Indigenous Roosters

[Seventy Five]

I am glad you brought that up about Travis and our Indigenous initiatives. Its really important that while other clubs may carry on about their Indigenous culture, the Roosters are doing so much more than any other club in fact we are doing more than all but a handful of organisations/business in the country

Agreed Kb, the Roosters contributions are delivered without fanfare or chest thumping which is why I get annoyed when I constantly see stories like this one yesterday:

https://www.msn.com/en-au/sports/rug...ns/ar-BB17etg3

I like Dean Widders and I understand his focus on Souths but I think it casts an unfair shadow on the efforts of others (and not only the Roosters) when the Rabbitoh's are constantly portrayed as the epicentre of Indigenous Rugby League. I found the article to be particularly insulting to Easts and Trent Robinson.

Quote - "Dean Widders, an Indigenous league legend, tried to put into perspective what Mitchell's move to Redfern symbolised not just for rugby league but Aboriginal communities who have always looked to Souths "as a beacon of light".

Indigenous Round is about inclusiveness and a celebration of Indigenous and Torres Straight Islander Australians involved in Rugby League around the country. Preston Campbell, Johnathan Thurston, Mal Meninga, Laurie Daley and personalities such as Hannah Hollis amongst others are all leaders, role models and significant contributors to Indigenous Communities around the country. Strangely enough they have managed to achieve this from outside the boundaries of South Sydney.

[zac]

Agreed Kb, the Roosters contributions are delivered without fanfare or chest thumping which is why I get annoyed when I constantly see stories like this one yesterday:

https://www.msn.com/en-au/sports/rug...ns/ar-BB17etg3

I like Dean Widders and I understand his focus on Souths but I think it casts an unfair shadow on the efforts of others (and not only the Roosters) when the Rabbitoh's are constantly portrayed as the epicentre of Indigenous Rugby League. I found the article to be particularly insulting to Easts and Trent Robinson.

Quote - "Dean Widders, an Indigenous league legend, tried to put into perspective what Mitchell's move to Redfern symbolised not just for rugby league but Aboriginal communities who have always looked to Souths "as a beacon of light".

Indigenous Round is about inclusiveness and a celebration of Indigenous and Torres Straight Islander Australians involved in Rugby League around the country. Preston Campbell, Johnathan Thurston, Mal Meninga, Laurie Daley and personalities such as Hannah Hollis amongst others are all leaders, role models and significant contributors to Indigenous Communities around the country. Strangely enough they have managed to achieve this from outside the boundaries of South Sydney.

yeah, it grates a bit. robbo was good for latrell.

still, there's no doubt souths have more indigenous support than other clubs - good luck to em.

thing is, australia is mainly not aboriginal. aborigines make up maybe 3% of the population. i get it that the black boys feel comfortable playing with each other and playing for a club that has strong links with abs in the community and you can't blame latrell for wanting to play with the club. but any ab kid who is serious about making significant change in aus, you can't ignore the mainstream.

but ultimately who cares. latrell was good for us (thank you latrell) he's gone and we're doing okay.

[horrie hastings]

Ron Saddler was one of the best defensive centres i have seen, he was also the first indigenous player to captain NSW. He also went on the 1967 Kangaroo tour and played 12 matches but no test matches. He was at Easts 1963-64 then 1966-1971.

[The Lip]

Tommy Symonds as well

You reckon Tom was indigenous! You sure?

[ism22]

It's notable that we have ZERO indigenous players in our first grade squad though? Kinda disappointing from a diversity perspective as I'm guessing that potentially makes us the only NRL team in that position?

We should be proud about what we've done for guys like Fergo, Latrell and Watson (amongst others in recent years). However, maybe we should put a bit of effort in trying to recruit some more indigenous players?

[Seventy Five]

Ron Saddler was one of the best defensive centres i have seen, he was also the first indigenous player to captain NSW. He also went on the 1967 Kangaroo tour and played 12 matches but no test matches. He was at Easts 1963-64 then 1966-1971.

Thanks Horrie, I did not know that. Sounds like a hell of a player.

[Jacks Fur Coat]

It's notable that we have ZERO indigenous players in our first grade squad though? Kinda disappointing from a diversity perspective as I'm guessing that potentially makes us the only NRL team in that position?

We should be proud about what we've done for guys like Fergo, Latrell and Watson (amongst others in recent years). However, maybe we should put a bit of effort in trying to recruit some more indigenous players?

No women or transgenders either I note....lets protest.

