2008
South Sydney Football Club’s Centenary season was certainly one to remember.
From the Club’s 100th birthday on 17 January; to the global expansion into the US with the game against the World Champions, Leeds Rhinos, on Australia Day; to the five dramatic comeback victories mid-season; to Head Coach Jason Taylor dramatically calling the entire team to the sidelines mid-match for a rev-up against the Sharks in round six; to the unveiling of new young talent on the field; to the unprecedented success of the Club off the field; the Rabbitohs were certainly on the up.
2008 uncovered some rare gems. Like Chris Sandow at half back, and Luke Capewell and Jamie Simpson out wide. Sandow has been trumpeted as the ‘Aboriginal Alfie’, comparisons with the great Allan Langer. His performances this season were outstanding and certainly added to the team’s improved performances throughout the second half of the season. Capewell and Simpson also added that youthful enthusiasm the team needed mid-season, with both players scoring close to a try a game since cracking first grade.
The introduction of the under 20s Toyota Cup competition also gave a number of our young stars a stage on which to perform. Names such as Jason Clark, Aaron Hammett and Dave Tyrrell will be listed on the first grade team sheet one day, and we can say that 2008 was when it all started for them.
The continued rise in performance of Issac Luke was also something to behold. Last year he was playing for North Sydney. This year he was playing for New Zealand, pumping out the most passionate Haka ever seen on the Sydney Cricket Ground. John Sutton also hit new heights this season, earning his first representative jersey when he scored a try for City Origin. Roy Asotasi continued to develop as a leader of men, leading both the Rabbitohs and the Kiwis into battle throughout 2008.
Off the field of play, the Rabbitohs led the League in so many areas. Ticketed Membership doubled over the previous 12 months to over 6,600 Members, with over 12,000 total Members supporting the Club. Corporate Partnerships tipped over the $6 million mark, signalling the Rabbitohs as the most well backed Club in Sydney.
The team received unprecedented media coverage with 10 games being broadcast on free-to-air television throughout the season, and Rabbitohs games consistently rating highly on both Channel Nine and Fox Sports.
Souths Cares’ commitment to the community increased considerably with our players contributing almost 600 hours of their personal time helping community groups, junior football clubs and people in need, in and around the Sydney basin. Souths Cares will also expand into Coffs Harbour in 2009, as Camp Rabbitoh is established with two training camps and a trial match against the Penrith Panthers in 2009. The redevelopment of Redfern Oval was also near completion.
The eight wins in 2008 may have fallen short of a top-eight birth, but the Centenary season for the Club as a whole didn’t disappoint.