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| CONTENTS

THE GUTS 4 6 90 94 96

THE GLORY

Community Corner

8 34 78 82

Competition in Focus

92 RLP Cross-training

Team Page Gil’s Offload InstaWatch

Fire Up The Fabric of our Game The Numbers Don’t Lie Moments We’ll Never Forget

102 Blood Bin

THE STORIES 10 Ray Warren: Role of the Commentator

18 24 42 50 56

Breaking the Drought Up, Up Cronulla

THE

VICTORY ISSUE

Underrated Players 20 Billion to One At Home With Jamie Lyon

64 Comeback Victories 70 Big Jack

THE COVER

SEASON 9

Issue 27

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After 50 long and painful years, the Sharks were finally crowned premiers of the NRL. The emotion on the players’ faces says it all. Love them or hate them, come full-time in October last year, we know you belted out a rendition of ‘Up, up Cronulla!’

| THE TEAM

MEET

THE TEAM EDITORIAL Publisher: Michael Gilbert Editor: Ryan Latty Contributors: Ruben Campbell, Nicholas Wasiliev, Luke Morris, Matt Firth, Matthew Lucas, Lyle Beaton, Kris Gale

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| GIL’S OFFLOAD

GIL’S OFFLOAD

s the television cameras jostled for prime position to capture the celebrations of the Cronulla Shark’s players at fulltime in the 2016 Grand Final, there was one moment they failed to see. Amongst the chaos and confetti, Billy Slater ran towards the rapturous crowd, picked up a young girl, and then carried her towards the buzz of the euphoric Cronulla team. As he approached, Luke Lewis turned to face him, an immense smile stretched across his embattled face as he reached to take hold of the girl. Slater departed back towards his deflated teammates as Lewis enjoyed the triumphant celebrations, daughter in his arms. For us, victory is synonymous with premierships. To be victorious is to have won something. But as the actions of Slater and later Smith in his Grand Final speech showed, victory is not just for winners. Not all teams can lay claim to a premiership. Most haven’t won anything for decades. But all teams have been victorious in another way. Whether it’s showing grace in defeat, inspiring a community, or simply courageous on-field performances – rugby league gives all a chance to taste victory. Here at Rugby League Player, we want to celebrate all victories, from the triumph of the Sharks to the illustrious voice of Ray Warren. We hope this issue helps you to see the victories in our great game, but also the victories we strive for each day - the mundane and the extraordinary.

Victory is worth celebrating and it’s not only the one left holding the trophy who deserves an applause. Michael ‘Gil’ Gilbert

003_NRL

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| FIRE UP

FIRE UP Written By Kris Gale

or more than a decade, Fire Up! has beamed out from the Sydney studios of FBi Radio 94.5FM and has always told the human stories that lie behind the glamourous glitz that is rugby league. And so it was again in 2016 as 15 teams joined battle for rugby league supremacy, accompanied by the Newcastle Knights who gave new meaning to the term ‘making up the numbers’. But surely the highlight has to be the victory of the CronullaSutherland Sharks and their long-suffering fans. Aussie rock legend and long time Sharks tragic, Dave Faulkner from the Hoodoo Gurus, joined us for a grand final wrap. When asked how he felt as Melbourne launched that final assault on the Sharks line as the hooter blared in the background, Dave spoke for many when he said: “It was the classic feeling of ‘here we go again. Something’s going to happen.’ Anger was really what I was feeling. Anger, not because of the players. They’d put in. I felt it was unjust 8

the way we got in that position. I think there were some dodgy decisions that allowed Melbourne back in the game with that try they were gifted to catch them up. There was a lot of anger there really.” And surely, that’s every rugby league fan, at every game. You’re angry about what has happened to your team to cost you the game, even before it happens. Because you KNOW that it’s about to happen. Even in victory, Dave spoke for us all. Following rugby league will only lead us to anger and eventual defeat. And that’s why we all love the GGOA (Greatest Game Of All). 2017 is in full swing! We’re feeling kind of Fired Up! Fire Up! is broadcast every Friday during the season at 9.00am on Sydney station, FBi Radio 94.5FM You can always catch up via the free iTunes podcast, FBi’s Fire Up!

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| ROLE OF THE COMMENTATOR

ROLE OF THE

COMMENTATOR Written by Ryan Latty | Photos by Joel Seeto & Nero Publishing

The best sports commentators transcend the sport they call. Their iconic voice becomes engrained into the fabric of the game. There are few finer in this endeavour than Ray ‘Rabbits’ Warren. Aptly described as ‘the voice’, we’ve been enjoying his commentary for over 60 years. He’s more than a commentator – he’s an artist. Like a brush, his voice weaves and glides over the canvas of rugby league, creating an image of vibrant colour and emotion.

