South Sydney captain Cameron Murray is plotting a dramatic late-season comeback from an Achilles injury as the Rabbitohs prepare to face arch-rivals the Sydney Roosters in a showdown this Friday night.
While Souths are out of finals contention, the match still carries high stakes.
The Roosters are clinging to eighth place, with both Manly and the Dolphins in close behind, and a Rabbitohs victory could derail their rivals’ finals hopes — a result Redfern fans would eagerly savour.
The 27-year-old ruptured his Achilles during this year’s pre-season, underwent immediate surgery, and required a follow-up procedure two months later due to a post-operative infection.
MORE: Rabbitohs shock Roosters by snapping up rising spine star
Initially expected to return at the start of the 2026 pre-season, the skipper is now determined to make his long-awaited comeback in Friday night’s blockbuster showdown as the Rabbitohs face arch-rivals the Roosters at Accor Stadium.
According to The Sydney Morning Herald, Murray completed a gruelling training hit-out on Sunday and is scheduled for another on Tuesday, before meeting with club medical staff and coach Wayne Bennett to make the final decision.
“I can understand why people might have reservations about me returning, but I’ve been working really hard on the sidelines, and my biggest motivator has always been to get back at some point this year – that’s what’s been pushing me along this rehab journey,” Murray told The Sydney Morning Herald.
“The other motivator is seeing my teammates put in every week. They’ve been in the trenches, they’ve been dealing with a stupid amount of injuries, a lot of them have been thrown in the deep end, and all I want to do is get back and play with them.”
Despite speculation that his return might be aimed at securing a spot on the upcoming Ashes tour, Murray told the media he has already informed Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters that his focus is solely on this match, with no consideration for the trip.
“It’s not about trying to get back for an Ashes, or saving myself for next year. If the risk and reward in my mind makes sense, and I’m ready to go, I was always going to make the call to play,” he told the media publication.
“A lot of coaches would put a line straight through my comeback until next year, but [coach] Wayne [Bennett] has put trust in me and backs me to make the right call. I’m grateful we’ve got that relationship.
“I’ve been able to complete everything at training, including all the unstructured stuff – I just haven’t done it repetitively.
“I’ll get through a big session on Sunday, but Tuesday will be the day I sit down with the physios and the coach and decide what we do.”