Latrell Mitchell, were also sidelined for significant portions of the season, with Mitchell featuring in just 11 games.
Bennett’s comprehensive staff overhaul aims to mitigate such issues in the future and restore the Rabbitohs’ competitive edge. The club is optimistic about the upcoming season, with players set to return to training in early November in preparation for their 2026 premiership campaign.
New Signings and Future Prospects
In a further boost for the Rabbitohs, Jayden Sullivan has signed a two-year deal after being released from his Wests Tigers contract. Sullivan, who played 13 games for the Rabbitohs in 2025 on a loan deal, will now remain at Redfern as a backup to Walker and Jamie Humphreys.
Bennett’s strategic acquisitions and staff restructuring reflect a concerted effort to bolster the Rabbitohs’ resilience and depth, ensuring the team is well-prepared for the challenges of the upcoming season.
