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31 Jan 2002 While the rebirth of the South Sydney Rugby League side in the National Rugby League is being touted as historic for the game, for one Mudgee family it has special significance. Jamie Fitzgerald has been named in the side and so his Mudgee-based family has become Rabbitohs' supporters. He has paid $500 for tickets for his parents, three of his five sisters, his girlfriend's family and some of his schoolfriends to attend Souths' Charity Shield match on February 16. His mother, Anne Fitzgerald, says the family is thrilled by the gesture and very proud of him. "He was introduced at six-years-old here in Mudgee in the mini league," she said. http://www.abc.net.au/news/sport/rugbyleague/2002/01/item20020131105509_1.htm The trail match between the Warriors and Rabbitohs on February 24 at Auckland's Carlaw Park is heading for a sell-out, which is almost certain to be the final clash at the famous venue. Carlaw Park for many years was the home of New Zealand Rugby League and featured many of the memorable Kiwi moments including the 18-0 Test win against Australia in 1985. Souths return to the NRL has sparked huge amounts of interest with their three trial matches all likely to be sell-out crowds. Souths will play North Queensland as part of the Country Carnival in Mackay on March 2 with the 10,000 tickets selling like hotcakes. The Charity Shield against the Dragons at the SFS has already sold out within days of the tickets going on sale. The Warriors will wear the replica jumpers that were worn by the local Mt Albert club when they did battle with the great South Sydney side of 1968. The clash of 1968 was a battle between the Sydney and Auckland premiers that year with the Rabbitohs edging out the Mt Albert club. Bill Harrigan will referee the Warriors v Souths trial and also will control the Warriors trial against Cronulla the week before at Jade Stadium in Christchurch. http://www.rleague.com/article.php?id=5076 30 Jan 2002 SOUTH Sydney's 1000-day exclusion from rugby league is officially over with proud coach Craig Coleman yesterday naming his Charity Shield side to play St George Illawarra. The Rabbitohs' last premiership match was in August 1999 against Parramatta - a 34-16 loss - before the club was dumped from the NRL. But Souths are now back and yesterday announced a strong team, captained by Adam Muir, to play the Dragons on February 16. The talking points were: FORMER Melbourne fullback Brad Watts named at halfback, nudging out Blaine Stanley. JACIN SINCLAIR returning to win a centre position. "I enjoyed making that selection. I know how hard Jacin has worked and how much he has matured," said Souths coach Craig Coleman. SHANE RIGON, a long-term interchange player, picked at lock. http://www.foxsports.com.au/common/story_page/0,5000,3681005%255E5927%255E%255Enbv,00.html Former Melbourne Storm utility Brad Watts has been given first chance in the South Sydney halfback position ahead of Blaine Stanley in the Charity Shield clash against St George Illawarra on February 16. Watts played in all positions throughout the backline at Melbourne during his 36 appearances for the club but due to the presence of the likes of Scott Hill, Brett Kimmorley, Tasesa Lavea and Matt Orford, Watts never got a chance in the halves. The former Junior Kangaroo played five-eighth in his junior days before linking up with Melbourne from the Norths club in Brisbane. Watts has trained extremely hard on his general organisational play and has always had blistering speed, which will be a great benefit to the Rabbitohs. Souths have a pretty strong squad all over the park but need to settle on two halves with Watts and Owen Craigie the likely two to start the season in the 7 and 6 jumpers. http://www.rleague.com/article.php?id=5073 It is fitting that a club that has resurrected itself has assembled men looking for their own second chances. Souths announced yesterday a 20-man squad for next month's Charity Shield match against St George Illawarra, comprised of many players with a point to prove in the National Rugby League competition. The February 16 sell-out match at Aussie Stadium (formerly the SFS) has attracted unprecedented interest and it's not hard to see why. Not only does it traditionally feature plenty of tough rugby league, this year it heralds the return of Souths to the NRL after two years in the wilderness fighting court battles. The Rabbitohs will try to emulate the success of the Melbourne Storm or rugby union's ACT Brumbies, who quickly melded teams of displaced, discarded and fringe players into successful units. For players like former international Russell Richardson, who spent most of 2001 either in first division for the Sharks or overcoming injury, the match is an opportunity to get back on track. http://canberra.yourguide.com.au/detail.asp?class=sport&subclass=national&category=general%20sport&story_id=124144&y=2002&m=1 SOUTH Sydney's Mudgee-born backrower Jamie Fitzgerald has spent $500 buying 20 Charity Shield tickets so his family and friends can be part of history when the Rabbitohs return to rugby league. Fitzgerald's entourage will make the four-hour journey to Sydney from the north-west NSW town made famous for its rich red grapes for the historic clash with St George Illawarra on February 16. The group will include his parents Chris and Anne, five sisters, his girlfriend's family and some old school friends. "I had to buy 20 tickets for the match but it's the least I can do for all the people who have supported me so well back home," a beaming Fitzgerald said. Rabbitohs coach Craig Coleman yesterday announced a preliminary 20-man squad for next month's match against the Dragons at the SFS. The 22-year-old Fitzgerald played 18 games for the Dragons last year and played all his junior football from the age of six for the Mudgee Dragons. "The Charity Shield match will be a special event � the biggest thing to happen in rugby league for 100 years," he said. "There's also a bit of added spice because I'll be playing against my old club, the Dragons." http://www.dailytelegraph.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,3679583%255E2771,00.html 29 Jan 2002 Actor flies in sportswomen for barbie Fresh from his Golden Globes triumph, Russell Crowe has been getting back to his roots. On his return to Australia, the New Zealand-born lovehound threw a �36,000 party for his Rugby League team, the South Sydney Rabbitoh's. Characteristically, though, Rusty also made sure that he catered for the ladies, and invited some of the country's most glamorous female athletes to sample his hospitality. Crowe asked his personal trainer to invite four of Australia's best-known female Olympic athletes to the bash, held at the actor's home in Coffs Harbour. The quartet were contacted 24 hours before the do and given the use of Crowe's private jet to get to the party on time. 