25,000 Rabbitohs Fans March to Reclaim the Game

Twenty-six years on from 1999, the memory of more than 25,000 proud South Sydney supporters taking to the streets of Sydney in a powerful display of unity and passion for their Club still stands as one of the most defining moments in Rabbitohs history.

The event, known as the “Reclaim The Game” Rally, was held on Sunday, 10 October 1999, as thousands of Members and fans marched from the South Sydney Leagues Club to Sydney Town Hall. Their message was clear — to stand up for the Rabbitohs and oppose the NRL’s plan to reduce the number of teams in the competition.

It was one of the most significant fan-led movements in Australian sporting history. Streets were lined with Red and Green as banners, chants and cheers echoed through the city, demanding that South Sydney’s proud legacy not be erased.

The rally drew national attention, with most major newspapers running the story on their front pages the following day. However, The Daily Telegraph, owned by News Limited, placed only a small paragraph on page 44, a decision that prompted respected Rugby League journalist Ian Heads to resign from the paper in protest.

Just five days later, on Friday, 15 October 1999, the NRL confirmed what many feared, South Sydney had been excluded from the elite competition, failing to make the 14-team cut. The announcement left hundreds of fans gathered at the Leagues Club heartbroken, with many openly in tears as they struggled to comprehend the decision.

For the Rabbitohs community, the pain of that day only strengthened their resolve. The Reclaim The Game Rally became a defining symbol of the Club’s fight for survival, a fight that would eventually lead to South Sydney’s reinstatement and one of the most remarkable comeback stories in Australian sport.

Twenty six years on, the rally stands as a reminder of the unwavering passion and unity of the Rabbitohs family, proof that the spirit of South Sydney can never be silenced.