The South Sydney Rabbitohs and Sydney Roosters may share the NRL’s most bitter rivalry, but off the field, their chairmen share a bond that transcends the game. In a heartwarming gesture, Souths chairman Nick Pappas recently hosted a lavish dinner at Sydney’s Fullerton Hotel to celebrate Roosters patriarch Nick Politis—affectionately dubbed “Uncle Nick”—for his lifelong contributions to the Greek community.
The event drew around 600 guests, including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Andrew Liveris, former Chairman & CEO of The Dow Chemical Company and Chairman of The Hellenic Initiative (THI), alongside a pre-recorded tribute from Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Politis, visibly moved, was reportedly brought to tears by the unexpected honor from his rival-turned-friend.
Yet, come Friday night at Accor Stadium, this camaraderie will take a backseat as the two foundation clubs reignite their storied “Book of Feuds.” Souths welcome back superstar Latrell Mitchell from a hamstring injury to face his former team, the Roosters, where he claimed two premierships before a messy exit.
Pappas’s admiration for Politis shines through despite their clubs’ enmity. At the dinner, he lauded Politis’s legacy, a stark contrast to the tension awaiting them on the field. Meanwhile, Bennett remains unfazed about Mitchell’s fiery reputation as the competition’s most sin-binned player. “He’s grown up,” Bennett insisted. “He’s fit, focused, and his presence lifts everyone around him.” Mitchell will also take on goalkicking duties, with an eye on reclaiming his fullback role once Souths’ injury list shortens.
For Politis, the dinner was a rare moment of unity in a rivalry defined by division. But as the Roosters prepare to face a resurgent Rabbitohs side, led by a returning Mitchell under Bennett’s steady hand, Friday’s showdown promises to be anything but sentimental. The event also spotlighted Politis’s broader impact, with proceeds supporting
The Hellenic Initiative, a global nonprofit dedicated to fostering economic renewal and cultural pride in Greece—a cause championed by Liveris, whose presence underscored the night’s significance for the Greek diaspora.