$4.5m 'bidding frenzy' to pour fuel on bitter rivalry

Andrew Johns says South Sydney "needs a rebuild" - but fears it will be thwarted by the club's oldest foe.

As the Rabbitohs start looking ahead to 2025 - having all but written off 2024 after sacking head coach Jason Demetriou - the roster will come under scrutiny.

They've already started a revamp by reportedly signing English halfback Lewis Dodd on a three-year deal.

READ MORE: Souths skipper's blunt response to Bennett noise

READ MORE: 'Body was never so sore': Xerri's warning to NRL

READ MORE: 'Strong message' as star banned for match fixing

Veteran prop Tom Burgess is leaving, while question marks linger over veteran spine stars Damien Cook and Cody Walker after a poor start to this season.

Million-dollar fullback Latrell Mitchell's future has also been questioned, although that's more to do with his motivation than his age.

"It's not a huge rebuild, but the club needs a big shake-up and a change," Johns told Wide World of Sports' Immortal Behaviour.

"None of their junior teams made the semi finals... which is unheard of, they are always really strong. And we know the dramas going on in the NRL team.

"Their salary cap has a lot of money in players over 30 (years old).

"Walker, Cook, Jack (Wighton) is 31... Cody is coming to the end... and then can you get the best out of Latrell?

Watch the 2024 NRL premiership live and free on Nine and 9Now.

"They're coming last... they need a rebuild, for sure. Have they got money in the cap? They need to buy a couple of forwards."

While the idea of a recruitment spree is nice in theory, Johns is concerned South Sydney's efforts will be scuppered.

The culprit will be their eastern beaches nemesis - the Roosters - with whom they've been sparring for more than a century.

The Roosters have a figurative war chest of salary cap space with which to attack the rugby league market - which is relatively barren already.

The Chooks are losing big-money stars Luke Keary, Joey Manu, Joseph Suaalii, and Jared Waerea-Hargreaves at season's end. The futures of both Daniel Tupou and Angus Crichton remain up in the air.

Even with a looming upgrade for halfback Sam Walker, the Tricolours will have millions of dollars available to go hunting for the best talent.

"Whoever is going for players, they are going to have to bid against the Roosters, who have $4.5m or over $4m to spend," Johns said.

"So if there is a quality player the Roosters are going to get him.

"There's going to be a bidding frenzy."