Jai Arrow breaks down as he wins South Sydney’s George Piggins Medal at Rabbitohs awards night

Jai Arrow was overcome with emotion after being named the South Sydney Rabbitohs' best and fairest at the club's annual awards night, breaking down in the arms of his partner before twice composing himself to accept the honour.

Arrow claimed the George Piggins Medal on the night held at Royal Randwick Racecourse, capping a season in which he featured across the Rabbitohs' forward pack, filled in at hooker and captained the side on three occasions. The club praised his influence, saying, "His leadership qualities shone through in 2025, leading a young and inexperienced forward pack in every game this season. His passion for the Rabbitohs and teammates was on display every time he took to the field this year."

Arrow's emotional reaction prompted a lengthy pause before he walked to the stage; he was consoled by his partner, Berina Colakovic, and later accepted the medal while visibly moved. In addition to the George Piggins Medal, Arrow took home the Bob McCarthy Club Person of the Year award and the Souths Cares Outstanding Contribution Award.

Fullback Jye Gray won the Roy Asotasi Members' Choice Award and The Burrow Appreciation award, becoming the first fullback to claim the members' prize. The club noted Gray had taken "every opportunity presented to him throughout the 2025 season," and highlighted his resilience in playing through a thumb injury after a strong start that briefly placed him near the top of early Dally M voting.

Other honours on the night included Jamie Humphreys being named the John Sattler Rookie of the Year and Tyrone Munro receiving the Try of the Year award. Several senior players and their partners attended the glitzy event, including Latrell Mitchell, Cam Murray and Brandon Smith.

The celebrations came against the backdrop of a difficult season for South Sydney on the field. Coach Wayne Bennett addressed the injuries that dogged the club after their final match against the Sydney Roosters earlier in the month, calling the sustained losses "unprecedented." Bennett said he had experienced periods with many players missing in the past but not "as severe as here and for such a long period of time." He added that for long stretches the club had more than 10 players who had featured in the NRL unavailable for selection.

"Probably tonight was the closest we've got to getting a full team," Bennett said. "We've still got six or seven top players not playing, but for the last couple of months we were at 10 plus for players that have played in the NRL this year weren't available for selection. Anyway, I'm looking forward. We've got everybody kind of cleaned up that we have to with injuries and that and I'm hoping that we can all start the pre-season together and not have a whole lot of players on bikes and sitting watching everyone else train."

Club officials and members used the awards night to celebrate individual contributions amid a season of setbacks and to signal a reset ahead of 2026. While the Rabbitohs' campaign produced sporadic individual highlights, the sustained injury toll limited the side's on-field cohesion. The awards recognised those who stepped up despite those challenges and underscored the club's emphasis on leadership and community contribution as it prepares for the coming season.