Kicking plenty of goals on the field, South Sydney chief executive Shane Richardson has described the Rabbitohs as market-leaders off it.
The Bunnies, enjoying their best season in more than two decades, have plenty of substance to show for the glamour that comes with having a Hollywood star as owner of the club.
While Russell Crowe’s influence no doubt helped deliver some of the game’s biggest names to Redfern, the Rabbitohs are clearly not satisfied with lofty ladder positions.
They want to be a dominant force in the Australian sporting landscape, Wednesday’s unveiling of plans for a high performance community centre to be funded by a $16 million grant from the federal government the next piece in the puzzle.
It was the latest fillip for a club that has gone from pauper to prince in the space of a decade, and are serious challengers for their first premiership in 42 years.
“When I arrived at the club we were turning over $8 million, we are turning over $23 million now,” Richardson told AAP.
“When I arrived here we were losing money and without the (Souths) Juniors, we would never even have survived those first couple of years (back in the NRL).
“Now we’re making profits, I think we’ve become a leader in the NRL and it’s a long way from when we were the 16th club to where we are now.”
Richardson pointed out rugby league had lagged behind the AFL in enjoying the kind of high-performance facility it would soon enjoy.
“AFL has been getting a lot of free kicks,” Richardson said.
“If you go down to Melbourne you will see Richmond, Essendon and Collingwood, a lot of money spent in those areas from this type of high performance and community program.
“This is a step forward for rugby league in Australia.”
Rabbitohs superstar Greg Inglis regarded the new facility as a reward for their on-field efforts.
“If you ask for things kindly, nicely, then obviously things get put towards you,” Inglis said.
Rabbitohs supporters clearly believe this could be a drought-breaking club this year given their early response to purchasing grand final tickets.
“We’ve bought 50 per cent of the membership tickets to all the clubs, we’ve just got to make it first,” Richardson said.
“The bottom line is they have shown faith in buying them but we’ve got to repay that faith by getting there.”
Richardson dismissed the suggestion the Rabbitohs might get fatigued by the amount of travelling they have done this year, playing some games in non-traditional rugby league areas.
“We’ve won most of those games,” Richardson said.
“We had a week off on the Gold Coast last week relaxing, but it didn’t help us.
“It’s part of our business plan. The coach gets it.
“We’ve won those games away, it’s just part of being a successful club.”
Richardson said Souths would continue to use the facilities at their spiritual home at Redfern Oval while the new centre of excellence at Maroubra is being constructed.
The 5000-square-metre facility at Heffron Park will include a gymnasium, indoor sports arena, a high altitude chamber, rehabilitation pool and a community centre with theatrette and is expected to be complete some time in 2015.
Marko of Manly
Guest
Weren't manly flogged by Souths at Brokevale in the first round ?? Manly - No coach, No facilities, No juniors, No Hope... they could take a lot of the Rabbitohs Book and that's not just poaching players Tho its better to be has beens manly, than never beens .
hairy old goat
Guest
Yer the fact is your High Performance Centre envy is showing.
DMW
Guest
lol, I'm happy for the facts to determine the outcome here, regardless of what you or I think of each others character.
HAIRY OLD GOAT
Guest
I can tell that DMW that your a person of integrity that only deals in facts by your comment about ''...another who feels Souths are owed something by others.'' but of coarse this is not a team rivalry issue. That will do me DMW your kidding yourself.
DMW
Guest
hairy old goat, you can paint yourself in any light that you choose. My comments only go to the facts regarding the matter, and those I notice, you chose not to reply to... This is not a team rivalry issue. This is a question of responsibly spending tax-payers money. http://ahha.asn.au/news/worlds-most-advanced-hyperbaric-chamber-opens
hairy old goat
Guest
I apologize DMW you've nailed me ! just another one of those non tax paying, non caring Souths Sydney supporters that believes everyone owes them something. Thank goodness the rest of the community have you and your positive uplifting attitude...good luck with that.
DMW
Guest
... using taxpayers money.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Souths have finally entered the modern world.
DMW
Guest
And good on you HAIRY OLD GOAT. I admit to implying that the deal to enable the development to proceed is shonky (IMO), but how do THE FACTS surrounding the grant and your realisation that it is the taxpayer funding this development negative? Is it an inconvenient truth or are you just another who feels that Souths are owed something by others?
al
Guest
As a Broncos supporter I am so jealous at the fact that the Storm and the Rabbitohs are managed by professionals while my club is managed by gumbies. Anyway, if the Storm's spine stays injury-free I cannot see any team beating them in the Finals.
HAIRY OLD GOAT
Guest
Yep! Good on you DMW everything is shonky and everythings a negative...
DMW
Guest
It will only serve those in the community that affiliate themselves with Souths; their players, juniors and the locals who support the club while all tax-payers foot the $16M grant bill. If it is genuinely a community facility then why is it emblazened with a massive rabbit? Why won't it be open to everyone like the facilities at Homebush? No doubt Souths will be paying for the ongoing maintenance and upkeep, or will Randwick Council 'generously' pick up the tab and in doing so slug some of these tax-payers for a second time? And what of Marcellin fields? Where will the school play their RL? No doubt they'll be relocated elsewhere in some typical shonky deal fashion, again for the local rate-payer to pay the cost. If it's so sorely needed why can't Souths pay for it themselves?
HAIRY OLD GOAT
Guest
It certainly is interesting that is all you take out of the article and the announcement of a facility that will benefit so many in the community. If the Bunnies are fortunate enough to win or even make the grand final this year, the club, the players, the supporters and anyone associated with them are the winners for the future unlike you 'des' right hand' who will always be a pessimist no matter what any other club do to better the opportunities for others. GO THE BUNNIES
liatrevlis
Guest
What 2 sentences ?? only , no heating in your house ?? as for trend setting aaaaaaaaaaaa ha ha , someone get the fly spray
oikee
Guest
I think Souths are going to surprise, on and off the field. You look at them and the Storm, both trend setters, both role model clubs and should be our blueprint for the future.
des' right hand
Guest
hmmm interesting... but not as interesting as watching these pretenders get wolloped on friday night. no sutton and no inglis equals beatdown central... as shown in the cowboys vs souths game. and next week manly will school them just the same.. its gonna be a bumpy ride!!!!