The son of one of the greatest NRL players to ever lace up a boot has tried to oust South Sydney chairman Blake Solly – and failed in spectacular fashion.
There has been bad blood between Rod Churchill, the son of Clive Churchill, and South Sydney for years.
Previously, Rod Churchill took aim at Souths chairman Nick Pappas and heavily criticised star player Latrell Mitchell in leaked text messages.
On that occasion, he called Mitchell a ‘cancer’ on the club, which went down like a lead balloon.
‘Where was the human headline Mitchell tonight Nicholas?’ that text read.
‘Missing again, this was his big game apparently? Your club will not win another comp for another 40 years if this imposter remains at Souths.
Rod Churchill first got South Sydney players and members offside by calling Latrell Mitchell (pictured) a cancer on the club
Rod is the son of the great Clive Churchill (pictured), arguably the greatest star to ever play for the Rabbitohs
Rod Churchill used to present the Clive Churchill medal on grand final day (pictured), but the NRL banned him after his comments about Mitchell
‘He is a complete myth who has the aboriginal cause paramount and south sydney second, if at all.
‘I hope you and family are well. Nothing was done and now this cancer that is Mitchell has ruined the club.’
That spray led to the NRL intervening, banning him from presenting the Clive Churchill Medal on grand final day to the best player on ground.
It appears that has done little to reduce the friction between Churchill and the club, with News Corp revealing that Rod recently tried to organise a rally to have Solly and long-time official Mark Ellison removed from their posts.
However, nobody turned up – not even Rod Churchill himself.
There was plenty of hope at Redfern before the 2025 season after the club managed to woo supercoach Wayne Bennett back from The Dolphins.
Instead, the club has endured a wretched injury toll that has claimed big scalps including skipper Cameron Murray, half Cody Walker and blue-chip recruit Brandon Smith.
That has seen the Bunnies crash to second last on the NRL ladder and not looking likely to make the finals again.
Wayne Bennett returned to the Rabbitohs for the 2025 season but the results haven’t come
A soaring injury toll has been at least partly responsible for the Bunnies woes this season
Rabbitohs boss Blake Solly has hit back at Rod Churchill for his latest comments against him and the club
Churchill has laid the blame on Solly and Ellison for their role in recruitment in abusive messages he sent to Solly.
‘U are an uneducated dope,’ one reads.
‘I thank (sic) you realise that Look in the mirror.’
He added: ‘Find something Else blakev (sic).
Other messages included:
‘No response from you 3.6! Years you maggott (sic).’
‘Not done pope (sic).’
‘Thats the last if texts (sic). If suggest you call u me (sic).’
Then, at the end of last month, Churchill tried to organise a march last Saturday to have the Rabbitohs boss removed from his role.
A social media post called for members to march from the club’s headquarters at Heffron Park to Souths Juniors in protest,
However not a single soul showed up, except for Souths staff members who were there to monitor proceedings that never happened.
Solly responded to Rod Churchill’s most recent attacks, saying there was no need for them.
‘Our club has always had the utmost respect for the Churchill family and Clive’s enormous contribution to the Rabbitohs,’ Solly said.
‘For example, our boardroom at Heffron bears his name. Rod’s comments were disappointing’.