'It was a bit surreal to receive a phone call asking if I'd like to go to a barbecue at Russell Crowe's house,' said Lauren Burns, an Olympic tae kwon do gold medallist, 'but it was just like any other Australian barbecue.' Highlight of the evening was when Crowe treated his guests to a rousing speech from Gladiator. 'It was an excellent night for the boys. He really turned it on for us,' said one of the footballers, 'but there were a few sore heads in the morning.' http://www.peoplenews.com/news/0,3430,8420,00.html It is fitting that a club that has resurrected itself has assembled men looking for their own second chances. Souths announced a 20-man rugby league squad for next month's Charity Shield match against St George Illawarra, comprised of many players with a point to prove in the National Rugby League competition. The February 16 sell-out match at Aussie Stadium (formerly the SFS) has attracted unprecedented interest and it's not hard to see why. Not only does it traditionally feature plenty of tough rugby league, this year it heralds the return of Souths to the NRL after two years in the wilderness fighting court battles. The Rabbitohs will try to emulate the success of the Melbourne Storm or rugby union's ACT Brumbies, who quickly melded teams of displaced, discarded and fringe players into successful units. For players like former international Russell Richardson, who spent most of 2001 either in first division for the Sharks or overcoming injury, the match is an opportunity to get back on track. Journeyman centre Jacin Sinclair, a renowned bad boy of the game, is back from the dead following stints with Souths the Roosters and Balmain, where he played his last grade game in the 1999 reserve grade grand final. Sinclair says the influence of his three children and wife Kerrie have driven him to once again attempt to reach the heights that earned him a place on the NSW Origin bench for the final match of the 1993 series. Captain Adam Muir is looking to put behind him the financial troubles at his former club the Northern Eagles to lead a rejuvenated red and green side. http://au.sports.yahoo.com/sports/20020129/aapleague/1012286603-1275756597.html South Sydney coach Craig Coleman is hoping the problems he had picking his side for the Charity Shield game against St George Illawarra don�t go away. Coleman has announced a 20-man squad for the February 16 clash at Aussie Stadium (formerly the Sydney Football Stadium) and those not named would get a run during trials against the New Zealand Warriors and North Queensland on March 2. "All our graded players have been training brilliantly and those who didn't make the cut this time are still very much in the running to start the NRL season," Coleman said. "This is the second time in Souths' history that all positions in every grade are vacant. The first of course was in 1908 (when the first grade competition began)." http://www.sportal.com.au/league.asp?i=news&id=22840 Tickets go on sale today for the pre-season clash between National Rugby League club South Sydney Rabbitohs and the North Queensland Cowboys. The match will be played in Mackay on March 2 and local rugby league organisers are predicting a sellout crowd of more than 10,000. http://www.abc.net.au/news/sport/rugbyleague/2002/01/item20020129130301_1.htm South Sydney coach Craig Coleman today announced a 20-man rugby league squad for the Rabbitohs' clash with St George Illawarra in the Charity Shield match next month. Coleman said it gave him a headache deciding who to leave out of the squad for the sell-out match at Aussie Stadium (formerly SFS) on February 16. "All our graded players have been training brilliantly and those who didn't make the cut this time are still very much in the running to start the NRL season," Coleman said. http://www.nrl.com.au/s2001/news/static/article_2680.asp After more than six months of preparation, South Sydney coach Craig Coleman will today announce his side for the club's comeback in the sold-out Charity Shield match on February 16. Coleman, who began assembling the Rabbitohs' playing roster almost immediately after the Federal Appeals Court ordered their re-instatement to the NRL on July 6 last year, will name a 20-man squad to take on St George Illawarra at the Sydney Football Stadium. The side will be captained by former Test second-rower Adam Muir, but most other positions are wide open. http://www.smh.com.au/news/0201/29/sport/sport11.html SOUTH Sydney coach Craig Coleman has announced a 20-man squad for the Rabbitohs' clash with St George Illawarra in next month's Charity Shield match. Coleman said it gave him a headache deciding who to leave out of the squad for the sellout match at Aussie Stadium (formerly SFS) on February 16. "All our graded players have been training brilliantly and those who didn't make the cut this time are still very much in the running to start the NRL season," Coleman said. He said the players who dipped out would be given a chance to prove themselves in the club's Country Carnival matches against the New Zealand Warriors and North Queensland on March 2. "This is the second time in Souths' history that all positions in every grade are vacant," Coleman said. "The first of course was in 1908 (when the first grade competition began)." The Rabbitohs are back in the NRL competition following a two-year legal battle for reinstatement. The squad for the Charity Shield match is: Forwards: Adam Muir (c), Andrew Hart, Shane Rigon, Paul Stringer, Glenn Grief, Jason Death, Frank Puletua, Duncan MacGillivray, Paul McNicholas, Luke Stuart, Jamie Fitzgerald, Adam Peek. Backs: Wade McKinnon, Damien Mostyn, Brent Grose, Russell Richardson, Jacin Sinclair, Owen Craigie, Brad Watts and Blaine Stanley. http://www.foxsports.com.au/common/story_page/0,5000,3675525%255E5927%255E%255Enbv,00.html South Sydney's return to the big time took a step closer today with Rabbitohs coach Craig Coleman naming a strong 20-man squad for the Charity Shield clash against St George Illawarra. Blaine Stanley has won the battle for the halfback position ahead of Craig Trindall and Brett Sheehan. The match also makes the comeback for Jacin Sinclair who hasn't played at NRL since playing 3 matches for Balmain in 1999. New South Wales forward Adam Muir will lead from the front and the Rabbitohs contain a strong pack of forwards with plenty of first grade experience. The backline looks thin in the halves but solid performers outwide, which includes former Test centre Russell Richardson. Souths will go into the Charity Shield full of confidence with the large slice of the 40,000 crowd supporting them with plenty of emotion. The match will be televised live on Channel Nine into NSW, ACT & QLD, live on Fox Sports throughout Australia and also live on Sky in the UK. http://www.rleague.com/article.php?id=5064 27 Jan 2002 The South Sydney Rabbitohs are in the early stages