A new-look Michael Crocker, equipped with a luscious beard, featuring in the 2018 Membership video, praised both the Club and the Members for their ongoing commitment and contribution to making Souths strong again.
Crocker highlighted the Rabbitohs high Membership tally and feels proud to have been a part of the formulative years of Souths.
“We’ve got a few of the current players and us old has-beens here to film our Members video, which is obviously really important. Its one thing the Club has done really well especially since the terrible years that we suffered being kicked out of the competition, the Members have rallied together and since then we’ve been the highest tallied Members each year besides the Broncos who are a one team town,” Crocker said.
“I think the Club has done a wonderful job and I things like this really engage the fans and gives them the experience is definitely something that has helped.”
Having played with the Club during the build up to their 21st Premiership in 2014, Crocker was full of praise for incoming coach Anthony Seibold and the young crop of players coming into first grade.
“I’ve had experience with Anthony Seibold who is a magnificent man and a wonderful coach as well so I think he’ll be able to get the best out of the players,” he said.
“Essentially that’s the job as a coach to make sure you’ve got everyone excited about playing football, having fun and getting the best out of them on and off the field, and hopefully that’s what the Club is building towards and I’m sure that’s the vision that has been set by the hierarchy and I’m sure that’s why they’ve chosen ‘Seibs’.
“I think the coaching staff will do a wonderful job, a number of different injuries gave opportunities for a number of kids to play and taste first grade football which will hold them in good stead for next year.”
Crocker also gave an update on his life post-playing, and his continuing involvement in Rugby League, as well as his involvement with the Burgess brothers.
“I work at the Rugby League Players’ Association (RLPA). It wasn’t something that was on my radar when I did retire but it was an opportunity that came up that I thought was really important in terms of player rights and fairness for all. I’ve enjoyed the challenge and the personal growth it has given me in a business sense on the other side of the football dynamic, which is quite different and interesting,” he said.
“I miss training, I miss playing, I miss tackling people, which is why it’s good having the Burgess boys as mates because when you give them a cuddle it’s basically like a tackle anyway. I miss those elements but I’m glad and grateful that I’m still involved with rugby league and being able to give back to a game that gave me so much."
The former captain had a final message to all the loyal Member and supporters.
“Get behind the team. It’s obviously a very exciting time for the Club in terms of some of the young kids we’ve got, the senior players we’ve got are still playing some magnificent football.
“It’s a Club with such a long and proud history and we want to continue that in 2018 and beyond.”
