Football Leagues
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The South Sydney Rabbitohs were established in 1908. One version of how the club got its moniker says that during the depression, many of the players used to catch and sell rabbits, calling out "Rabbitoh" as they walked the neighbourhood in search of income. Another version says it was a derogatory reference to South's home ground being littered with "rabbit ‘oles" (holes). The club used to be called the "pride of the league" and in their near century long history, Souths won 20 first grade premiership - more than any other club. It was often said that when Souths go well, rugby league went well. Despite its rich history, on October 15, 1999 the NRL announced the Rabbitohs would not be invited to participate in the 2000 competition. But in a classic Australian story, the club refused to give up. Street rallies were attended by 150,000 people and forced the NRL to re-admit the club two years later. Sadly, it still couldn't produce a decent footy team and the club remained firmly entrenched its its rabbit hole as other clubs ran over the top of it. Although the street rallies demonstrated the passion and loyalty that Souths still commanded, popularity in Rugby League is somewhat unimportant due to the NRL's reliance upon poker machines. In the era where clubs made most of their money via gate takings, the Rabbitohs' huge supporter base ensured they were always one of the league's wealthiest clubs with funds to develop, retain and buy players. But as clubs became more reliant upon poker machine income, clubs such as Eastern Suburbs which have few fans and almost no junior development, were able to outbid Souths for players on the basis it has a profitable leagues club and Souths do not. Without a future, in 2006 the "people's club" voted to accept private ownership. An injection of private funds was seen as the only hope for the future. Early signs do look promising. Roy Morgan research 2006 - When compared to other NRL supporters
Rivalries Roosters - South Sydney and the Roosters are inner-city neighbours and the last of the traditional clubs. Owing to poker machine revenue, the Roosters have been profitable despite having no fans. This profitability has allowed the club to buy premierships, much to the angst of Souths. As Russel Crowe put it: "For all the Roosters have spent in the last five years they've only bought one premiership. "Souths are the poorest club in the league. Our boys train on a busted-ass oval with cockroaches in the dressing room, there's no glamour playing for Souths." Icon
South Sydney Jokes Q:What do you call Rabbitohs
players running back in defence? |
Invention of Australian sports Cricket
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