of planning a comeback to Redfern Oval. Rabbitohs president George Piggins has met with New South Wales premier Bob Carr and is seeking government funding to redevelop the venue. Piggins hopes to have a 20,000 capacity all-seated stadium ready to go before National Rugby League season 2006. Piggins says that it would be the first step in making Redfern a safe place to live once again. Rabbitohs players would pay regular visits to the area�s youth, and with the club playing out of Redfern Oval, Piggins believes there would be sellout crowds once again and the community would unite. The Rabbitohs will be playing out of Aussie Stadium in 2002, the year they return to the premiership after a two year absence. They will share the venue with the Sydney Roosters and St George-Illawarra Dragons. http://www.ozleague.com/news_article.asp?id=42506&ngref=http%3A%2F%2Ffootyshow%2Eninemsn%2Ecom%2Eau%2Fnrl%2Fdefault%2Easp South Sydney President George Piggins is aiming for South Sydney to return by 2006 playing in front of a 20,000 all-seater stadium. Piggins has been involved in talks with NSW Premier Bob Carr about getting the State Government to fund such an overhaul to the out-dated venue. Souths played at Redfern Oval until the end of 1987 when they switched base to the newly built Sydney Football Stadium. Piggins though believes that a revamped Redfern Oval will not only be great for South Sydney but also great for the local commumity. Piggins admits that Redfern's image isn't healthy and is keen to get an upgrade to help the image of Redfern and provide more activities for the locals. The main reason though for Piggins wanting Souths to return to Redfern is because of the Leagues Club, which is $6.5 million in debt to AMP for a loan to finance renovations made on the club a few years ago. Souths Leagues at Redfern isn't in the best location anymore because the Rabbitohs don't play across the road. It's unlikely Souths will get any upgrade because Redfern is within 4-5km of the SFS and SCG. http://www.rleague.com/article.php?id=5044 Warriors Chairman Eric Watson confirmed on Friday, that his NRL team will play the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Carlaw Park on Sunday 24 February at 6.00pm. The encounter will be the Rabbitohs first appearance in New Zealand since their exclusion from the National Rugby League in 1999. Daniel Anderson is expected to field a full strength team for the encounter. Australia's number one adjudicator, Bill Harrigan, will referee the Carlaw Park fixture and the Warriors pre-season game against the Cronulla Sharks at Christchurch's Jade Stadium on February 17. "This will probably be the last time a professional rugby league game is played at Carlaw Park," said Watson. Over thirty years ago Auckland's Mt Albert Club Auckland played the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Carlaw Park in a fixture billed as the Australasian Club Championship. http://onesport.nzoom.com/sport_detail/0,1278,78404-2-19,00.html 26 Jan 2002 Academy Award-winning actor Russell Crowe gave South Sydney captain Adam Muir a 90-second soliloquy from the movie Gladiator; former Manly forward Anthony Colella sang Suspicious Minds; Olympic walker Jane Saville spent the evening gathering footballers' signatures; and the Rabbitohs' new recruit from Cronulla, Brent Grose, upheld the traditions of rugby league by wandering off drunk at 4am and sleeping in a caravan. The occasion was a party Crowe held on Thursday night at his property near Coffs Harbour, where he hosted a group of Olympians and the South Sydney team that will make a re-entry to the National Rugby League after two years' absence. Crowe flew 32 players and nine Souths staff to Coffs Harbour and also paid for the air travel of Olympic silver medallist Tatiana Grigorieva; beach volleyball gold medallists Natalie Cook and Kerri Pottharst; taekwondo gold medallist Lauren Burns; basketballer Michelle Timms and walker Saville. "The basic idea was to use the Olympians to get the blokes inspired," Souths manager Sean Garlick said yesterday. "Jane Saville was the only South Sydney supporter among them. Unlike the other Olympians, she was more interested in meeting the South Sydney players than Russell Crowe. "But what a party. The young players said: 'I hope this night never ends.' http://www.smh.com.au/news/0201/26/sport/sport9.html 25 Jan 2002 South Sydney is cashing in on the success of the club's No.1 supporter - Hollywood actor Russell Crowe. South chief executive Paul Dunn said Crowe's influence had brought the foundation rugby league club valuable sponsorship, publicity and support. "It brings a few fans," Dunn said of the link with 37-year-old Crowe, who will host a barbecue on Thursday night for Souths players and officials at his Coffs Harbour property. "It's just the profile thing and it shows what that does for other sponsors and fans. "You can't buy that sort of profile." Like their famous supporter, the red and green colours of the Rabbitohs are flying high. They announced this week that their Charity Shield clash with St George Illawarra at the newly named Aussie Stadium on February 16 had sold out, while Channel 9 and Foxtel committed to showing the rugby league trial match live. Meanwhile, Oscar-winning actor Crowe picked up a Golden Globe award on Monday for his role in the film A Beautiful Mind. Coach Craig Coleman will supervise a training session on Thursday in Coffs Harbour before he and the players prepare to meet Crowe, who won an Best Actor award at the Oscars last year for his performance in the Hollywood blockbuster Gladiator. http://www.sofcom.com.au/cgi-bin/news/getAAPPreview?keyword=leaguesouthscrowe South Sydney is cashing in on the success of the club's No.1 supporter - Hollywood actor Russell Crowe. South chief executive Paul Dunn said today Crowe's influence had brought the foundation rugby league club valuable sponsorship, publicity and support. "It brings a few fans," Dunn said of the link with 37-year-old Crowe, who hosted a barbecue last night for Souths players and officials at his Coffs Harbour property. "It's just the profile thing and it shows what that does for other sponsors and fans. "You can't buy that sort of profile." Like their famous supporter, the red and green colours of the Rabbitohs are flying high. They announced this week that their Charity Shield clash with St George Illawarra at the newly named Aussie Stadium on February 16 had sold out, while Channel 9 and Foxtel committed to showing the rugby league trial match live. Meanwhile, Oscar-winning actor Crowe picked up a Golden Globe award on Monday for his role in the film A Beautiful Mind. http://www.nrl.com.au/s2001/news/static/article_2670.asp 24 Jan 2002 RUSSELL CROWE is hopping home from Hollywood after his Golden Globe triumph to keep a date with his beloved South Sydney Rabbitohs. The actor took out the best actor award in a