Gail Weigand, crying in foreground, all gathered at the Leagues Club in Redfern. Souths' officials were quick to reject this option. However, a condition of the Rabbitohs' return would be the resignation of their popular president, Mr George Piggins, who is perceived as obstinate in negotiations and highly critical of senior league administrators. Yesterday's Federal Court decision not to order the club's reinstatement sparked an angry reaction from supporters, who will stage a protest rally on November 12.
Souths are a foundation club with more premiership wins than any other team.
Influential league figures anticipate that one or more of the 14 NRL clubs will collapse financially within the next year, clearing the way for Souths' return in 2002. A number of other officials are still encouraging Souths to merge with either the Sydney Roosters or Cronulla. However, a consequence of yesterday's court rebuff is that the Rabbitohs have lost bargaining power in negotiating with would-be partners. News Ltd's exit from league is likely to hasten the financial collapse of some clubs. The media giant is sensitive to criticism that it would be leaving the game in a perilous financial state, mainly caused by the television rights war it began five years ago.