I have plenty of respect for South Sydney.
Despite being the mortal enemy of my team (Sydney Roosters), their record as the most successful team in Australian rugby league history, can’t be ignored.
Since being re-instated in the NRL in 2002, the Rabbitohs have made a steady ascent from bottom-of-the table-dwellers. But, they have still failed to consistently make the top eight. They may no longer be easy-beats but they are still yet to reach their full potential, much to the dismay of their many loyal and passionate fans.
Chris Sandow, who is off contract after this season, is expected to take an offer from Parramatta Eels, thus leaving a gap in the halves.
With speculation growing over Craig Gower’s return to the NRL, it’s expected that he might be the secret to Souths regularly making the eight once again.
Let’s burst that bubble, shall we. Here are the numbers.
Gower will turn 33 on Friday. He’s been playing rugby union in France since 2008. Before his switch to rugby he had been in 3 disgusting off-field incidents, accumulating a total of $103,000 in fines. At Bayonne he has scored just 7 tries from 74 matches, compared to Sandow’s 11 tries from 54 matches.
All in all, it’s clearly not an improvement from Sandow.
But that’s what the club need. Someone to take them forward, not back.
And considering the unprecedented pressure on clubs and players to behave off the field, Gower would be a massive risk, and perhaps even a bad influence on the many young players in the squad.
Late yesterday night Gower’s manager reportedly denied any contact with Souths but did say he had been back in Australia to explore what options were available back in the NRL, with Penrith among the clubs mentioned. Gower is apparently also searching for coaching options after football, too.
If that were to occur, no doubt Penrith would snag him over Souths.
Wigan Warriors coach Michael Maguire will replace the Rabbitohs current coach John Lang next year. Maguire, too, seems to have his own ideas on who should fill the gap left by Sandow.
Ryan Hoffman and Brett Finch both departed from Melbourne Storm to Wigan after the salary cap scandal last year, and have earned much respect under Maguire. Having either of those talented players come back would be beneficial for Souths. Certainly moreso than Gower.
But will any of these players help them make the eight over and over? No.
They are helpful, yes. But what the Rabbitohs need is more than a Greg Inglis or a Brett Finch.
Watching them play lately is like watching an under 19s suburban club side.
The errors are vast and frequent. Their attack is unimaginative and unrehearsed. In defence, though aggressive and physical, they lack discipline.
They need to gel as one – coach, players, club – and push themselves if they are ever going to improve. This is not what we see each week from the Rabbitohs.
They look uninterested and disorganised.
Whether Wayne Bennett could have fixed all this, we will never know.
I don’t see the club advancing under Lang, so maybe Maguire is the answer.
I’ve yet to see enough of his work as head coach, but his record speaks for itself.
One season for one premiership. Not bad. Not bad at all.
tom
Guest
the panthers are the best team in the world and craig gower is the best half back in the world so it makes sense he should play for penrith
Jim
Guest
Mark, There are not many sucessful clubs in the NRL, only Brisbane and Melbourne can wave the flag, St.George Illawarra (i) Premiership (you cant count the ones St.George won prior to the combining) , Tigers (west/Balmain) same boat. So lets be realistic at least Souths stand alone. Jim
Mark
Guest
Sure
Melanie Dinjaski
Roar Guru
Absolutely with you on that Ron.
Melanie Dinjaski
Roar Guru
Right you are Mark. I suppose the I should change that. But...I don't think NSWRFL/NSWRL/ARL/SL/NRL exactly rolls off the tongue (or keyboard). Can we settle on "...most successful team in Australian Rugby League history.."?
Melanie Dinjaski
Roar Guru
Are you asking because I show some admiration for a team other than my own? Bit harsh there Brendan.
Mark
Guest
South Sydney aren't the most successful NRL club, because the NRL was only formed in 1998. But yes they are the most successful NSWRFL/NSWRL/ARL/SL/NRL club. All their premierships came during the NSWRFL seasons.
