NRL 2021: South Sydney’s grand final stars when they were juniors
The former junior coaches of South Sydney’s grand final squad knew these players were destined for great things – these are their stories.
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The talent, determination and will to win were there from a young age and their coaches along the way knew they were destined for great things. Read what they had to say about the players who will line up for South Sydney against the Panthers in the NRL grand final.
1. BLAKE TAAFFE
David Cook — coached Blake at La Perouse Panthers.
“He was always one of the standouts. He used to run just as hard and fast as he does today. You just know when they have ability, even when they’re young, and he could do anything.
When he went to the Central Coast we had to disband the side because we struggled to find players, but he always played in the Koori Knockout for La Pa, in Under 15s, Under 17s and the last one two years ago. Him and Josh Cook, who was with Souths but is heading to Canterbury, were in the same team, they’re cousins, and the whole family loves La Perouse. Whenever the Knockout comes round he always comes back to La Perouse to play.”
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2. ALEX JOHNSTON
Danny Allende — coached Alex at La Perouse Panthers.
“We had a pretty fair side — there was Alex Johnston, Josh Addo-Carr and (Australian sevens star) Maurice Longbottom, but we wouldn’t always win the grand final. Addin Fonua-Blake was in the same age group playing for Mascot and he was a real handful. Alex was a brilliant athlete. NSW Cricket wanted him, and he’s the youngest player I’ve ever seen score a double ton. He could bowl as fast as an adult, he could keep wicket, he could do anything. His father was a soccer player, and Alex was a brilliant striker, and that’s what his father wanted him to play. He could play a bit of basketball as well, but cricket was his best. He came second in the state titles for nippers as well, in the beach sprint. He was always very quiet — sometimes I see him carrying on now and I think ‘that’s not Alex’ but he’s come out of his shell a little bit. Not like ‘Foxx’ (Addo-Carr), what you see is what you get, he was crazy — in a good way! They were always focused and having fun. We love Alex to death, he’s a beautiful kid.”
3. DANE GAGAI
Don Saunders — former Mackay State High School rugby league coach, coached Gagai as a junior.
“What you see now, is what we had then. One thing about Dane, is that footy was in his blood. His father Ray was a terrific footballer so Dane grew up around rugby league, playing backyard footy. He was just a competitor and you see that now in the way he plays. He’s one of those kids, at that age, you didn’t have to look around the dressing room to see if he was on or off — he was always ready to play. He just loved the game. I do remember him at the Capricornia carnival in Townsville one year. He was brought in late to the team and he just had a really good carnival. We played over four days and he was just tough enough to do it and he got better as the days went on.”
4. CAMPBELL GRAHAM
Tony Adams — coached Campbell in the Australian Schoolboys.
“Campbell was always a very mature young man in regards to his football knowledge. He didn’t have a lot to say but what he did say was spot on. Having him as co-captain with Zac Lomax, that’s exactly what you want — you could see he was going to be an extension of the coaching staff. He had that little bit of an aura about him. When I first saw him, he was very lean, but he always had the makings and physique of a top-class centre. I couldn’t fault him with the way he conducted himself. He was always good defensively, you always knew the edge would stand up. He played first grade that same season, when he was still at school, and he came back after playing NRL he used that experience to great effect, it made people look up to him.”
David Penna — coached Cam Murray, Keaon Kolomatangi and Campbell Graham in Under 20s.
“They were all babies. The three of them came up from the SG Ball team that season so they would have been 17 turning 18 and we had a tough year that year but there were some quality players — we just couldn’t get them on the field together. They were three boys who were always destined to be really good NRL players and Souths did a great job bringing them through the grades. Campbell and Cam both came up for the same game and we were struggling for numbers and with injury, and we were getting our backsides handed to us a little bit. I was really cautious of putting them in, I wanted them to remember playing 20s as a good thing for them. The boys rallied and we ended up winning — Cam Murray, he was always destined to be a superstar, he scored a try and set up another and big Campbell got over as well. Their enthusiasm, their love of the club, it was a proud moment for me as a coach and for those boys.”
5. JAXSON PAULO
Glen Campbell — Keebra Park State High School, coached Paulo in 2016.
