SOUTHS tough men headed by John Sattler say they were stunned by Oscar winner Russell Crowe's attempt to revive the club by telling players he loved them.

"It's a lot of bull . . . t," Sattler said.

Crowe singled out forward Dean Widders for a hug at a player love-in early in the season.

"I love you mate because I feel when I shake your hand that I am somehow touched by your heart," he says in a television documentary beginning next week.

Russell Crowe Brings a Little Love to the Footy

Souths stars who lived through eras when physical force rather than love was the weapon of choice, were stunned.

"Imagine me walking up to John O'Neill (another Souths iron man) and saying I loved him and giving him a hug.

"He'd run. We had coaches like Clive Churchill and Bernie Purcell.

"They never said they loved us even when we won four premierships."

Crowe's speech to the players is part of a six-part series called South Side Story starting on the ABC at 8pm on Tuesday.

It details the tumult at Souths as Crowe and Peter Holmes a Court secured 75 per cent of the votes to win control of the foundation club.

Sattler, former team manager Alan Jones, players, coaches and supporters of the takeover all have their say.

Jones, opposed to the deal, says the $3 million paid was too cheap.

Another Souths legend George Piggins, who led the fight to get the club reinstated in the premiership, declined to be interviewed. "I was uncertain of how it would be edited so I said no.

"I've heard about Russell Crowe saying he loves Dean Widders. He's an actor."

Test forward Gary Stevens said he met Crowe this week for the first time and found him very genuine.

"It's probably harmless to be saying 'I love you' but it seems strange," he said.

Crowe says his support of Souths dates back decades and his push to take over the club was sparked by a request for $100,000 to pay club wages.