Souths pinch former Cowboys feeder club in latest Queensland raid after already swooping on a renowned Gold Coast rugby league nursery

South Sydney has continued its moves north of the border by swooping on one of the most powerful clubs in north Queensland – which is sure to upset Cowboys fans.

The Bunnies have signed a two-year deal with QLD Cup outfit the Townsville Blackhawks to become a feeder club for Souths.

The news comes just days after Souths signed an exclusive deal with Keebra Park High School – one of the best rugby league schools in the country – in a move that is a blow for the Titans.

Souths will now have direct access to some of the best junior talent in north Queensland, which has long produced some of the sport’s top players. 

The aggressive move north comes as the Bunnies attempt to expand its elite pathway systems.

The Cowboys have recently come out of a nine-year relationship with the Blackhawks

‘We have great respect and admiration for the Townsville Blackhawks,’ said Souths chief operating officer Brock Schaefer.

‘Our clubs share many values and both place the community at the heart of our operations, We’re looking forward to kick-starting this partnership with the Blackhawks as we see this providing great opportunities to players, coaches and staff from both organisations.

‘Similar to our agreement with Keebra Park State High School, we have identified in our strategic plan and our football review that we need to continue to grow our footprint and increase our investment in our elite pathway programs.

‘This has proven to be a marker of success at the NRL level of the game and this affiliation agreement will complement the local pathway we have set up in the NSWRL competitions.

‘We understand that for many young players coming out of Townsville and the surrounding districts that the Cowboys may be the club with which they choose to pursue their career and we fully respect that, however we will be working with the Blackhawks to encourage players that wish to broaden their horizon and look elsewhere to make the Rabbitohs their choice of NRL club.’

Souths had an underwhelming season in 2023, where they failed to make the finals for the first since 2017, and taking over elite rugby league nurseries is sure to pay off in the years to come.

The club’s partnership with Keebra Park High School will annoy Titans fans, with the school producing some of the most talented players in the NRL, including Benji Marshall, Reece Walsh and Payne Haas.

Souths are coming off an underwhelming season and taking over new rugby league nurseries is sure to pay off for the Sydney club

The news of the Blackhawks also signing with the Rabbitohs will come as a hammer blow to the Cowboys who have recently come out of a nine-year relationship with the feeder club.

The new agreement will allow pathways for players in Townsville to join Souths’ system for training and playing opportunities, professional development opportunities for coaches from both teams and the establishment of a partnership committee.