Souths finally name first-choice back line – 17 rounds into season
South Sydney are set to field their first-choice back line for the first time this season after welcoming Cody Walker and Campbell Graham back from injury.
It has taken until round 17, but coach Wayne Bennett finally gets the chance to name a 1-7 of Latrell Mitchell, Alex Johnston, Jack Wighton, Graham, Tyrone Munro, Walker and Jamie Humphreys for Saturday's clash against the Dolphins.
Every NRL club has been hit hard by injuries at different stages this season, but the Bunnies have only been able to field an unchanged back line once in 2025.
Halfback Humphreys was relieved to see the return of representative stars Walker and Graham, who have been out with a calf injury and back spasms respectively, as well as hooker Peter Mamouzelos, who plays his first game since dislocating his elbow at Magic Round.
'We would have liked this [full-strength line-up] before round 17, but it's super exciting, and it's something I'm really keen to play off the back of,' Humphreys said.
'We've been down on troops, all we want to do is build some consistency, and hopefully get a chance to name the same team week in week out.
'I played the first five games with Cody, we were 4-1 and playing good footy, but since then we've not been in and out. Everyone knows how difficult it is when there's no consistency with your spine, especially in the halves.
'What Cody brings for me is that experience and leadership. He takes a lot of weight off my shoulders and allows me to play my own game. He's played so many games and been in so many big moments, it's something I definitely lean on – he genuinely makes me a better player.
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