RUGBY LEAGUE PLAYER | 11

| ROLE OF THE COMMENTATOR

voice as unique as the man himself, Ray’s career is an example of someone who saw his role in sport as much more than just a commentator. The erection of his statue in his hometown of Junee attests to the significance of the man. From humble beginnings to legendary status today, Ray Warren’s dream to become a sports commentator began around a kitchen table and the booming voice of Ken Howard. “I remember clearly the sound of a race commentator by the name of Ken Howard, coming through loud and clear as we gathered around the family kitchen table of a Saturday. Riding a broomstick as a horse as my parents cheered for their horse to come home. But in the background was this man’s voice – it was like a fairytale, and I knew then I wanted to be just like him.” What followed was one of the most extraordinary careers in Australian sports broadcasting history. Beautifully captured amongst the pages of his biography, “The Voice”, Ray had to overcome his fair share of adversity to be where he is today. “I look back now at how bitter I was, when channel 10 let me go at the end of the 1986 season… I hated them for what they did. But if I were the chief executive I probably would’ve done the same thing. After things finished up there, I looked at this big hole in my life and thought ‘what am I going to do?’. I tried everything, I even applied for a job delivering orange juice!” Aged by the setbacks of youth, now sonorous and cordial, the voice of Ray Warren has been impersonated by many. Initially this frustrated Ray, but he understands it now as a mark of respect. The backyard of many Australian families has played host to the recreation of great rugby league moments. Billy Slater’s chip and chase, Mark Coyne’s miracle try, the flying Hayne Plane, the Benji Marshall step. They have one thing in common: Ray Warren’s voice. He reclines in his chair, a beam of sunlight shoots through the window and lights up his face revealing a glint in his eye. “Sterling, Kenny, Cronin, Ella and Grothe – now that’s an example of television. Whereas if I was on radio it would

It’s not the vision that sells this game. It’s the way Ray Warren calls the action. The sense of theatre he brings to the call. Ray makes the game better.... Ray Warren is the voice of rugby league. Phil Gould

be, ‘Sterling gives the ball to Kenny, Kenny fires a bullet like pass to Cronin, cut out ball to Ella, and here comes Grothe charging up on the outside’”. Ray deftly recites these iconic names, as effortlessly as one recalls the names of people in your family. It’s the ability to orchestrate the emotion of a match through his voice that separates Warren from the rest. “Have I got a skill?” he begins, “I suppose it’s the ability to inject some excitement into whatever sport I’m calling. “Probably the best way to sum it up is a quote by Richie Benaud, where he maintains that he only said something if it added to the product. I don’t have to call every play in football – silence is golden, sometimes you can just shutup and let the sound effects take over. Rely on your crowd to tell you when to be excited and when not, a technique I call light and shade. My lesson for a young commentator is simple: listen to the emotions of the crowd – light and shade”. It was a technique he developed by watching

English soccer. “Colin McClennan, a promoter of the AMCO Cup, kept punching away at my brain and saying to me I want you to listen to English soccer, the commentators don’t use as many words, they let the picture tell the story and inject excitement where needed”. Ray has perfected this technique. An acute awareness of the atmosphere of the crowd, delivering injections of excitement as expertly as a swordsman wields his blade. But the voice of rugby league also belongs to a humble and conscientious man. Ray’s commentary has taught us so much. He’s taught us to marvel at the spectacular, to delight in the dexterity. Too often people seek to criticise rugby league players, our spiteful version of ‘tall poppy syndrome’. “I’ve got a thing about not bagging people. Ken Howard told me, ‘if you can’t say something nice about somebody say nothing at all’. One day I criticised a jockey and he pulled me aside and chastised me. Nowadays you see people write a book and in that book they re-hash feuds RUGBY LEAGUE PLAYER | 13

| ROLE OF THE COMMENTATOR

I want to be remembered fondly by my family. But Iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;d also like to be remembered as a good commentator, one who brought a lot of enjoyment and happiness to people. Ray Warren

of the past, things that should still be in the locker room – there’s no need for that. They’re in the past; I would think everyone has gotten over it”. He’s taught us that it’s ok to talk about our struggles. Ray’s candid revelation of his battle with prostate cancer has assuaged the struggles of many men battling sickness in silence, believing admission of any illness is a sign of weakness. Somehow we reconcile that if the robust voice of Ray Warren can disclose his battle with cancer, then we can embrace vulnerability in unveiling our own struggles. “I was sitting at a funeral the other day on my own and the wife of the deceased man couldn’t take part in the eulogy as she was so grief stricken. So her daughter-in-law read it for her; her innermost thoughts about her husband. Tears were rolling down my cheeks as I listened. I don’t think there’s anything unmanly about crying, I don’t think there’s anything unmanly about admitting that you have a weakness, I don’t think there’s anything unmanly about

saying go and have a check up, whatever check-ups you can have. There’s nothing wrong with putting your hand up and saying you need help and there’s nothing wrong with crying”. This is why we love Ray Warren. Through his voice we have shared a lifetime of highs and lows. He communicates so much more than sound. Raw emotion mixed in with expert analysis, Ray truly cares. He wants us to feel every tackle, to celebrate every try, to feel the tension. Ray has been blessed to share the commentary box with many other exceptional commentators. Most recently his comical banter with channel 9 colleague Phil Gould has left viewers in stitches, whilst he’s also worked with icons in the racing industry such as Ken Howard and John Tapp. “I learnt a lot from John Tapp. We used to travel near and far calling provincial races. He taught me a lot. He was a professional broadcaster who came through a similar process to me – he painted paddle pop sticks and floated them down a channel

|OPPOSITE PAGE: Ray Warren calling the football for 2GB with Ron Casey. What a partnernship! |TOP LEFT: Eyes on the prize. These iconic binoculars have stayed with Warren for his whole career. |BOTTOM LEFT: My prized jumper. I bought this jumper and sewed the Channel 9 logo on myself! |RIGHT: A far cry from the air-conditioned press boxes of today. Warren sits in a camp chair, at an old card table, calling football for 2GB.

