The South Sydney Rabbitohs are mourning the passings of Life Member Richie Powell and former player Ron Lovett over the past week.
Richie Powell was born in 1941 in Waterloo and played junior footy with his local club Waterloo Waratahs. Mr Powell was graded with Souths in 1957 and spent eleven seasons playing with the club, making his first grade debut in 1958 against Western Suburbs at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
A front rower, his two uncles, Jim and Dick Richards, both played for South Sydney in the 1940s and 1950s and Richie used to carry their football gear to Redfern Oval when he was young and watch them play.
Mr Powell was judged as best-and-fairest player in 1964 by the Sun-Herald newspaper. He played 93 first grade games for the Rabbitohs before finishing his career 1967, scoring 11 tries for 33 points. He played a total of 119 grade games for South Sydney and was first grade player number 448.
He was inducted as a Life Member of the South Sydney Football Club at the 96th Annual General Meeting held at the South Sydney Leagues Club in Redfern on 28 March 2004.
Ron Lovett was born on 14 August 1936, only playing one season with the Rabbitohs in 1960. He also played for Newtown in 1956.
First grade player number 469, Mr Lovett played 15 first grade games for South Sydney scoring two tries and kicking one goal for a total of eight points. He also played one second grade game for the Club.
A Chelsea United junior, Mr Lovett also represented City during his short playing career.
On behalf of everyone connected to the South Sydney Rabbitohs, we offer our deepest condolences to the families and friends of Mr Richie Powell and Mr Ron Lovett.
