rnabokov said:
This is what pi*ses me off about this thread.
Souths, irrespective of their recent trials and tribs, are a foundation club of the NRL. They are one of only two foundation clubs still present in the league, the other being the Sydney Roosters.
What's the point? Because they were there in the beginning, the
GAME OF RUGBY LEAGUE owes them something? That is bloody ridiculous. Mate, I'm a member of the Army. I, and my mates, have witnessed my old unit, which dates back to 1917, be disbanded. What about the loyalty to the diggers that fought and died serving that unit in both WWars?
The thing is, the Army has progressed since 1918 and as such, realises it doesn't have or better yet, can improve itself by disbanding said unit and effectivly intergrating the unit into another unit. Trust me, there is far more tradition associated with a combat unit, then anything a football club will ever offer, however progression is a must.
Sounds kinda logical huh?
rnabokov said:
They have won more premierships than any other NRL side. At the elite competition level, South Sydney are the most successful professional team in the history of Australian rugby league in terms of total championships won, having claimed 20 first grade premierships. I ackowledge however, they have not won a premiership since 1971.
So they have won 20 GF's in 100 years....wow...that's orsm. :roll: Seriously, those 7 other teams they used to beat must have really taken it out of them. :roll:
rnabokov said:
In 2007 Souths qualified for their first finals series since 1989.
My problem with Souths, isn't the fact they have not made finals series, it's that for the vast majority of the time I have been watching RL, they haven't even competitive. Especially where it matters most....off the field.
rnabokov said:
Souths has a long history of producing talented indigenous players, including stars such as Eric Simms, Ron Coote, Eric Robinson, Kevin Longbottom and, more recently, Nathan Merritt.
Throughout its history the club has been a provider of opportunity for young Aboriginal players from both the South Sydney district and regional New South Wales. The link that exists between South Sydney Rugby League Club and the Aboriginal community of the district goes back to the formation of the Redfern All Blacks Football Club in 1930, a vitally important nursery for Souths over the years.
I don't get your point at all? Aboriginal players can't be produced by other clubs *cough* NQ *cough* Brisbane*cough*??
rnabokov said:
OK. We upstart Broncos supporters are passionate about our team - coming into the NRL in 1988.
We owe Souths for the NRL's long and proud history and tradition.
Give them a bit of credit.
Mate, as far as I'm concerned this NRL competition started in 1998. So I don't get this long and proud tradition you are talking about? Oh wait, you're misguided; you mean the long and proud tradition of RUGBY LEAGUE in Australia. Well, my fathers team, The Valley Diehards are gone. My team, the Wynnum Manly Seagulls are struggling. My point is, teams come and go mate, MY BRONCOS have nothing to thank Souths for at all. In fact, one could argue that it was the NSWRL that actually detracted from my teams performance over the years.
The Brisbane Broncos have the Brisbane Rugby League Premiership (BRL) to thank for their long and proud traditions. After all, that is where the vast majority of the Broncos inaugral players and staff started their careers. And where the heart and soul of QLD RL grew.
Look, Souths were great, good on them, but even the NSWRL killed its own constantly from 1908 through to 1982. The actual first 2 clubs formed have both been given the arse. The reson they are still here, is because idiots with money support them....not their games, just the club.