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1 Nov 2001 LONDON BRONCOS appear to be losing their battle to keep Dennis Moran who made a big impression in his first season with the club last year, although they will insist upon receiving a fee for the half-back. South Sydney, who return to the Australian League next year, want Moran to join them and he has been training with the club although he still has a year remaining on his contract with the Broncos. Nick Cartwright, the Broncos' chief executive, said that the coach, Tony Rea, had told Moran that if he wanted to leave and play for Souths, he would not stand in his way. Cartwright said: "This still stands so long as certain conditions are met, the most fundamental condition being that we are suitably compensated for the loss of a player who is central to our future plans." http://www.sport.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml;$sessionid$3NVRZ5AAAC3GTQFIQMGCFFWAVCBQUIV0?xml=/sport/2001/10/31/slwhal01.xml&sSheet=/sport/2001/10/31/ixrugl.html The move of utility player Dennis Moran back into the National Rugby League has been blocked by his English Super League club. Moran is currently training with the South Sydney Rabbitohs at Erskineville Oval, and reports have indicated his desire for a release from the final year of his London Broncos contract. But the Broncos are keen to keep Moran, who played well from a variety of positions last season, and London chief Executive Nic Cartwright believes the issue is “clear and simple.” It had been reported in a Sydney newspaper that Moran had an agreement from Broncos coach Tony Rea to terminate his contract early, but the club denies this, and has pointed to the fact that Moran recently signed an extension with the London club until the end of Super League season 2003. http://www.ozleague.com/news_article.asp?id=41192 Despite continuing stories out of Sydney about the future of Broncos scrum half Denis Moran, London Chief Executive Nic Cartwright sees the issue as being ‘clear and simple’ and does not understand why there seems to be so much confusion. Moran has served one year of his two-year contract with London Broncos and has recently agreed to an extension, which will see him playing in the capital at least until the end of the 2003 Super League season. Moves by the South Sydney club to entice Moran back to the NRL are not only unethical but will prove fruitless according to Cartwright unless necessary conditions are met that prove beneficial to all parties concerned. http://www.rleague.com/newsarticle.php?articleID=4167 London Broncos have insisted South Sydney will have to pay "considerable" compensation if they want to sign former Parramatta scrum-half Dennis Moran. The 24-year-old is only halfway through a two-year contract with the Broncos and, according to the club, recently agreed to an extension which would see him playing in the capital until the end of the 2003 season. But Moran has started training with the re-formed Souths club and told the Sydney Daily Telegraph he would be seeking a release from his Broncos contract. "I'm enjoying it here at Souths," he said. http://www.sportinglife.com/rugbyleague/news/story_get.dor?STORY_NAME=rleague/01/10/31/RUGBYL_London.html 31 Oct 2001 Former Parramatta Eels halfback Dennis Moran is looking to return to the National Rugby League with South Sydney for season 2002. Moran is currently in pre-season training with the Rabbitohs at Erskineville Oval, but hasn't been able to sign with the club due to contractual obligations with Super League side the London Broncos. While it is believed that Moran will be released from the last season of his two year contract with the Broncos, their official website said that Moran "remains an important part of what we are planning to achieve next season." http://www.ozleague.com/default.asp Porirua Bartercard Cup players Stacey Katu, Ngatu Mauheni and Irea Taia are about to join the revived National Rugby League (NRL) club South Sydney. Their reward for getting themselves to Sydney for trials at Cronulla and Souths was securing places in the Souths' under-21 Jersey Flegg squad for next year. At the club's expense, they leave for Sydney on November 30 after finishing their studies. Katu and Mauheni are sitting bursary at Porirua College, and Taia is at Aotea College. Katu, 17, played second row or loose forward for Porirua this year and Mauheni and Taia, both 18, were outside backs. However, they have all been picked by Souths as back row forwards. The club will find work and accommodation for them. Katu's father Pat said they might be ready to play reserve grade next year. http://www.stuff.co.nz/inl/index/0,1008,991743a1823,FF.html FORMER Parramatta utility player Dennis Moran has become involved in the biggest contract wrangle of the off-season. Moran, 24, is adamant