Rabbitohs halfback given permission to speak to rival clubs

Rabbitohs halfback Jonah Glover has been granted permission to speak to rival clubs following his failure to secure an NRL debut this season. The 24-year-old joined South Sydney with high expectations after a challenging period at St George Illawarra, where his progression to first grade was hindered by established playmakers Kyle Flanagan and Lyhkan King-Togia. Glover was scheduled to make his debut in the opening round of the 2026 season but suffered a broken jaw during the Charity Shield trial against his former club. Despite making a successful return to the NSW Cup in round seven and performing well in reserve grade, Glover has yet to earn a starting position under coach Wayne Bennett. His management learned earlier this month that their client was ranked behind Bud Sullivan, Ashton Ward, and Cody Walker in the pecking order of Souths' playmakers. This led to a formal request to explore opportunities elsewhere, which the Rabbitohs approved on Thursday. The situation presents an interesting challenge for the Rabbitohs, who have not yet finalized a replacement for their No.7 position. With limited options available in the market, Glover is expected to find a new team. Having earned Hastings Deering Colts player-of-the-year honors at Easts Tigers in 2022 and contributing to the Canterbury Bulldogs' premiership-winning Jersey Flegg side in 2023, Glover has experience guiding teams to success in reserve grade. He enters Friday's clash against Canterbury with 61 NSW Cup games under his belt. Glover is among several contracted players allowed to seek alternative opportunities, including Peter Mamouzelos and Isaiah Tass. Meanwhile, the Rabbitohs face Canterbury at Accor Stadium on Friday, with the losing team potentially falling out of finals contention. Coach Bennett did not provide updates on Latrell Mitchell's potential return, stating that while Mitchell is currently running, there are no guarantees he will be back before the season ends. Bennett acknowledged that allowing some contracted players to leave might help the club retain key figures such as Mitchell, Walker, Campbell Graham, Jack Wighton, and Tallis Duncan, who will become free agents in November. He emphasized the importance of patience in negotiations, noting that if both parties value each other, a deal can often be reached without rushing. Separately, Matt Lodge's NRL career appears to be concluding after receiving an immediate release from North Queensland. The 31-year-old will move to the English Super League, joining ex-Eels coach Brad Arthur at Leeds Rhinos. His contract with the Rhinos lasts only until the end of the season, providing him with five regular-season matches and the possibility of playing in the finals to demonstrate his worth for a longer-term deal. Lodge was dropped for the crucial match against Parramatta on Saturday, marking the end of a 148-game career spanning multiple clubs. Lodge's career has been marked by controversy, notably a violent, alcohol-fueled incident in New York in 2015 that nearly ended his professional career. At the time, he was a 20-year-old Tigers forward who was arrested at gunpoint and held in custody for several days after a drunken home invasion that terrified a Manhattan family. Initially facing charges of felony burglary causing injury, which carried a minimum sentence of five years and a maximum of 25 years, Lodge's legal team negotiated a plea deal.