Wilko
Guest
It is absolutely insane that we are even in this situation of possibly losing Sandow. he's only young, only a couple of years out of Toyota Cup and just getting better and better. he should be the long-term halfback of South Sydney. in fact, he'll probably be the future halfback of QLD after Thurston and Prince retire. but what did Souths do instead of sign him up long-term? they go and sign John Sutton for three more years possibly leaving no room under the cap to retain Sandow. it's madness! it should have been the other way around. Sutton is 26 and has had a heap of time and chances to prove that he is better than average and that he can play consistently good footy. he fails and breaks Rabbitohs hearts every single season. even if Maguire intends playing Sutto at Lock - where he should always have been played - Souths still should have retained Sandow first, Sutton maybe later. dumb dumb dumb.
Gary Russell-Sharam
Guest
I agree with the sentiments put forward by the posts. Gower would be a waste of money. I watched him play for Italy and he was very ordinary. How he got a gong has me baffled, there would have to be dozens of halfs running around in league or union that are better than Gower. And to top all this off, his off field behaviour is grubby to say the least. Why would any club want a 33 year old ex player that has just had major surgery and is a liability off the field. It begs the question why anyone at all is thinking of signing him, it has to be a manager trying valiantly to get the last squeeze of a lemon. South need a good coach that is the nub of it, nothing more. They have just signed a good one so everyone should settle down and wait for a bit. There will be more pain this year while they are in limbo with the coaching but next season will be different. Just have some more patience you Bunnies!!!!!!!
Ron
Guest
Gower was handy once upon a time but he would be a complete waste of money. He has been solid without being spectacular in French rugby, and that was before he did his knee. God knows how he will come back from that. It would be a sad indictment on the quality of halves in League if Souths signed Gower up.
Todd Slater
Guest
Part of me would love to see Sandow turn around & tell Parramatta, 'thanks but no thanks, i'm very happy where i'am' No player has done this since 1995 from my memory. If he does sign, then Johnny Lang should do what Bennett did when Hodges signed with Easts half way through season '01, drop him & leave him there. I'm sure North Sydney coach Wayne Lambkin would be grateful. Gower is the last player Souths need. What is the fascination with rehydrating old halfbacks ? They leave the NRL because their clubs no longer want them, then suddenly some sort of miracle occurs whilst they are away & their services are desperately in need again. Sounds like the players miss the competition, limelight & ego boost that the NRL provides them. Their voracious managers, always hungry for their next cut or cheque suddenly start talking them up again regardless of form. Matt Orford at Canberra says it all, especially when he obstructing the career of a young player on the rise who could arguably jump start their season. Canberra must surely no they have done their money cold there on Orford. Clubs have to ask is it really worth it ? If Richardson does take the bait & sign Gower to Souths it will be a huge mistake. The guys best football was at least 5 or more years ago, he hasn't got the speed, skill or know how to compete at this level anymore.
danny
Guest
The problem with gower is that he hasn't been able to crack the starting side at bayonne for over a year now and no other club in france wanted him, i believe there were a couple of second division clubs looking at him. His form has really deserted him lately and he has had knee surgery and he is 33
Brendan
Roar Rookie
How much of an NRL fan are you? Are you actually a member of your "beloved roosters"?
the business
Guest
Souths should be chasing the Storm's back up halfback Luke Kelly. He played a few games in the NRL last year, will do again this year during Origin period and is a gun. Would be suprised if they don't with maguire coming on board.
Godfrey
Guest
Souths have improved? They are the only Sydney club not to have made the finals in the past 3 years. They have the worst defensive record on averages over the past three years. Since re-admission, the club hasn't won more games than it's lost in a season. It's average position on the ladder is 10th. They are second last at the moment despite having one of the costliest playing rosters in the rugby league world. Despite boasting that Souths has the best centre in Inglis, the best Pommie to ever come to Australia in Burgess, and the best forward pack in the world, the Bunnies have won two and lost five so far this year. Not to mention that the leagues club that Crowe and Holmes a Court promised to redevelop has been closed for over four years and is comatosed and on life-support. Yet you say Souths are no longer "easy beats". Ha.