- Annual best and fairest awards night for Souths
The South Sydney Rabbitohs had a nightmare 2025 season on the pitch, but players and their partners were in high spirits last week at the club’s annual awards night.
The likes of Latrell Mitchell, Cam Murray and Brandon Smith arrived at the Royal Randwick Racecourse alongside their glamorous partners for the glitzy event.
Rabbitohs forward Jai Arrow claimed the George Piggins Medal as South Sydney’s best and fairest player for the season after an excellent season for the red and green.
Arrow played every position in Souths’ forward pack, including hooker, and even captained the side on three occasions.
He was overcome with emotion when the award was read out, breaking down in the arms of his partner Berina Colakovic.
Arrow took several long moments to compose himself before walking to the stage to accept the award, then broke down again.
Bunnies superstar Latrell Mitchell and partner Brielle Mercy are pictured arriving at Royal Randwick Racecourse for the club’s awards night
Souths winger Tyrone Munro and his partner were glammed up for the occasion
‘His leadership qualities shone through in 2025, leading a young and inexperienced forward pack in every game this season,’ the club wrote about Arrow on their website.
‘His passion for the Rabbitohs and teammates was on display every time he took to the field this year.’
Arrow also claimed the Bob McCarthy Club Person of the Year award and the Souths Cares Outstanding Contribution Award.
Jye Gray took home the club’s Roy Asotasi Members’ Choice Award for 2025, becoming the first fullback to ever claim the honour.
It was the second award of the evening for Gray, who also took home The Burrow Appreciation award.
‘Gray has taken every opportunity presented to him throughout the 2025 season, to the point where he led the Dally M award voting in the early parts of the season,’ the club said.
‘Displaying his toughness by playing through the pain of a thumb injury, Gray showed that never say die South Sydney spirit which has endeared him to the Club’s Members.’
Jamie Humphreys snared the John Sattler Rookie of the Year award while Try of the Year went to Tyrone Munro.
Rabbitohs forward Jai Arrow (pictured with partner Berina Colakovic) claimed the George Piggins Medal as South Sydney’s best and fairest player
Players and partners were in high spirits for the event following a disappointing season, including impressive fullback Jye Gray (pictured)
Coach Wayne Bennett (pictured with Souths star Brandon Smith and his partner Isabella) is looking forward to next season after a very disappointing 2025 campaign
Cody Walker (pictured) is a two-time winner of the George Piggins Medal
Souths had a shocking run of injuries in 2025 and will be looking forward to a fresh start in 2026 (Bunnies star Jacob Host is pictured second from right)
Coach Wayne Bennett reflected on his side’s miserable 2025 campaign and shocking run of injuries after their final match against the Roosters earlier this month.
‘It is unprecedented, I’ve certainly not experienced it anywhere else,’ Bennett said.
‘In the past I’ve had my moments and lots of players missing and that, but not as severe as here and for such a long period of time.
‘Probably tonight was the closest we’ve got to getting a full team. We’ve still got six or seven top players not playing, but for the last couple of months we were at 10 plus for players that have played in the NRL this year weren’t available for selection.
‘Anyway, I’m looking forward. We’ve got everybody kind of cleaned up that we have to with injuries and that and I’m hoping that we can all start the pre-season together and not have a whole lot of players on bikes and sitting watching everyone else train.’
