Former Socceroos coach Graham Arnold has been recruited by Wayne Bennett to improve the kicking accuracy of the South Sydney Rabbitohs goalkickers in the 2025 NRL season.
Former Socceroos coach Graham Arnold has joined forces with Wayne Bennett to mentor the South Sydney goalkickers in the 2025 NRL season. Arnold will immediately begin working as a coach, focusing on enhancing the accuracy of Latrell Mitchell and the reserve goalkickers. Mitchell achieved a strike rate of 71.74 percent last year, converting 33 out of 46 attempts in 11 games.
This performance fell short of top-tier kickers like Penrith's Nathan Cleary, who consistently maintain a conversion rate exceeding 80 percent. Arnold holds the Rabbitohs in high esteem as an organization and shares a long and close relationship with Rabbitohs coach Bennett. He credits Bennett's guidance for his decision to step away from the Socceroos coaching position last year. Bennett, who returned to Souths after establishing the Dolphins, aims to elevate the Rabbitohs in every aspect following their disappointing 16th-place finish last season. He believes Arnold is the perfect fit for a crucial role. 'Graham will be working with our goalkickers. He knows what he is talking about,' Bennett stated to AAP. 'He is a good person and a very good coach. All of our goalkickers can improve. Latrell will be our goalkicker this year but the back-up wasn't where it should have been last season. Graham will work with the back-up goalkickers as well. He will be taking over our goalkickers.' Arnold has a proven track record of assisting NRL players with their kicking techniques. He is widely respected for his expertise, and even elite goalkickers have sought his guidance. Former Manly captain Jamie Lyon sought Arnold's assistance during the 2013 finals series when his usually reliable kicking faltered in several matches, including landing only two out of seven against Melbourne late in the season. Lyon's conversion rate was just 67 percent for the year before Arnold identified that he was placing the ball too flat on the kicking tee. With a few adjustments to his run-up, Lyon successfully converted five out of five and then four out of four in finals victories over Cronulla and South Sydney, respectively, before landing four out of five in the grand final against the Sydney Roosters. Former Wests Tigers stars Brett Hodgson and Benji Marshall are also among those Arnold has helped. Sharp shooter Hodgson frequently consulted with the soccer legend to refine his kicking. Throughout his coaching career, Bennett has demonstrated a willingness to delegate responsibilities to trusted individuals who can elevate his players. He recently appointed former Brisbane Lions star Daniel Rich as the Dolphins kicking coach, who has had a positive impact on the overall kicking of rising half Isaiya Katoa. The connection between Arnold and Bennett runs deep. Arnold made this clear in September last year when a conversation with Bennett convinced him it was time to move on from the Socceroos. 'I've got a great relationship with Wayne and I always have,' he said. This existing relationship is poised to benefit the Rabbitohs immensely
NRL South Sydney Rabbitohs Graham Arnold Wayne Bennett Latrell Mitchell Goalkicking Coaching Socceroos
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