drama for his performance in the movie A Beautiful Mind. But he didn't have much time to socialise with fellow Australian winners Nicole Kidman, Judy Davis and Rachel Griffiths as he had to keep a previous engagement - hosting the Rabbitohs at his Coffs Harbour farm tonight. The 30-man Souths first-grade squad and coaching staff, who are on a three-day training camp in Coffs Harbour, will be guests at the property. The players are preparing for their sold out Charity Shield game with St George Illawarra at the Sydney Football Stadium on February 16. "It's going to be good, the players are really looking forward to it," said Souths captain Adam Muir. To add to the occasion, there is speculation another big-name star could be joining Crowe. Today Souths will have a training session with the Orara Valley Axemen, the local team Crowe supports. http://www.foxsports.com.au/common/story_page/0,5000,3644171%255E5927%255E%255Enbv,00.html 23 Jan 2002 Channel Nine and Fox Sports will share the coverage of the Charity Shield. The NRL has agreed to allow both Channel Nine and Fox Sports the right to show the game live. 2GB will also be broadcasting the game, live. The Charity Shield has not been telecast in the history of the Shield from its beginning in 1982. This game is likely to eclipse the current crowd record of 28,000 involving the South Sydney club and the St.George Dragons. South Sydney caused an upset in the last Charity Shield match defeating the newly formed St.George Illawarra 16-14. This signals a great year ahead for the NRL with a sellout crowd of 40,000 people expected to be at a pre-season trial involving two of Australia�s great sporting clubs. http://www.rleague.com/article.php?id=5004 South Sydney's historic return to the National Rugby League gained further momentum today when officials announced the club's opening trial match would be televised live on Channel Nine and Foxtel. The NRL confirmed the two networks had agreed to screen the Rabbitohs' Charity Shield clash with St George Illawarra at the Sydney Football Stadium on February 16. The match - Souths first official game since being thrown out of the NRL after the 1999 season - is already a sell-out. Souths chief executive Paul Dunn today said the club was excited at the prospect of having the game televised after his initial approach to Foxtel officials was rejected. "We're excited about it (but) I can't understand why they didn't do it from the start," Dunn said. http://www.nrl.com.au/s2001/news/static/article_2668.asp The Charity Shield match between South Sydney and St George Illawarra on February 16 at the Sydney Football Stadium will be televised live both on the Nine Network and Fox Sports. The decision by each of the television networks to mount live telecasts reflects the overwhelming interest in the game, which kicks off at 8.00pm and which is already an official sell-out. Certainly, there has never been a pre-season game in Rugby League history to attract such interest. League historian Ian Collis mentions that a pre-season final match between Manly and Balmain in 1967 resulted in the Redfern Oval gates having to be closed but the crowd was nothing like the 40,000 who have reserved seats for this game. http://www.nrl.com.au/s2001/news/static/article_2665.asp 22 Jan 2002 South Sydney's return in next month's Charity Shield match is set to be shown live by Channel 9 after generating unprecedented interest for a pre-season trial. With the final tickets for the resurrected annual clash with St George Illawarra selling yesterday morning, the Rabbitohs will make their comeback before a capacity Sydney Football Stadium crowd and both Channel9 and Foxtel have expressed interest in televising the match. National Rugby League commercial radio rights holder 2GB has already announced plans to call the February 16 game, but officials insist that no television deal has yet been finalised. However, a Foxtel spokesman said yesterday that the pay-TV operator was expecting Nine to screen the game live. Foxtel would then follow with a replay immediately afterwards, he said. "Considering that the game is still four weeks away and it's only a trial, the level of interest is unbelievable," Souths chief executive Paul Dunn said. "People are now asking why we're not playing at Stadium Australia but there's never been a sell-out for a pre-season match before." The SFS can seat 41,147 fans, and Rabbitohs and Dragons football club members snapped up the majority of the tickets before they went on sale to the general public last Saturday. Sydney Cricket and Sports Ground Trust marketing and media manager Karen Gregar said there had also been high interest from SFS members, so a full house was anticipated. http://www.smh.com.au/news/0201/22/sport/sport12.html SOUTH Sydney's return to the fold in next month's Charity Shield will be televised live in Australia - the first telecast of a pre-season game in the history of Rugby League. Live coverage of the clash with the St George Illawarra Dragons became a certainty on Monday when the match officially became a sell-out. The last tickets were sold to the general public and, if a full complement of ground members turn up on the night of February 16, the Sydney Football Stadium will be packed with to its capacity of 41,150 fans. The Nine Network and the PayTV broadcaster Foxtel are both interested in televising the game. It seems certain that Nine will provide a live coverage and Foxtel will show a delayed telecast of the game later in the evening. Never before has a trial [friendly] game been televised. "Considering the game is still a month away and it's only a trial, the level of interest is unbelievable," said an elated Rabbitohs' chief executive Paul Dunn. "People are now asking why we're not playing the game at Stadium Australia. "But there's never been a sell-out for a pre-season match before. "We knew there would be a lot of interest - but the massive groundswell caught us a bit by surprise." http://www.totalrugbyleague.com/news/viewnews.cgi?newsid1011652105,97444, Channel Nine is set to televise the Charity Shield live following the massive interest the clash between Souths and the Dragons has received. All the tickets were officially sold out yesterday and now Nine have expressed interest along with Foxtel to televise the event. The Charity Shield has been around since 1982 and never once has it been on TV or even sold out with 28,000 the best crowd in 1998. It will be a massive boost for Rugby League with Nine giving the clash live coverage, especially considering the only club game Nine to live is the Grand Final. Souths boss Paul Dunn said yesterday, "Considering that the game is still four weeks away and it's only a trial, the level of interest is unbelievable. People are now asking why we're not playing at Stadium Australia but there's never been a sell-out for a pre-season match before." The Charity Shield