Matty Johns reveals his favourite memories from the old SFS ahead of new Allianz Stadium opening

The whole vibe of the Moore Park precinct will churn up a lot of fond memories on Friday night. MATTY JOHNS re-lives his favourite memories from the old SFS.

These days my preferred way of watching games is on the couch.

Rugby league is the perfect TV sport, all players in view, and on the box you don’t miss a thing.

On the occasion that I do attend matches I find myself watching it on the big screen. Defeats the purpose really.

But I wouldn’t miss Friday night for anything.

The debut of Allianz Stadium. And what a game to kick it off, Bunnies vs Roosters, the atmosphere in the stadium will be electric, as the cliché goes.

The whole vibe of the Moore Park precinct will churn up a lot of fond memories, both as a fan and player at the old SFS.

JOHN WILLIAMS’ OLYMPIC SPIRIT

In the late 80s and 90s this was the music used when both teams would walk down the

tunnel and onto the field.

As a fan it gave me goosebumps. Watching your heroes entering the arena to such an

inspirational sound felt gladiatorial.

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Years later in my first finals game against Cronulla in 1995, as we got the bang on the dressing room door from legendary game day official, Eric Cox, with his trademark, “Let’s go

Newcastle, you’re not gonna win it in there,” we walked to the tunnel, and that music hit us,

getting louder as the field got closer.

Man, talk about dreams coming true.

THE OLD SEMI-FINAL WEEKENDS

Do you remember back in the days of the old semi-finals series, both games were played at

the SFS, the minor semi on the Saturday, the major on the Sunday.

People travelled from all parts to be there, games always sold out, pubs always full. Maybe

I’m looking back through the lens of youthful nostalgia, but the matches always seemed epic,

always dramatic.

In 1990 our under 19s Knights team travelled down for the second week of the finals.

We stayed in a hotel that cost us $25 a head and we got what we paid for, but it was walking

distance of the stadium and both the Saturday and Sunday games were fantastic.

On the Saturday the Broncos rolled Manly 12-4.

But it was the moment close to fulltime which stole the show. It had been a horrible season for Wally Lewis.

Wally Lewis playing for the Brisbane Broncos with a broken arm. Picture: Supplied.

Firstly Wayne Bennett stripped him of the captaincy and handed it to his great mate Gene Miles.

Then, to add injury to insult Wally broke his arm in round 13 at Kogarah Oval.

Wally wasn’t expected to return that year, however for the Manly semi he took a spot on the bench.

Now of course Wally and Sydney have always had a problematic relationship, he was even

booed on one occasion when captaining Australia at the SCG.

But rugby league fans do have a sense of what’s right, particularly when it comes to a bloke

down on his luck.

With minutes left Wayne went to his bench and gave Wally the call. As Wally walked to the

sideline, the stadium went nuts, chanting his name.

I remember him standing on the touchline, chest puffed, shoulders back, the legend, he had

presence.

I turned to a teammate, “Elvis is in the building.”

THE EXTRA TIME EPIC

On the Sunday the major semi-final was Canberra v Penrith, with the winner heading straight to the grand final.

It was the best match I ever saw live.

Both teams full of superstars, it was a game played in wet, slippery conditions, but the quality

of the football was first class.

With five minutes left it looked like Canberra were home, leading 12-10, but then Penrith got a penalty 35 metres out.

Brandy took the two and it went to extra time.

In extra time Penrith had more gas in the tank and they steamrolled Canberra, scoring 18

points to win 30-12.

When fulltime blew Penrith were off to their first grand final and the players exploded into

celebration, as did their fans.

Legend has it that in the sheds the Panthers players were celebrating wildly, while Royce

Simmons sat in the corner, head in hands.

Royce sensed they were going off early.

He was right.

The Raiders bounced back to beat them two weeks later.

THE LIME GREEN SLEDGEHAMMER

The following Sunday I travelled back down the highway to watch the preliminary final

between the two superstar clubs, Brisbane and Canberra.

During the 90s where both clubs dominated, it was a great shame they never met in a grand

final.

