BREAKING NEWS: Munro unlikely to return this year amid Souths claim fourth straight victory.

It is unlikely that Campbell Graham will play again for South Sydney this season. Ben Hornby, the team’s acting head coach, confirmed the center hasn’t touched a ball or practiced with the group since having sternum surgery.

After the squad defeated the Sea Eagles 14-0 on a slick night at Accor Stadium, they won four games in a row. Hornby then broke the news.

“He hasn’t touched a ball, he hasn’t been training with us at all,” Hornby declared. “Campbell, he’s still a long way off, if at all.”

Graham had surgery for a sternum injury he suffered last year, and as a result, he hasn’t played a game for South Sydney in 2024.

Tyrone Munro, a winger, suffered a similar circumstance against the Sharks in round six, according to Hornby.

“He is the same. There isn’t a comeback date set for either of those individuals just yet, Hornby stated. “They might return in four or five weeks, but it’s more likely that neither of them will return this year.”

With Cameron Murray and Latrell Mitchell expected to return from Origin action for South Sydney’s round 18 match against the Eels, the Rabbitohs will benefit from having next week off.

However, the Rabbitohs did just enough to get beyond the finish line tonight despite without two of their key players.

Hornby remarked, “I think we’re running on a bit empty right now, but they came with nothing to lose.”

“The past few weeks have been taxing. It was satisfying to watch us persevere through the whole game and receive a reward at the conclusion to cap off an amazing evening. We’ve been working extremely hard in training to try to strengthen our defense, and we think we’re making some fairly good progress in that area. We’re probably not hitting all the marks with our attack either, but we’re making enough progress to pass.

Despite having an inexperienced bench and 13 players sidelined by injury or Origin action, the Sea Eagles fought valiantly, but it was obvious they lacked the polish that captain Daly Cherry Evans typically offers to the team.

Following the bye, Tom Trbojevic, Reuben Garrick, Josh Aloiai, and presumably Lachlan Croker would return, according to coach Anthony Seibold.

“I don’t want to take away [from the team that played on Saturday], but there are a lot of guys [to return], and in important positions as well,” Seibold remarked.

“We came here expecting a result, but tonight we fell short of expectations. Although I think the group fought pretty hard and was incredibly proud of them, we didn’t quite have that cohesiveness.

In response to a query about whether Trbojevic will resume playing fullback upon his return, Seibold jokingly said he would wear the No. 22 jersey to hide his identity.

“I’m not willing to sort of share those private conversations,” Seibold stated, “but I’ve had some private conversations [with Trbojevic].”