Two Bunnies superstars don’t show up to Sam Burgess’s end-of-season drinks after the Souths great’s bitter split from club over ‘special treatment’ scandal

Sam Burgess had an end-of-season drink with a number of Bunnies players last weekend following his dramatic departure from the club, but it was not surprising that Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker were not in attendance.

The Souths legend was spotted at the Matraville Hotel on Saturday, according to the Daily telegram – but superstars Mitchell and Walker were conspicuously absent.

Burgess’ sudden departure from the club comes after he and fellow assistant coach John Morris reportedly spoke to Rabbitohs boss Jason Demetriou about his alleged special treatment of Mitchell and Walker.

As the club struggled, the microscope was applied to superstars Mitchell and Walker, scrutinizing the $1 million fullback.

Called up for a series of ‘lazy’ incidents both on and off the field, Mitchell missed the Souths crucial game against the Roosters after being ruled out for one game for elbowing Tyson Frizell in the Bunnies’ 29-10 loss to Newcastle.

Mitchell had to watch from the sidelines on Friday as Souths went to the Roosters

The Australia international was also criticized after he was spotted drinking beer on stage with country singer Luke Coombs in Sydney in the days leading up to the Knights’ defeat.

Demetriou has stated that the club’s implosion rests entirely on his shoulders as the Rabbitohs face the prospect of missing the final for the first time in six years.

Friday’s 26-12 defeat to the Sydney Roosters saw Souths become the first team in the NRL era to lead the competition through the first eleven rounds, then narrowly missing out on the top eight.

The Rabbitohs’ electric form through May saw them named favorites to win the Grand Final, but they have since put together a 4-9 record.

Before the final round defeat to the Roosters, the Bunnies were only outside the top eight for one week, but the second week is the one that really matters.

As their rivals prepare to battle for the grand finale, Demetriou embarks on a period of soul-searching to get to the bottom of their dramatic capitulation.

“It will certainly be part of an in-depth review,” Demetriou said.

“I have to keep my hands up. I am the head coach and I have to make sure that we are better and that we don’t fall like we used to.

Cody Walker (pictured) and Mitchell were accused of receiving “special treatment” from coach Jason Demetriou

Souths are the first team to lead the league through the first eleven rounds and then miss the top eight (pictured, Sam Burgess in training with the Rabbitohs)

“You can sit here and make excuses, but it hurts, it’s a hard lesson to learn.”

After four preliminary final appearances and a grand final in 2021 over the past five seasons, the pressure will be on Demetriou to turn things around next year.

But there are a number of factors that have conspired against him in 2023.

He has rarely had forwards Tevita Tatola, Tom Burgess and Jai Arrow all fit and on the field at the same time.

Latrell Mitchell’s absence appears to be the biggest factor after the fullback suffered a calf injury ahead of State of Origin I and took more than two months to return.

However, Demetriou declined attributing the club’s internal dramas to the late season collapse.

“We’re a pretty close-knit ship, we work our things out together and within four walls, so it’s disappointing that things are coming out,” Demetriou said.