The Daily Telegraph - 26 MAY 2006, Page 038

It looks like mission impossible for the new owners of Souths - But quality players are on the menu

By JAMES HOOPER

PETER Holmes a Court held a secret meeting with leading player agent Gavin Orr at upmarket East Sydney restaurant Beppi's last Tuesday.

His mission was to lure quality players to struggling South Sydney, a feat the Rabbitohs new co-owner has already acknowledged as the Mt Everest of his business endeavours.

For the record, Souths hitlist includes Roy Asotasi, Reni Maitua, Frank Pritchard, Greg Bird and Mathew Head.

Amid much fanfare two months ago, Holmes a Court and Russell Crowe convinced the majority of Souths members to allow them to privatise the Rabbitohs.

The trouble now is, despite all the bluster and promises associated with most political campaigns, nothing much has changed and the Rabbitohs remain anchored to the bottom of the NRL.

Some players want out. Others are misbehaving on the booze.

The general lowdown is, despite the front office adjustments, Redfern remains a complete and utter rabble.

MainGame can reveal the fall from grace of one-time favourite son, Yileen `Buddy' Gordon, co-incided with an alcohol-fuelled incident involving new owner Crowe on the ill-fated harbour cruise of May 9.

While Crowe was not on the cruise he and Gordon exchanged words when the boat docked at Woolloomooloo, forcing Rabbitohs captain Peter Cusack to intervene.

The incident underlines the plight of the struggling Rabbitohs.Yet chief executive Shane Richardson maintains privatisation was the only way forward.

"It's a long, hard fight to go forward and there's no denying it is going to be a fight to get us out of where we are,'' Richardson said.

"We've been decaying for the past 10 years as a club but the advent of Peter Holmes a Court and Russell Crowe has allowed us to move forward in a positive way.

"The bottom line is we're zero from 10. We've got to have a good look at our roster and make sure we're able to add value to that roster.''

With the June 30 player trading period only 35 days away, Souths must now navigate a potential walkout from their current playing ranks before they even try to lure new talent.
The MacDougall brothers, Adam and Luke, will leave at the end of the season. Mark Minichiello is also tipped to join the Gold Coast. And Todd Polglase has been linked to a return to the Bulldogs. So where does this leave Souths leading up to arguably the most important recruitment period in the club's history?

Richardson continues to press the theory Souths can develop into a force.

Crowe has stated they could win a premiership by 2008. But he also volunteered to help out in the fight to recruit some star players. Right now he's overseas working on a movie. ``

" We've had to hang on for dear life with the minimum of everything over the past 10 years but now we're a hope of rectifying all our problems,'' Richardson said.

"We're offering hope that we've never had before. We will get better as a club but you don't get better by throwing the towel in.''

Other questions Souths diehards want answered include why coach Shaun McRae was signed for another season before the start of this year, given the Rabbitohs' current standing.

Adding further intrigue to the situation, Jason Taylor arrives as an assistant coach next season while current assistant Arthur Kitinas and trainer David Boyle remain unsigned for 2007.

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

Round 1: Rabbitohs 22 Roosters 40
Round 3: Rabbitohs 14 Dragons 44
Round 4: Sharks 24 Rabbitohs 22
Round 5: Broncos 30 Rabbitohs 12
Round 6: Rabbitohs 18 Bulldogs 26
Round 7: Warriors 46 Rabbitohs 14
Round 8: Rabbitohs 18 Knights 24
Round 9: Rabbitohs 14 Storm 38
Round 10: Panthers 32 Rabbitohs 20
Round 11: Roosters 28 Souths 26

Column: Main Game / MainGame
Section: SPORT