“Jaxson was a big, rangy player. He only played a handful of games in the A’s in our competition but he’s outshone and proven hard work will get you to the top and nothing is ever given to you. As you can see, he’s starting to finish his tries. He can run, he can catch, and what an exciting thing for him to say he’s in a grand final. He must be on cloud nine. He was always a winger, centre, fullback.”
6. CODY WALKER
Rod Patison — former Palm Beach Currumbin High coach, coached Walker in the 2008 Schoolboys Cup national final.
“Walker always had a lovely feel for the game and loads of ability. He persisted, while he matured, beyond everyone’s expectations. He just stuck at it and stuck at it, going the hard way into the NRL. It’s just excited me to see Cody make it into a grand final. I always wondered what he would do if he found his happy place and he seems to have found that happy place. He was a happy kid with a great build. That national final of the Schoolboys Cup (in 2008), we actually played Matraville, who had Adam Reynolds as their halfback, and Cody was our No.7. They were two outstanding juniors and there was a keen rivalry there. We all thought they were the best two halfbacks in Australia back then and when the game went, you could just see that. As I reflected on the game afterwards, I thought they both knew they were playing against a special kid but who knew they’d be playing with each other in an NRL grand final. It’s an unusual twist to the story but there’s been many unusual twists to the Cody Walker story, whereas obviously Adam has been that one-club man. To me, it’s just great to see two blokes hit it off so well on the footy field who have got a great feel for the game.”
7. ADAM REYNOLDS
Scott Murray — coached Adam at Matraville Sports High.
“He was such a competitor. You see his strengths now with his kicking game and his ability to control the end of sets, he had that even back when he was 16 or 17. He could control a game, and even though he was one of the smallest on the field, he’d have the greatest influence. Even when he was 13 or 14, he wanted to be a footy player, and he worked so hard on his game, he was always kicking goals or practising — I still tell stories to kids I coach today about how he went about improving his game. He was good at all sports, and he was a competitor. In 2007 we won the Schoolboy Cup and we beat Patrician Brothers Blacktown in the final and he won the Peter Sterling Medal as the best player in the competition when he was still in Year 11. We had a pretty good team, but his influence on the game, his composure, was remarkable for such a young age. If there was a big kick or a big play he wanted to be a part of it. When the game was on the line, he was the one. He always had that.”
8. MARK NICHOLLS
Tony Sanz — club official at Gungahlin Bulls.
“He was sensational, a great kid. He played in a first grade grand final for us when he was still 17, we had Justin Holbrook coaching that year and Paul Vaughan came off the bench with Mark. Whenever the club reaches out to him he couldn’t be more helpful. He never says no, always puts his hand up. He couldn’t do more for us. He’s from a great family who come from out Leeton way. It’s really good to see him go on to bigger and better things. The club has kept in touch with him all the way through and we couldn’t be prouder of him.”
9. DAMIEN COOK
Matt Brown — coached Damien at Helensburgh Tigers.
“Damo always had that speed. He could zip around kids from anywhere on the field. He could score a try whenever he wanted, but he wasn’t that kind of kid, he was never a hog. The moment I always remember was in the Under 12s, we were playing a major semi down the coast somewhere and Damo scored the winning try right on the bell and he ran and jumped on my shoulders and kept saying ‘we’ve made it, we’ve made the grand final’ and he was almost crying. It still gives me shivers, just how proud he was to be a football player and win games with his mates. When he was playing lower grades he was always coming back to run the water for the kids or help out at training. He’ll come down for old boys day, he’s a real clubman. I couldn’t be prouder of him. If he does this, he’s done it all. It took him a while to get there but we all knew he could do it.”
10. TEVITA TATOLA
Brett Kimmorley — coached Tevita in Wests Tigers Under 20s.
“I gave him my coaches award and I think he got player of the year. I thought he was one of our best, and we had a pretty good side — we made it to the semi-finals but got knocked out by a Manly side that had Tom Trbojevic, so it was a bit like what happened to a few teams this year. He started as a backrower, but we moved him to the middle to simplify his role. He carried the ball well and always had great leg speed, like he does for Souths now. If you think about what he does for Souths now — how he wins play-the-balls, how effective he is with his tackling and wrestling — it was the same then, he was a player you can trust, one you can rely on.”
