Its been 41 lonely old years for the South Sydney Rabbitohs; 41 years without the sweet taste of premiership success.
But through the shadows of anonymity has come a new class of Rabbit. Is 2012 finally the year we see the red and green back at the big dance?
In 1971 Robert Askin was the Premier of New South Wales, Australian troops were pulled from the Vietnam War, and Silver Knight won the Melbourne Cup.
Like time tends to do, it changes.
In an age where coaches are as disposable as a used tissue, one man deserves some credit.
Michael Maguire has turned Souths around so drastically; the Redfern club are now one of the heavyweights of the National Rugby League.
But don’t be fooled by the glossy skin of this team. Maguire knows the road ahead is still long and treacherous.
That doesn’t mean we cant acknowledge Maguire as the greatest thing to happen to this proud club in over four decades.
The Rabbitohs are the most successful rugby league team this country has ever seen. Yet their last grand final victory came in 1971. At the time they were the pinnacle of greatness in Sydney, winning their fourth premiership in five years.
It was truly a great time for South Sydney. Little did they know the starvation to follow.
Channel Nine commentator Phil Gould even called this Souths side the greatest he had seen in 50 years.
“It’s been a long time for Souths fans. We’ve had the team over the past few years but haven’t delivered,” hooker Nathan Peats told the media on Monday.
“(But) we’re not getting too complacent.
“That’s a good wrap to get Phil Gould saying things like that but I think (coach Michael Maguire) said (on Sunday) that he’s not that old (to remember those teams) – and I’m not that old.
“So I don’t know how good the Souths teams were back then.
“But I know Bob McCarthy and that’s a good wrap because he is one of the legends of South Sydney.
“In saying that we have got a pretty good team and I think everyone’s injury free. We haven’t been in that position for a long time.”
On the back of some Rabbitohs’ player apparel is the saying ‘Sons of Glory’.
We’ll soon find out if they are truly part of this historic family.
Ryan
Guest
Well Said Robbie!.................they failed to meet the criteria set all those years ago. Poor Norths got the rough end of the stick. Hope Souths get belted and finish last next year
matty west
Guest
Wouldnt that be special us & the doggies,if souths win the comp it will be so big accross the nation enormous boost 4league & a life long dream just hope there time is now theyl beat any1 on thier day. go da bunnies!
JETT
Guest
So Phil Gould thinks the 2012 Rabbitohs are the best Souths team in 50 years.....HMM .LET ME GET THIS STRAIGHT . A Team that has yet to perform at semi final level SOMEHOW MANAGES To be CLASSED ABOVE THE FOUR SOUTHS PREMIERSHIP WINNING TEAMS 1967-68-70-71 ! Phil , SURELY YOU JEST !
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
Des was a school teacher, so maybe he has some tricks he learnt from teaching kids, and applies that when facing the media. Or maybe it's that he always starts a press conference with "look into my eyes, you are starting to feel sleepy, so very sleepy....."
HBG
Guest
It's not really that easy, the run home. Titans this week, who have bounced back, Manly, Sharks. The Eels have stepped up a gear, and so have the Knights.
Redback
Guest
NO
tonysalerno
Roar Guru
The Rabbitohs are in a very good position but we can't afford to pop the champagne just yet. If the Rabbitohs were to experience an upset loss from here to the finals; what would that do to their confidence? South Sydney is a club built on emotion- when they're up; they are flying high- when they're down; they're down in the doldrums. Let's not forget there is a side that is still ahead of them and are on fire... the canterbury bulldogs. Des Hasler has the ability to make the media slip his side under the radar subconsciously :O How does he do that?
eagleJack
Guest
Souths are blessed with what could be described a a pretty "easy" run home. But the true test for Maguire will be keeping a lid on all the excitement around Redfern at the moment. Cause that has always been Souths downfall. Reading their own press. And we already have it filtering out. You have Nathan Peats showing reporters where he is going to get his premiership tattoo. Jason Clark speaking about the jealousy of seeing Crocker's, GI's, and Asotasi's premiership tatts and how he can't wait to join them with one. If I was a Souths fan that kind of talk would be making me nervous. Finals football is a different kettle of fish. They won't be facing a Tigers outfit missing 7 first graders with a hooker playing half. Heck they only just miraculously beat a Roosters side who are o-r-d-i-n-a-r-y. They have a long way to go in my opinion. But they are exciting times
Pot Stirrer
Guest
As a Rooster i cant think of anything worse to happen this year than the Rabbits winning and us getting the spoon. However it seems like a real possibility, I wonder what the odds on that double would be. Also i wouldnt write the sharks of yet theyve had some pretty dud calls this year and have been playing with out their best players for a few weeks. They will win at least 2 games more which should guarantee them a shot in the finals.
Pot Stirrer
Guest
As a Rooster i cant think of anything worse to happen this year than the Rabbits winning and us getting the spoon. However it seems like a real possibility, I wonder what the odds on that double would be. Also i wouldnt write the sharks of yet theyve had some pretty dud calls this year and have been playing with out their best players for a few weeks. They will win at least 2 games more which should guarantee them a shot in the finals.
Pot Stirrer
Guest
As a Rooster i cant think of anything worse to happen this year than the Rabbits winning and us getting the spoon. However it seems like a real possibility, I wonder what the odds on that double would be. Also i wouldnt write the sharks of yet theyve had some pretty dud calls this year and have been playing with out their best players for a few weeks. They will win at least 2 games more which should guarantee them a shot in the finals.
Bearfax
Guest
Its fast looking like a two horse race unless The Storm and the Sea Eagles can get their respective acts together. A Souths Vs Canterbury grandfinal, despite my obvious maroon and white leanings, would be a special event. They are certainly the standout sides in the comp at present and all credit to the coaches and management. My heart says Souths to win their first grandfinal since 1971.
robbie
Guest
Nope AND they should be booted back out of the comp. One rule for Souths another for everyone else
Curtis Woodward
Expert
The point was Michael Maguire.
Curtis Woodward
Expert
The Cronulla article was just saying that the Sharks COULD win the competition. At the time, the article made sense. Can understand why Sharks fans didnt like it, they knew they were going to fall on their faces again. Wont be writing about the Sharks anymore thats for sure.
John Vizzone
Roar Rookie
Great article. As a Souths fan since I was born it is certainly the most excitement I have had about my team. Funnily enough though there is still a sense of awkward pessimism amongst souths fans. We are still waiting for the bubble to burst. I though think this team may be the real deal.
Steve
Guest
They should be, it's a salary cap competition eventually everybody gets their turn, some just have to wait longer than others. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Droppa
Guest
No!
B.A Sports
Guest
Get used to it, we will get two of these every week for the next six weeks
llieno
Roar Rookie
Ha I was thinking exactly the same thing