RUGBY LEAGUE PLAYER | 15

| ROLE OF THE COMMENTATOR

Close your eyes and you can hear him once more, that enduring voice inviting you to join him in the front row of the greatest show of all. RLP Magazine

|BEHIND THE SCENES: Ray Warren gives us a sneak peak into his home office in Castle Hill as he shares with us over 60 years’ worth of sporting memories

of water and called them as horses – they were his marbles. He was very influential, he might not realise it but he was. Phil and Peter weren’t raised as professional broadcasters. They were footballers and coaches; they are the outstanding two who have gone from football to become brilliant commentators. I think the thing Phil has got hold of better than anyone I know is that he understands the bottom line of radio and television is entertainment. Like pieces of cake, we’ve helped ourselves to slices of Ray’s career. We’ve indulged ourselves again and again in consuming each crumb from the plate of commentary he consistently offers. Yet as the curtains slowly close on an incredible career, we owe it to this great man to remember him in the way he wishes. “I think primarily I want to be remembered fondly by my family. But I’d also like to be remembered as a good commentator, one who brought a lot of enjoyment and happiness to people – that’s pretty much it”. Ray’s fear of flying is well known. However, it’s not his greatest fear. “My greatest fear is that I’ll go one mile too 16

far. I don’t want to start making mistakes that I don’t know I’m making. Right now I’m wrestling with whether I’ll retire or not – whether I’ll go back next year”. Whether he returns or not, when you listen to highlights of Ray’s career, it makes the hair on the back of your neck stand up. Sport is the celebration of human greatness. The ability to achieve something incredible. Many of us have never achieved greatness on the sporting field, we may have never won a premiership, nor scored a miraculous try, but through the voice of Ray Warren, we have. He lifts us higher than we can go ourselves. He lets us understand the ecstasy of the highs and the dejection of the lows. Through the voice of Ray Warren we have achieved greatness. We have lifted that premiership, we have won that gold medal, and we have won that Melbourne Cup. In a generation of comparisons and critique, we should remember to see the beauty; just as Ray taught us. There is so much beauty in the world of sport and thanks to the voice of Ray Warren, we have seen it...

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| BREAKING THE DROUGHT

BREAKING THE

DROUGHT Written by Ryan Latty & Luke Morris

very September, without fail, Rugby League talk migrates around teams that are searching, yearning, and desperate to break their all-to painful premiership drought.

RUGBY LEAGUE PLAYER | 19

| BREAKING THE DROUGHT

12% ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA 8% NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS

63% CRONULLA SHARKS

6% WESTS TIGERS

114

29% PENRITH PANTHERS

YEARS

15% NORTH SYDNEY BEARS

1921 North Sydney

1991 Penrith Panthers

1997 Newcastle Knights

The North Sydney Bears achieved their first piece of silverware in 1921 becoming the second team ever to go through an entire season undefeated.

Penrith’s early existence was a myriad of struggles and poor results. Their 1991 Grand Final victory is thus considered a remarkable result, defeating a strong Canberra Raiders side.

Newcastle ended their nine year wait in the best possible style. “Down the blind Andrew Johns, inside for Albert. Albert will score! Newcastle have won the Grand Final!”

114

YEARS That’s how long the fans of the Cronulla Sharks, North Sydney Bears, Wests Tigers, St George Illawarra, Penrith Panthers and the Newcastle Knights had to wait for their collective premiership drought to end. The Sharks, painfully, contribute 50 years of heartache to the overall score, whilst the shortest droughts belong to the Knights and the Tigers, with 11 and 6 years respectively. But whilst some droughts end, others still remain. The Parramatta Eels are currently enduring the longest title winning drought of any NRL team, having last won the competition in 1986. The Eels can at least point to their 4 titles in the 80s as a retort to the taunts of more successful teams, whilst the poor New Zealand Warriors haven’t won a title in their 22 year existence. It’s been a similar amount of waiting for the Raiders, for whom a title looks on the horizon, having last won in 1994. Surprisingly, the Bulldogs and Broncos are also enduring long title droughts. Whilst both these teams won a premiership in the early 2000s and have made grand finals since that time, it’s been more than a decade for each of these sides and fans must begin wondering when their own drought will end.

2005 Wests Tigers

2010 St George Illawarra 2016 Cronulla Sharks

The original foundation clubs hadn’t tasted success since 1969 (Tigers) and 1952 (Magpies) respectively. 2005 was special not only for two foundation clubs, but for the entire league.