is a glorified trial match but has been taken seriously over the years by the South Sydney and St George clubs. This time the match will have extra feeling with the Rabbitohs return and also a special tribute to the 1965 Grand Final where St George won their 10th successive premiership defeating the gallant Rabbitohs 12-8. For St George it marked the end for the great Norm Provan and for Souths a sign of better things to come. Some 37 years laters, the two great clubs will be battle again with live television coverage throughout New South Wales and Queensland. http://www.rleague.com/article.php?id=4996 South Sydney rugby league president George Piggins says the club will break a record next month and become the first rugby league team to sell-out a trial match. Around 40,000 fans are expected for the club's first official game back in two years against St George Illawarra. Piggins says fans who missed out on tickets are welcome to watch the match at the club in Redfern where a party will be held after the game. He says interest in the match is high. "It's great to see [Channel] Nine and Fox - a couple of years ago they didn't want us and now they're fighting for us," he said. "We know it's a very special year for us, a very special time for Souths people. They haven't seen a Souths side for two years and it is a little bit of history and it's another record Souths are going to break." http://www.abc.net.au/news/sport/rugbyleague/2002/01/item20020122090138_1.htm SOUTH Sydney - the team the NRL didn't want - are now the hottest football club in the country with two television networks locked in a fierce battle to telecast live their return to the big time. The Rabbitohs' Charity Shield clash with St George Illawarra at the SFS is now officially a 40,000 sellout after the last remaining tickets were snapped up yesterday morning. And rugby league now has the extraordinary situation where networks are clamouring for the rights to show the code's most famous trial match. Kerry Packer's free-to-air network Channel 9 is bidding with the NRL's pay-TV carrier FOX Sports to screen the charity game live on Saturday night, February 16. A trial live on television is unprecedented in rugby league history, let alone sparking a battle between rival networks for the coverage. The NRL is naturally ecstatic at the surge of interest in the game. "It's a tremendous bonus for the season ahead,"' acting NRL chief executive David Gallop said. "Given the speed with which fans have raced to get tickets, there's no doubt that many more would love to see the game. "There has been keen interest from our television partners with both Nine and FOX Sports involved in the discussions. "It's new ground for what is essentially a trial match and we couldn't be happier for rugby league or the clubs involved. http://www.foxsports.com.au/common/story_page/0,5000,3635189%255E5927%255E%255Enbv,00.html 21 Jan 2002 The Charity Shield clash between the Rabbitohs and Dragons has officially been declared a sellout with the Ticketek website saying "This event has been completely sold out." South Sydney's return has sparked interest like never before in the game and this will be the first time a Charity Shield match has been a sellout. The previous record crowd to the Charity Shield was in 1998 when 28,000 people turned up. The atmosphere will be amazing and the roar of the crowd when Adam Muir leads South Sydney onto the field is going to be one of the most memorable in Rugby League history. Hopefully though that if there is unused members tickets, that they will go on sale to the general public in the week leading up to the Charity Shield. http://www.rleague.com/article.php?id=4985 20 Jan 2002 Braith Anasta felt he had to clear it with his uncle, South Sydney president George Piggins, before he agreed to sign with the Bulldogs for two more years. Anasta, the best young player in the game and a Kangaroo tourist at the end of last season, was already contracted until the end of 2003. But on Friday he and his manager, Greg Willett, completed negotiations with the Bulldogs on a new deal which ties him to the club until the end of 2005. Anasta, a Souths junior, joined the Bulldogs while the Rabbitohs were out of the competition. Piggins recommended the club to his nephew. Last season, his second with the Bulldogs, Anasta became a first-grade regular and developed so quickly that he is now clearly the club's greatest weapon. Anasta said yesterday he felt it was the right thing to do to run things by Piggins before committing himself to a new deal. http://www.smh.com.au/news/0201/20/sport/sport17.html SOUTHS chief executive Paul Dunn will tomorrow investigate plans to cater for the legion of supporters who may not get tickets to Souths' comeback match � next month's Charity Shield. The game against St George Illawarra moved closer to a sellout yesterday with only 4000 tickets behind the goalposts and in front of the SFS scoreboard available. They could be snapped up today. "We're four weeks away from the game, so the interest really is quite unbelievable," Dunn said. "In fact, when you consider it is essentially a trial game, it's really quite amazing." With the NSW Blues scheduled to play a Pura Cup game in Perth, Dunn is planning to meet St George Illawarra officials and the SCG Trust to see if the February 16 clash can be beamed live next door on the Sydney Cricket Ground's big screen. http://www.dailytelegraph.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,3622044%255E2771,00.html 18 Jan 2002 Both the Rabbitohs and Dragons were given six bays each of reserved seats for their members and ticket holders with the Souths section selling out by 2:00pm on Wednesday. Souths were allocated two more reserve seating bays off the Dragons and they were sold out by midday Thursday. Interest in the Charity Shield and the return of South Sydney has been booming with what is essentially a trial match attracting interest of a Grand Final. As a result of the members only period to purchase season tickets, the growth rate of new members and season ticket holders signing up to South Sydney Football Club has increased dramatically. There's been media publications and other sporting organisations trying to preach to the people that Rugby League is dead. If this match was moved to Stadium Australia, it would have easily attracted 80,000 and this is just for a pre-season trial match at the end of the day. Rugby League is the Winner. Good luck to the Rabbitohs. http://www.rleague.com/article.php?id=4946 17 Jan 2002 AT the end of 1999 South Sydney attracted a paltry 8755 fans to their final match against Manly at the Sydney Football Stadium. Yesterday, they sold 14,000 tickets in six hours in a triumphant return to rugby league. The phones at Ticketek rang all day with enquiries about the Rabbitohs comeback match against St George Illawarra in the Charity Shield on February 