George Piggins
Administration
Player Bio
- Inducted:
- 2023
- Date of Birth:
- 14 October 1945
- Birthplace:
- Mascot, NSW
- Nickname:
- -
- Representative:
- City-Country 1974-75, New South Wales 1974, 1976, Australia 1975, Other Representative 1974
- Club:
- South Sydney 1967-78
Career
Milestones
- Won grand final with South Sydney in 1971
- Captained South Sydney in 12 games 1977-78
- Coached Souths 1986-90, won Dally M Coach of the Year 1986, 1989
- President and later chairman of South Sydney 1990-2003
- Relentless campaigning for South Sydney to be readmitted to the premiership after their elimination in 1999 was rewarded when a 2001 Federal Court victory led to the club’s reinstatement
Biography
In his playing days, Piggins was a rugged and dependable hooker for South Sydney, where he spent much of his career in the shadow of Test and World Cup hooker Elwyn Walters.
When called on to play in the 1971 grand final Piggins was a key performer through his ability to win possession at the play-the-ball and helped the Rabbitohs to a 16-10 triumph over St George.
He went on to play over 250 games for Souths, including 120 in first grade and represented Australia at the 1975 World Series before turning to coaching. Twice named Dally M Coach of the Year, Piggins steered the Rabbitohs to the finals three times in five seasons and to a minor premiership title in 1989.
He served as club president and chairman from 1990-2003 and was at the forefront of the Rabbitohs’ battle for reinstatement to the NRL after their elimination in 1999. Piggins staunchly resisted calls for the club to amalgamate, believing that the foundation outfit had earned the right to stand on its own.
2023 Hall of Fame Inductee: George Piggins
He’s widely regarded as one of the leading figures in the Rabbitohs’ 115-year history due to the personal & professional sacrifices he made
Blake Solly, 2023 South Sydney CEO
Hall of Fame Contributors
National Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.
