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.
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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."
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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.
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