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27/7/2011 11:58 AM
Peter Peters
Sportal
Like most league-loving people, I was right behind South Sydney and George Piggins when 80,000 took to the streets to demand the Rabbitohs' return to the NRL a decade ago.
People power won out and eventually the famous myrtle green and cardinal red were back in the comp where they belonged.
But I've got to say the Bunnies have given those fans who fought for their re-admission very little to cheer about in the 10 seasons since.
As the old saying goes, they promise the world and deliver an atlas.
South Sydney like to call themselves the pride of the league but those days are long gone.
Since coming back into the comp in 2002, Souths have made the finals just once.
That was in 2007 when they snuck into seventh spot and were smashed by Manly in week one of the play-offs.
In the 235 games they have played between 2002 and now, they have won just 74 matches.
That's an appalling success rate of just 31.5 per cent.
You'd be struggling to find a club with a worse record than that.
It's a damning statistic.
Fans are entitled to be dirty and asking questions.
And so is high profile owner Russell Crowe, who would have to give the club's performances a big thumbs down.
We heard plenty out of Redfern over summer that this was going to be their year.
But unless there is a miracle over the next six weeks, this will be the ninth season in 10 that the Rabbitohs won't be seen past the first week in September.
Sure, they've had their fair share of injuries but so have other clubs.
The team to play the Dragons on Sunday contains four current or past Queensland Origin players - Wesser, Inglis, Crocker and Ross - and two Kiwi international in Pettybourne and Luke.
Then there are experienced NRL players like Sutton, Merritt and Sandow to complement those mentioned above.
It's not the worst looking line-up going around.
But they make the same elementary mistakes week after week yet nothing seems to be done to fix the problem.
Perhaps Michael Maguire is the answer after all.
I know I criticised his appointment initially but I have since heard good things about him.
I am prepared to say I got it wrong and maybe this bloke can conjure up something in 2012 and have the Bunnies fighting hard for a top four spot.
The long-suffering fans - now 40 years without a premiership and counting - certainly deserve some success.
Anyway, there will be no joy for Souths fans this weekend when they take on the wounded Dragons down in the Gong.
Your other Round 21 winners will be: Brisbane, Manly, the Roosters, North Queensland, the Warriors, Newcastle and Melbourne.
Speak next week friends.
http://www.sportal.com.au/league-opinion-display/peter-peters-souths-must-reward-fans-131734
Peter Peters
Sportal
Like most league-loving people, I was right behind South Sydney and George Piggins when 80,000 took to the streets to demand the Rabbitohs' return to the NRL a decade ago.
People power won out and eventually the famous myrtle green and cardinal red were back in the comp where they belonged.
But I've got to say the Bunnies have given those fans who fought for their re-admission very little to cheer about in the 10 seasons since.
As the old saying goes, they promise the world and deliver an atlas.
South Sydney like to call themselves the pride of the league but those days are long gone.
Since coming back into the comp in 2002, Souths have made the finals just once.
That was in 2007 when they snuck into seventh spot and were smashed by Manly in week one of the play-offs.
In the 235 games they have played between 2002 and now, they have won just 74 matches.
That's an appalling success rate of just 31.5 per cent.
You'd be struggling to find a club with a worse record than that.
It's a damning statistic.
Fans are entitled to be dirty and asking questions.
And so is high profile owner Russell Crowe, who would have to give the club's performances a big thumbs down.
We heard plenty out of Redfern over summer that this was going to be their year.
But unless there is a miracle over the next six weeks, this will be the ninth season in 10 that the Rabbitohs won't be seen past the first week in September.
Sure, they've had their fair share of injuries but so have other clubs.
The team to play the Dragons on Sunday contains four current or past Queensland Origin players - Wesser, Inglis, Crocker and Ross - and two Kiwi international in Pettybourne and Luke.
Then there are experienced NRL players like Sutton, Merritt and Sandow to complement those mentioned above.
It's not the worst looking line-up going around.
But they make the same elementary mistakes week after week yet nothing seems to be done to fix the problem.
Perhaps Michael Maguire is the answer after all.
I know I criticised his appointment initially but I have since heard good things about him.
I am prepared to say I got it wrong and maybe this bloke can conjure up something in 2012 and have the Bunnies fighting hard for a top four spot.
The long-suffering fans - now 40 years without a premiership and counting - certainly deserve some success.
Anyway, there will be no joy for Souths fans this weekend when they take on the wounded Dragons down in the Gong.
Your other Round 21 winners will be: Brisbane, Manly, the Roosters, North Queensland, the Warriors, Newcastle and Melbourne.
Speak next week friends.
http://www.sportal.com.au/league-opinion-display/peter-peters-souths-must-reward-fans-131734
