South Sydney have hatched a plan for James Roberts to become a focal point of their off-field community work as they step up their bid to attract the Rabbitohs junior back to the club.

Roberts' uncle and adviser, Jeremy Donovan, met Rabbitohs coach Michael Maguire and chief executive John Lee on Saturday as South Sydney join Brisbane and StGeorge Illawarra in the race to sign the speedy outside back. Part of the Rabbitohs' pitch was for Roberts, 22, to lead community programs aimed at inspiring youth, having overcome his personal demons to star in the NRL this year.

"One of their [South Sydney's] focal points is how James' story can inspire hope and change among the community, not just the Indigenous community but the greater community," Donovan said. "They have a fantastic program with Souths Cares and it certainly was mentioned in a narrative that would be James' homecoming [as to] what does that fully look like?"

Roberts was sacked after playing 10 top grade games for the Rabbitohs in 2011 before Maguire arrived at the club. He went on to play first grade at Penrith before finding his feet on the Gold Coast in the past two seasons.