South Sydney are playing their way toward a major roster overhaul at the end of the year.

Currently 3-6 and coming off a dreadful flogging to Manly, the Rabbitohs appear to be drifting further away from contention.

With Greg Inglis, Adam Reynolds and the Burgess brothers taking up a huge chunk of their salary cap, there's little room for the club to move unless they shed some long-standing players.

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Local juniors Aaron Gray and Alex Johnston are already in talks with rival clubs and appear unlikely to stay.

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Johnston has made it clear he wants to be recognized as a fullback – a case won't be helped tomorrow night when he moves back to the wing to accommodate Cody Walker at the rear.

Looking for more variation and skill from their pack, the Rabbitohs are now favourite to pick-up John Asiata from the Cowboys. Somewhat of a cult hero after his silky performances in the halves for North Queensland, Asiata wants to join a club where he'll feature in the starting 13.

That doesn't appear likely in Townsville next year, with Jordan McLean joining a pack that already boasts Matt Scott, Coen Hess, Jason Taumololo, Ethan Lowe, and Gavin Cooper.

We've heard the Rabbitohs have offered Asiata around $350,000-a-season – well above what the Cowboys can afford.