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Michael Maguire’s efforts to turn Souths into a premiership-winning club deserve the highest praise.
What he has done with the Rabbitohs in three years is phenomenal, and there’s every chance they can improve on Sunday’s stirring grand final win over Canterbury.
‘Madge’ has shown all the hallmarks of a great rugby league coach. He is a tremendous man-manager, cool under pressure, and never afraid to make the tough decisions for the good of his team.
Tactically, he is also right up at the top.
The Rabbitoh players – young and old – clearly warmed to Maguire, the man, and his coaching style.
I really liked hearing that Madge handed his premiership ring to star hooker Issac Luke, who missed the game because of suspension. That gesture shows what sort of bloke he is – the sort of coach players want to play for.
The grand final was ultra-physical, a genuine battle of strength and will, and the Rabbitohs were simply too good. I was proud of the gutsy effort put in by my old club, but they lacked the firepower to force the decision and Souths raced away.
The ground was a sea of emotion on the night and as a league fan it was good to see a proud foundation club such as South Sydney end their drought and chalk up title number 21. The game was played before a record crowd and the TV viewing figures were records as well.
Sammy Burgess was clearly the story of the night, suffering a cheekbone fracture in the opening collision of the game and playing on to inspire histeammates and help bring home the title.
We will never know the answer but I found myself asking: would Souths have won the game if he had left the field and not returned after that first-minute head clash?
League is going to really miss the big man – what a player the latest Churchill medallist has become – but the legacy he leaves the Rabbitohs will live on forever.
His heroics in the game were the stuff of football legend. He has become one of the best Englishmen to play in Australia, if not the best.
Many believe we have not seen the last of Sam Burgess as a league player. I really hope he comes back after his stint with the rugby boys.
Not far behind Sam on the big night was his brother George. Many have put forward his name as man of the match. He must have gone close, especially after capping his performance with that incredible try when he bulldozed through James Graham and Tony Williams to pretty much decide the contest.
The improvement in this kid’s game is incredible over the past two seasons. He could be as effective as Sam in 2015 and beyond.
Stand-in hooker Api Koroisau did a terrific job as the fill-in for the suspended Luke. He was a fantastic story in itself – a Bulldogs junior called up to play in the grand final after a two-month layoff – and he performed superbly in and around dummy half.
The Bulldogs lost but can still take lots away from their stirring finals campaign. Many people wrote them off when they finished seventh but gritty wins over Melbourne, Manly and Penrith got them to the big one and they put on a typically gutsy display.
In closing, I’d like to say congratulations to all associated with South Sydney, truly worthy 2014 champions.
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