‘Make the ghosts of Souths proud’: Piggins’ inspiring grand final message
South Sydney saviour George Piggins has delivered an emotional message to the current squad ahead of Sunday’s grand final against Penrith, lauding the players to “make your family, fans and the ghosts of Souths proud.”
The Rabbitohs will attempt to secure their 22nd premiership victory on Sunday, an opportunity only possible due to Piggins’ fighting spirit. The former Souths player and coach led the charge for the club’s reinstatement after it was kicked out of the competition following the Super League war, ensuring a victory in the most important battle of all.
This season marks 20 years since the moment the “Pride of the League” was readmitted to the competition, with people power prevailing despite Souths ultimately losing their court battles against New Ltd.
Piggins, who is making a steady recovery following a raft of life-threatening illnesses, including aspiration pneumonia, hopes Wayne Bennett’s team channels the same spirit that secured the club’s survival two decades ago.
“My main message is win,” Piggins told The Sun-Herald. “But really, just play with pride, guts and determination and make your family, fans and the ghosts of Souths proud.
The Rabbitohs celebrate a try in their impressive victory over Manly to reach Sunday’s grand final.Credit:Getty
“Making it to the grand final takes a never say die attitude. The defence they displayed against the Panthers in the finals showed that attitude and they will need to show that to beat a quality side like Penrith.”
No one has given as much of themselves to the cardinal and myrtle as Piggins. The 76-year-old made 118 appearances for the Rabbitohs as a player, coached the club for free and, when it was on the precipice of disappearing from the sporting landscape forever, mortgaged his house and offered up a $3.2 million loan, interest free.
On two separate occasions, tens of thousands of fans marched towards Town Hall to demand the club’s reinstatement, a plea that could not be ignored. Souths’ return signified a victory for the people over big business.
Piggins describes it as “the greatest sporting victory ever in this country.”
South Sydney great George Piggins.
“So many people fought their guts out for so long and to come away from that with a victory for the people is incredible to reflect on,” Piggins said. “Like I’ve said before, watching Souths make the grand final reminded me of that battle and made me wonder what would have happened if we had lost. What would these players, coaching staff and fans be doing if Souths wasn’t around?”
Piggins didn’t want to single out a particular player from the current squad as his favourite, but described departing halfback Adam Reynolds as “special”.
“Here’s a true Rabbitoh: born and bred in the district, played his junior footy in the district, played all his senior footy until now in the district, marched with his dad in the rallies to save Souths, is captain of the club, main playmaker and kicker,” he said.
“What more do you want from a Rabbitoh? In saying that, there are a great group of juniors in the squad but, really, I like them all.”
Piggins will watch the game at home on television with his wife Nolene, taking time to reflect on their contributions to the club they love. Asked what South Sydney means to him, Piggins said: “It means the community has one of its most prized possessions back after having it taken away from them 20 years ago.
“It means there is a pathway for the young people in our community and from country areas to play sport and make something of their lives. It means that hundreds of thousands of folk who helped save the club have had the biggest win in Rabbitohs history; bigger than winning any grand final. Souths is alive and well, and, while I’m at it, a lot of credit needs to go to Souths Juniors and people like Henry Morris and Keith McGraw for the manner in which they have supported the juniors and other sports in the area.
“Souths means a lot to me, but it means a lot to a lot of people.”
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