The Rabbitohs have let go Indigenous trio Shaquai Mitchell, young promising star Fletcher Myers and uncapped half Gerome Burns among nine players leaving their full-time squad.
After another lackluster season in 2025, Souths officially announced the mass exit on Friday.
Mitchell, 29, and brother of club star Latrell, featured in 20 NRL games since his debut in 2022 but did not make a first grade appearance this year.
A long-time NSW Cup player, Mitchell joined Souths in 2020 from Blacktown Workers, having also played pathways footy at the Roosters.
He captained the Indigenous All Stars at the start of the year in his fourth consecutive appearance in the side.
Worimi man Fletcher Myers will also depart after eight first grade appearances for Souths, including three in 2025.
The wing-centre joined the Rabbitohs from Newcastle mid-way through last year.
In sad news, 27-year-old playmaker Gerome Burns has been forced to medically retire after being unable to overcome a knee injury.
The Queensland Cup star did not play an NRL game across his career.
He arrived at the club as a development player at the start of this year, and looked a promising member of future seasons.
Jacob Host, who announced his retirement with injury on Thursday, while Siliva Havili, Shaquai Ben Lovett, Mikaele Ravalawa, Haizyn Mellars and Josh Schuster will also depart the club.
Farewell and thank you to our departing players. Forever a Rabbitoh 🐰❤️ðŸ'š
ðŸ"° READ MORE: https://t.co/GWQuyAAGpn pic.twitter.com/c0a5gqbzyk
— South Sydney Rabbitohs 🰠(@SSFCRABBITOHS) September 12, 2025
South Sydney featured 11 Indigenous players in the full-time squad in 2025.
Samoan international Schuster is the biggest news among those exiting.
Once tipped to be a star, inking a lucrative deal with Manly in 2023, Schuster was released to the Rabbitohs in 2024.
Cruelled by injuries, the 24-year-old took an indefinite leave from football in June.
His career in football now appears to hang in limbo.
Schuster made 50 NRL appearances since entering the league in 2020.
