Hard Times and An 1980s Revival
Financial problems started to hit Souths and key players from their grand final sides of the early '70s headed to either Manly (John O'Neill, Ray Branighan, Bob Moses) or Easts (Ron Coote, Michael Cleary, Elwyn Walters) where both those clubs achieved some success after buying the champions Souths produced. Manly were winless until 1972 while Easts hadn't won a premiership since 1945. Souths Leagues Club's doors were closed in 1973 but a 'Save Our Souths' campaign ensured the Rabbitohs survived. They went through tough times but always found a way to get by through tremendous spirit and hard workers.
Things began to turn around in 1978 when under new coach Jack Gibson, Souths won the pre-season competition (10-3 over Canterbury) and finished the season second in the club championship.
Souths star player in the late '70s was the powerful Australian representative winger Terry Fahey, affectionately known to fans as the "Redfern Express". Utility back Robert 'Rocky' Laurie won the prestigious 'Dally M' award in 1980.
On 13 June 1982 at a Special General Meeting the South Sydney Club was incorporated as a company limited by guarantee.
Souths only trophies in the 1980s were the win over Cronulla-Sutherland in the final of the mid-week 1981 Tooth Cup competition and victory in the pre-season 'Sevens' competition in 1988. In the premiership Souths made the semi-finals in 1980, 1984, 1986, 1987 and 1989, a year in which they were runaway minor premiers and also took out the Club Championship.
1980 saw the Rabbitohs make the semis the first time for a few years, finishing fifth, but were promptly knocked out of the finals series by St George 16-5. Ron Willey became coach in 1983, and the next year Souths made the semis. Souths came from 0-14 behind to beat Manly 22-18 in a memorable first semi final but were knocked out the following week by St. George, but their best two years were 1986 and 1989 under the leadership of Mario Fenech. The Rabbitohs just missed out on the minor premiership in 1986 and then lost both semi finals to Canterbury and Balmain to be bundled out.
Souths led from basically start to finish in 1989 remarkably not losing a single match away from the Sydney Football Stadium. Souths finished the regular season on 37 points with 18 wins and a draw, losing only 3 games along the way. However, come finals time, they lost a classic semi-final to Balmain and Canberra a week later powered home to end Souths best chance of getting back to the glory years.
Apart from hooker and captain Fenech, Souths stars during this period included forwards Les Davidson and Ian Roberts, halfback Craig Coleman and mercurial five-eighth Phil Blake.
Read more about this topic: History Of The South Sydney Rabbitohs
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