Craig Young was the last St George premiership winning skipper. 31 years later, his son Dean captained the Red V to their first premiership as a joint venture club.

The 50 year wait is over. The butt of so many jokes, finally had the last laugh. Has there been a more popular victory in Australian Rugby League history?

RUGBY LEAGUE PLAYER | 21

| BREAKING THE DROUGHT

Eels’ fans went delirious, and responded in equally delirious fashion by burning down the home stadiums’ main grandstand at Cumberland Oval. RLP Magazine

PERCENTAGE OF GAMES PLAYED, WON AND LOST DURING DROUGHT BREAKING SEASON

GAMES PLAYED WINS (17) LOSSES (8)

“Albert will score, Albert will score! Newcastle have won the Grand Final!” It still sends shivers down your spine. 20 seconds left on the clock and Darren Albert bursts out of nowhere to run onto an Andrew Johns pass and dive under the posts to deliver Newcastle their first ever premiership. What a moment! 22

GAMES PLAYED WINS (17) LOSSES (10)

2005 belonged to one man, Benji Marshall. His mesmerizing steps confounded all who stood in his way and on the day of the ‘big dance’ his flick pass to Pat Richards sent Matt Bowen, and the 80,000 fans in the stadium dizzy. Richards crashed over to score and seal the joint venture’s first premiership win.

GAMES PLAYED WINS (20) LOSSES (7)

Love him or hate him, the real hero behind the Dragon’s premiership win in 2010 was Jamie Soward. His precision kicking, tactical direction, and little legs carried the Dragons forward, relentlessly, and delivered the Red V their first premiership since merging with the Illawarra Steelers.

| UP UP CRONULLA

UP UP

CRONULLA Written by Ryan Latty | Photography by Joel Seeto

RUGBY LEAGUE PLAYER | 25

| UP UP CRONULLA

1967 The Cronulla Sharks joined the NSWRL competition, finishing last with 7 points - 3 wins, 1 draw and 18 losses.

1973 First Grand Final appearance. After defeating Newtown 20-11 in the prelim, the Sharks went down to Manly 10-7 in the final.

1983 Near extinction. Sharks financial woes almost killed the club, they were kept alive by a loan from NSWRL.

1993 Forced into receivership. Coach Beetson had blooded future legends like David Peachey & Richie Barnett but the clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s financial troubles remained. 26

It’s the challenges of the past that has given us the opportunity to give us something special. The rich history and the past battles are the foundations we have built on today. Lyall Gorman

As the siren sounded in the 2016 Grand Final and yet another chorus of ‘Up, Up Cronulla’ rang throughout the crowd, it signalled the end of a journey that had taken 49 years to complete. A journey of pain and heartache had come to an end, as the Sharks were crowned champions of the NRL. The boys in the black, white and blue were finally here. But where have they come from? You cannot understand their triumph unless you know of their tragedies. You cannot understand the smiles unless you know of the tears. The Shark’s climb to the summit of rugby league has been marked by misery and misfortune. At times the altitude of the climb seemed too much for the Sharks, threatening to suffocate the club and its fans. But it’s the hardship of that climb that has made the victory so sweet. And one song has epitomised the journey of the Sharks like no other, one song that has defiantly endured throughout the heartache and pain, one

song that has captured the jubilation of their victory: “Up, up Cronulla”. The history of the Cronulla Sharks is a catalogue of anguish and adversity. But it’s also a story of resilience and how they have overcome it all to be where they are today. They’ve had to overcome more than most - a string of Grand Final heartbreaks and financial implosions, boardroom dysfunction and drug crises. Yet it’s the heartache that has forged perseverance, and this perseverance that has ultimately enabled them to be crowned premiers of the rugby league 50 years after their journey began The Sharks didn’t have to wait long for their first Grand Final appearance, making the final in 1973 against Manly. In one of the toughest Grand Finals of all time, the Sharks were left nursing bruised bodies and egos, as Manly were crowned premiers. They made their second grand final in 1978, yet suffered the same fate, losing to Manly in a replay. In 1983 financial trouble sent the club into administration, only surviving thanks to a loan from the NSWRL. Further financial trouble forced the Sharks into receivership in 1993. The introduction of the rebel Super League competition in 1997 was seen as a lifeline for the club, as the deep pockets of News Limited helped to bail the club out of yet another financial hole.

