The decision to name Ron Coote as an Immortal has been met with widespread praise for one of the game’s most popular figures – but it wasn’t always the case.
In fact, for a short time in the 1970s, Coote was rugby leaue’s public enemy number one.
The star South Sydney lock committed what Rabbitohs fans regarded as high treason – defecting across Anzac Parade to arch rivals and neighbours Eastern Suburbs in 1972.
READ MORE: Emotional Coote joins rugby league’s most exclusive club
READ MORE: How a $20 bet became rugby league folklore
READ MORE: Smith’s emotional Hall of Fame tribute to late mother
His defection kickstarted the infamous “Book of Feuds” – to which Souths owner Russell Crowe has added many chapters since.
“The fans hated Easts – and so when I went there, they hated me,” Coote told me years ago.
“This woman called me and said she was a gypsy – and that she would put a gypsy curse on me that would see bad luck follow me for the rest of my life.
“Another lady called and told me she and her family had a pet rabbit called Ron Coote… the day I signed with Easts, they cooked him and had him for lunch.”
Watch the 2024 NRL premiership live and free on Nine and 9Now.
Coote says the switch was more about principle than money.
“A lot of clubs didn’t look after players back then – I know we at Souths were getting a lot less than guys at clubs like Easts and Manly.
“I actually went to Souths early in 1971 and asked for more – they didn’t take me seriously. I sat out the first few games that year until they came to the party.
“Then Easts offered me good money and they were building a strong team so it made sense to go – you have to look after your family financially.”
Coote added to his four titles he won at Souths with two more premierships at the Roosters, winning back-to-back grand finals in 1974-75… much to the annoyance of the gypsy and her friends.
