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Tallis Duncan is South Sydney\u2019s next captain, according to veteran Jack Wighton, who believes the rising star should be the Rabbitohs\u2019 top priority as some of their highest-profile players approach the last year of their contracts.<\/p>\n
The 24-year-old has been a standout for Souths this season and returns from a hamstring injury against Parramatta at Allianz Stadium on Saturday night as Wayne Bennett\u2019s team pushes to secure a top-eight berth.<\/p>\n
The Rabbitohs have injured superstar Latrell Mitchell, Campbell Graham, David Fifita and a cast of others coming off contract at the end of the 2027 season.<\/p>\n
But with Duncan likely to be heavily pursued by rival teams if he does not re-sign before the November 1 transfer window, Wighton says Souths are right to put the rising back-rower at the top of their list.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s the club\u2019s future,\u201d the 33-year-old centre said on Wednesday. \u201cHe\u2019s probably the club\u2019s next captain if you ask me. He\u2019s a great role model, he\u2019s a great leader, and he does that with his actions and being upfront.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe club would be foolish if they didn\u2019t prioritise him \u2026 he\u2019d be first off the rank if it was me running the club. I think they\u2019re definitely going down the right lines there. As I said, I can see him as the next captain of this whole club.\u201d<\/p>\n
Souths will also be bolstered by the inclusion of their captain, Cameron Murray, for the Indigenous Round match against the Eels following a calf strain, as well as Fifita, who is back from suspension.<\/p>\n
Demonstrating his versatility, Duncan has for the sixth time in his last seven games been named in the centres, where he has prospered in the absence of Mitchell.<\/p>\n
A member of Souths\u2019 strong Indigenous contingent from the Wonnarua tribe in the Hunter Valley, Duncan said he was focused on helping the seventh-placed Rabbitohs make the finals for the first time since 2022 but would love to stay for good.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love this club and if everything was the same and it was up to me, I\u2019d be here forever,\u201d Duncan said. \u201cI love this club but I feel like at the moment it\u2019s time for football and all that stuff can come later.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wighton will don headgear on Saturday after suffering a split ear against Cronulla on Sunday, adding that necessary accessory to the cast he is wearing on his right arm after surgery earlier this year.<\/p>\n
Front-rower Keaon Koloamatangi left training early on Wednesday with an apparent hip complaint, but teammates downplayed concern over his fitness.<\/p>\n
There is less confidence about Mitchell\u2019s recovery from a complex nerve damage that threatens to end the 29-year-old\u2019s season.<\/p>\n
He has trained separately from the rest of the squad in recent weeks, including running laps of their Heffron Park headquarters, but was not seen at their session on Wednesday.<\/p>\n