he will play with South Sydney nest season, despite having a year to run on a contract with the London Broncos. It is understood Moran has now been offered an upgraded contract with London but has started training with Souths instead. The English RFL has warned Souths not to interfere with Moran's London deal. http://www.foxsports.com.au/common/story_page/0,5000,3156028%255E5927%255E%255Enbv,00.html 30 Oct 2001 GEORGE PIGGINS was not at South Sydney's historic first training session yesterday. He instead chose to repair his horse float. But the significance of his side's first official training run was not lost on the South Sydney chairman. For Piggins, reality struck yesterday. His famous club was back in the NRL and back on the training fields, yesterday in the gymnasium lifting weights under the grandstand at Erskineville Oval. "We've started pre-season training for 92 seasons so we should be alright at it," Piggins said yesterday. The players began a weights program yesterday and will start ball work in a fortnight. http://www.foxsports.com.au/common/story_page/0,5000,3149605%255E5927%255E%255Enbv,00.html 29 Oct 2001 This morning at Erskenville oval, South Sydney took part in their first training session since there two years in Rugby League exile. The squad of approximately 32 were very positive of a bright future and appeared to be happy with the risk they have taken in joining the Rabbitohs for 2002. Players under went a pinch test, fitness test and took part in a light weights session. With the squad all but finalised I thought this would be a perfect opportunity to cast an eye over the squad and predict there future. Fullback and wingers should not be a big problem for Souths. Whilst lacking obvious NRL experience the back three will consist of some of the best up and coming wingers in the NRL. Most regard Damien Mostyn (previously from the Sharks) as the likely fullback, but after watching the Parramatta first division side numerous times, one will take a quick liking to Wade McKinnon (Parramatta). The young custodian showed great strike power from the back and in general support play to claim the title of the second highest try scorer in first division in 2001. Also contesting fullback positions will be Andrew King (Eagles). Brad Watts (Storm) should be favourite for one wing spot with Brent Grose (Sharks) grabbing the other. Andrew Hinson (Penrith) is also a possible starter. Grose was a quick learner of the NRL standard of football this season with a series of safe and encouraging displays for the Sharks. In particular his semi final game against the much-hyped Adam MacDougall was most impressive. The outside backline appears to be an obvious strength in Souths’ squad. Russell Richardson (Sharks) will be an automatic selection. The former test player was out of sorts this year at the Sharks and needed a new place to reignite his career. Souths is the place to do it and if the 24 year old can recapture his form, he may prove to be the buy of the season. Partnering him will be either King or centre/five-eighth Owen Craigie (Tigers) who have all proved their ability to hold there own at the elite level. Halves shape up as the biggest weakness for Souths next season. Owen Craigie is widely tipped to continue his Wests Tiger experience at 5/8 and be partnered by utility back Blaine Stanley (Sharks). However, both lack the experience in these areas to lead a young and inexperience team around the paddock and a specialist half/five-eighth is desperately needed. Souths weren’t helped by the fact that Dennis Moran announced he would not be joining the Rabbitohs in 2002 after failing to obtain a release from his London Broncos during the week. Youngsters Brett Sheehan (Manly) and Craig Trindall (Parramatta) may prove to be surprises in 2002. http://nrl.rleague.com/news/index.php?articleID=4138 27 Oct 2001 SOUTH Sydney players were yesterday told to be red, green and clean. Chairman George Piggins warned the club's players at an orientation day that there would be no warnings for drug use – they would immediately be stood down and counselled. "Drugs won't be tolerated at South Sydney," Piggins said. "We want a policy in place to make sure the young people represent themselves to the best of their ability. "The behaviour of players has to be spot on. They are representatives of the district." Souths captain Adam Muir said the Rabbitohs were a club for the future and players knew that if they transgressed the rules, they would have only themselves to blame. "George stressed how drugs were a 'no-no'," Muir said. "Everyone knows the rules have been set straight away. If you stuff up, there will be no excuses." Yesterday was the first official gathering of all the Souths players. http://www.dailytelegraph.