South Sydney Rabbitohs owners implored to give club legend Mario Fenech a testimonial dinner

The cashed up kings behind South Sydney are discussing plans for a testimonial dinner – supporting club legend Mario Fenech in light of his family’s saddening health revelations.

Pool together all the wealth of owners Mike Cannon-Brookes, James Packer and Russell Crowe and you get $28billion.

Rabbitohs co-owner Russel Crowe (R) and former Rabbitohs player Mario Fenech (L) celebrate a Rabbitohs try during round eight 2008

Last week the owners held a meeting regarding the unfortunate circumstances of the 182-game Rabbitoh.

Now, film star and Souths mogul Russel Crowe has reached out to chief executive Blake Solly and chairman Nick Pappas to arrange a testimonial dinner for the kind man. 

The club CEO is firm on getting Fenech’s family to a desired financial position.

‘We’ll sit down with Rebecca (Mario’s wife) in the off-season to discuss how she feels the club can help,’ Solly said. 

‘Mario is a regular visitor to training and matches, and is a much-loved member of the Rabbitohs family. He was also a long-term and valued employee of Channel 9 and the NRL after his playing career finished. 

We’ll work with the NRL, Men of League and Channel 9 on anything we do for Mario and Rebecca, both now and into the future.’ 

Fenech poses on the sidelines with South Sydney mascot, Reggie the Rabbit – Fenech played 182 games with the Redfern club

The 60-year-old has revealed he is battling with early onset dementia, being diagnosed at 53.

Playing the bulk of his career in the hard hitting ’80s, Fenech suffered many blows to the head, which has been attributed to his chronic traumatic encephalopathy.

Doctors say Fenech has the brain and memory of an ’80-year-old patient’, where he struggles to remember his playing days and times at Souths.

Rabbitohs coach Jason Demetriou speaks with club legend Mario Fenech during a Souths training session at Redfern Oval in September

Solly will also discuss Fenech’s situation with the Rabbitohs’ past players association, the Men of League, Channel 9 and the NRL.

Greats of the game Cameron Smith and Johnathan Thurston were awarded testimonial dinners at the cessation of their careers, but a night for Fenech will help his family financially support his condition.

‘The Maltese Falcon’ was also a keen boxer, sharing his surname with friend and legend of the ring, Jeff Fenech.

Fenech was a formidable hooker and utility forward who copped many blows to the head – which is attributed to his early onset dementia

Fenech’s surname also translates to Rabbit in english, the very club in which he made his debut at 19-years-old.

He was awarded life member to the South Sydney in 1997, having been one of the club’s most successful captains and memorable personalities.