RUGBY LEAGUE PLAYER | 27

| UP UP CRONULLA

The 1999 season was a remarkable one for the Sharks. They collected their second minor premiership and marched into the finals series full of confidence. But, in what would become heartbreakingly customary for the club over the next 4 seasons, they would fall short, losing in the Grand Final qualifier. Boardroom dysfunction, staffing departures, player scandals, and financial turmoil plagued the club between 2003 and 2013. In 2009 the club was faced with relocating to the Central Coast as a means to stay alive. When the ASADA crisis of 2013 exposed the extent of the problems at the Sharks, they were on the brink of extinction. The ASADA crisis crippled the Sharks. Sponsors walked, staff departed, the foundations of the club came crumbling down. Unsurprisingly, the Sharks finished with the wooden spoon in 2014 and many believed that this would be the end for a club who’s never managed to escape the clutches of chaos. Yet through the darkness of the past, there has been one enduring and defiant light – “Up, up Cronulla”. Established as the club’s theme song in 1967, after local school Principal, the late Brother Florence (John) won a contest to choose the club’s song, “Up, up Cronulla” has embodied the journey of the club from foundation to present glory. Many clubs have faced similar struggles to the Sharks. Newtown Jet’s financial collapse during the 80s, the extinction of the Adelaide Rams, North Sydney Bears, Gold Coast Chargers, Hunter Mariners, the list goes on. But the cry of “Up, up Cronulla” has kept the Sharks alive through all adversity, using these challenges of the past to bring about hope for the future. Those at the club today acknowledge how the trials of the past helped shape the club to what it is today. “It’s the challenges of the past that has given us the opportunity to do something special. You have to acknowledge the rich history and the past battles as the foundations for us to build on today”. The story of this club is entwined with the song ‘Up, up Cronulla’. Defiant and unwilling to back down, the Sharks 28

have a case for their inclusion on the coat of arms. A kangaroo and emu are unable to go backwards, they simply know no other way than to move forward. This club, driven by a unifying call of ‘up, up’, cannot help but move forward also. The Sharks are not ignorant of their past, rather using it as the motivation for the future. If you listen closely to a rendition of “Up, up Cronulla” you can hear the emotion, fuelled by years of heartache and pain. Heartache best expressed in the lives of the devoted fans. With tears rolling down her cheeks, one Sharks supporter captures the significance of the club’s premiership glory: “I have been a Sharks supporter since I was a little girl. It’s been a lifetime of hoping; 49 years of waiting - you have no idea how much this means”. Stories of people who dared to dream, who truly believed and stayed committed to the cause – who kept singing ‘up,

1997 Lost Super League Grand Final to Brisbane 26-8. The financial benefits of Super League really boosted the Sharks.

1999 Heartbreak as the Minor Premiers lost in the Grand Final qualifier to rivals St George. Leading 8-0 in the preliminary final, the Sharks crumbled losing 24-8 to their arch rivals.

2006 After winning 8/9 games and promising so much, the Sharks experienced their worst losing streak 10 in a row - missing out on a finals position.

The cry of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Up, up Cronullaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; has kept the Sharks alive through all adversity, using these challenges of the past to bring about hope for the future. RLP Magazine

2009 Financial problems due to low attendance and poor on-field performance meant the Sharks were forced to draft relocation plans to the Central Coast. A horror season for the club as they narrowly avoided the spoon. RUGBY LEAGUE PLAYER | 29

| UP UP CRONULLA

up Cronulla’ even when they had every reason not to. The story of the Sharks has been told through generations. Grandparents telling their children of the painful defeats of the 70s, these children telling their children of the crippling financial troubles of the 90s and 2000s, and now these children seeing for themselves the shame of the ASADA crisis. Yet on Sunday night, all three generations could sing ‘Up, up Cronulla’ together, knowing the pain of the past made the victory so much sweeter. From Rogers to Raper, Ettinghausen to Peachey, Gallen to Bird; the story of ‘Up, up Cronulla’ has been shared, passing on the baton to the next generation to take up the cause of that enduring cry of defiance and hope, of faith in the boys in the black, white and blue. For years the club’s past had crippled the club. Burdened by past defeats, the Sharks froze in the big games. But the Grand Final of 2016 was a different story. They knew the long-suffering history of the club, but instead of that history

2013

ASADA scandal. Coach Shane Flannagan stood down, players banned and board members sanctioned as the drama of the Asada scandal swept through the club. 30

paralysing them, they played without fear. They played with a hunger that could only be born out of years of starvation. Your sharpest thirst can only be developed in the driest of deserts, and for 49 years that’s exactly where the Sharks have been. Now they’re singing from the summit of the rugby league mountain. But as the song goes, the Sharks are always looking ‘up’. “Now is the time to raise the bar…with the ultimate goal of being the club of choice for sport in Australia”. “We have record membership and merchandise numbers, venues are full, corporate suites sold out; you can’t be successful on the field without all of this”. The Sharks cannot help but look forward. Years of resilience in the face of adversity have taught this club to keep moving up; they simply know no other way. After 50 years of sorrow and adversity the Sharks now stand at the pinnacle of the rugby league and sporting world, with one emphatic and impassioned cry for the future: “Up, up Cronulla!”

2014

Another low. The suffering of the Sharks continued as they finished the 2014 season with the wooden spoon, 19 defeats from 24 games.

2016

Remarkably 2 years after finishing with the wooden spoon, the Sharks broke their long drought and clinched the NRL premiership, defeating the Storm 14-12 in the final.