11. KEAON KOLOAMATANGI
Michael Azzopardi — coached Cam at Mascot Jets.
“He came over for Under 7s — Tugger (Craig Coleman) and I were at the surf club at Maroubra and he said he had a kid that was really keen to come over to Mascot. Him, Cam and Emre Guler were all in the same side. Their hardest games were against themselves at training of a Tuesday or a Thursday, because we were undefeated for almost 11 years. Keaon thought he was Sonny Bill Williams, he’d always hold the ball in one hand when he ran. He was so willing to learn, even from a young age and he comes from a tremendous family background. I don’t want to sound arrogant, but I knew they would make it — you could see it at a young age, they ticked all the boxes and they had the right attitude. It’s a credit to their parents.”
12. JAYDN SU’A
Craig Hodges — former Brisbane Broncos NYC coach, coached Su’a in 2015.
“Jaydn had a bit more skill than Jai (Arrow) when he first came into the team. He was a schoolboy rugby sensation and played in the same rugby side as Kalyn Ponga back in the day. They dominated the competition for a couple of years. I just remember he had a great offload and great support play. He’s got a lot more disciplined with his game as he’s matured because he’s always been a big, physical player – which is a great asset for him. He loves the collision whether he’s defending or attacking which has always been a great ingredient for him. He’s a great buy for the Dragons next year. He’s a really good player.”
13. CAMERON MURRAY
Michael Azzopardi — coached Cam at Mascot Jets.
“Cameron started playing at four years old with my young bloke. I knew his old man from a while back, and was talking to him in the park one day and I started teasing Cameron a little bit with the footy. As I turned around to talk to someone else, he tackled me, and I couldn’t believe the amount of force he could apply at just four years old. I used to tell this story at coaching clinics and people used to laugh but, trust me — you have no idea how much force this kid could apply at just four years old. I said, ‘I pity the kids who have to play against this kid’. His first game was against La Pa, and I kept him on the bench because I wasn’t sure what he’d do to the other kids. He’s one of those different kids, in 12 years I never, ever had to motivate him before a game.”
14. BENJI MARSHALL
Glen Campbell – Keebra Park State High School, Marshall’s strength and conditioning coach in 2003.
“Benji was a freak of nature. Talk about unorthodox football, with great results. He had speed, that step, great vision – he was a package and that’s why he played Australian Schoolboys that year. I believe that was only his second year of playing rugby league. He was a touch footy player who had never played league and we took a chance on him. The first time I saw him play, I was dumbfounded and couldn’t believe what he could do. He’s only gone from strength to strength since then. His attacking prowess back then was unbelievable. He was destined to be a star from the moment I saw him. I’m in no way surprised he’s playing in the grand final this weekend. Wayne (Bennett) would know, if you need someone with x-factor off the bench, Benji is going to give it to you. He’s now got a smart head on his shoulders and can get the job done. It couldn’t have happened to a nicer bloke either. I wish him all the best.”
15. JACOB HOST
Craig Faulkner — coached Jacob at Renown United.
“I’ve known Jacob since he was six, when he first started playing for Renown United, and I helped out his father Graham when he was coaching the side. He always worked hard at his game, and I know that sounds like a cliche but it’s true, and he was always a bit bigger than everyone else. That made him a bit of a target, because other teams always try to take out the best player and the biggest one but it never phased him and he was a great team man. He never put himself first. When he made the NSW Schools side, that was really the kicking point for him and for a lot of us who were convinced he could do something special. Leading into that his parents asked me if I could do some extra work with him on his fitness and we did, he worked really hard and got the rewards. It gave him a lot of confidence. It’s a real thrill for everyone at the club. We’re all super proud of him, not just for making the grand final or what he’s achieved, but the kind of bloke he is. When he does get a chance to come back own he’s great with the younger kids.”
16. TOM BURGESS
Mick Potter — coached Tom at Bradford Bulls.
