George Piggins in NRL Hall of Fame
The one and only George Piggins is now in the National Rugby League Hall of Fame alongside journalist Ian Heads.
George Piggins is South Sydney, a man who never took a backward step in his life. He is as tough as they come both on and off the field. His never say die attitude served him well during his career. It also saved Souths from extinction.
Andrew Voss led proceedings at todays special event held at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Speakers included Craig Coleman, Blake Solly, Braith Anasta and Alan Jones.
George was the coach that handed me my first grade debut in 1987. I will certainly be forever grateful that he made my dreams come true as a 19 year old kid from Botany.
The Rabbitohs Official Statement
The South Sydney Rabbitohs congratulate Club legend George Piggins and Rugby League historian, author and journalist Ian Heads on their inductions into the National Rugby League Hall of Fame today.
Mr Piggins is a towering figure in South Sydney history having won premierships as a player, led the first grade team as Head Coach, was Chairman of the South Sydney Football Club, and was the talismanic leader of the Club’s fight for reinstatement in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Rabbitoh #546
Mr Piggins, Rabbitohs first grade player number 546, made his first grade debut in 1967. He would go on to play 112 first grade matches amongst his 245 grade games for the Club between 1964 and 1978. George would win a first grade Premiership with the Rabbitohs in 1971. This was the clubs 20th Premiership, capping off the Club’s third golden era.
Mr Piggins coached the South Sydney first grade team for five seasons between 1986 and 1990. He took the team to three finals series including the minor premiership in 1989.
Mr Piggins was the Chairman of the South Sydney District Rugby League Football Club between 1990 and 2003. He became the public face of the Club’s fightback for reinstatement into the elite Australian competition between 1999 and 2001. George is a leading figures in the Rabbitohs’ 115-year history. The professional and personal sacrifices he made helped win the Federal Court battle for South Sydney’s reinstatement.
Life Member
Mr Piggins is a Life Member of the South Sydney Football Club. He took up his Life Membership of the South Sydney Member Co. in 2023. The Club’s highest on-field award, the George Piggins Medal, is awarded to the player of the season.
Ian Heads is one of the most highly regarded Rugby League journalists. He is an author and historian with a special connection to the Rabbitohs.
Mr Heads wrote the book The History of Souths, published in 1985. In 2000 he wrote South Sydney: Pride of the League. Both books are regarded as detailed histories of the greatest club in Rugby League in Australia. They chronicle the many successes and deep hardships which have shaped the South Sydney Club for over a century.
Mr Heads also penned the book The Juniors: The Best for the Best. This book published in 2000, detailed the history of the South Sydney Juniors.
Mr Piggins and Mr Heads joined forces to produce the book Never Say Die: The Fight to Save the Rabbitohs in 2002.
Blake Solly Tribute
Rabbitohs CEO, Blake Solly, paid tribute to both men.
“There is arguably no taller figure in the history of the South Sydney Rabbitohs than George Piggins, both on and off the field of play, and his induction into the National Rugby League Hall of Fame today is wonderful recognition for a life dedicated to Rugby League and the South Sydney Rabbitohs,” Mr Solly said.
“As many have said before, the South Sydney Rabbitohs would not be alive today without the efforts of George throughout the Fightback years of 1999-2001. However, his contribution goes much further than that when you combine his dogged determination as a player and his leadership as Head Coach and Chairman of the Club over the decades.”
Ian Heads
“Mr Heads also holds a special place in our Club’s history. He chronicled the Club’s history in numerous books over the years, and I’m sure he would have written thousands of articles about our Club during his seven decades working in the media.
“He was always on hand to assist our Club with any enquiries regarding our storied history and penned special pieces for us over the years.
“Both of these men are giants of the sport in their own unique way, however they came together to record George’s biographical book in 2002 and, fittingly, they are inducted into the National Rugby League Hall of Fame together today.
“On behalf of everyone connected to the Rabbitohs we thank both George Piggins and Ian Heads for their contributions to the Rabbitohs and Rugby League, and we congratulate them on their official recognition in the Hall of Fame today.”
George Piggins in NRL Hall of Fame.
By Steve Mavin for Bunnies TV.
My respect for George as a man & player is of highest caliber. I only played one first grade game #624 but to play along side George was a privilege & a honour. All the very best to a great man.
One game for the mighty Rabbitohs is sensational mate, that’s awesome!