[bondi.boy]

We should tell old mate Neil Breen this after he was writing click bait articles after the GF saying we needed to do more as a club than just be successful on field as that's why its justifiable for clubs to hate us lol

We do all that and everyone still hates us.

Indigenous players?
I'd rather have "too big, too strong, too fast" Pacific Islander / Maori players out of those in the NRL today.

[redwhiteblue]

Putting a different spin on it is there is there a favourite Indigenous player from another club that you would have liked to see play for the Chooks? As a kid I was in awe of Larry Corowa and would have love to see him streaking down the side line in the RWB.

Larry was always a favourite of mine too 75. Preston Campbell also not just for his on field achievements but the way he has chosen to live his life after football and the people he has been/is helping..doing good with his life and trying to make a difference.

Thanks for starting this thread and I'm sorry that some people are yet again derailing this forum with mindless & disrespectful comments which have no place here, just like they did on Saturday with Thirteen's game day thread. They are the first to jump up and down and point fingers for others to be banned though...

[Seventy Five]

It's notable that we have ZERO indigenous players in our first grade squad though? Kinda disappointing from a diversity perspective as I'm guessing that potentially makes us the only NRL team in that position?

We should be proud about what we've done for guys like Fergo, Latrell and Watson (amongst others in recent years). However, maybe we should put a bit of effort in trying to recruit some more indigenous players?

Agreed, I think I know what you mean and I feel we were very fair and did everything we could to keep Latrell at the club, who is arguably the best Indigenous footballer in the game. Obviously Latrell has only recently moved on to red and greener pastures while we have developed and reinvented plenty of others who have progressed their career elsewhere.

For me its disappointing from a football perspective as well. I love that the Indigenous boys tend to be naturally unorthodox, unpredictable and generally very entertaining. Perhaps with the new rules and and less structured football we might see Indigenous lads with their heads up, off the cuff style seen as more of an asset and coming into more teams across the entire competition in the future.

[Mad_Rabid_Rooster]

Yes, I agree with RWB in that it is a very good thread 75!

Larry Corowa would have been a handy acquisition but, given that he was before my time, I am inclined to go with someone like Steve Renauf.

Favourites of mine, who I saw, are Andrew Walker, Dean Widders and Matty Sing.

Arty was our very best, though, and I am sure many other supporters would not even realise about our very proud and rich indigenous heritage. The trouble is that this would not be considered convenient.

[Kingbilly]

Quote - "Dean Widders, an Indigenous league legend, tried to put into perspective what Mitchell's move to Redfern symbolised not just for rugby league but Aboriginal communities who have always looked to Souths "as a beacon of light".

What you need to remember is at the moment Dean is an employee of Souths and has to say those things. He is their HN Women's coach.
On a personal level he still holds the Roosters in his heart. and did help the Indigenous connection for the Roosters over the last few years.
His greatest love is Indigenous RL over any of the NRL clubs be played for

[Seventy Five]

Larry was always a favourite of mine too 75. Preston Campbell also not just for his on field achievements but the way he has chosen to live his life after football and the people he has been/is helping..doing good with his life and trying to make a difference.

Thanks for starting this thread and I'm sorry that some people are yet again derailing this forum with mindless & disrespectful comments which have no place here, just like they did on Saturday with Thirteen's game day thread. They are the first to jump up and down and point fingers for others to be banned though...

Cheers RWB, Larry was an excitement machine and a real gentlemen and I think any club would have been privileged to have Preston in their ranks.

[Seventy Five]

What you need to remember is at the moment Dean is an employee of Souths and has to say those things. He is their HN Women's coach.
On a personal level he still holds the Roosters in his heart. and did help the Indigenous connection for the Roosters over the last few years.
His greatest love is Indigenous RL over any of the NRL clubs be played for

Fair enough Kb. As I said I do like the guy and enjoy listening to him speak'. I just thought it was a bit insensitive this week but I'm happy to accept that it probably wasn't his intention.

[Jacks Fur Coat]

What you need to remember is at the moment Dean is an employee of Souths and has to say those things. He is their HN Women's coach.
On a personal level he still holds the Roosters in his heart. and did help the Indigenous connection for the Roosters over the last few years.
His greatest love is Indigenous RL over any of the NRL clubs be played for

I used to work with Dean's Mum who was definitely an Easts supporter in those days. A wonderfully proud family. Dean went to Parramatta and had his best footy years there though, he was keen to be coached by Brian Smith. Artie had brought him to Easts originally.