The Bunnies are two from two so far in 2025 playing without suspended star Mitchell, who has been training the house down in order to hit the ground running when he returns. Mitchell has been sidelined by a hamstring tear he suffered during pre-season training in February. Youngster Jye Gray has been impressive in two outings wearing the No.1 jersey as the Rabbitohs took down the Dolphins and St George Illawarra. But Bennett, who said a photo of Mitchell he saw from last year “wasn’t a nice photo”, didn’t hesitate when asked where super-fit Mitchell would play when he returns in round 5 against the Roosters. “Fullback is his (Mitchell) position. It’s his No1 position,” Bennett said on Friday, ruling out any suggestion he could come back as a centre. “He enjoys being there, and he’ll be starting back fullback when he comes back.” Bennett said Gray “absolutely” could play in the same side as Mitchell. such had been his impact so far this season. But whether Smith, who signed a two-year deal to cross from the Roosters in 2026 that could be brought forward, also lines up for the Rabbitohs this season remains unclear. The international hooker is rehabbing a knee injury that will keep him sidelined until round 15, and both clubs would need to negotiate an early release. “We signed him for next year. That was our priority, so if he doesn’t come this year, there’s no big deal,” Bennett said. “It’s where they’ll (Roosters) be at, not where we’re at. It’s up to them. “He’s contracted to them for this year. We’ll just move on and if something changes there, we’ll talk about it.” South Sydney’s current No.9 Peter Mamouzelos is also contracted until the end of 2027. Cronulla star Nicho Hynes has been cleared to face the Rabbitohs on Saturday after getting through a full training session on his corked leg. Hynes sat out training this week after copping a knock above his left knee in last Saturday’s win over North Queensland. But coach Craig Fitzgibbon confirmed on Friday that Hynes would take his place after training well on Thursday in a boost for the Sharks. “He’s OK, he’s fine, he trained fully yesterday,” Fitzgibbon said. “It was just a cork, he’s fine.”