Top Secret Rabbitohs All Night Mission
As darkness fell on Monday the 19th of December 2022, the top 30 Rabbitohs squad and officials began their unbreakable all night mission.
The club is moving from Redfern Oval to their new Centre of Excellence home at the Heffron Centre in Maroubra. Head coach Jason Demetriou came up with a plan to get the players involved before the historic move.
So a military style trek was later planned and both myself and Darren Brown from Bunnies TV were subsequently asked to be involved. The only problem was that the team were not to be told so we were sworn to secrecy and therefore couldn’t tell anyone to come and watch.
Beginning at Redfern with at chat to club legend Bob McCarthy the group then moved onto Waterloo Oval where Darren Brown described the scene as a serious military style operation. No laughing or joking around was allowed and punishment exercise was handed out for infringements.
Browny was interviewed by Mark Ellison in front of the group and told his story of a young bloke from Redfern who dreamed of playing 1st grade in the red and green.
When asked to sum up the South Sydney club Browny said simply “Guts and Glory”.
It was a somewhat daunting task to speak in front of such a star studded group. The great man Henry Morris delivered one of the most moving speeches I’ve ever witnessed so he was the classic hard act to follow but I got through it ok.
The Stops
The planned itinerary –
Erskineville Oval – Buddy Gordon.
Mascot Oval – Frank Cookson, Cameron Murray and Keaon Koloamatangi.
Booralee Oval – Henry Morris and Steve Mavin.
The Wharves – Paul Garrett.
Yarra Oval – Sean Garlick, Aunty Barb and Alex Johnston.
Pioneers Park – Beau Champion and Keiron Hickey.
Snape Park – Peter Mamouzelos, Campbell Graham and Keith McCraw.
Coogee Wombats (Marcellin Fields, Heffron Park) – John Sutton and Corey Adams.
Matraville Tigers (Heffron Park) – Daniel Suluka Fifita, Dean Hawkins and Rod Maybon.
Heffron SSFC Centre of Excellence – Blake Solly and Keith McCraw.
Harry Moffat was the inspirational leader on the night and he as supported by SAS Australia champ Sam Burgess.
The squad made good time and as dawn broke were over an hour ahead of schedule, arriving at their desination early. I have no doubt that there were some tired bodies this morning.
By Steve Mavin stevem@bunniestv.au
I’d imagine the emotions would have been reeling. What an astounding effort, epic trail and a wonderfully written piece. I felt like I walked it with you.
Thank you.
Great stuff Rabbitohs and a terrific idea from JD. Looking forward to the move to Heffron.