Nov 5th, 2018

Nov 5th, 2018

Veteran John Sutton is on the verge of winning a contract to play a 16th and final season for his beloved South Sydney.

There were grave doubts about the future of Sutton - who turns 34 today - when he was omitted from Souths’ original 2019 squad last week.

But Souths only named 28 players, leaving two spots open, giving Sutton some hope of a swansong.

The long serving utility found a new lease on life under coach Anthony Seibold this year, playing some of the best football of his career.

And it appears to have been enough to convince Rabbitohs officials to give Sutton a new deal for next season.

(AAP)

The only stumbling block could be Panthers and former Test forward Trent Merrin.

The Rabbitohs have been in talks with Merrin and if he comes on board, Sutton’s chances diminish.

But Merrin has a rich deal from English club Leeds on the table and is expected to accept that.