Jason Taylor the true saviour
July 8th 2008 08:27
Chris Sandow has been a revelation since Jason Taylor brought him on board
For all South Sydney supporters, something's got to be said.
After all the fooling around this club has gone through, the Rabbitohs are finally on their own way.
They have been down the road of redemption since Peter Holmes a Court abandoned the club due to the horrific stench of failure the red and green's were covered in.
Seemingly with no choice but to revert to square one, the Rabbitohs are now picking themselves up, where they started from.
Seven weeks ago, the Rabbitohs were out of control. Players, coaches and fans alike were deep down in a hole not even the Beaconsville miners could escape.
But like mates of soul, South Sydney are back. Nothing could intervene their confidence despite trailing the Bulldogs by 18 points with 30 minutes remaining in the second half.
The injection of youth this side has experienced is abnormal to say the least. Young half Chris Sandow has become a saviour in a side playing with pride and passion.
The kid knows no boundaries and plays the match as if it were a game. A true talent the Gold Coast Titans let go due to disciplinary reasons.
After sleeping through haunted nights, the Rabbitohs nightmare seems to be over. Emotion is starting to grow after beginning the season on such a low note.
Although many will hold him responsible for the resurgence, coach Jason Taylor is to be commended for sending in the exciting brigade of talent he has at his disposal.
With the club looking for a grin on a sorrowful start to the season, Taylor took it upon himself to show the cold shoulder to many ex-representative players in his side and thrust them into oblivion.
This establishment has brought success and it couldn't happen to a man more deserving.
Taylor has done what is required and the desire for an unlikely finals spot has reared its head for a club seemingly heading for another Wooden Spoon.
In those dark times, critics went as far as stating former premiership winner John Lang would take the hot seat that would introduce Taylor to an assistant role with the club.
South Sydney and Jason Taylor were in a loop that nearly threw them off balance.
If anyone can recall, Taylor was brought from the Parramatta Eels as an assistant coach to Shaun MCRae. Ironically, Taylor replaced MCRae after he guided the Eels to a finals birth when it looked highly unlikely.
But it strikes me as odd that Taylor is now in a position of having to prove his worth once again at a club he took to last years finals for the first time in a fair while.
The man has made key decisions in his short reign at the club and they have all had a life-altering effect.
It seems the players really do respect his aura and are keen to win for him. Only now are the results showing.
In most cases, Taylor's attitude is calm, yet one of commitment. His only ever motive is for his players to enjoy themselves and breath in the smell of victory.
While the Rabbitohs have suffered these aspects of their game, Taylor was always in the mix trying to find a solution to the clubs woes both on and off the field.
Many predicted Taylor's influence would allow the Rabbitohs to grow into a force worthy of a premiership in 2008. The man introduced both a winning culture to a club that slid off the radar in rugby league for so many years.
When South Sydney made the finals in 2007, fans complimented both the coach and the players. Imagination was running wild for all Rabbitohs fans.
Redfern had a team in the playoffs and the Rabbitohs also imported Craig Wing from their deadliest nemesis in the Sydney Roosters.
Roll on 2008 and not even the biggest opportunist would say the Rabbitohs, or Taylor for that matter would survive the cut at season's end.
Wing was injured and the club lost its opening nine games. Season over perhaps.
But after four straight victories - an achievement not reached since 1994, South Sydney and Taylor are holding their heads high.
The time spent in oblivion is now over and Taylor is now steering well once again.
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