As season 2024 draws to a close, the South Sydney Rabbitohs will take the field one last time when they face off against their bitter rivals the Sydney Roosters at Accor Stadium this Friday night.
It is always a special occasion when these two giants of the NRL do battle to reignite Australia’s greatest sporting rivalry. However, there is certainly more at stake than usual in this encounter, including milestones, farewells and even a glimpse at Immortality.
As they have always done since 2007, the Rabbitohs and the Roosters will play for the Ron Coote Cup, named for the great man who represented both foundation clubs with pride during the 1960s and 1970s.
Coote has a phenomenal record of success in his career, playing in nine grand finals from 1965-1975 and winning six of them, four with South Sydney. He was also a mainstay of the Australian and New South Wales teams throughout his career, donning the green and gold 23 times and playing 15 games for New South Wales.
Known as “The Prince of Locks”, Coote was a renowned cover tackler, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, hence his reception of the game’s highest honour just over two weeks ago – joining the Rugby League Immortals as inductee number 14.
This will be the first time these two sides have met since Coote’s elevation to Immortal status. Make no mistake – South Sydney will be desperate to win this one in honour of their former champion and Life Member.
Adding fuel to their fire is the fact that this match marks the club farewell of two modern-day champions Thomas Burgess and Damien Cook. After beginning his career with the Bradford Bulls where he played 45 games, Burgess departs the NRL after twelve seasons and 248 outings in the Cardinal and Myrtle of South Sydney to date, to return to the Super League with the Huddersfield Giants. His time at the Club saw him win the 2014 premiership alongside his brothers, for which he will always be remembered as a hero of South Sydney.
Cook has made a home at the Rabbitohs for the last nine seasons after brief stints with St George Illawarra and Canterbury-Bankstown. Known for his uncanny ability to catch tired forwards napping with his lightning speed out of dummy half and elite game awareness – skills which saw him play 17 Origins for NSW and four Tests for Australia – Cook will depart for the Dragons where he began his NRL career.
Both Burgess and Cook will be farewelled in front of the crowd at full time, and there would be no better way for these two club greats to depart South Sydney than with a victory over the Roosters.
This match will also see the Rabbitohs celebrate milestones for three players, with Siliva Havili, Sean Keppie and Richie Kennar playing their 150th, 100th and 50th NRL games respectively. All three have made key contributions to South Sydney’s campaign this season and will be eager to celebrate their achievements and finish 2024 on a high by defeating the Roosters one more time.
Stat Attack
- This game is the first time the Rabbitohs and Roosters have played each other since Ron Coote was inducted at the game’s 14th Immortal.
- Thomas Burgess will play his 249th NRL game for South Sydney having already played 248 NRL games and one World Club Challenge.
- Damien Cook will play his 207th and final NRL match for South Sydney.
- Siliva Havili (150), Sean Keppie (100) and Richie Kennar (50) will all celebrate milestone games in this clash.
