We have seen a lot of rivalries over the years, team versus team and player versus player.
We have seen some legendary ones that have their moments, stories and fights.
To me, I have four that stand out.
Benny Elias versus Mario Fenech
This one has many stories. Every time they faced each other, they simply just wanted to kick lumps out of each other. Let’s not forget the infamous moment when Benny bit his own hand and blamed the Falcon, who got sent off.
Souths versus Easts
The oldest rivalry in the books. They are two teams who have exchanged a lot between grand final matches, close encounters and big floggings.
State of Origin
Perhaps the most fierce rivalry ever, we saw a lot of heat during the State of Origin. It was at one point an annual tradition just to see NSW and Queensland get in a fight.
The old saying goes: “State of Origin isn’t State of Origin if there isn’t a fight.” Now fights are banned, I think it’s taken a lot out of Origin. I’m not saying we should bring the fights back, but I can tell it’s shown a difference.
(Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
Newcastle versus Manly
Now this one here is my favourite one and yes it’s because I go for Newcastle. There are a lot of things to be said from Newcastle stealing the grand final win, their 2018 golden point win and the close encounter a few weeks back.
From Manly’s perspective, they beat us at home 16-14 and they stole the win in 2014 with Daly Cherry-Evans kicking the last-second field goal. The beginning of the rivalry was how much Paul Harragon and Mark Carroll just hated each other. Since then, the rivalry has not only spread to the teams, it’s carried one.
Rellum
Roar Guru
A bit like this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-jLKmLxLYY
Dreaming
Guest
Newcastle haha sorry dude that ones def under the radar, manly vs the bunker maybe....
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
In Steve Haddan's 100 Years of Finals he says 1971 saw three changes :- 1. Outlaw head-high tackilng (O'Neill,Sattler). 2. Lift the tackle limit from 4 to 6. 3. Devalue the field goal to 1 point. It cut the number of field goal attempts and reduced the number of scrums that were still a battle for possession.
Wood.Duck
Roar Rookie
True mate, Every Soufths junior who came through the Coogee Randwick Wombats should have been Roosters juniors also. including these notable players.: Scott Wilson (1988–99) Craig Wing (1998-09 South Sydney Rabbitohs & Sydney Roosters) Ryan Cross (1998-06 Sydney Roosters) Todd Byrne (2001-07 Sydney Roosters & New Zealand Warriors) Michael Berne (2002 South Sydney Rabbitohs) Reni Maitua (2003-13 Canterbury Bulldogs, Cronulla, Parramatta) John Sutton (2004- South Sydney Rabbitohs) Chris Enahoro (2004-05 South Sydney Rabbitohs) Ryan Shortland (2007-08 Melbourne Storm & New Zealand Warriors) Peter Betham (2008- NSW Waratahs)[2] Jason Clark (2009- South Sydney Rabbitohs) Blake Ayshford (2009- Wests Tigers, Cronulla Sharks & New Zealand Warriors).[3] Nathan Ross (2015- Newcastle Knights).[4] Campbell Graham (2017 South Sydney Rabbitohs)
Wood.Duck
Roar Rookie
Sorry Tim your wrong mate about 1971 being the first year of 6 tackle rule. 1967 was the first year away from unlimited tackle when a 4 tackle rule was introduced ending St George 11 year dominance. The 4 tackle rule ended after the 1971 Grand Final siren. 1972 Manly defeated Easts to win the first 6 tackle rule premiership.
Rellum
Roar Guru
I saw Wally giving him the tour.
Nat
Roar Rookie
You'll have to keep a chapter spare with the Scotty Prince signing on to the mighty Diehards in 2020.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
I've had a reply removed by the moder8er program. It is really weird. It should appear in a day or two.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
Souths redrew the boundary lines and gave themselves most of the juniors and had the top xxxxxx in their camp but they haven't won much since then. They've done even worse than St.George so their fans are disappearing.
Nat
Roar Rookie
I was enjoying this chat till then. :unhappy:
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
A few years ago Alan Clarkson, Sydney Morning Herald RL writer, confessed that he and Col Pearce, the referee involved in the Souths 1955 fairy tale run, were Souths fans who watched the games together. In the preliminary final Souths got 2nd half penalties 14-2 and one penalty Ken Kearney asked what a scrum penalty was for and Pearce said "To show you who is boss"'. Col Pearce also got them home in 67 and 68 on the back of dubious scrum penalties. Englishman Dick Huddart said he didn't know how Souths got away with all the head high tackling but now we know.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
except for Lam, and Carroll
matth
Roar Guru
Small consolation. It's like winning the second division on the Lotto.
Pickett
Roar Rookie
@ Tim Souffs redrew the boundary lines and also stole Randwick, Kensington, Coogee, Maroubra etc at a time when they were strong and Easts were weak.
Pickett
Roar Rookie
@ Wood I'm pretty sure Souffs don't have that many local juniors with Sutton, Johnston and Douhei all gone. Easts have Crichton, Radley and Lam which is probably the most we've had since the 74-75 era.
Rellum
Roar Guru
You have won more QRL titles than antone though
The Barry
Roar Guru
As a Bulldogs fan the games against Parra always have that extra bit of importance to them The rivalry with the Roosters in the early 2000s was as intense as anything, but I think it was more a period of time thing that hasn’t really lasted Sterlo v Mortimer was a great rivalry in the early 80s. Doesn’t have the fiery element of a Spud v Chief rivalry but they were often competing for the same spot in rep teams with one getting selected over the other and they were the main men for their club sides that had a great rivalry But the Chief v Spud rivalry was sensational. You knew every time they played they were going to zero in on one another and their teams were often playing in big games It was a brief one but anyone who enjoys seeing two forwards going at it should check out the Bulldogs v Dragons semi final in 1995. Tallis was an up and coming forward for the Dragons and played off the bench. He came on like a madman swinging at everyone. Dean Pay took it on himself to fight fire with fire and the way these two - old bull and young bull - spent the game zeroing in on each other was brilliant !
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
I agree that most of Souths premierships were in the days before compulsory grand finals but the 1971 grand final was the first played under the 6 tackle rule and one point field goals. I remember the day well, St.George lost in all three grades. Souths lead 1-0 at half time and went on to win 16-10. Canterbury won in 2nd and 3rd grade.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
"Souths stole our juniors stole in the 1950’s." : I've always wondered why Maroubra was in the Souths juniors. Souths must have been more attractive to those clubs.
matth
Roar Guru
Another great rivalry was Redcliffe vs winning grand finals. Lost 6 in the 1970’s to 1987. I’ve been grumpy for the past 33 years.