Wayne Bennett Reflection as Lachlan Ilias departs Rabbitohs to join Dragons

Lachlan Ilias, the former Rabbitohs halfback, has officially joined the St George Illawarra Dragons, signing a two-year deal as a replacement for outgoing captain Ben Hunt, who is heading to the Brisbane Broncos. In a notable gesture, Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett supported Ilias’ decision to leave, earning praise from the 24-year-old for his honesty and encouragement throughout the process.

Ilias was initially seen as the long-term successor to Adam Reynolds at South Sydney but faced challenges, including a season-ending leg injury in April. While Bennett had planned to utilize Ilias as a bench utility in 2025, the opportunity to play in his preferred halves role at the Dragons, alongside Kyle Flanagan, was too compelling for Ilias to turn down.

Reflecting on his conversations with Bennett, Ilias shared, “I wanted to see where I stood at Souths, and Wayne was really honest. He supported my decision, saying I deserve to play first grade. I’m very grateful to Souths for giving me my start, but I’m excited for this next chapter.”

Shane Flanagan, the Dragons’ head coach, is optimistic about Ilias’ arrival, highlighting his skill set and potential. Flanagan noted that Ilias, alongside teammates Damien Cook, Clint Gutherson, and Flanagan, forms part of the Dragons’ revitalized spine for the 2025 season.

At Souths, Ilias’ departure leaves the club looking to reshape their halves pairing. Likely candidates include Lewis Dodd partnering with veteran Cody Walker, with Jack Wighton and Jamie Humphreys as additional options.

The Rabbitohs have wished Ilias well, with recruitment head Mark Ellison emphasizing his contributions to the club, including his role in their Jersey Flegg Cup success. Ilias now looks forward to recovering fully and starting afresh at the Dragons, aiming to make his mark as their new No.7.