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,3129604%255E2771,00.html 26 Oct 2001 Malcolm Knox looks at how the Rabbitohs can combine the best of their old traditions with the need for a new beginning. South Sydney, the club that chose exclusion in preference to merging, is now trying to manage the toughest amalgamation of all - the merger of the old with the new. Never was this more evident than this week when Souths announced their first jersey sponsor, the Motor Accident Authority's "Arrive Alive" slogan. Financially and philosophically, the sponsorship represents a bridge between Old Souths and New Souths. Old Souths harboured league's lovable and not-so-lovable rogues, like Julian O'Neill, Jacin Sinclair, Terry Hill and Craig Field. But New Souths are mostly keen, fresh-faced ambassadors planning to arrive not only alive, but sober and straight. http://www.smh.com.au/news/0110/26/sport/sport13.html Shane Rigon has been able to secure his release from English Super League champions the Bradford Bulls in order to play for the South Sydney Rabbitohs. Rigon had been linked to the re-admitted National Rugby League club for the past two months, but Bradford were reluctant to let go of their talented centre. Rigon had a year to run on a guaranteed two year deal with Bradford, however the Bulls were convinced to let Rigon out of his contract and join South Sydney, where he is likely to team up with former international Russell Richardson. http://www.ozleague.com/news_article.asp?id=41129 The Charity Shield is back on the agenda with the match scheduled for Saturday February 16 at the SFS. Souths were cut from the NRL competition at the end of the 1999 season but was readmitted for next season after winning the appeal in July. Discussions are currently going on between St George CEO Peter Doust and Souths boss Paul Dunn are working on sorting out all the details for the traditional opening match to the Rugby League season. Souths and St George have been the traditional and it's the best way to kick start a premiership season. Some people would suggest that the match should be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground, which is the traditional home of Rugby League in Australia. The record crowd for a sporting event at the SCG is 78,056 for the 1965 Grand Final between St George and Souths, which the Red & Whites won 12-8 in Norm Provan's final game of Rugby League. Many claim the crowd was closer to 90,000 that day. http://www.rleague.com/newsarticle.php?articleID=4099 24 Oct 2001 Souths, based in Sydney's Aboriginal heartland of Redfern, also put up the shutters on Mundine yesterday. "After those comments, we would certainly have to go to the board before we did anything," said Souths chief executive Paul Dunn. "I don't know whether he wanted to play rugby league but I am saddened by his comments." http://www.foxsports.com.au/common/story_page/0,5000,3103742%255E5927%255E%255Enbv,00.html 18 Oct 2001 The rejuvenated South Sydney Rabbitohs will begin training for the 2002 National Rugby League season in a matter of weeks, with many of the squad keen to begin their preparations. “We're starting to train on the 29th (of October),” said former Shark and Australian centre Russell Richardson. “We're going to have a few weeks of just weights and looking after ourselves and then we're going to get into the really hard stuff. "And it's great meeting all these new guys, getting to know each other really well,” added Richardson, who is looking to re-establish himself in first grade after a sub-par season with the Sharks. http://www.ozleague.com/news_article.asp?id=41027 The South Sydney Rabbitohs have secured the richest sleeve sponsorship deal in National Rugby League history by linking up with the NSW State Government’s Motor Accident Authority. The parties have come to terms on a $1.5 million three-year deal which will see the Rabbitohs wear “Arrive Alive” badges on the arms of the famous red and green jersey, and also promote awareness about driving safety. NSW premier Bob Carr launched the new partnership, saying: “What better way of reaching out to young people who are at serious risk of injury in motor accidents then by mobilising their peers who talk to them.” http://www.ozleague.com/news_article.asp?id=41018 An air of anticipation is building at South Sydney as the club prepares for its return to the National Rugby League next season. That's the verdict of chief executive Paul Dunn. "There's a lot of excitement among the players, they're really looking forward to it," he said. "It's going to be a great opportunity next year for them to play in front of a full house for the first couple of weeks definitely, and then depending on how they perform, after that. http://www.nrl.com.au/s2001/news/static/article_2513.asp 14 Oct 2001 SOUTH Sydney will kick off next year's NRL competition with a Friday night game against the