16. By the end of the day Souths officials were manoeuvring to get extra reserved seating areas because the sections they did have were already sold out. "We've sold out of all our reserved areas that we had set aside for football club members," Souths chief executive Paul Dunn said last night. "We split up the areas between us and Saints but we've had to reserve another couple of bays. "The reaction from our fans has been extremely pleasing and we hope it continues." http://www.foxsports.com.au/common/story_page/0,5000,3605385%255E5927%255E%255Enbv,00.html The ARU thought that buying a couple of wingers would finish the game of Rugby League off for good and several said the Sydney Swans bringing back Tony Lockett would cut into League's market. But obviously some have forgotten to tell that to the members of the Dragons and Rabbitohs clubs who have snapped up 14,000 tickets for just a pre-season match. Tickets went on sale for the members of both clubs and with the interest surrounding the match, the rest of the tickets are expected to be snapped up early next week once they go on sale to the general public. Souths return to the NRL has sparked passion and interest in Rugby League not seen since 1994. The Super League war cut a deep hole into our great game but with Souths return, the scars of previous years are finally healing after the horrific mess the game got into. It's been a fairytale return to the big time for the Rabbitohs who are attracting interest like never before and sponsors are jumping on board from all places to be associated with Rugby League's most traditional club. http://www.rleague.com/article.php?id=4940 This year�s Charity Shield encounter between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and St George-Illawarra Dragons is expected to be sold out by early next week. Over 14,000 tickets were sold to the match yesterday in an unprecedented rush for seats. Tickets won�t go on sale to the general public until Saturday morning. Yesterday�s rush came from South Sydney football club members, and members of the Dragons new �Red V� supporters group. http://www.ozleague.com/news_article.asp?id=42344 16 Jan 2002 South Sydney chief executive Paul Dunn said yesterday he expected a crowd of at least 35,000 next month when the Rabbitohs take on St George Illawarra in the return of the traditional Charity Shield clash. The Rabbitohs will play their first top-level match since being readmitted to the National Rugby League when they take on the Dragons on February 16 at the Sydney Football Stadium. NRL SOUTH Sydney will take the unprecedented step of staggering the release of tickets for a trial game as interest in the Rabbitohs' return to the NRL builds. Souths believe they can draw a 40,000 crowd to the Sydney Football Stadium for the traditional Charity Shield game against arch-rivals St George Illawarra on February 16. With fans clamouring for tickets, the Rabbitohs announced yesterday that football club members from both Souths and Saints will be able buy tickets from Ticketek today, but the general public won't get their chance until Saturday. "Interest in the game is already huge and it would be great if we could fill the place with 40,000 fans," Souths chief executive Paul Dunn said. "We had 28,000 there in 1999 when it was just another game and this will be a very special night." The Charity Shield has a history of being a fiery affair and with Souths players champing at the bit after two seasons in the wilderness, a tough clash is assured. http://www.foxsports.com.au/common/story_page/0,5000,3599821%255E5927%255E%255Enbv,00.html The St George Illawarra Dragons will line up against an all-new Rabbitohs team next month. The traditional pre-season charity match will take place at the Sydney Football Stadium on Saturday February 16. South's coach, Craig Coleman, says the match is eagerly awaited by the club after their two-year enforced absence from the National Rugby League. http://www.abc.net.au/news/sport/rugbyleague/2002/01/item20020116123926_1.htm THIS YEAR'S return of the Charity Shield between the Rabbitohs and the Dragons will also boast an added feature - a pre-match tribute to the players from the most famous clash of the two clubs, in the 1965 grand final. Many of the stars of that match, which drew a then-record attendance of 78,056 to the Sydney Cricket Ground, will be guests of honour when the Shield returns on February 16 at the adjacent Sydney Football Stadium. St George, with the likes of Reg Gasnier, Johnny Raper, Graeme Langlands, Norm Provan and Ian Walsh in the star-studded lineup, won the 1965 grand final 12-8. But Souths' squad included a host of young players who would later become household names in the game, including Eric Simms, John Sattler, Bob McCarthy, John O'Neill and Ron Coote. The Charity Shield became the traditional pipe-opener to the season after it was first staged in 1982. But when Souths were kicked out of the Premiership in 1999 it was shelved. With the return of the Rabbitohs after their historic legal victory, the stage was set for its return. The 19th clash pre-season Shield clash between the two most famous clubs in the competition is expected to draw a near full house at the SFS. http://www.totalrugbyleague.com/news/viewnews.cgi?newsid1011088535,76485, 15 Jan 2002 South Sydney chief executive Paul Dunn said he would be disappointed if a crowd of at least 35,000 did not turn out to watch the Rabbitohs take on St George Illawarra in the return of the traditional Charity Shield clash. The Rabbitohs will play their first top level match since being readmitted to the National Rugby League when they take on the Dragons on February 16 at the Sydney Football Stadium. South's coach Craig Coleman said he expected the contest to be a fiery one, like other Shield matches before it. "I've played in enough Charity Shield games to know just how hard fought they can be and I have no doubt this year's won't be any different," Coleman said. http://www.nrl.com.au/s2001/news/static/article_2650.asp The return of South Sydney will become a reality on Saturday night the 16th of February when the Rabbitohs take the field against the St George Illawarra Dragons in the return of the traditional Charity Shield clash at the Sydney Football Stadium. In what has become the most hotly contested pre season fixture in Rugby League history, the Charity Shield will be the 19th occasion that the game�s two most famous clubs have competed in this event. Souths� coach Craig Coleman said today that the match is being eagerly awaited by the playing and coaching staff at his club after their two year enforced absence from the NRL. �I played in enough Charity Shield games to know just how hard fought they can be and I have no doubt this year�s won�t be any different� said Coleman. http://www.nrl.com.au/s2001/news/static/article_2648.asp Tickets for the Charity Shield will go on sale