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.
Brendan
Guest
Good call KB.. You gone into hiding?
robby
Guest
most on here would never have heard of these players and most dont care way too long ago to be any way relevant in 2014 - They played sooooooooo long ago and any of their deeds are well and trully ancient history - was it during the roman period or even earlier the greek or egyption period they played?.
robby
Guest
where's the proof that 12 other teams supporters would want souths to win - i think your stretching it there David Lord
Slatibardfast
Guest
Yea, nothing happened prior to NRL. Ignorance doesn't make it all go away.
Slatibardfast
Guest
Easts the team that a couple of people support. Maybe. It's only a rumour.
Joel
Guest
Mitch. Souths haven't won any NRL premierships, don't bring your NSWRL crap into the NRL, you can't claim prems won in a State comp into a national comp ... enough said!
Pickett
Guest
It's a teeth thing..
Pickett
Guest
Sheek, I'm a dyed in the wool Easts supporter, but I hope that Souths win this year as well. I don't like the Berries or Penrith. Ronny Coote said something similar last year - that he supported both Easts and Souths but would like Souths to win because they haven't won for a while. This great man was born in Kingsford, played for Kensington juniors - one of the disputed territories between the clubs. I understand Ronny's old man was an Easts' supporter. He truly would be a divided supporter. FTR, Waverley College is Easts territory. No ifs or buts about it. The legendary Dave Brown was an old Waverlian, and there's always been an affinity between Waverley and Easts. Any Souths supporters at your school would have been ring ins and should have been expelled with six of the best.
Pickett
Guest
Lol Blues recovery... Ron Coote was a legend both on and off the field. One of the nicest blokes you could meet.
Kevin dustby
Guest
I'm guessing Joel that you have never left queensland, the nswrl comp expanded and changed names
Realist 1975
Guest
Love for Souths to win the GF this year given their story to date and I am impressed by some of their quality players. Each year I hope Cronulla (no premierships since their inception in 1967) does it one day, but given history and their current squad for next year I think I will have more chance winning the lottery.
The Barry
Guest
You are kidding. Dogs have regular made grand finals, won premierships and made semi finals since the 1970s. Is that all because of Manly? Reynolds doesn't play like Foran at all. Only people that get their footy knowledge from reading websites rather than watching games would say that Reynolds is skill less. He starts so many of the bulldogs plays by beating his man and drawing the outside player to release his outside men. He has a very good football brain. Every team runs plays with the fullback sweeping behind. You're not seriously claiming this as a Manly creation? No one who knows anything about footy would say that the dogs 2012 style of forwards interchanging passes to create space was lifted from the eagles. Completely different and developed based on the strengths of the dogs team. You're rants are ridiculous. Not one ounce of common sense or footy knowledge just propaganda, paranoia and cliches.
The Barry
Guest
I didn't choose them Con.
KIwiBear
Guest
@ Joel The NRL is a competition that grew from and is a result of the NSWRL competition that was the premier competition of which others wanted a piece of that action. And even supposing your list is right which its not these are the teams which started in the inaugural NRL season and by your logic are "foundation NRL clubs" Adelaide Rams, Auckland, Balmain,Brisbane, Canberra, Canterbury, Cronulla, Gold Coast(Chargers), Illawarra, Manly-Warringah, Melbourne, Newcastle, North Queensland, North Sydney, Parramatta, Penrith, Sydney City(Easts), St George, and Western Suburbs.
KIwiBear
Guest
+ 1
steveng
Roar Rookie
Yeah David, those were the days that I grew up with as a kid and Souths were then and are now my blood and soul forever. We have gone through some great times until then but in the last 43 years we have all gone through some tough times and suffered lots. This Souths side reminds me very much of the 1967 side that brought Souths back to be a legend side, hopefully next year they can get more top class players and keep the Rabbitohs tradition and pride going like some of the top clubs have done in the modern game. Go the Rabbits premiers of 2014.
Leaguecoach101
Guest
You might want to keep up with the news. The Chicago White Sox won the World Series in 2005.
eagleJack
Guest
Well that could explain why Souths, despite having one of the best squads in the comp, have not reached great heights the last few years. If Sutton is polling votes at 6, where he lacks any creativity, then the others aren't putting in. A question for you Mitchoh - would you prefer Keary or Sutton in the 6 jersey tonight? I know who I would prefer. And it is one of the reasons why Souths look a lot more dangerous with more options at their disposal.
nerval
Guest
And that is one reason why they'll never have your support? Really? Ray Warren sometimes calls Greg Inglis Greg - heck, he sometimes calls Greg Eastwood Greg Inglis! - and that's enough to put South Sydney in your bad books? As the great "Gus" would say, "dear oh dear oh dear..."
Chui
Guest
I don't think Ray Warren knows his name is Inglis.