“Tom was always a big young man — George was there for a while as well, and you could sense their drive, that if they got a little bit of coaching they would make it in rugby league if they wanted to. Tom was probably the quieter of the two, a little more understated. He warmed to first grade very quickly, the physicality of taking on seasoned, hardened forwards, that it wasn’t just about initial contact but it was about doing it again and again. That extra year in England really helped him — we can get ahead of ourselves with young fellas who come through sometimes, and the difference between them and the guys who have had three or four pre-seasons under their belts. He still had a lot of work to do when he got to Souths, but he’s become one of their leaders. He was always listening, I think that’s a good thing in a young person. He wanted to learn, you could sense that. He’s come along in leaps and bounds and now he’s become one of those seasoned, hardened forwards himself.”
17. JAI ARROW
Craig Hodges, former Brisbane Broncos NYC coach, coached Arrow in 2013, 2014 and 2015.
“I thought he was outstanding right from the start. He was a smaller guy but there was nothing he wouldn’t try to do if he was asked of for the team. He’s exactly the type of player to have made a grand final because he’s just such a great team man. He’ll do that exact same job for Souths this weekend as well.”
Glen Campbell, Keebra Park State High School, coached Arrow in 2012.
“Arrow was our captain in 2012 before he went off to the Broncos. Jai was what he is right now – just a pure workaholic. Jai had that work ethic of what he has now, especially in defence he used to lead by example. He always set the tone for the game and another top bloke who I am so happy for. That’s what football is all about – you have to have the workers for the stars to shine. As much as we give credit to the Thurston’s and the Benji’s, it’s the unforgotten front rowers who get the job done down the middle. It’s very hard to win a premiership without those players. Both Jai and Benji (Marshall) were captains of our rugby league sides so they were always earmarked to bigger and better things.”
Bunnyball: $100m nursery paying off
—Dean Ritchie
These are the six South Sydney juniors who have stormed into Sunday’s NRL grand final on the back of an extraordinary $100m investment.
The Daily Telegraph can reveal that Kingsford-based Souths Juniors Club has outlaid the staggering amount to propagate rugby league in the proud Rabbitohs heartland.
And the money has helped steer local kids Alex Johnston (La Perouse United), Adam Reynolds (St Peters JRLFC, Alexandria Rovers, La Perouse Panthers, Kensington United), Blake Taaffe (La Perouse Panthers), Cam Murray (Mascot Jets), Keaon Koloamatangi (Mascot Jets) and Campbell Graham (Coogee Wombats/Maroubra Lions) into the decider against Penrith.
Souths Juniors’ money ensures every kid in the local area plays annually for free.
This year alone, Souths Juniors spent $2m on jumpers, shorts, socks, registration and insurance for the area’s 3500 rugby league players.
The cash is also spent on accrediting coaches and officials, rental for ground lighting, ground hire, referee fees and grants for clubs.
“Souths Juniors are so invested in developing their players and this would be the ultimate repayment, to win a premiership for the club,” said Graham.
“It’s just another reason why I want to bring the trophy home.
“I was talking to Cameron Murray the other day about how good the buzz and atmosphere would be around the place this week.
“We are getting videos and messages from people I grew up with saying how excited they are, given it’s a tough time in lockdown back in Sydney.
“This has given them something to smile about which is a great feeling. You know how much the community is invested in the club.
“To hopefully be part of that successful history would be unreal. And there are five other boys who have taken a very similar pathway to me.”
Souths Juniors President Keith McCraw revealed the amount that has been injected into junior rugby league since the club opened in 1957.
“Since the foundation of the club, I’d suggest comfortably $100m that has been put into the propagation of junior rugby league,” McCraw said. “We put in north of $2m a year.
“We cover shorts, socks, jumpers, insurance, we accredit their coaches and officials, we pay the rental, we pay the rental for the lighting at their grounds, we pay for the referees’ fees and give grants to the clubs. We pay everything.
“That’s what the club was built for – to propagate junior rugby league.
“We have some housing estates out here and not everyone can afford to have their kids playing sport. Every kid runs out equal, whether their dad is a doctor or unemployed.
“I’ve seen those six kids come through from nappy grade. We gave them their start and they have never forgotten where they came from. It’s wonderful.”
Rabbitohs CEO Blake Solly offered high praise to his six locals and Souths Juniors.
“Souths has always been at their strongest when there is a core group of juniors in our side. We had five in our top 17 for the 2014 grand final and it’s wonderful to now have six in 2021,” Solly said.
