Under-fire South Sydney coach Jason Demetriou has stormed out of his pre-match press conference after 27 seconds following questions about his future.
Fighting to keep his job, Demetriou took four questions before abruptly walking away from media at the Rabbitohs’ Maroubra headquarters on Friday.
The South Sydney coach did not return, as questions linger over whether he will see out next week as coach if the Rabbitohs fail to beat Cronulla on Saturday.
Demetriou’s press conference was shorter than Darius Boyd’s infamous 42-second effort in 2009, and Wayne Bennett’s 80 seconds of answers after a loss to Penrith in 2020.
The embattled coach offered 73 words in what could be his last pre-match press conference.
When asked how he was feeling, given the external talk around his job, Demetriou largely ignored the question.
“We’ve had a great week at training. The energy through the week has been outstanding,” he said.
Asked how he had blocked out the talk, Demetriou was defiant.
“There are new blokes coming in. Jye Gray, Ty Munro and Davvy Moale’s back,” he said.
“I’m excited by the energy they’ve brought.”
When asked how the pressure had impacted him, Demetriou responded: “I’m really excited about the performance. I can’t wait.
“The energy is through the roof. I’m looking forward to it.”
Asked finally whether he felt he was coaching for his job, Demetriou walked straight back into the club’s offices after offering a brief answer.
“I believe I’m coaching for a great performance this week, and that’s what we’re going to get,” he said.
South Sydney CEO Blake Solly was at the venue at the time of the press conference.
Demetriou has been subject to speculation this week that Mal Meninga has been lined up as his potential interim replacement as Rabbitohs coach.
Wayne Bennett and Demetriou’s assistant Ben Hornby have been floated as options for next year.
Top of the ladder after 11 rounds last season, the Rabbitohs suffered the biggest capitulation in premiership history when they collapsed to miss the finals altogether.
Their losing run has continued into 2024, with the Rabbitohs last on the ladder with one win and four losses.
Even if Souths do win on Saturday night, they face Melbourne and three-time defending-premiers Penrith after next week’s bye.
Demetriou’s cause has not been helped by a three-match suspension for star fullback Latrell Mitchell, who has had a controversial start to the season.
The coach has also made the call to drop NSW State of Origin hooker Damien Cook, three weeks after axing halfback Lachlan Ilias.
That in itself has left out-of-form five-eighth Cody Walker as the only member still standing from the club’s round-one spine.
Demetriou has had success everywhere he has coached previously, but last year’s slide coincided with concerns from Sam Burgess over perceived preferential treatment for Mitchell and Walker.
Burgess left the club before season’s end, and would be considered a long-term option to one day return to the Rabbitohs.
