The Rabbitohs’ official website, www.rabbitohs.com.au, will be taking a look back at the past decade to see the growth of the Club over the past ten years.
2011 would be the last time the Rabbitohs finished outside the top eight for the next four years in what was Greg Inglis’ first year in the Red & Green – a tremendous signing for the Rabbitohs considering the interest of AFL club Essendon who were only hours away from scoring his signature for 2012.
The Rabbitohs were on fire in attack – scoring 531 points (3rd best in the competition) in John Lang’s last year with the squad. This was the third year in a row the Rabbitohs scored over 500 points in a season. However, defensive deficiencies pinned us at 10th place on the ladder after leaking 562 points (3rd worst in the competition) while registering the most linebreaks of any team in the competition.
Nathan Merritt had a prolific season on the wing for the Rabbitohs, scoring 23 times to tie first in the try scorer charts with Ben Barba. Chris Sandow’s kicking game snagged him the highest point scorer award with 195 points coming from 6 tries, 82 goals and 7 field goals, in second place was Benji Marshall with 186 points.
On a good note the Rabbitohs discipline was on display, only conceding 108 penalties in the season.
Over 20,000 Members were building the momentum that would see the Rabbitohs reach the highest accolades within the next three years.
Football:
Ladder position: |
10th |
Wins: |
11 |
Draws: |
0 |
Losses: |
13 |
Points for: |
531 |
Points against: |
562 |
Head Coach: |
John Lang |
Captains: |
Roy Asotasi, Michael Crocker and John Sutton |
Wins over:
Team |
Round |
Score |
Eels |
Round 3 |
32-18 |
Sea Eagles |
Round 4 |
32-30 |
Sharks |
Round 8 |
31-12 |
Tigers |
Round 10 |
29-18 |
Titans |
Round 15 |
31-8 |
Broncos |
Round 16 |
16-12 |
Roosters |
Round 19 |
21-20 |
Dragons |
Round 21 |
34-24 |
Eels |
Round 22 |
56-6 |
Raiders |
Round 23 |
47-18 |
Cowboys |
Round 24 |
26-24 |
Most games:
|
Chris Sandow (24) Issac Luke (24) Chris McQueen (23) John Sutton (23) David Tyrrell (23) Dylan Farrell (23) |
Most points:
|
Chris Sandow (195) Nathan Merritt (92) Dylan Farrell (48) Greg Inglis (32) Chris McQueen (32) |
Most tries:
|
Nathan Merritt (23) Dylan Farrell (12) Greg Inglis (8) Chris McQueen (8) |
Most goals:
|
Chris Sandow (82) Issac Luke (2) |
Most average tackles:
|
Michael Crocker (30.5 per game) Issac Luke (28.4 per game) |
Most average metres:
|
Rhys Wesser (146.1 per game) Issac Luke (122.1 per game) |
Top Try Assists:
|
Chris Sandow (18) John Sutton (11) |
Award winners: |
George Piggins Medal – Nathan Merritt Jack Rayner Players’ Player Award – Chris Sandow John Sattler Rookie of the Year Award – Nathan Peats Supporters’ Choice Award – Michael Crocker Bob McCarthy Clubman of the Year Award – Michael Crocker The Burrow Player of the Year Award – Michael Crocker |
News:
March: Rabbitohs extended Issac Luke’s contract until the end of the 2015 season and Dylan Farrell until end of 2013.
April: The Club announced the signing of Head Coach Michael Maguire for the next three seasons. South Sydney juniors Nathan Merritt and John Sutton also extended their playing contracts with the Club until the end of the 2014 season.
May: Rabbitohs captain Roy Asotasi was forced to the sideline for four months after undergoing hand surgery following an injury suffered in Round eight’s victory over the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks. Rabbitohs extend contracts until the end of 2013 with Dave Tyrrell, Chris McQueen and Nathan Peats.
June: The Rabbitohs announced the immediate signing of Luke Burgess until the end of the 2013 season. The signing of representative back Matt King followed shortly after for the 2012 and 2013 seasons.
July: The Club announced the extension of Ben Lowe’s playing contract until the end of the 2014 season and the signing of Ryan Carr and Justin Hunt to NRL contracts for season 2012.
August: Chairman of Souths Cares, Nicholas Pappas, announced that The Hon. Kristina Keneally MP had been appointed to the Board of Souths Cares. Rabbitohs centre Greg Inglis announced that he would miss the remainder of the 2011 NRL season due to an ankle ligament injury.
