LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
Blake Solly, the CEO of South Sydney, has addressed accusations of hypocrisy directed at the club by the Melbourne Storm. The Storm are reportedly "fuming" over Souths' complaints regarding the Sydney Roosters utilizing Matraville Sports High School for their junior representative teams, despite Souths operating academies in both Melbourne and the Gold Coast.
Souths have formally raised concerns with the NSW Rugby League, claiming that the Roosters are infringing on their territory by training at Matraville, which is located within South Sydney's designated area. Although the Roosters have been using the school for training for the past 15 years, Souths are advocating for their removal, believing this practice lures local juniors away from their club.
The NRL clubs are restricted to training within their assigned district boundaries unless they obtain special permission. The Rabbitohs argue that the Roosters are violating these regulations, while the Roosters justify their presence, citing a $200,000 investment in improvements to the training facilities.
Solly emphasized the significance of this issue for all NRL clubs focused on nurturing junior rugby league talent, stating, "We think this is an important issue for all NRL clubs that have a strong relationship with their junior rugby league competitions and invest in pathways programs. We have made the case to the NSWRL for the application of the rule in this situation," as he told the Sydney Morning Herald.
Chairman Nick Pappas added his discontent in a statement to the Daily Telegraph, expressing, "I find it disappointing that the Roosters have effectively invaded the district to train their junior representative teams, knowing full well that [it] will cause significant disruption to the own juniors. Either we have districts for the juniors or we don't have districts. Given the opposition the Roosters have openly expressed regarding the return to Allianz, to now come and train their juniors at Matraville, in the heart of the district, is brazen."
This ongoing dispute continues the fierce rivalry between the two clubs, previously highlighted when Souths were blocked from increasing their home games at Allianz Stadium, the Roosters' home ground. The tension has intensified, with the Storm pointing out Souths' own establishment of pathways in Melbourne, leading to further criticism from Storm officials.
As reported by Danny Weidler of the SMH, Storm officials are "fuming" over claims that the "Rabbitohs have tried to pick the eyes out of their slim but growing junior playing ranks" and are puzzled by Souths' "hypocritical" complaints about the Roosters.