Gary Stevens: Footy world mourns the death of all-time great who won two premierships - but paid a high price for his time as one of the game's hardest men
Gary Stevens: Footy world mourns the death of all-time great who won two premierships - but paid a high price for his time as one of the game's hardest men
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Footy fans and stars are mourning Souths legend Gary Stevens after the veteran of 189 games and two premierships died on Wednesday night after a long illness, aged 81. The Sydneysider reached the pinnacle of the game in a first-grade career lasting from 1965 to 1978, winning the 1970 and 1971 grand finals with the Rabbitohs and going on to represent his country in 11 Test matches in the '70s.
![[The Bunnies stalwart passed away on Wednesday night, aged 81]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/29/23/94660205-14340005-image-a-1_1738193056162.jpg)
Renowned as one of the fittest players in the competition, the second-rower struggled to break into a star-studded Souths side that won four premierships from 1965 to '71 but once he established himself, he became one of the club's favourite sons. A life member with the Bunnies, Stevens also played for NSW and the City side and came through the ranks as a Souths junior after growing up in Pagewood, near the heart of the club's territory.
![[Pictured: A footy card showing Stevens carting it up against Souths' mortal enemies, the Roosters, in the 1970s]](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2025/01/29/23/94660203-14340005-image-a-14_1738193994324.jpg)
He left his beloved Bunnies after the 1976 and switched to Canterbury, where he clocked up a further 26 matches before his retirement in 1978. Despite sharing the field with Rabbitohs legends like John Sattler, John O'Neill, Ron Coote and Bob McCarthy, Stevens won the club's Achievement Ring as the side's consistent player in the 1970 premiership season.
The death of Souths great Gary Stevens (pictured) has robbed the club of one of its best-loved stars after he played a big role in their 1970 and 1971 grand final wins. The Bunnies stalwart passed away on Wednesday night, aged 81. He toured with the Kangaroos in 1973, playing two Tests against Great Britain, and captained the Bunnies in 25 matches.
