The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup premiership-winning captain Dean Hawkins has extended his time with South Sydney for another 12 months.
Less than a week after leading the Rabbitohs to their first NSW Cup trophy since 1983, with a 22-18 Grand Final win over the North Sydney Bears, Hawkins has signed on in the famous cardinal-and-myrtle jersey until the end of 2024.
“It’s really good to get another 12 months here at South Sydney, I’m a Souths Junior so my heart always wanted to stay here,” Hawkins told rabbitohs.com.au.
“I’m grateful to be able to stay at Souths and my goal is to help the team out where I can, play some more first grade, and also lead the NSW Cup team out again this weekend and get the job done as we play for another trophy.”
The Rabbitohs meet QRL premiers Brisbane Tigers in the NRL State Championship Final at Sydney’s Accor Stadium on Sunday.
Hawkins, 24, is a Matraville Tigers junior who has been South Sydney’s NSW Cup Players’ Player for both 2021 and 2022. He was also the Rabbitohs’ Player of the Year for NSW Cup in 2021.
This year he was crowned The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup Player of the Year, and was also selected in the NSW Cup Team of the Year at halfback for the second consecutive season (2022-23).
He was top-four in NSW Cup this year for points (146) and goals (61).
Hawkins has played six NRL games since making his debut in Round Five, 2021, against the Broncos.
Rabbitohs Head of Football Mark Ellison said Hawkins would provide competition for spots in first grade next year.
“Dean is a quality halfback that has shown his leadership skills this season by leading the NSW Cup team to the Premiership, as well as proving he can do the job in first grade when required,” Ellison said.
“He is a South Sydney man through-and-through and we’re delighted to see him extend his time with us for another season.”
