Souths complete miracle comeback

RUGBY LEAGUE: Less than one month from the start of the TRL season, the future of the Southern Suburbs Tigers was up in the air.

With just 13 registered players, a last-ditch plea for players saved the proud club from football extinction.

After the community and club legends rallied behind the side, the Tigers were saved, and now they have another string to add to their bow.

Souths will field a second division side for the remainder of the TRL competition, and president Rex Zeeman said the club now had more than 80 senior players, making the struggles back in February a distant memory.

“With all the publicity surrounding the club, there was a good response to everything,” Zeeman said.

“Some cases are players who don’t show up until the competition starts.

“We’ve had a lot sign up, and it’s pretty unbelievable.

“There are far too many for reserve grade, and we’ve had players missing out. With 8590 senior players, we opted for C-grade.”

Zeeman said it was hard to imagine the club being in a position with too many players after the off-season they endured.

“I couldn’t see it (forming a second division side). Things were looking very grim,” he said.

“There was talk of just fielding a second division and U18s side.

“Players came from out of the woodwork and are keen to play. They feel strongly about having a C-grade side.

“They help and contribute to the culture of the club, and are happy to be involved with workers in the club.”

Despite being a late entry into the division, Zeeman said the Tigers weren’t just making up the numbers.

“Based on what we’ve got, they should be quite successful,” he said.

“I think they can win games and perform quite well. We’re certainly aiming for the finals.

“A-grade will develop as time goes on.”

Southern Suburbs host their first round of fixtures for the season at their new home ground of Glenholme Park, when defending A-grade premiers Dalby head into town.