Yileen Gordon is the last active South Sydney player from the pre-Russell Crowe era

He‘s South Sydney’s last active player from the pre-Russell Crowe era, a living link to the tumultuous days when club was kicked out of the big leagues.

SUNDAY TELEGRAPH – 14/2/19 Former South Sydney player Yileen Gordon. He is back at the Rabbitohs – in an off-field capacity – after a decade long absence. Part of the Sunday Tele feature "best who never was". Pic, Sam Ruttyn

Ask the South Sydney fans in your life which current Rabbitoh debuted earliest and they’ll immediately point to skipper Adam Reynolds — but they’re wrong, it’s none other than former cult hero Yileen “Buddy” Gordon.

Sure, Gordon is playing reserve grade, so you’ve got them on a technicality.

And since he debuted way back in 2005 he’s spent time elsewhere in stints with Canterbury, Penrith and Wests Tigers.

But that doesn’t change the fact that 34-year old Gordon is South Sydney’s last active player from the pre-Russell Crowe era, a living link to the tumultuous days between the club’s readmission to the big leagues and the sale to Crowe and Peter Holmes a Court that changed everything.

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Yileen Gordon is the last playing link to the pre-Russell Crowe era at the Rabbitohs. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Gordon turned 18 just two months before his NRL debut 16-years ago – he started the season in Under 18s and finished it in first grade because the cupboard was pretty bare at Souths back then and they had to take the players where they could find them.

“It was all in the same year – SG Ball, Jersey Flegg, reserve grade and then NRL. I was lucky enough not only to wear the jersey but to still wear it today,” Gordon said.

“We train out at Erko (Erskineville Oval), and I still sit at my old locker. That’s where the Book of Feuds has been read out, there’s a lot of nostalgia there.

Yileen Gordon (R) pictures with other former Souths Juniors John Sutton, Mick Moran, and Manase Manuokafoa. Picture; Gregg Porteous

“It was surreal, I probably didn’t appreciate the opportunity I had at that age. I just thought ‘how good is this’ and didn’t appreciate it too much. I didn’t take advantage of the position I was in.

“But it was something special to be a part of, and the Rabbitohs have grown so much since then.

“I tell stories to my kids or my partner about some of the things Russell did for us, he took us overseas, he’d hire out entire movie theatres for us, it was an amazing part of my life.”

Yileen 'Buddy' Gordon (L) with then former Souths part-owner Peter Holmes a Court (C), and former player Mark Carroll at an advance screening of a Russell Crowe's film.

Gordon was a blockbusting centre back in those days, and was around for some of the club’s greatest milestones after their comeback to first grade in 2002.

He played in their 2005 win over the Roosters, the club’s first win over their arch rivals in ten years. At halfback that night for South Sydney was Ben Walker – his son Sam took the field against Gordon when Souths met Roosters feeder club North Sydney earlier this season.

Gordon was also there in 2007, when Souths returned to the finals for the first time since 1989, before departing for the Bulldogs.

Yileen Gordon scores a try for the Rabbitohs back in 2007. Picture: Craig Wilson

His NRL career fizzled out several years later, but he’s since returned to Souths where he juggles his playing duties with vital work in the community with Souths Cares.

“I work with Souths Cares as an ambassador but also as a mentor with a program called Deadly Youth Mentoring. It’s one that I head up on my own, so it’s working with kids at risk and kids who come from marginalised backgrounds,” Gordon said.

“I’m in the position where I can help the young lads around and fortunately enough the body is still right so I can do it off the field and on it.

“You know the old adage, the young guys keep me young as well. But it’s good to be able to share my experiences, both on and off the field.

“I’ve gone through some of the stuff they’re going through. I just want to help them make the right decision, have them understand what being a Rabbit is about.”

Originally published as Yileen Gordon is the last active South Sydney player from the pre-Russell Crowe era