to members of Rabbitohs and Dragons tomorrow and to the general public on Saturday for the February 16 clash between Sydney's two most famous clubs at the Sydney Football Stadium. As a tribute to the 1965 Grand Final between St George and South Sydney, which was the last match for the great Norm Provan, 10th premiership in a row for the Saints, the beginning of Souths last great era and the record sporting crowd at the Sydney Cricket Ground of 78,056. The 1965 Grand Final is the most famous in Rugby League history and it's a fine tribute to honour the men in played in the match 37 years ago. The Charity Shield was contested on 18 occasions between 1982-99 with St George emerging as winners on 11 occasions with Souths winning 5 and two drawn. St George won the 1982 encounter 9-7 and Souths emerged victorious in the 1999 clash 16-14 after Rod Wishart missed a sideline conversion to draw the match. Four preliminary matches will be played prior to the Charity Shield giving supporters a great taste of pre-season Rugby League action with the gates opening at 2pm. Both sides will use a squad of 20 with unlimited interchange to be in place due to the February heat and lack of match practice. http://www.rleague.com/article.php?id=4912 11 Jan 2002 Tickets for the Charity Shield between the Dragons and Rabbitohs to be played at the SFS on February 16th will go on sale to the general public from 9:00am on Saturday January 19th. Members of the Dragon Red V club though can purchase tickets from Wednesday January to Friday January 18 via phone and over the counter only. Presently there is no information on ticketing for South Sydney members. Further information will be available on Wednesday 16 January 2002 when a press conference will be held next week to official launch the Charity Shield. The Charity Shield will be played on Saturday night February 16th and is the traditional clash between two of Sydney's great rivals. Already interest in the clash has been immense with the return of the mighty Rabbitohs. The match is expected to be a sellout, so members of the Dragons and Rabbitohs clubs are advised to get their seats before January 19th so they don't miss out on the special occasion when emotion will be overflowing at the Sydney Football Stadium. http://www.rleague.com/article.php?id=4875 South Sydney Rabbitohs Chief Executive Paul Dunn says he expects a capacity crowd for February�s Charity Shield match against St George-Illawarra. The match will be played for the first time since 1999, when the Rabbitohs were excluded from the competition. �We know this game will draw a capacity crowd and we know our long suffering fans will be expecting a great deal from the Rabbitohs,� Dunn said. �It�s also one of the games which will determine who makes the starting 17 first grade players for the opening premiership match against the Roosters,� he added. Tickets for the February 16th encounter go on sale tomorrow to football club members, with the general public able to purchase tickets from Saturday. http://www.ozleague.com/news_article.asp?id=42315 9 Jan 2002 Over the past six weeks, five North Queenslanders have been working on the Mackay Showground's to get it into condition for the NRL Country Carnival trial match between the North Queensland Cowboys and South Sydney Rabbitohs scheduled for March 2. The match is expected to attract up to 10,000 fans and will be the first match at the Mackay Showground's since the Brisbane Broncos and Penrith Panthers clashed in 1993. A spokesperson for the Mackay and District Rugby League said there would be grandstand seating for 2500 along the side-lines and another 1760 at both ends, with room for about 2400 people to sit in the dog track. Tickets for the historic trial will go on sale at the Mackay Entertainment Centre on Monday, January 14. http://www.rleague.com/article.php?id=4850 4 Jan 2002 Dally M Player Of The Year Preston Campbell will definitely be in Sharks colours next year despite the club�s controversial signing of former Australian halfback Brett Kimmorley. Campbell was tipped to walk out on the Sharks and join South Sydney following Kimmorley�s signing, but meetings with club president Barry Pierce have resolved any conflicts. http://www.ozleague.com/news_article.asp?id=42136 South Sydney utility Owen Craigie has left behind a troubled club and 12kg to bring himself into the frame for representative honours. Rabbitohs chief executive Paul Dunn believes the 23-year-old is a bolter for this year's NSW State of Origin squad after quitting the Wests Tigers and scaling down to 96kg during the National Rugby League off-season. "Owen Craigie's looking absolutely sensational at the moment," Dunn said on Wednesday. "I saw him running with Tugga (Souths coach Craig Coleman) again this morning and his attitude's been really good too." Dunn had no doubt Craigie had the ability to wear the sky blue jersey in the 2002 Origin series, won 2-1 by Queensland last year. http://onesport.nzoom.com/sport_detail/0,1278,74939-2-19,00.html 3 Jan 2002 Owen Craigie has lost 12kg over the pre-season and is looking so fit ahead of the home and away season that Rabbitohs CEO Paul Dunn has tipped him to make the NSW Origin team. Craigie quit the Wests Tigers after last year, and since joining South Sydney has trimmed his frame to 96kg, with Dunn saying he is sure he can make the Blues State of Origin team. Owen Craigie's looking absolutely sensational at the moment, Dunn said. I saw him running with Tugga (Souths coach Craig Coleman) again this morning and his attitude's been really good too. Just watching what Owen Craigie can do, it's just a matter of him keeping his mind on the job. Last year he got mixed up with the wrong blokes out at Wests Tigers and I think that had a large bearing on how he performed during the year. http://www.austarnet.com.au/feeds/sport_report.asp?display=4&story_id=21793&category=news A funeral service will be held tomorrow for former South Sydney great Bernie Purcell, who died at the age of 73 on New Year's Eve. The service will be held at St Mary's Cathedral at 10am. Purcell was one of Souths' stars of the 1950s, the goal-kicking second-rower winning four premiership with the Rabbitohs (1950, '51, '54 and '55). He became the first forward to score 1000 points in the premiership, and at the end of his 11 seasons with Souths Purcell had accumulated 1130 points from 36 tries and 511 goals in 178 games. He played just once for Australia, the famous third Test against Great Britain in 1950, in which Australia's 5-2 victory secured the Ashes for the first time in 30 years. He also toured on the 1956 Kangaroos trip to England, playing seven tour games. Purcell later went on to coach his beloved Souths and took the team to the 1965 grand final against St George at the SCG. Souths lost 12-6. After a disappointing 1966 season, when Souths finished seventh, Purcell was replaced as coach