Rabbitohs Possible Return to Perth
9th February 2009
The South Sydney Football Club has undertaken some preliminary investigations into taking up to two home games from 2009 to Western Australia, after last playing a trial verses the Bulldogs in 2005 in Perth. SSFC has been working with the NRL on checking the feasibility of taking games to Western Australia. South Sydney has had meetings with the Western Australian government and WA Events, the Western Australian Rugby League and various stadiums and sponsors to see what options are available to the Club. “We have been approached to play a limited number of games each year in WA, but the concept is not finalised as yet,” Rabbitohs Director of Football Operations Shane Richardson said. “We’re looking at the details and we’re working with the NRL to see if we can take games to WA in coming seasons, and to make it a worthwhile exercise for everyone involved. There is a lot more investigating to do on this, however there is a large unmet demand for Rugby League in WA and we’re seeing if we can help meet that need. “We can guarantee that our Members won’t be short-changed in this. We’re looking at one or two games per season and we will work on providing a 12-game package for our Members here in Sydney. We always consider the impact on our Members and corporate partners when making decisions like these. “Again, nothing has been finalised and we will know more by the end of next week.” Mr Richardson and SSFC Executive Chairman Peter Holmes à Court will be in Perth this week to consider all options that are being presented to the Club and will be seeking the commercial commitments required to make this concept feasible.
Perth Match Confirmed for 2009
16th September
The South Sydney Football Club has also confirmed that the Rabbitohs will play one home game in Perth, Western Australia in the 2009 season. The move of the Rabbitohs? home game against the Melbourne Storm to Perth in 2009 has been backed by the NRL and the WARL, with the elite Rugby League competition returning to Western Australia for the first time since 2005. The Rabbitohs will travel to Perth to play at Members Equity Stadium.
South Sydney's NRL push into Perth is all about building the brand for club and code in the west. The Rabbitohs will take on 2007 premiers and this week's grand finalists Melbourne Storm at Member's Equity Stadium around June next year. While the football staff are focused on the two competition points on offer for a win, they are also acutely aware of the off-field outcomes of such a fixture in a town which traditionally throws its support behind rival football codes. And should WA be granted an NRL licence for 2012 as is currently planned, the expansion of the South Sydney brand in the western market can only be a positive for the club.