Roosters to be shown live on Channel 9. While the NRL has not confirmed next year's draw, it's understood league broadcaster Nine has made it clear it wants the Rabbitohs for the season opener on March 15. Souths are keen to play their first game back at the Sydney Cricket Ground but that is dependent on the fate of the NSW Blues – who would play a home final at the SCG starting on March 20 if they finish first in the Pura Cup. Channel 9 director of sport Gary Burns would not comment on whether he had spoken to the NRL about ensuring the Rabbitohs opened the season with a live Friday night telecast – which would be a ratings bonanza. A spokesman for the Nine network said yesterday the station was waiting for the NRL to release next season's draw. "Like everyone else, we are extremely interested in the return of Souths to the NRL," the spokesman said. "Because the draw is not released yet it's just a matter of waiting to see, but to have Souths first game back on a Friday night would be fantastic." An NRL source said yesterday it was "highly likely" that the Rabbitohs clash with the Roosters would kick-start the 2002 competition. Souths chief executive Paul Dunn says the interest in the return of the Rabbitohs warrants his club kicking off the season with a Friday night TV game. "There has been a lot of speculation but nothing has been confirmed," Dunn said. "It's an enormous boost for the game to have us back and I don't think the NRL, or Channel 9, would be silly enough not to have us as the first game back. "I'm sure it would be a huge ra http://www.dailytelegraph.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,3046241%255E2771,00.html 9 Oct 2001 London Bronco's coach, Tony Rea has crushed the talk that Dennis Moran had signed with NRL club, South Sydney to play next season. Moran who still has one year left on his contract has also come out stating he has no plans to leave London in the near future. Speculation over Moran being linked to Souths came from Radio station 2UE on Wednesday who said that the deal had been signed, however both Moran, Rea and the London Bronco management know nothing of this deal. http://www.rleague.com/newsarticle.php?articleID=3916 7 Oct 2001 SOUTH Sydney took their first hop on the trailback to the National Rugby League yesterday when almost 200 hopefuls turned up to the club's invitational trials. With Souths' traditional home of Redfern Oval bathed in sunshine, players came from far and wide in their bids to play for the most successful club in rugby league history. It was a day that emphatically signalled Souths were back. While players ran around Redfern in the famous red and green, up in the grandstand were coach Craig Coleman, chief executive Paul Dunn, coaching anddevelopment officer Marty Gurr and a host of other club officials. At ground level was football manager Sean Garlick and an army of helpers, everyone keeping their eyes peeled for the next John Sattler or Craig Wing. There was even a decent crowd on hand to watch proceedings. Not because they had a son or brother trying out, but because this was the day Souths officially stepped out onto the football field after two years in court. In total, 170 players were looked at, with many more turned away. Most were in their teens, but there was the odd familiar face such as Wes Patten, who asked Coleman on Friday night if hecould have a run. http://www.foxsports.com.au/common/story_page/0,5000,3002133%255E5927%255E%255Enbv,00.html 4 Oct 2001 WORLD boxing title aspirant Anthony Mundine says he is poised to re-embrace rugby league after a three-year estrangement. Mundine says he could even play for Parramatta or Souths next year, provided he is a world boxing champion. Souths are hoping he might be persuaded to make a few cameo appearances next season, depending on his fight schedule. http://sport.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,2983921%255E5927,00.html SOUTH Sydney have snuck under Parramatta's guard to sign Australia's fastest under-20 athlete to a two-year deal. Joven Clarke is already quicker than Brisbane's Chris Walker, Sharks' David Peachey and Penrith's Matthew Reick - and he could get even faster. "He's blistering - Joven's speed is eye-catching," said Souths football manager Sean Garlick. The 18-year-old winger runs 100 metres in 10.59 seconds and motors over 200m in 21.30. Clarke played Parramatta SG Ball and Jersey Flegg this season and is ranked No.1 nationally over 100m in the under-20 age group and No.2 over 200m. Speed is his game - and he hopes to pass on his sprint training knowledge to his new team-mates. "I'm really looking forward to playing with Souths. They have players with a lot of experience who I can learn from," Clarke said yesterday. http://sport.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,2983920%255E5927,00.html |
