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If you asked supporters of the 12 rugby league clubs who missed out on the last four who they would like to see win the 2014 NRL premiership, the vote would be heavily in favour of South Sydney.
There are two reasons for that support.
The Rabbitohs are hard to hate, unless you’re a Roosters supporter. That aggro has been simmering for more than a century.
And secondly, the Rabbitohs have done it tough over the years. They were booted out of the competition in 1999, but showed as much courage and determination to fight the decision through the law courts, as they did on the field, and were readmitted for the 2003 season.
Souths are one of only three 1908 foundation clubs left, along with the Roosters and Newcastle, but Souths have won more premierships than any other club (20), five ahead of the Dragons (15), Roosters (13) and Balmain (11).
So there are many reasons why there’s a genuine soft spot for South Sydney and their famous cardinal red and myrtle green jersey.
And I’m one of them. I’ve been lucky enough, and old enough, to see many of the all-time Rabbitoh greats.
My first memory was that of the “Little Master” Clive Churchill. It amazed me that someone so small (175 centimetres) – compared to the giants of the game – and so thin (76 kilograms) could be so brilliant.
Full-back Churchill was my rugby league benchmark, but the Redfern greats kept coming.
Jack Rayner, Les Cowie, Jimmy Lisle, Ian Moir, Paul Sait, Eric Simms, John Sattler, Bobby McCarthy, Ron Coote, Elwyn Walters, Bob Grant, Michael Cleary. George Piggins, Ray Branighan and Ian Roberts, to name a few.
On Friday night, all the past Rabbitohs will be watching the current squad do sudden death battle against their next door neighbour enemy the Roosters for a place in the grand final.
Souths haven’t been in the decider for 43 years. The last time was September 18, 1971 at the SCG, where the referee was former Kangaroo half-back Keith Holman. He was known as “Yappy” to his mates, he didn’t mind the odd word, or hundred.
Both South and St George had big support groups, making up the 62,838 that choked the famous old ground. Souths beat Saints 16-10, scoring three tries to two.
Sattler led the Rabbitohs side, which also included Simms, Sait, O’Neill, Coote, McCarthy, with his match-winning try, and hooker Piggins, who played the game of his life.
Graeme Langlands captained the Dragons with Ken Maddison, Tony Branson, Billy Smith, Barry Beath and Col Rasmussen on duty.
Clive Churchill coached Souths, Jack Gibson the Dragons, two of the very best.
That all adds up to say it’s time for South Sydney to relive those glory days.