Despite being replaced as the club's first grade captain, John Sutton has insisted he isn't going anywhere after guiding South Sydney to their first premiership in 43 years last season.
Rabbitohs coach Michael Maguire named Queensland and Australian fullback Greg Inglis as the club's captain a fortnight ago despite Sutton leading the club to premiership glory a mere four months ago.
Sutton, speaking at the launch of the NRL's Community Carnival, said while the decision was a difficult one for him to fathom, it was one which will allow him to focus on his football moving forward.
After making the move to the back-row from five-eighth late last season, Sutton is looking forward to further learning more within his new role in the team.
"[Michael and I] had a few conversations about it but I'd rather not delve into them. But at the end of the day I'm still very much a part of this team and I love the club and I'm very proud to be a part of it," Sutton said.
"I'm still very happy to be a part of this team and I won't be going anywhere anytime soon. There were rumours around that I was going to the Tigers but I don't know where they came from. I love the club and I'm looking forward to hopefully making it to the grand final again this season.
"It'll probably make my job a lot easier [without the captaincy]. There is more running and tackling than directing in the back-row. I actually enjoyed playing there at the backend of last season and I'm just looking forward to advancing my combination with Keary on that edge this season."
While the Rabbitohs most capped player won't lead his team out, something he has done for the most part of the previous three seasons, Sutton said he won't change his style in and around the squad.
Remaining in the club's leadership group, the 30-year-old said without the "hassle" of off-field commitments it will allow him to better himself as he approaches his 12th season in the NRL.
"Even though I don't have the little 'c' next to my name, I'm still a leader in the team and I'm very happy to still put the Rabbitohs jumper on," Sutton said.
"It's in my nature to [be an on-field leader] and now that I don't have the hassle of doing things off the field I can just focus on football now and do my best."
