Rugby league began in Australia in 1908 when Souths played Easts at Birchgrove Oval – right? Wrong. But there’s no penalty!
Because since at least 2012, this urban myth has been spreading like a virus and at least four major media companies have reported it as historical fact. Two did so in the past fortnight leading up to the Grand Final.
Australia’s first-ever rugby league game was actually Souths vs Norths at Birchgrove. Meanwhile, Easts played Newtown at Wentworth Park.
This historical point needs to be clarified because it inaccurately deletes Norths from a key moment in rugby league history. And this is especially important at this time whilst the Bears strive to return to the NRL.
For the first time in more than a decade, the NRL are now in expansion mode. The Dolphins have just been announced as the 17th team and now everyone’s talking about adding an 18th. Which is probably exactly the buzz the NRL wanted to generate.
But surely, with all this change there will finally be a place for the Bears… right? Mmm…
I’m not a Bears fan and saw them play only once in 1998 whilst supporting Canterbury. The Bears lost.
Business often tends to undervalue heritage and community, and the ongoing exclusion of a foundation club with 113 years’ history is a stain on the game. Further, independent research has found there are still 200,000 Bears’ supporters, despite two decades in hibernation.
Three QLD clubs, the Dolphins, Firehawks and Jets had been bidding to be the new 17th team, based in Brisbane.
Every other week though, this new team will be “away” – the majority of the time in Sydney.
Nobody begrudges Brisbane a second team, but who wants new teams whilst foundation clubs still remain excluded?
(Photo by Getty Images)
AFL prioritises heritage and all eight of their original clubs are still playing including South Melbourne (now Sydney Swans) and Fitzroy (now Brisbane Lions).
Only two of league’s nine foundation clubs remain: Souths and Easts.
In recent decades, league has lost both Newtown and Norths whilst Wests and Balmain merged. The “heritage-impact” has been significant.
Conversely, by 2016, the Sydney Swans had gathered 12,000 Melbourne-based members. “There are generations of families who have stuck to the red and white,” Swans legend Tony Morwood told The Age.
AFL’s Brisbane Lions are also now expanding through rugby league heartland.
Some argue relocating clubs doesn’t work but AFL has twice proven otherwise. In contrast, did the Steeden game miss its opportunities, especially when launching new teams?
In 1983 the Newtown Jets folded, but in 1988 Newcastle, Gold Coast and Brisbane launched. None were called the Jets.
Soccer later successfully launched the Newcastle Jets, cross-promoting the RAAF.
Meanwhile from 1988 league tried four names on the Gold Coast: Giants, Seagulls, Gladiators and finally the Chargers. None worked with the fourth version folding in 1998.
Almost a decade later, the NRL relaunched on the Gold Coast. The Bears and Jets were now both in hibernation. But rather than reviving a foundation club, the NRL instead created the Titans – a fifth name in less than 20 years.
Come 2017, the NRL were then propping up the Titans, so the Bears offered to buy the club and rename them the Gold Coast Bears. Negotiations stalled and the Titans survived.
The Bears remain in exile.
Lots of water has gone under the bridge, but these latest expansions provide probably the final chance to “bring back the Bears.”
With 200,000 supporters, the Bears would sell thousands of Sydney memberships – even if based interstate – as the team would be regularly back in Sydney playing “away”. They’d sell even more memberships if they were also somehow still nicknamed “Norths” (which may not prove feasible).
The Bears’ exile has been a 20-year disappointment, but dramatic comebacks garner lots of interest. Remember Souths and the countless stories of their long-suffering fans? The NRL could do it all again with the Bears.
The Bears’ return would also allow for a true rematch of that first-ever game in 1908: Souths vs Norths. Could there be a more poignant way to start each season than two former exiled clubs recreating history? Russell Crowe might even agree to bring back the bell.
If the NRL wants to truly capture the imagination of the league – and more of its own heritage – they should finally guarantee a proper pathway for the Bears.
The Bears’ fans deserve it and rugby league as a whole would be enriched.
Beergardener
Roar Pro
Different sport so different beast for one thing. Saying Brisbane Lions is a Fitroy team or that Brisbane Lions fans are supporting a Melbourne team is a convenient misrepresentation of the truth. Brisbane Lions are a merger between the Fitzroy Lions and the Brisbane Bears (BBFFC is the crest). Many Queenslanders who supported them already supported the Bears. But I'm not talking about the AFL. The point is we have League teams and history here and we don't need NSW failed teams transplanted
NorthNarra
Roar Rookie
Seriously good suggestion. My brother is an old Bear and lives on the Central Coast, he'd be stoked. While North Sydney - Central Coast Bears is a bit of a mouthful it would naturally devolve to "Norths", so all good. Pushing a Sydney ghost team to Brisbane is a non-starter. Queenslanders have their own rich, Rugby League heritage to draw from. The Nielsen research looks kosher to me. I know quite a few old Bears. Some still bitter, some have moved on to other clubs ... like Manly.
