Axed Ilias backing 'Footy Dean' to step up after Souths shake-up

Out of favour South Sydney halfback Lachlan Ilias has thrown his support behind his replacement, Dean Hawkins, to help the team to their first win of the season against arch-rivals Sydney Roosters.

Hawkins, who team-mates have nicknamed “Footy Dean” after a YouTube account of the same name featuring videos of him as a youngster practicing league skills, trained in place of Ilias on Monday.

The Rabbitohs confirmed Hawkins will partner Cody Walker in the halves at Allianz Stadium on Friday night.

Souths coach Jason Demetriou resisted playing star recruit Jack Wighton at five-eighth in his first appearance for the club, with the Test and Origin representative to debut in myrtle and cardinal at left centre.

“It's just a great opportunity for Dean, he got the NSW Cup Player of  the Year last year and he led his team to the final and then beat the Queensland side,” Rabbitohs captain Cameron Murray said.

“He has been training the house down this pre-season too, so he deserves that opportunity and, obviously, it's an unfortunate part of the game that people have to miss out, but Lachie’s been really good about it.

“He trained really well with the reserve side and I'm sure he's just taken on the chin and moving forward like a true professional that he is.

“I know it will only motivate him to continue improving his game, and I know he'll be happy for Deano, like we all are.

“Lachie's a great kid, he's great for our team culture here and he epitomises what it means to be a Souths man, so I know that he'll be happy for Dean and that he'll be sitting on the sidelines wanting us to win.”

A South Sydney junior, from the Matraville Tigers, Hawkins has won the club’s NSW Cup player of the year for three consecutive seasons and was the NSWRL’s 2023 player of the year.

The 24-year-old made his NRL debut in 2021 and has played six matches for the Rabbitohs, including two last season, while leading Souths to victory in the NSW Cup grand final and National Championship against Brisbane Tigers.

“We call him ‘Footy Dean’ because he has got a YouTube up and about from when he was a kid – just as a boy passing through a hole and things like that – but he has got an old brain on a young head,” centre Isaiah Tass said.

“He has got a high footy IQ, controls a game well and his kicking game is something he works hard on so I think he is going to handle the game well.

“You can just see he has a calm manner about him and the way he controls the game.

“I think this is a good learning thing for Lachie, he is just going to get better and better, but it opens up an opportunity for Dean to play another first grade game.”

Senior Rabbitohs players also backed Ilias to bounce back from his demotion but they insisted Hawkins deserved his chance and had been knocking on the door for selection in their first two matches against Manly and Brisbane.

“You always feel for a player in Lachie’s position but Deano's worked very hard, too,” Wighton said.

“Deano’s put his best foot forward, and he had a cracking year last year in reserve grade, and he got Player of the Year.

“Lachie’s a true professional, he's an unbelievable player and in my eyes, as a bloke, he is second to none, so those type of blokes, they bounce back.

“He's got a lot of respect around the club and is someone I really look forward to playing with, but for now, we'll focus on this game and move forward with that.”

Despite having previously played five-eighth and halfback for the Raiders, Wighton insisted there had been no discussions about him replacing Ilias in the halves.

“I'll just do whatever the team needs me to do and at the moment that’s to playing left centre,” Wighton said.

“I’m really excited to get on the field and play some footy. I’m going to keep it simple, get an early touch, an early tackle and just earn some good faith with the boys.

“It's the first time rubbing shoulders with them and first time representing this beautiful club, so I just want to put my best foot forward and show them what I'm out there to do.”

Wighton’s influence on the team was noticeable at training and Murray said his experience and leadership was welcomed by the Rabbitohs players.

“I don’t know if you noticed but he doesn't shut up, so he's great for energy,” said Murray, who will play his 150th NRL appearance against the Roosters.

“He's always talking and he's just that experienced head that you need on the field. His footy ability speaks for itself, he's a freak so I'm really keen to see how he goes and I'm really excited to lace up the boots to go with him.”