the persistence needed to keep the South Sydney club in the top-level competition. In 2002, Piggins was further honoured as a Member of the Order of Australia "for service to Rugby League football as an administrator, coach and player, and to the South Sydney community". Also in 2002 he was replaced as chairman of the club by the lawyer who led the battle with News for re-inclusion, Nick Pappas. Since 2003, the "George Piggins Medal" has been awarded by the South Sydney club to the Rabbitohs' best and fairest player of the season. With the club's vote to allow Russell Crowe and Peter Holmes à Court's private ownership of the Rabbitohs in 2006, Piggins walked away from the South Sydney Club, as he didn't approve of what the new ownership represented. On October 1 2014, Piggins announced that he would be attending his first Souths game in nearly a decade, which was the 2014 NRL Grand Final between South Sydney and Canterbury-Bankstown. Piggins said in September 2014 he would only attend the decider if someone paid $100,000 to a charity of his choice. After Tab Corp, News Corp and 2GB owner John Singleton came up with the money, Piggins said he would attend. Piggins also came face to face with Souths co-owner Russell Crowe for the first time since 2006. South Sydney would go on to win their first premiership in 43 years, defeating Canterbury 30-6 at ANZ Stadium. His sister, Kim Piggins married Greek-Australian businessman and Souths reserve grade player, Peter Anasta who would become the parents of first grade footballer, Braith Anasta and Piggins' nephew. References Sources George Piggins at eraofthebiff.com "In George We Trust" – Australian Story Transcript George Piggins at yesterdayshero.com.au George Piggins at nrlstats.com Further reading 1944 births Living people Australia national rugby league team players Australian rugby league administrators Australian rugby league coaches Australian people of English descent Members of the Order of Australia Recipients of the Australian Sports Medal Recipients of the Centenary Medal Rugby league hookers Rugby league players from Sydney South Sydney Rabbitohs captains South Sydney Rabbitohs coaches South Sydney Rabbitohs players Sportsmen from New South Wales