Onya.
Guest
If it’s a team playing out of their area & represents them. You can bet that they would support that club. Where are the Brisbane Lions from ? Fitzroy . Melbourne. Sydney Swans are from South Melbourne. Are you trying to say that no one supports these clubs ( especially the one from Fitzroy ) , in Brisbane now?
Rabbit Stew
Guest
When the calendar clicks over to 2022, it will be one premiership win in 50 years for South’s. They won one in 1971. Still, like what you’re saying! Not much Glory, in the Glory, Glory supporters anymore.
Kent Dorfman
Roar Rookie
i would hardly call a relocated club as an "original" - they failed, would have been canned from the comp if they did not relocate or merge. the fact that Victorians still call the Swans as South Melbn is proof they cannot let go.
Farmer
Guest
I am a Bears member. Season ticket holder. Since the Bears were kicked out, I have not been to a League game and average about one game a year (SOO) a year. There are plenty of us out there.
Beergardener
Roar Pro
Bears? It's spelt D-E-V-I-L-S I don't know a single person in North Brisbane who would support a relocated Sydney team
Anthony McCarthy
Roar Rookie
Although no relation, I have to admit Bob McCarthy is best remembered for his 1967 GF intercept try - against Canterbury. Canterbury had to wait another 13 years before our 1980 premiership (for us the first since 1942).
matth
Roar Guru
I was joking :stoked: . Fonda was a quintessential personality player and because a colorful sideline commentator afterwards. A definite cult figure in Brisbane
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
I would never do such a thing. Some of my best mates are Greek. I only found out now the guy passed away in recent years. No disrespect meant. It was a punchline I was drawn to, like a moth to a flame.
matth
Roar Guru
Don’t knock the Golden Greek
Fred Euren
Guest
Aren't Manly Sea Eagles now Blacktown Sea Eagles?
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
I'm not sure if I asked you or someone else here recently this question but as you were present at the SCG for the 1965 GF (I was born a few months after the 1965 GF)... That famous black and white photo of Denis Pittard diving outstretched tackling Graeme Langlands in full flight I am positive I was there at that game, and it was in the finals. I was 3 or 4 at the time. Which game and what year was that? Everything I have checked ends up in a dead end.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Trust me. As a mad Rabbitohs supporter, I have seen the NRL 2014 GF many, many, many times. I watched it again on the morning of the GF to get into the mood, which is why it is still fresh in my memory. Bob McCarthy was on the edge of his seat, John Sattler was not even watching the game every time they crossed to show the two together. Satts still had ill-feelings to the club at the time as he felt George Piggins and the other Souths old boys were disrespected in the Russell Crowe take over.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
I don't remember the video of McCarthy and Sattler watching the 2014 GF but I do remember seeing them and a few other Rabbitohs at a Neil Diamond concert in the early nineties.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
I just knew someone would throw that red herring out there... Bob McCarthy played 206 games for the Rabbitohs between 1963–75 scoring 100 tries and kicking 1 Field Goal. He played for the Bulldogs for 2 years 1976-1977, playing 40 games and scoring 19 tries. He then returned to the Rabbitohs to finish his career in 1978 playing another 5 games for a total of 211 games for the Rabbitohs. While at the Rabbitohs he played 15 tests for Australia and scored 15 tries and kicked 1 Field Goal. McCarthy played zero tests for Australia while at the Bulldogs in 1976-1977. How do you think McCarthy will be remembered? And which team do you think he still holds dear in his heart? Did you not see the video of McCarthy and Sattler in the grandstand watching the 2014 GF between the Rabbitohs and the Bulldogs? He was on the edge of his seat with every play cheering for Souths and riding the emotional rollercoaster. At that moment I don't think the thought of playing for the Bulldogs ever crossed his mind. Just remember Tim, when you go fishing for Rabbits they don't only take the hook, they take the rod, reel and fisherman as well in the process! :laughing:
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
I was lucky enough to be at the SCG for the 1965 GF where I hung onto the side rail of the Brewongle stand about 10 metres from the ground. I was also at the 1985 GF on the sparsely populated hill in a surprisingly small grand final crowd. Canterbury were lucky they were able to take out Saints two best attacking players without being penalised. Do you remember Peter Kelly knocking out Graeme Wynn with a punch from behind? Ken Arthurson, who was unlucky enough to see eleven grand final wins by Saints, was very happy with the referee. .
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
Bob McCarthy played for Canterbury too.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
Australian Football, too big for State of Origin, now taking over the Northern Suburbs of Sydney. The problem of finding big cricket grounds to play on will hamper AF's dreams of world domination. Basketball might be worried about losing their talls but only in Australia.