Rob Couchman’s Story “Everyone has a story of when they first fell in love with their chosen team. I thought I might share mine with you. When I was very young I was bombarded with various team jerseys to try and influence my affiliation. My aunt gave me a Balmain Tigers jersey, my grandfather a St George Dragons jersey and my father a South Sydney Rabbitohs Jersey. The first game I attended was at Marathon stadium, Rabbitohs vs the Knights. We won and I hollered out my thanks for it amongst a sea of red and blue while my dad watched nervously hoping we wouldnt get mugged. But my moment. THE moment happened not long afterwards. The mighty Rabbitohs played an exhibition match at our local footy field in Muswellbrook. I was given one of the large and glorious red and green flags to wave and my mate and I spent the game running around the field waving them until our arms felt like they would fall off. The next day my father woke me early and took me to the local swimming pool where the bunnies were having their warm down training session. It was cool and early even for a young boy like me. We sat on the grass and watched as they ran up and down the shallow end of the pool. When they had finished, my father handed me my Rabbitohs jersey (the same one he had bought for me in 1986) and a black felt tip pen and said Ask them to sign it for you. I walked down to them, nervous and shaking and asked one of the giants Sir, would you please sign my jersey? The massive man smiled, took the pen and jumper and turned over his shoulder, voice booming Hey guys, this kid would like us to sign his jumper. The entire team crowded around me. All I could see were knees and massive legs and each and every member of the team, coaches, everyone signed it for me! That was the moment. All those years ago when I knew. And since that day, when people ask me who I barrack for, I know deep in my guts the answer is, Rabbitohs This is their year. This is our year. Glory Glory To South Sydney.”
Posted on: Sun, 05 Oct 2014 03:08:44 +0000