South Sydney are holding out slim hopes that departing five-eighth Luke Keary hasn't played his last NRL game in the cardinal and myrtle.
Keary will defect to near neighbours Sydney Roosters next NRL season and is racing the clock to return from a hamstring injury next weekend.
With the side out of the finals race, Keary has just two more chances at a farewell game for the Rabbitohs.
He is considered next to no chance to take on Newcastle on Sunday and there is only a slight possibility he will be fit to play Canterbury on Friday week.
The premiership-winning five-eighth has begun running but has not resumed contact.
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Halfback Adam Reynolds, who partnered Keary in the halves for 2014's grand final win, said his little mate deserved to go out on his own terms.
"I don't know how good his body is at the moment," Reynolds said.
"I definitely would love to see him out there, he's had a lot to do with the club the last few years and he deserves to go out the way he wants."
Keary suffered a torn hamstring in the Rabbitohs' round 21 defeat to Canberra and has missed the past three weeks.