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For more information contact Simon Nesbitt - Development Manager snesbitt@capitalbluestone.com.au www.capitalbluestone.com.au 0438 238 278

| THE DEBT IS DUE

THE DEBT IS DUE…. Written By NICK WASILIEV

The Pacific Islands are full of talent, where boys play with guts, enthusiasm and determination, a level of fury that few players reach, and a characteristic NRL teams crave. RLP Magazine

n May last year, Toa Samoa and Ma’a Tonga beat the living daylights out of each other in front of a 15,000 strong crowd in Parramatta. Samoa prevailed that day 18-6, but the biggest winner of all on that day was international rugby league. It was a game full of class, passion and big hits. The Pacific Islands are full of talent, where boys play with with guts, enthusiasm and determination - a characteristic NRL teams crave. We have arguably the best league competition in the world, but it’s time we begin to treat the islanders with respect. Let the players play for their country, IN their country. It’s time to give them a NRL team. Today, thirty-eight percent of players in the NRL have Polynesian heritage, compared to the 1.8 percent in 1985. Islander players and as a result, their teams, have steadily been on the rise. Many have noted their increasing com-

petitiveness at the international level, and it’s no wonder Aussie and Kiwi clubs keep poaching players to pop up their respective clubs. For New Zealand rugby league, the inclusion of the Warriors in the competition has been one that has seen the Kiwis improve in leaps and bounds, accessing many great player programs and coaching staff available in Australia. Many NRL clubs may be against the idea of a Pacific Islands league team. But we need to see the game grow. We live in a world where we can develop Aussie players, but also help league in the Pacific with an islander team. We should be recognising passion for the game, and the Pacific boys have proven that they are ready for a team of their own. It’s time. With us poaching so many of their players, who come to play for our league clubs, it’s a debt we certainly owe them...

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| THE FABRIC OF OUR GAME

THE

FABRIC OF OUR

GAME Written by Ryan Latty Photography by Michael Gilbert Jerseys supplied by Peter Wynnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Score

nravelling the tissue paper from my presents early one Christmas morning I was ecstatic to see a bright blue and gold Eelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s jersey staring back at me. I quickly pulled it on, grabbed my footy, and ran outside. I was Hindmarsh, tackling relentlessly; I was Hayne, dazzling with skill; I was Kenny, selling dummies to hapless opponents. Proudly I wore it to matches, wearing out every thread in my beloved jersey. Each one of us has a story too. A jersey we loved, a jersey that made us feel connected to our heroes. As time changes, so do the jerseys. New variations and innovations each year, soaking up the benefits of an insatiable merchandise market. Yet for many of us, our hearts still belong with those classic strips of decades long ago. Simple cotton designs with the sky blue NSWRL badge emblazoned on the front. No bubbles on the front to help with ball retention, the leather Steeden pressed up against the blood and sweat poured into the fabric. Take a trip down memory lane with us as we look at some of the best jerseys in Rugby League history.

1979 St George Dragons Grand Final Jersey | RESULT: St George 17 defeated Canterbury-Bankstown 13 | DATE: 22nd September 1979 | VENUE: Sydney Cricket Ground | ATTENDANCE: 50,911 The famous Red V. After finishing 1st on the ladder after the regular season, the mighty Dragons, led by coach Harry Bath and captain Steve Edge, marched into the Grand Final after a Major Semi-Final victory over Parramatta. A commanding performance in the Grand Final against Canterbury, highlighted by a brilliant Rod Reddy and Steve Morris, resulted in the Big Red V claiming a 17-13 victory.

RUGBY LEAGUE PLAYER | 35

| THE FABRIC OF OUR GAME

1983 Parramatta Eels Grand Final Jersey | RESULT: Parramatta Eels 18 defeated Manly-Warringah 6 | DATE: 25th September 1983 | VENUE: Sydney Cricket Ground | ATTENDANCE: 40,285 The famous treble. After lifting the Winfield Cup in 1981 and 1982, a Jack Gibson led Parramatta marched into the 1983 Grand Final against Manly full of optimism. A stellar performance from Brett Kenny, backed up by the barnstorming runs of Eric Grothe enabled the Eels to overcome a star-studded Manly side that boasted the likes of Graham Eadie and Phil Sigsworth.

1978 NSW Country Jersey | RESULT: NSW City 30 defeated NSW Country 13 | DATE: May 20th 1978 | VENUE: Sydney Cricket Ground | ATTENDANCE: 12,932 City slickers â&#x20AC;&#x201C; and slick they were. A team that boasted the likes of Michael Cronin, Steve Rogers, Tom Raudonikis and Terry Randall was always going to trouble an inexperienced Country side. A hat-trick to Steve Rogers in the match, backed up by a kicking masterclass from Cronin delivered a comprehensive win to the boys from the Big Smoke.

RUGBY LEAGUE PLAYER | 37

| THE FABRIC OF OUR GAME

1979 NSW City Origin Jersey | RESULT: NSW City 29 defeated NSW Country 0 | DATE: May 19th 1979 | VENUE: Sydney Cricket Ground | ATTENDANCE: 11,242 If your forward pack lists names such as Ray Price, Rod Reddy, Les Boyd, Craig Young and George Peponis, and your back line includes Steve Rogers, Graham Eadie, Michael Cronin and Kerry Boustead, then you’re always likely to cause the opposition trouble. A dominant performance from some of rugby league’s greatest players led to a 29-0 victory of the industrious blokes from NSW Country in this match in 1979.

