THE Rabbitohs have spent a small fortune in recent years on whatever technology is cutting the ever-changing edge of the sports science world.

On the eve of the 2016 season, the foundation club is going old school in a bid to rediscover their mojo.

INNOVATION OVERLOAD

Blood energising chips, high altitude training in the Grand Canyon, revolutionary GPS tracking data and “mind resilience training” have all got a run at Redfern during Michael Maguire’s reign, just as every NRL rival has searched just as far and just as wide for a competitive advantage.

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Same as the rest of the competition, those innovations will be still be sought in 2016, and still guarded like state secrets.

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But this year sleeping in their own beds, fishing and meals that come in solid, not liquid form have all made a welcome return to the Rabbitohs’ pre-season to combat player burnout.

It’s been one decidedly quieter — outside of the near-weekly appearance in the rumour columns — than the whirlwind 70,000km post-premiership junket that took them to Arizona, England and Auckland before a ball was kicked in genuine anger.

“Fitness-wise everyone’s on a level playing field these days,” Souths trainer Matt King says.

“The strength and conditioning guys, the sports scientists, they all go to the same universities so they’re all doing the same stuff.

“The biggest difference is we’re not coming off a grand final win and all the stuff that goes with it.

“Last year we went to Arizona, we went to the Nines, England and we had a great time but it was a big program.

“This time round the boys have slept in their own beds for the whole pre-season and when you’re slogging away for a whole season, that’s something you can really appreciate.”

PRIORITIES REALIGNED

Michael Maguire with stars Adam Reynolds and Greg Inglis during South Sydney training. Source: News Corp Australia

The Rabbitohs’ 2015 premiership defence that never truly got off the ground was set to a soundtrack of rumblings that players were growing tired of Maguire’s famed intensity and drill sergeant discipline.

Chatter around ructions within the playing group continues to do the rounds, and was always going to after off-contract five-eighth Luke Keary’s very public spat with owner Russell Crowe and Sam Burgess’s hefty share of salary cap space forced Chris McQueen and Dylan Walker elsewhere.

But depending on who you talk to at the Burrow, Maguire has sniffed the air and made some compromises to his coaching style, with life’s simple pleasures getting added priority among all the hard yakka and fancy sports science innovations.

“We encourage the boys, when they have down time to actually have down time, and that’s been something that probably has been more of a focus,” King says.

“You’re always trying to improve and do something different, because if you’re doing the same thing as last year you’re going to get eaten up.”

As a result, the four kilos Keary has added to his frame have come about without a protein shake passing his lips.

Greg Inglis on the fly in a trial on the Gold Coast. Source: News Corp Australia

Aaron Gray’s tinnie is getting plenty of water time, as he and teammates hit the water to indulge in the oldest form of meditation known to man: Fishing.

John Sutton can be found at either Redfern Oval or sitting on the inside at his local Maroubra break.

Greg Inglis, despite a knee injury that he’ll carry for the rest of his days, is in cracking shape, having enjoyed an off-season free of international commitments with his young family.

BUT THE INTENSITY REMAINS

Old habits have always died hard though, especially when it comes to the actual training paddock.

Maguire’s methods are still being implemented with the same military precision learned at the feet of Melbourne’s Craig Bellamy.

The Burgess brothers during a gruelling training session in December. Source: Supplied

“I’d say this pre-season’s gotten more complex if anything,” forward Chris Grevsmuhl says.

“The plays that we’re putting in and the conditioning components, they’re not tougher so to speak but they’re longer.

“But the boys are just finding enjoyment in it. Somehow. But that competitiveness is how I think you drive each other to rip in.

“It’s been longer but you don’t see it that way. Everyone wants to be around each other and I guess that’s what gets us through the days.

“It doesn’t even come to mind anymore.”

The writer is on Twitter dan_walsh64