‘Fairytale stuff’: Why this South Sydney debut means so much

To fully appreciate how much South Sydney means to Bronson Garlick, you only had to witness the scenes inside the Coogee Bay Hotel last November.

Garlick tagged along to the club’s old boys’ Christmas party, which was being run by his famous father, former Rabbitohs skipper Sean Garlick.

More than 120 past and present players turned up, while the likes of fan favourites Ziggy Niszczot, Keith Cole and Ross Harrington received a pin with their playing number.

Later into the afternoon, the old boys, also known as the R-ageing Rabbits, broke into a fine rendition of the team song, Glory, Glory to South Sydney.

And to their surprise, Bronson, who had only just arrived from the Melbourne Storm on a two-season deal, blasted out every note.

Garlick has always bled red and green, which is why his club debut at hooker on Sunday against the Dolphins at Suncorp Stadium has been described as the most special moment of his career – even more memorable than his NRL debut for the Storm in 2023.

The Garlicks will become the 19th father and son pairing to represent the Rabbitohs in their 118-year history, according to historian Michael Curin. Skipper Cameron Murray and his father, Corey, were the last notable family members, with seven father and sons featuring in the past 50 years.

“That afternoon the old boys started singing the team song, I jumped in like I had been at the joint the past 20 years,” young Garlick said.

“Blokes who were new to the club still wouldn’t know all the words.

“They posted a video of the song on Souths’ socials, and my mates were like, ‘Who do you think you are? You’ve been back for two seconds.’

A three-year-old Bronson Garlick with his father, Sean, in 1999.

“I was so proud to make my NRL debut with Melbourne. But when [Souths coach] Wayne Bennett told me during the week I’d be playing, it feels more special. I feel a lot more emotion because I always remembered dad playing, and I was a Souths fanatic.

“I used to have a shrine of Souths gear in my drawer at home. I had posters on my wall, including one of dad, who put one up of himself. Everything I had was red and green. I loved Sam Burgess, Issac Luke and Adam Reynolds.

“I loved going into the sheds after games with dad, seeing the likes of ‘Spud’ Carroll, the smell of Dencorub, and I had this weird fascination with the grass on the bottom of the players’ boots.

“My dream growing up was to pull on that Souths jersey. So to now have this opportunity now, it’s so special.”

Bronson Garlick celebrates his NRL debut with family and friends in 2023.Credit: NRL Photos

A bit like his Souths teammate Cody Walker, Garlick was a late bloomer who played his first NRL game aged 27.

He played his junior football with South Eastern Seagulls, then La Perouse Panthers, only to be cut from Souths’ SG Ball team along with Josh Addo-Carr, who went on to represent NSW and Australia.

His patience was tested when he was asked, aged 17, to be the ballboy for a one-off NRL game.

“That’s when I was like, ’What are you doing with yourself? You’re a ballboy, you should be playing,” Garlick said.

After stints with Canterbury then Newtown in the NSW Cup during COVID, Garlick was thrown a lifeline by the Storm. He grew up a hooker/halfback, but was capable of slotting in the backrow and the under-valued No. 14 role. Melbourne coach Craig Bellamy loved his effort.

‘It’s fairytale stuff. It doesn’t work out like this that often.’

More than 60 family and friends boarded a bus from Souths Juniors to CommBank Stadium to see Garlick’s NRL debut for the Storm against the Eels in round one, 2023.

Bronson’s fiancée Georgie, son Parker, parents Sean and Samantha and brothers Jackson – who appeared on the 2019 series The Bachelorette – and Campbell, a one-time golf prodigy, will be in the stands at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday.

Garlick’s break came when the Rabbitohs’ first-choice No. 9 Brandon Smith broke down with a calf injury, but it will be up to him to make the most of his opportunity.

Sean broke down in tears when he presented Bronson with his Storm jersey. He made sure there were no shortage of tissues when he addressed the Souths playing group at Heffron Park on Saturday.

Sean Garlick in his playing days for South Sydney.Credit: Rob Cox

“We thought we were proud when Bronson debuted for Melbourne, but this will be another level knowing he’ll be wearing the red and green, and the No. 9,” Garlick said.

“It’s fairytale stuff. It doesn’t work out like this that often.

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“To debut at 27 with Melbourne, most guys would have given it away by then. I always told him, ‘Never sack yourself’. A lot of guys give it away because of ego or disappointment, and once you do that, you can never go back.

“He’s stuck at it. To now play in the NRL for the Rabbitohs, it’s a beautiful thing.”

Garlick, who has made a small fortune running Garlo’s Pies the last 25 years, also became Bronson’s manager.

Sean debuted in the middle of 1990 against Penrith, despite telling then coach George Piggins he was not ready and wanted to remain in reserves. He quickly became a fan favourite. Another Garlick could follow suit.