Defeated again but gutsy Rabbitohs fighting for coach Jason Demetriou, says Cody Walker

After a gutsy outing that ended in their fifth loss of the season South Sydney players are still fighting for coach Jason Demetriou, says Rabbitohs playmaker Cody Walker.

Torn apart by injuries and left with only one man on the bench for the second half, the Rabbitohs turned in their most spirited performance of the season on Saturday against Cronulla.

But their 34-22 defeat was their fifth loss in six games to start the year, leaving the proud club last on the ladder ahead of next week’s bye and without their star fullback Latrell Mitchell for matches against ladder-leading Melbourne and premiers Penrith.

But with captain Cameron Murray unable to return to the field after a HIA in the first half, and close to $4 million in talent on the sidelines, Walker insisted the players were still putting in the effort for Demetriou.

Photograph: Brendon Thorne/Getty ImagesWhile Murray should return from his concussion for Souths’ next game against Melbourne on April 25, Tyrone Munro (collarbone) and Tevita Tatola (foot) remain in serious doubt.

The Souths coach said on Saturday night he expected to hold onto his position, after a run that has brought just five wins in 19 games since his side topped the table last May.