South Sydney Rabbitohs plan Walk of Fame but knock back request to erect George Piggins statue

A former high-profile Rabbitohs official says the decision of South Sydney’s influential board to reject a proposed statue of club icon George Piggins is insulting.

(Clockwise from top left) South Sydney greats George Piggins, Clive Churchill, John Sutton, Ron Coote, John Sattler and Jack Rayner.

Alan Jones has blasted South Sydney’s influential board, saying a controversial decision to reject a proposed statue of club icon George Piggins was a “total unmitigated and unacceptable insult.”

The broadcasting legend, who was Souths’ general manager of football operations between 1993 and 1996, declared the decision must have been based on “ignorance and jealousy.”

Sport’s greatest rivalry is just around the corner and you can catch the Ashes live and ad-break free during play. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >

A refusal to erect a statue of club icon George Piggins has angered many South Sydney supporters.

The Daily Telegraph revealed on Monday that Souths board — which includes Russell Crowe, James Packer and Mike Cannon-Brookes — wanted to name Piggins as an inaugural inductee into a planned Walk of Fame at the club’s new High Performance Centre in Maroubra — but knocked back a request to construct a life-size statue of the Rabbitohs legend.

Supporters of Piggins have vowed to continue fighting by raising the $130,000 for the sculpture to be built outside Redfern Oval, South Sydney’s spiritual home.

Souths’ board discussed the statue proposal last week and, while acknowledging Piggins’ undeniable contribution to the club, directors felt a statue of the former hooker, coach and chairman would potentially overlook other club legends.

Jones, a friend and confidant of Piggins, was angry at the decision, saying: “I want to know who said no to this?”

Told it was the club’s board, Jones said: “It is a total unmitigated and unacceptable insult to a person without whom there be no Souths.

“This (decision) is ignorance on one hand and jealousy on the other. It’s unbelievable.

“A Wally Lewis (statue) equivalent should be erected and funded outside Redfern Oval as a permanent and historical statement of why Souths still exist. Redfern Oval will forever and forever be in the annals of rugby league identified with Souths.”

Asked if Piggins’ supporters would struggle raising $130,000 for the statue, Jones said: “You’re kidding me… none.”

Bulldogs general manager of football Phil Gould, who played for Souths in 1986, also supported the statue.

“I’m sure George Piggins would never want a statue in his honour. He wouldn’t expect it. It will mean little to him if it never happened,” Gould tweeted.

“But if anyone, from any NRL club, ever deserved such recognition, George Piggins is definitely worthy. People know only (a) small part of his story.”
South Sydney’s board has commissioned club chief executive Blake Solly to explore the construction of a commemorative Walk of Fame at the club’s new Maroubra premises with the original five players likely to be Piggins, Clive Churchill, John Sattler, John Sutton and Jack Rayner.

Alan Jones has spoken out against the South Sydney board’s decision to overlook a statue.

One option is a Walk of Fame which would include head busts of chosen players.

Rabbitohs chief executive Blake Solly has said Piggins’ contribution was immense and he is recognised in a range of ways.

Other players expected to be considered for early Walk of Fame inclusion are legendary forwards Ron Coote and Bob McCarthy.

Churchill would have to be first selected given he is an Immortal who was involved in nine of Souths’ 21 premierships.

A Daily Telegraph online poll, asking who should be inducted into a Walk of Fame, attracted around 500 respondents with Churchill gaining 37 per cent of the vote.

Piggins has been in ill-health throughout most of this year. The HPC at Heffron Park, Maroubra, is due for completion in October next year. Any Walk of Fame concept would need to be accepted and approved by the club’s board and Randwick Council.

Piggins statue snub: Who should Souths honour first?

South Sydney will include George Piggins as an original inductee into a planned Walk of Fame at the club’s new High Performance Centre in Maroubra, but have controversially rejected calls to construct a life-size statue of the Rabbitohs legend.

Upset supporters of Piggins have vowed to raise funds for the statue, with Souths’ backing, and consider building it at the club’s spiritual home, Redfern Oval.

News Corp can reveal Souths’ board met late last week and instructed club CEO Blake Solly to explore the construction of a commemorative walk with the original five players likely to be Piggins, Clive Churchill, John Sattler, John Sutton and Jack Rayner.

Friends of Piggins are angry, though.

South Sydney legend George Piggins at his home back in 2014.

They requested a statue be built at the Heffron Park HPC — which is due for completion in October — to commemorate the man credited with saving South Sydney.

However, the Rabbitohs’ board has knocked back the appeal.

While agreeing Piggins made an unquestionable contribution to the club, the board felt a statue of the former hooker, coach and chairman would overlook and possibly upset other greats to have played for the Rabbitohs.

A real-size sculpture of Piggins, 77, would cost around $130,000, money his supporters believe they can raise.

While the angst between Piggins and co-owner Russell Crowe has thawed, the pair did engage in hostilities when the Hollywood star bought Souths back in 2006.

Pressed on the Piggins’ statue being built at Maroubra, Solly said: “George’s contribution to the club is undeniable. We name our club’s highest on-field honour after him (George Piggins Medal for best player).

“But we think George’s contribution should be measured alongside those men like Clive (Churchill) and Jack (Rayner) as part of that celebration, rather than a statue.”

Solly will investigate all Walk of Fame possibilities, including head busts being made of the chosen players. The CEO will report back to his board in coming weeks with the best and most politically acceptable way to celebrate his club’s legends.

He will view similar initiatives to honour past players by the Denver Broncos and New York Yankees.

Any concept would have to be accepted and approved by the club’s board and Randwick Council.

Some board members felt a statue of every Souths legend would lead to consternation from council, who want the HPC to include community space.

South Sydney chief executive Blake Solly. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

“The community High Performance Centre construction is coming along really well and we are expecting it to be finished in October next year,” Solly said.

“When the centre is open, we clearly want to recognise those players, coaches and administrators that have made huge contributions to the success of the Rabbitohs. We will start a process now, working with council, to make sure we do that.”

Supporters of Piggins talk about his 50 years of service to the club and point out other statues have been built for rugby league players, including Wally Lewis, Laurie Daley, Darren Lockyer, Cam Smith, Billy Slater, Johnathan Thurston, Mal Meninga and Ray Price.

Rabbitohs legend Clive Churchill.

In May this year, former Souths halfback Craig ‘Tugger’ Coleman said of Piggins: “There has to be a statue of the great man. He is a legend in the area.

“With everything he has done for this club, there has to be a statue, maybe at Heffron Park.”

Sutton’s possible inclusion as an inaugural inductee — possibly ahead of the great Ron Coote — may attract debate.

While he didn’t play in the club’s golden era, Sutton is a modern-day great. He led Souths to their first grand final win in more than 40 years, finishing his career with a premiership as captain and a club-record 336 NRL games.

Churchill was involved in nine of Souths’ 21 premierships.