Demetriou went all the way in which to England to go to a prime psychologist to assist him cope with it – and to assist him higher deal with adversity sooner or later.
“I’ve had quite a lot of success as a coach since I’ve began, working by means of the decrease grades and profitable issues,” Demetriou says. “I’ve coached in grand finals as an assistant, and reached the prelims as an NRL head coach.
Demetriou was criticised for being too near celebrity Latrell Mitchell.Credit score: Getty
“However final yr was the primary time I had seen that draw back. When issues go unsuitable, it might come thick and quick, and it hits you within the face. It gave me a fantastic alternative to replicate on how I deal with issues, and the way I could make issues higher this yr.”
The storylines by no means stopped popping out of Souths final yr.
Like Latrell Mitchell’s calf damage, which was solely meant to maintain him out of motion for 2 weeks, however ended up being 10. Or the unsavoury abuse levelled at Mitchell by a younger fan at Penrith in spherical two. Then got here the recommendations the star No.1 and five-eighth Cody Walker acquired preferential remedy on the membership.
There was additionally the extremely publicised break up with assistant coach Sam Burgess, the emotion of the passing of membership legend John Sattler and the farewelling of historic Redfern Oval to start out life at their new Heffron Park facility.
Jason Demetriou and Sam Burgess at coaching … earlier than all of it went unsuitable final season.Credit score: Getty
And 2024 began in an analogous vein. Campbell Graham underwent sternum surgical procedure, Walker missed the All Stars with one other calf damage that has him unsure for the beginning of the season and winger Tyrone Munro broke his collarbone.
Demetriou might need had a fantastic run throughout his teaching profession, however the previous six months have been a really completely different story.
Overcoming accidents
Graham performed with painkilling injections for a sternum damage final yr and pulled out of the primary NSW Origin camp as a result of he was in a lot discomfort.
Campbell Graham performed by means of ache for a lot of 2023 earlier than present process surgical procedure lately.Credit score: Getty
He’ll now be lacking for the primary half of the season after flying to Brisbane to have surgical procedure. Jack Hen underwent the identical operation in 2018 and has not had a difficulty since. Questions had been requested about why Souths didn’t guide Graham in for surgical procedure on the finish of final season.
“The recommendation we acquired was they wished to see if Campbell’s damage may quiet down by itself,” Demetriou says. “Surgical procedure is a giant deal, however he had an infusion injection, which takes eight to 10 weeks to see if it really works. There was vital enchancment, and had he not been an NRL participant, it might have settled down in 18 months time. However that wasn’t an choice given the road of labor he’s in.
“I spoke to him after his surgical procedure on Wednesday, and he’s feeling good. He’s in one of the best form he’s been in for 18 months, and that may solely assist along with his restoration.”
As for Walker, Demetriou says: “He’ll be on the aircraft [to Las Vegas for round one]. It’s solely a minor calf pressure, however we’ll give him each likelihood to play. If he’s not proper, we have now per week off the next week earlier than spherical two, so we gained’t rush him. We don’t wish to threat him for one recreation after which probably lose him for six video games.
“We’ve additionally obtained confidence in ‘Deano’ [Hawkins] and Lachie [Ilias] stepping up and getting the job achieved. I gained’t be shifting Latrell into the halves. He’s had one of the best pre-season he’s had in a protracted, very long time. Mentally he’s in such a fantastic place, and I’m wanting ahead to seeing him on the market as our No.1.”
Deadly left edge
Keaon Koloamatangi will transfer to the alternative aspect of the sector this yr, which provides Souths essentially the most horrifying left-edge assault within the NRL. It already was, however now it seems to be much more imposing with the NSW back-rower switching sides.
Koloamatangi, Mitchell, Walker, Wighton, who returns from suspension in spherical three, and prolific try-scorer Alex Johnston will hold NRL coaches awake at night time.
Jai Arrow will change into the beginning right-edge back-rower with Taane Milne and Richie Kennar given their likelihood within the Charity Protect to nail the centre and wing auditions on that aspect of the sector.
Keaon Koloamatangi will add to South Sydney’s deadly left edge.Credit score: Getty
Demetriou has appreciated what he has seen from Koloamtangi this summer season and American followers will see Koloamatangi go head-to-head with fellow Tongan heavyweight and Manly wrecking ball Haumole Olakau’atu, who has additionally impressed on the northern seashores after signing a monster $7 million-plus, eight-year contract.
“I felt like at occasions we performed too lateral on our left edge [last season], and with Keaon going over there, and his capability to play by means of the road and round it, and his completely different variations, he makes what’s already a powerful edge a fair stronger edge,” Demetriou says. “Shifting Keaon additionally offers us some consistency on an edge. We needed to combine it up lots final yr due to accidents. Jai has expertise, and defensively within the again row additionally tightens up our proper edge. Throw in Jacob Host, Michael Chee Kam and Thomas Fletcher backing them up, and we’ve obtained good depth.”
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Teaching furnace
Regardless of all of the late-season points, South Sydney prolonged Demetriou’s contract in October till the top of 2026 in an actual present of religion. So, even within the unlikely occasion Souths tank for a second straight season, Demetriou goes nowhere – in idea, a minimum of.
Crucially, for the person getting into his third season within the sizzling seat, Demetriou has the backing of his senior gamers, most notably Mitchell, who has spoken many occasions about what a blissful place he’s in, and Cameron Murray, who has come into his personal as captain.
“I can’t management what’s written or stated, however I can management what goes on right here through the week, and the way we put together to play,” Demetriou says. “We simply must belief what we have now inside our 4 partitions, and everybody inside being dedicated to what’s necessary subsequent.”
Like all marriages, it’s been a rocky highway – and never even time for a honeymoon.
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