Before the match I went down to the warm-up field to watch the Raiders prepare themselves.

I was mesmerised by Ricky Stuart’s kicking.

The torpedo bomb had not long come into the game and it was, and still is, a very difficult

kick to nail.

At the time only Andrew Walker and Ricky were even attempting them. In the warm-up

Ricky nailed torpedo after torpedo.

Ricky Stuart’s torpedos were a thing of beauty.

I know this sounds slightly odd, but they were a piece of art, the rotation of the ball was

perfect.

I recently heard Allan Border talking about Shane Warne’s bowling. He said the ball rotated

so hard, it made a fizzing sound.

That’s exactly how it was with Ricky’s kicks, each bomb was like the ball had been spat out

by a machine.

The Raiders were incredible that day, they tortured the Broncos beating them 32-4.

Of course the following week they beat Penrith, going to back-to-back.

BUNNIES v ROOSTERS

What an occasion it will be tonight.

Rugby league’s greatest rivalry in front of a full house with vital posturing for finals positioning at stake.

Could be tricky, the occasion combined with the rivalry will see both teams really tear into

one another.

Both coaches will be nervous as far as injuries, and given the nature of this contest,

suspension.

Hard to split them but the loss of Lindsay Collins and Victor Radley are big outs.

Latrell v Tedesco is the headline act.

I’m going for the Bunnies 1-6 points, Cody Walker first man to score on the new turf.

POLITIS: RABBITOHS NOT WELCOME AT OUR HOME

- Phil Rothfield

Billionaire Roosters boss Nick Politis has a blunt message for arch-rivals the outh Sydney Rabbitohs in their move to play at Allianz Stadium next year: It’s our home, not yours.

As the two clubs prepare for Friday night’s Moore Park blockbuster and opening of the new $850 million stadium, Politis has spoken on the Roosters’ latest podcast of his club having exclusive access to the new venue.

His team trained on the new turf on Tuesday and will have a captain’s run on Thursday while Souths have been banned from using the venue before the game.

The Rabbitohs want to quit Accor Stadium at Sydney Olympic Park to share the state-of-the-art facility with the Roosters from next season.

Politis did not actually use South Sydney’s name but it was obvious who he was talking about.

Chairman Nick Politis at Roosters HQ. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

“I’ve heard other people say they want to play there because it’s their home,” Politis said.

“The point is we’ve been there since 1928. We started with the old sports ground and then 30 years with the old Allianz Stadium.

“Nobody else has played there. For another club to say we want to go there because it’s our home, it’s not their home. The Roosters are the only people that belong there. It’s our true home and it’s very sacred.”

In signing a 25-year agreement to play at the stadium with the state government, Politis even insisted that a sign be placed at the northern end of the stadium – ‘Home of the Sydney Roosters.’

Historic 🐓
First session at our Home #EastsToWinpic.twitter.com/po0rutPDVt

— Sydney Roosters 🐓 (@sydneyroosters) August 31, 2022

On Friday night, we begin a new chapter in Roosters heartland. Where we've always been. Welcome home 🐓

Watch the Full Video - https://t.co/6uOmHtWppr#EastsToWinpic.twitter.com/QAdpL7gJkz

— Sydney Roosters 🐓 (@sydneyroosters) August 30, 2022

The club’s football offices and high-performance centre are also set up inside the stadium.

“It’s a wonderful facility,” Politis said “It says on the outside – home of the Sydney Roosters – and we’re very proud of that.”

The Rabbitohs have approached both Venues NSW and the State Government, trying to break their contract at Accor Stadium because of the government’s backflip refurbishing the venue.

CEO Blake Solly explained his position to The Daily Telegraph last week.

“We signed a long-term deal back in 2016 with Accor Stadium management at the time based on a significant redevelopment of Accor, which at that time, was a knockdown rebuild,” Solly said.

“Now the Government has confirmed Accor Stadium won’t be redeveloped, it’s our view that we should be able to move to Allianz Stadium, where the Government has invested $800m.

“We’re just asking for a fair and reasonable outcome for our members and fans.”