“Each of those six are not only great players but fantastic role models off the field.
“They absolutely love playing for Souths and we get a lot out of seeing them make the most of the opportunities the Juniors have provided them and watching them graduate into the NRL team and then play in a grand final.
“Despite all the challenges Souths Juniors have had, if you want to play rugby league in South Sydney, it won’t cost you a cent. The investment by the Juniors over many years is a large part of the success we see on the field now.
“Never once has Souths Juniors flinched. They always stepped forward to continue funding junior participation.”
Other Souths juniors playing NRL include Josh Addo-Carr, Addin Fonua-Blake, Dylan Walker, Cam McInnes, Emre Guler and Nat Butcher.
Widow picks her dream Clive Churchill winner
Joyce Churchill will sit down on Sunday night, open a bottle of champagne, and start cheering on a player she reckons South Sydney is “silly to let go’’.
The widow of South Sydney Immortal Clive Churchill wants departing Rabbitohs halfback Adam Reynolds to win the prestigious grand final medal named in her husband’s honour in his last game for the club.
The player-of-the-match award, in its 35th season, was created to honour Churchill, who died in 1985.
Unable to attend Sunday’s game between Souths and Penrith in Brisbane, Joyce, 94, will watch from her Sydney home.
“I can’t go to Queensland, but I’ll be sitting here with a champagne and thinking about who is going to win Clive’s medal, and I would like Adam Reynolds to win it,” Joyce said. “I’ve been watching him play a lot, and I think he’s a great player.
“I love watching him, and I think Souths are silly to let him go. He is such a good kicker. He sometimes reminds me of Eric Simms.
“A lot of footballers are in the news for the wrong reasons, but Adam has a nice family life and he’s a loyal clubman. He is competitive on the field, and he’s never in trouble off the field.
“I think he’s good for the image of rugby league, and I’d like to see Adam Reynolds win Clive’s medal.”
Displaying his pride in Souths’ history, Reynolds last weekend wore special one-off boots featuring small photos of Souths legends George Piggins, John Sattler and John Sutton.
Unbelievably, Clive Churchill – nicknamed The Little Master – played a direct role in nine of Souths’ 21 titles – five as a player, four as coach.
He has always been regarded as South Sydney’s greatest player.
“Clive will be up there at the Pearly Gates watching the game and waiting for me,” Joyce said.
“I will tell him all about the footy, all the news and gossip about Souths. He is looking down, saying, ‘I should be down there with you’.
“I said to (son) Rod that your father has been gone a long time now, but every football season his name comes up everywhere.
“Even the young ones when you go shopping, they talk about ‘Mrs Churchill, Clive and Souths’. It’s unbelievable.”
Joyce nominated several reasons why she thinks Souths will claim victory over grand final favourite Penrith.
“I’m thrilled Souths are in the grand final, I love seeing them there,” she said.
“The way they have been playing over the last three or four weeks, the way they have been tackling, they’ve been great.
“I like Wayne (Bennett), too. He keeps to himself and doesn’t have much to say to the press. He is very quiet, but must be proud of his team.
“I know he’s moving back to Brisbane, but I would love to see him stay with Souths. I think he’s a great coach.
“Most of the Souths side are quite young, so that’s a good thing. Good on Souths, I hope they win, I’d love to see them win. I said to Rod, these boys are going to make the grand final.”
Rod reminded Joyce that last Saturday was the 50th anniversary of Clive coaching South Sydney to the 1971 premiership.
“I was there, of course,” Joyce said.
“We were worried at the time that Elwyn Walters was hurt in the semi-final and he couldn’t play in the grand final.
“Clive said to us that we’ll be right because George Piggins was taking his place.
“George basically won the game for Souths because he was raking the ball back legally in the play-the-ball and getting possession for Souths.
“Bob McCarthy and Ronnie Coote played the best, but George was just about match of the match.
“I also remember ‘Satts’ (John Sattler) with his broken jaw (in the 1970 grand final).”
Souths saviour George Piggins
This is the grand final which proves South Sydney could never die.
Rabbitohs godfather George Piggins – who fought a life-threatening infection in April – says his club’s surge into this season’s NRL grand final made their heroic fight for reinstatement nearly 20 years ago all “worthwhile.”