by Clive Churchill. http://www.smh.com.au/news/0201/03/sport/sport12.html The funeral for Bernie Purcell, one of National Rugby League club South Sydney's most successful and influential figures, will be held at Sydney's St Marys Catholic Cathedral on Friday morning. Purcell passed away on New Year's Eve at age 73, and will be remembered as an granite-tough prolific goal kicking secondrower. During his playing career at Souths, which he joined in 1949 after a season with Wests, Purcell played in six consecutive grand finals from 1950 for five premiership wins. Purcell remained a committed and active supporter of the club during its successful two year long fight to be readmitted to the NRL. The funeral begins at 10am. http://www.nrl.com.au/s2001/news/static/article_2637.asp 2 Jan 2002 Former Rabbitoh great Bernie Purcell has passed away, leaving a feeling of sadness in the South Sydney camp. Bernie passed away at home on New Year's Eve after suffering a massive stroke. He died aged 73. "It's just such a shame that Bernie Couldn't have hung on for a bit longer to see his beloved Rabbitohs make their comeback on the paddock," says club President George Piggins. "He was as red and green as anyone I've ever met and to watch his team make its comeback would have been the greatest day ever for Bernie. At least he was around long enough to see us win our battle for re-instatement." To call Bernie a Souths legend is no overstatement. As a tough second rower, he showed how the game should be played�and was a prolific point scorer. In fact, Bernie was the first forward to break the 1000 point mark which was an incredible average of 100 points a season. In his 11 years with Souths as a player, Bernie played in six grand finals. Bernie was also a member of the Australian rugby league team that won the Ashes from Great Britain in 1950, the first time in 30 years. Following his retirement as a player, Bernie continued his association with the Rabbitohs becoming the team's first grade coach. Bernie was born with red and green blood flowing through his veins and he never forgot it�even in the couple of years that Souths was in the wilderness, Bernie continued to speak up and fight for his old club. He even went on a number of country roadshow trips to help promote the Rabbitohs cause. Bernie is survived by his wife Monica and their four children. All of us at Souths pass on our deepest sympathies to the family of Bernie Purcell, a great footballer, a great Rabbitoh and a great man. Bernie Purcell 1928 - 2001, may you rest in peace. http://www.souths.com.au/ Former South Sydney and Western Suburbs forward Bernie Purcell died of a heart attack in Sydney last night. Purcell suffered a heart attack early last night and passed away a few hours later in hospital at age 73. Once described by Clive Churhill as 'a great and rugged forward', Purcell played for South Sydney and Western Suburbs during his 13 year career which saw him compete in the Third Ashes Test of 1950 and tour Britain and France with the 1956-57 Kangaroos. Known for his talented goal-kicking, Purcell was the first forward in the game to score more than 1,000 points in Premiership games, scoring 1,130 points in 13 seasons to become the greatest point scoring forward in the history of the game in Australia. A record which stood for 40 years until it was passed by David Furner. Purcell played 178 first grade games for Souths between 1949-60 where he scored 1,130 points for the club from 36 tries and 511 goals. Purcell started his career at Wests in 1948 where he played 12 matches and scored 26 points through 2 tries and 10 goals. Our thoughts and best wishes go out to the family and friends of Bernie Purcell. http://www.rleague.com/article.php?id=4801 FORMER Kangaroo forward Bernie Purcell has died of a heart attack in Sydney. He suffered a heart attack on New Year�s Eve and passed away in hospital a few hours later. He was 73. The second rower, who turned out for South Sydney for most of his career, played in only one Test. But it was one of the most famous internationals in the game�s history - when Australia beat the Lions in the Third Test of 1950 to win the Ashes for the first time in 30 years. He suffered because he played in the same era as the great Test second-row combination of Norm Provan and Kel O�Shea. But Purcell toured Britain and France with the 1956-57 Kangaroos. A talented goal-kicker he also achieved a place in history as the first forward to score more than 1,000 points in Premiership games - notching 1,130 points in 13 seasons with Wests and Souths. This record stood for four decades before it was only topped two seasons ago by David Furner. http://www.totalrugbyleague.com/news/viewnews.cgi?newsid1009834811,10101, SOUTH Sydney's return to the big league this year has lost some of its gloss with the death of legendary forward Bernie Purcell. The Rabbitohs community is in mourning after Purcell, aged 73, passed away on New Year's Eve. "The greatest shame of it is that Bernie couldn't have hung on another few months to see Souths get back on the field again," Rabbitoh president George Piggins said. "He was Souths through and through and that would have been the greatest day of his life." A rugged second-rower, Purcell was the first forward to break the 1000-point barrier and played in six grand finals in his 11 years with the club. Incredibly, he averaged 100 points a season and was also a member of the famous Australian side that won the Ashes from Great Britain in 1950 for the first time in 30 years. After retirement, he became Souths coach and a father figure to the greatest crop of players in the club's history - the likes of Bob McCarthy, John Sattler, Gary Stevens and Ron Coote. "When we were kids we would always stop at the Purcell household as his mum hung up Bernie's Souths jumper on the clothes line," McCarthy recalled. "To us, seeing those red and green colours of one of the game's greats meant more than the Australian flag ... we just looked on in awe." Rabbitoh hard-man Sattler remembers Purcell as a "no-frills" coach. "Bernie didn't believe in clipboards or statistics but he knew how to handle men," Sattler said. "He was the one who really brought the young Souths team together in the 1960s and turned us into a top side. "He used to say you just need to learn how to run the ball, tackle and read the play ... the rest is bulls..." Purcell was replaced as Souths coach by Clive Churchill after the 1966 season but he remained tireless to the cause, helping rescue Souths in the early '70s when financial problems threatened to sink the club. "He was born with a pair of red and green socks," son Greg said. Purcell was also a columnist with the Daily Mirror newspaper for more than a decade. Bernie Purcell is survived by wife Monica and four children. http://www.foxsports.com.au/common/story_page/0,5000,3523001%255E5927%255E%255Enbv,00.html |
