CLANCY OVERELL | Editor | CONTACT

The oldest rivalry in rugby league history will have punters glued to their seats and screens this Saturday night in the NRL’s preliminary final between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Eastern Suburbs RLFC, more commonly known as The Sydney Roosters.

The venue hosting the showdown, Allianz will see it’s last ever football match, before being farewelled and undergoing renovations, as will one of the two clubs who don’t end up making their way to the 2018 NRL Grand Final.

For the Rabbitohs, fans from Redfern to Maroubra are clearing their schedules for the next two weeks, as well as the growing fan base outside of South Sydney.

For the Roosters, a few leathery old life guards in Bondi are putting on their vintage club bomber jackets. A much more concentrated, but equally passionate fan base.

That, and the annual wave of rugby union supporters who support the Roosters by default.

Bellevue Hill local, Malcolm Sharma-Packsingleton (68) says he hasn’t been this excited for rugby league since the Roosters had Sonny Bill playing for them.

“Having one of the greatest rugby union players in the world for a season really peaked my interest. Especially because they were winning so much” said Malcolm, who’s number one team the NSW Waratahs have usually wrapped up their season by September.

“But I really haven’t been watching since then. But that was until my landscaper told me about the team’s performance this year.”

“Anyway, I’m back now. Go the Chooksters!”