A text message to the South Sydney playing group proved Jason Demetriou is all class after the club wielded the axe following two marathon board meetings on Tuesday.
Demetriou was officially relieved of his duties as Rabbitohs head coach on Tuesday evening having overseen a significant downturn in form dating back to last season.
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Despite given a handful of games to prove his worth, a 54-20 defeat to the Melbourne Storm on Anzac Day proved to be the final straw.
But Demetriou was not bitter at his removal and, according to the Sydney Morning Herald and The Daily Telegraph,wrote a heartfelt message to the South Sydney playing group once he was informed his services were no longer required
“Hey lads, just a quick note from me to let you know sadly I have been sacked,” Demetriou said.
“Being your head coach has been an absolute privilege and being part of many of your professional journeys over the 5.5 years has been a blessing.
“Watching you make your debuts, hit milestones and become young fathers are memories I will forever cherish.
“As your head coach and assistant coach I’m grateful for the memories on and off the field. The run to the 2022 final series and pre lim [sic] alongside the pre-season and transition to Heffron in 2023 was a great highlight.”
“That feeling in the change rooms that led us to the top of the NRL ladder less than a year ago was some of the greatest experiences of my career. I’m sure this team is destined for more of those memories. Blessings to you and your beautiful families. JD.”
It had been a draining day for Demetriou given he knew the board would convene early on Tuesday morning but still had to take training knowing he might not be doing the same on Wednesday.
Once training had wrapped up for the day, Demetriou stopped to address reporters who had gathered at the Rabbitohs’ training base at Heffron and said dealing with the outside noise regarding his job was “not easy”.
“I am preparing for tomorrow’s training and we will see how we go,” Demetriou replied to reporters after Souths training.
“It was a good day, the boys trained well. I want to get on with coaching the footy team – that’s what I am paid to do.
“I appreciate you all being here, but I’m going home. It’s not easy. But it is what it is. We’re a big club, we’re not performing, questions have to be asked.
“I understand that and I respect it. The boys have been outstanding. That’s never been an issue. They’re a tight group, we’re battling with injuries at the moment.”
Originally published as ‘Memories I will forever cherish’: Demetriou’s classy Souths text revealed after Bunnies wield axe