1985 NSW Origin Jersey | RESULT: Game 1 NSW 18 defeated QLD 2 | DATE: May 28th 1985 | VENUE: Lang Park | ATTENDANCE: 33,011 A game which laid the platform for the electrifying origin series’ we enjoy today. Highlighted by an incredible debut to former Wallaby Michael O’Connor and relentless defence from NSW led by Steve Roach and Peter Wynn, NSW’s 18-2 victory over QLD lives long in the memory. Who can forget Brett Kenny’s brilliant performance to nullify ‘The King’, Wally Lewis, after Terry Fearnley and Steve Mortimer devised a plan to bring to an end QLD’s stranglehold in the competition.

RUGBY LEAGUE PLAYER | 39

| THE FABRIC OF OUR GAME

1985 Australian Jersey | RESULT: Australia 26 defeated New Zealand 20 | DATE: June 18th 1985 | VENUE: Lang Park | ATTENDANCE: 22,000 Look closely at the jersey and you might be able to see the faintest of blood stains, etched into the fabric of the green and gold trim, after Greg Dowling and Kevin Tamati exchanged blows in this memorable game of 1985. The two big boppers went head to head after they had been sent to the bin â&#x20AC;&#x201C; for fighting! Glenn Stewart and Adam Blair must have seen this game growing up, as their performance in a 2011 round match was almost identical! In this match, a determined performance from John Ribot and Mal Meninga meant Australia began their tour of New Zealand in the best possible way.

| UNDERRATED PLAYERS OF THE NRL

UNDERRATED

PLAYERS OF THE NRL Written by Ruben Campbell

Since the game of rugby league began, we have witnessed players put in the hard yards for their side week in week out. These players donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get mentioned in the same breath as the gameâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s greatest; their names frequently omitted from the highlight reel on the evening news. Skill only matched by their unassuming character, they quietly go about their business evading the light that shines so brightly on many in our game. After a season that has shone so brightly, we decided to turn the spotlight onto the humble heroes of our game, the ones whose performances largely go unnoticed, yet are crucial to the success of their club.

RUGBY LEAGUE PLAYER | 43

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CONTACT INFORMATION LOCATION

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info@limcora.com.au

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| UNDERRATED PLAYERS OF THE NRL

[Bryson Goodwin] A difficult season for the Rabbitohs, especially after the dizzy heights of premiership glory in 2014, yet one where quiet achiever Bryson Goodwin continued to perform. The son of Ted Goodwin, Bryson has adopted many facets of his father’s game; notably his ability to land goals from all over the park, constant aggression and determination in defence. Michael Maguire and his men have taken great pride in Bryson and supporters of the game are guaranteed to see him strap the boots on again for another year.

[Cameron Munster] The Storm fans haven’t been able to view the brilliance of Billy the kid the last two seasons. But when one man hasn’t strapped on the boots for a lengthy period of time another workhorse will use the same boots and play a pivotal role in Melbourne’s continued success. That man is Cameron Munster. His ability to soak up plenty of pressure, by keeping a cool head does wonders for Craig Bellamy and his boys. He might not cross the try line as much as Slater but his high number of try saves is just as important.

[Matt Prior] It’s taken a long time for Matt Prior to finally receive the recognition that he’s enjoyed in 2016. Before this season’s heroics, Prior has always put his best foot forward each time he battles in the ring. The Thirroul junior emulates the qualities and facets of a modern day Noel Cleal. Not as rough looking as the former NSW representative but it’s all about what’s on the inside. That’s where you will find what Prior truly stands for, pride in his team and consistency, week in week out. RUGBY LEAGUE PLAYER | 45

| UNDERRATED PLAYERS OF THE NRL

[Curtis Rona] Not too long ago, outside backs were known for their blistering speed, finding the white chalk and mastering the one on one tackle. Now their size has increased dramatically becoming the biggest men in the game. Curtis Rona is a modern day winger who is one of many that has combined size and speed to great effect. The boy who grew up in Perth converted to the greatest game of all at the age of 17 and hasn’t taken a step back. Often on the end of great team moves, Rona’s ability to negotiate limited space on the wing and score improbable tries is vital to the attacking threat of the Bulldogs.

[Nathan Ross] Nathan Ross produced one of the great moments of the 2016 season which left people asking why he didn’t compete in the high jump at the Rio Olympics. The 27 year old did a superman dive from five metres out, launching his body into the air to score a miraculous four pointer – further proving how amazing the modern day winger is. We can scarcely imagine how many great tries we could see from this bloke over the years to come, with his skill and his propensity for the audacious. We might be sitting back in our armchairs years from now exclaiming, “Yeah, but Ross did it first”.

