As I made my way down the F3 for the annual Return to Redfern match, I couldn't help but feel the excitement that goes hand in hand with seeing your team play for the first time in the new season. There were many questions that floated around my my mind as the miles ticked by, a number of players that I wanted to see and a few apprehensions in the back of my mind that would either be dispelled or confirmed depending on the result.

A couple of those apprehensions were dealt with quickly. Firstly, by gaining a parking spot close to the ground, meeting up with my mate Clive in the line-up at the entrance and then running into some of those people who had been an integral part of my life during the past 8 years. Old friendships were renewed once more and the only question on everyone's lips at this stage was, would Sam Burgess live up to all the expectations and hype and slay the Sea Eagles young guns or would he start off a little like our owner, rusty and in need of the hit-out.

It didn't take long to see who the majority of the crowd was here to see as our very own "Slammin Sam" made his way out to collect his Souths jersey from club legend Mario Fenech. Cheers and clapping rang out across Redfern to hail the new Souths hero and as the game began, those cheers could still be heard long and loud every time our new wonder-boy got anywhere near the ball.

The fact that the 'despised birds' had skipped away to a 12-nil lead after only 10 minutes was incidental as every red and green eye was trained on this lad from Bradford and his uncanny ability to look like the footballer the club had been searching for, for what seemed like forever. This guy could REALLY play and he was OURS!!

The Rabbitohs lineup was made up mostly of eager young players who were ready to show their best, had come through the ranks and now sat at the precipice of First Grade. Many will go on to represent our famous club in the NRL and many of them won't but one thing was certain, as long as they had the cardinal and myrtle on their backs, every one of these brilliant individuals would give it their best shot. That's exactly what they did and almost as if on cue our new recruit from the "Old Blighty" showed them the way by bursting through the outstretched Eagles defence to dive over for the first try for the Rabbitohs in 2010. The irony was there for everyone to see. This WAS going to be the man who would lead us from the footballing wilderness and he was 'Sam-on-the-spot' to show us how to play an entertaining brand of attacking football.

After the initial lesson was digested and improved upon by the other players around him, the opposition just didn't stand a chance. Sam had done his job and was justifiably wrapped in cotton wool for the remainder of the match, while stand-in skipper Jason Clark admirably took over to lead the way to the finish line. He was ably supported by all players.

The final score of 42 to 12 in the Rabbitohs favor was a great way to start the season but in hindsight, we shouldn't get too carried away, as in essence this was merely an Under 20 trial and a chance for those fringe players to show exactly what they could do if given the chance. Still, for all Souths supporters, a win is a win, especially when its against arch-enemy Manly and each player can stand justifiably proud with his head held high.

Other tryscorers for Souths were Jason Clark, Josh Mansour, Adam Reynolds, Curtis Johnston, Brock Molan, Kennedy Pettyborne, Matt Mundine with Adam Reynolds adding 4 conversions to his scintillating 70 metre try. Eddie Paea also kicked one conversion in a welcome return to Redfern.

Earlier in the afternoon the crowd was entertained by a "Greaties from the Eighties" versus "All-Star Celebrities" match as a curtain raiser to the big game. This was also played as a tribute to mark the 40th anniversary of the Rabbitohs 19th Premiership win in 1970, made famous by the heriocs of Souths "Captain Courageous" John Sattler, who played 70 minutes of the Grand Final with a broken jaw after being unceremoniously king-hit by a Manly player.

I still have many questions but the chances of the Rabbitohs have now become much clearer. Hopefully by the end of 2010, all my apprehensions have been allayed and the Rad and Greens will have returned to be known as a major player in what will be another NRL arm wrestle in 2010.

Next Saturday night the attention focuses on the All-Stars match, with Sam Burgess playing for the NRL All-Stars and Nathan Merritt and Beau Champion representing Souths in the Indigenous All-Stars team. I'm sure everyone will join with me in wishing our representatives the best of luck in this exciting new concept. May the best team win!

Further pictures of the RTR game can be found at www.radicalrabbit.com.au