“It makes me proud to know that we saved this club for all the right reasons, and our efforts have been worthwhile,” Piggins said.
“And it was the ordinary folk – the tens of thousands who marched and raised their voices and donated their money.
“Souths making the grand final is special but winning it would make surviving my recent illness even more worthwhile.”
And in an exclusive pre-grand final interview, Piggins also reveals:
– A thawing in his at-times frosty relationship with Souths co-owner, Russell Crowe.
– Wayne Bennett is the best coach in the NRL.
– A desire for Adam Reynolds to leave Redfern with a premiership despite labelling his departure to Brisbane a “shame.”
– Former Souths champion Kevin Longbottom would be “proud” of his great nephew, Rabbitohs fullback Blake Taaffe.
“As I sat and watched the win over Manly, I couldn’t help thinking about the massive fight by a whole lot of people to get Souths reinstated to the NRL,” said Piggins.
“To me, rugby league, like other team sports, is cyclic. If the criteria which was applied to Souths back then, was applied today, then it might be the Bulldogs or Tigers in the firing line.
“That aside, the reason we all fought so hard to save Souths was because this famous club is a community asset.
“It has always given young blokes from the district, as well as other aspiring footballers from country areas, a chance to make something of themselves. It makes me proud to know we saved this club for all the right reasons, and our efforts have been worthwhile.
“There are many people who made huge sacrifices and contributions to bring Souths to this point – far too many to rattle off. Souths Juniors deserve special mention for how they’ve fostered the game in our district.
“Also, my old board of directors who for so many years helped us survive on the smell of an oily rag. And there were celebrities like Alan Jones, Andrew Denton, Ray Martin, Nick Greiner and others who charged to the cause.
“But mainly it was the ordinary folk – the tens of thousands who marched and raised their voices and donated their money.”
Piggins has watched his club progress to the decider with pride and is now hoping for Souths’ 22nd premiership.
“It was fantastic to watch the Rabbitohs make the grand finals by beating one of our arch rivals Manly,” he said.
“And what made it even better was that we had so many Souths juniors in the team. Adam Reynolds deserves praise. A great Souths junior who plays with skill and courage.
“What a shame to see this bloke leave the club, but hopefully leave with a second grand final victory. And what about the bloke who I reckon is the best coach in the game. Wayne Bennett has done a fantastic job.
“I will also give credit to Russell Crowe and James Packer for bringing Souths to a point where the Red and Green is thriving and the CEO Blake Solly, a lovely bloke who is steering the ship in the right direction.
“I also want to make special mention of the young fullback Blake Taaffe whose ancestry has special meaning to me. His great uncle Kevin Longbottom was a great mate of mine. I played with him, and he was the most underrated player of his era. A great bloke and a great fullback and goal kicker. ‘Lummy’ would be very proud of young Blake. Good luck boys in the grand final.”
Solly added: “Souths wouldn’t be where they are today without the way George led the fightback.
“We’re celebrating that fightback this year throughout the club and, in some ways, what the players are doing on the field this year is a reflection of the courage and tenacity George showed during the fightback.
“It’s only fitting that the club’s highest playing honour – The George Piggins Medal – is named after one of its greatest people.”
Close friend and former Souths media director Norm Lipson, who marched with Piggins, heaped praise on his old mate.
“George Piggins is a true Souths hero,” Lipson said.
“We all know that George and Noelene Piggins mortgaged two properties for more than $3m to save the Rabbitohs and famously took on the NRL and inspired hundreds of thousands of people to back him in a fight he led, and we eventually won.
“I am reminded about the old saying about success having a thousand fathers and failure being an orphan. Yes, George had a lot of help from a lot of people but have no doubt, he was the father of Souths’ success.
“I was there and I know that without him, there would have been no fightback. Souths would have capitulated.
“It was his toughness, stubbornness, principles, courage and leadership which galvanised and rallied the public and motivated tens of thousands of people to twice march up George Street to support the fight.
“If you are ever in the trenches and you can pick only one person to be in there with you – the choice is easy – George Leslie Piggins. He is a bloody great bloke. There should be a statue of the man.”
Originally published as NRL 2021: South Sydney’s grand final stars when they were juniors
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