The South Sydney Rabbitohs are delighted to announce the contract extensions of international back rower Michael Chee Kam and South Sydney junior Dean Hawkins for the 2023 season.
Chee Kam, 30, has had the opportunity to play two first grade matches with the Rabbitohs in season 2022, but his experience and character around the playing group has been invaluable throughout his first season with the Club, thus earning him a contract extension.
Michael has played 96 NRL games in his career with the Rabbitohs, Sea Eagles and Wests Tigers, as well as three Test matches for Samoa since making his first grade debut in 2014.
Hawkins, 23, has earned a top 30 contract with the Rabbitohs for the 2023 season having trained with Rabbitohs’ top squad throughout 2022, playing halfback in the round 22 victory over the Parramatta Eels.
A Matraville Tigers junior from the South Sydney district, Hawkins has played four NRL matches since making his debut against the Broncos in round five, 2021. Hawkins won the Club’s NSW Cup player of the year award in 2021 and is leading many of the key statistics across the entire NSW Cup competition in 2022.
Rabbitohs Head of Football, Mark Ellison, says Chee Kam’s experience and Hawkins’ football smarts are welcome at the Club.
“Unfortunately ‘Cheeks’ hasn’t been able to play the amount of football he would have liked to in 2022 but we know that when he gets on the park he is an NRL-quality player every day of the week,” Mr Ellison said.
Mark EllisonHe has also done a great job working with some of our young forwards at the Club, showing them the professionalism that’s required to make it in the NRL.
“He’s found a home here at South Sydney and we look forward to seeing him back on the field in the red and green jersey for the rest of this season and next.
“Dean has been a great servant to the Club over a number of years now, progressing through the grades from Junior Bunnies up to first grade.
Mark EllisonHe has all of the attributes to do the job at the NRL level and has made the most of the opportunities he’s been given. He’s a no fuss operator, calm under pressure and is a very smart footballer. He’s perfect for the role he plays at our Club.
“He’s a South Sydney junior that loves the Club and we’re looking forward to working with him again next season.”
Biographies
Name: Michael Chee Kam
Date of Birth: 26 February 1992
Place of Birth: Auckland, NZ
Position: Second row, centre
Height: 192cm
Weight: 100kg
Junior Club: Mount Wellington Warriors
Previous Clubs: Tigers (2016-21); Sea Eagles (2014-15)
NRL Debut: Sea Eagles vs Cowboys, 1300 SMILES Stadium, 6 September 2014 (Rd 26)
NRL Club Debut: Rabbitohs vs Broncos, Suncorp Stadium, 11 March 2022 (Rd 1)
NRL Games: 96 (two for the Rabbitohs; 89 for the Tigers; five for the Sea Eagles)
NRL Points: 44 (all for the Tigers from 11 tries)
Rep Honours: Three tests for Samoa (2018-19); Australian Schoolboys (2010)
Awards: NRL NYC under 20s Team of the Year (2012)
Name: Dean Hawkins
Date of Birth: 10 March 1999
Place of Birth: Sydney, NSW
Position: Halfback
Height: 180cm
Weight: 78kg
Junior Club: Matraville Tigers
NRL and Club Debut: Rabbitohs vs Broncos, Stadium Australia, 8 April 2021 (Rd 5)
NRL Games: Four (all for the Rabbitohs)
Awards: NSW Cup Player of the Year (2021)
