South Sydney Rabbitohs have re-signed 21-year-old Gerringong Lions junior Ashton Ward for another season.

Ward joined the Rabbitohs from the Dragons this year and made his NRL debut in Round 21, going on to play six first-grade games.

He also capped off an impressive season by being named the Rabbitohs’ NSW Cup Player of the Year for 2025 at the club’s end-of-year presentation.

Rabbitohs Head of Recruitment and Retention, Mark Ellison, said he was delighted to secure Ward’s future with the club.

“Ashton joined us from the Dragons this year, and we wanted to see how he would develop his game at Jersey Flegg and NSW Cup levels, but he has shown he can match it at NRL level as well,” Ellison said.

“He has earned his opportunity to play at the top level, and his development will be all the better for the experience he’s gained this season.

“He’s eager to continue learning and improving on both sides of the ball, and we look forward to working with him again next year.”

In his six NRL appearances, Ward scored one try, recorded a try assist and a line-break assist, ran for 317 metres, and made 137 tackles, including a memorable try-saving effort on Broncos forward Jordan Riki.

One of the smallest players in the NRL, Ward has already made a big impression with his toughness and tenacity. Upon his debut, his father David Ward spoke about how coach Wayne Bennett showed faith in his son.

“I think sometimes players are overlooked because coaches have a set idea of what physical attributes they want,” David said.

“Ashton’s always been on the smaller side, but Wayne told him a story earlier this year about being told not to pick a kid for the Broncos because he was too small. That kid was Allan Langer - and we all know how that turned out.”

Ward will now look to help inspire a Rabbitohs resurgence in 2026 after the club finished 14th on the ladder this season.

In other news involving former Gerringong Lions juniors, Tyran Wishart and Reuben Garrick are both reportedly exploring options for new clubs.

While both players remain under contract with their respective teams until the end of 2026, reports suggest that Garrick has knocked back Manly’s latest contract offer, and Wishart - currently behind Jahrome Hughes and Cameron Munster in the Storm’s halves rotation - is said to be seeking a move to a club where he can secure more consistent game time.