[Thomas Leuluai] The Kiwi international has had a long career, playing in the English Super League between 2005 and 2012. Since his return to the NRL in 2012, he has been lauded for his tough mentality and versatility from some of the leading football brains in the game. What he brings to the table will surely be missed when he catches a flight from Auckland all the way to England where he returns to play for the Wigan Warriors next season. 46

Petersham RSL Club 7 Regent Street Petersham 2049 www.petershamrsl.com.au (02) 9560 8355

| UNDERRATED PLAYERS OF THE NRL

[Peter Wallace] Peter Wallace has transformed himself from a man who leads his team around at halfback to a player who starts all the ball movement from dummy half. His passes fall straight into the bread basket of his halves and itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s up to them to deliver the bread to their next customer. Wallace still keeps traits of his previous days at halfback by slotting winning field goals and keeping a low profile. He might not warrant selection for representative teams, but he knows how to innovate and modify his game in order to still be a part of the best 17 for his club.

[Clint Gutherson] Clint Gutherson is not just your ordinary winger. He has versatility and can play any position in the backs, reminiscent of former Parramatta players like Luke Burt and Joel Reddy. Whenever Brad Arthur taps Gutherson on the shoulder and says youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re playing fullback, he will not only do the basics, he will exceed the expectations that the media and his coach have of him. His quick dummy half runs and high tackle average per game could possibly lead him to playing in the halves in years to come.

| 20 BILLION TO ONE

20 Billion to

ONE Written by Matthew Lucas

Hellooo… Can you hear that? That little echo in your head? That was Samuel L. Jackson, the man famous for his roles in motion picture blockbusters like Pulp Fiction, Django Unchained and a range of cameos across the Marvel movies series. That little hello you just heard wasn’t from any of those films, not even Snakes on a Plane.

t was actually from a Bet365 ad, “The world’s biggest online sports betting company.” Earlier this year, Sportsbet extended its contract with the NRL as the competition’s official wagering partner at a cost of 60 million until the year 2020. The biggest in Australian sporting history. You may or may not have heard the news but one things for sure you’ve probably noticed the increase in sports betting marketing. If you’ve watched the Footy Show lately you’re likely to see some lucky punter drop kick his way to a couple of grand. What a champion. Then of course there’s the live cross to Joel Caine who’s got the latest markets covered along with Jaaaaamie Rodgers’s cameo on Monday Nights with Matty Johns. What about the actual footy match? The product itself? Well take a look at the Titans sleeves and you’ll see Ladbrokes, the Broncos backs you’ll find William Hill, while it was not too long ago that the Panthers played out

of ‘Centrebet Stadium.’ It’s a 20 billion dollar industry which will continue to grow courtesy of the ease that smartphones, tablets and mobile data have given us. Never before have we seen so many markets on a single game of footy. Line over/under double, first tryscorer and NSW to WIN 112. The list goes on and it’s all available at the click of button, in a matter of seconds. It’s exceeding time and space like never before. You can bet from the armchair, the toilet, even on your fifteen minute smoko break if the boss allows it. Come game day you’ll scroll through your news feed and see a post from one of these accounts. If it’s Roosters v Tigers, there will be a cartoon picture of a chook and tiger ready to do battle. Why a cartoon? Adults don’t watch that many cartoons do they? One could assume that these companies are targeting adolescents with a bid to turn them into punters once they come of age. Let’s not forget the ease of access these

RUGBY LEAGUE PLAYER | 51

| 20 BILLION TO ONE

1 IN 7 (13%) OF AUSTRALIANS NOW GAMBLE ON SPORT

bet365 19 million customers in 200 countries

24/7

AUSTRALIANS HAVE COMPLETE ACCESS TO BETTING THROUGH MOBILE APPS

$22 billion How much Australians spend on gambling each year â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 5 times more than we do on foreign aid

There’s usually a person from the sports betting company who ‘befriends’ the punter, sending matey emails and making offers to get them betting again, or betting more – and talking about Grand Final tickets. Ann Arnold, ABC Radio

days with the advent of smartphones. With television, the government holds some power and regulation when it comes to the timing of sports betting advertisements. Social media on the other hand is a different beast. Users can be bombarded with messages at any time of the day, morning till night. And let’s not forget, there’s no age restrictions on how old you have to be to like a sports betting company. It doesn’t stop there. Problem gamblers are at odds to being serviced in ways you would never imagine once the company recognises them as big spenders. Ann Arnold, an ABC journalist working with Radio National’s Background Briefing, discovered this during a podcast she aired back in August 2015. “There was a common thread of people who had been pretty comprehensively seduced

by the offers that sports betting companies made. They were maybe people who were not used to getting VIP treatment, and were a little dazzled by it. It would start with free bets, but, if they became valued customers, they were getting hosted in corporate boxes at the footy, taken to the Melbourne Cup. There’s usually a person from the sports betting company who ‘befriends’ the punter, sending matey emails and making offers to get them betting again, or betting more – and talking about Grand Final tickets.” The rampant rise of sports betting hasn’t slipped under the radar in everyone’s eyes. Ian Roberts, one the best front rowers of the 80s and 90s as well as the game’s ‘first openly gay player, is furious with the state of today’s game. Not because of the way it’s played, but the way

SPORTS BETTING TO GROW AT DOUBLE DIGIT RATES OVER THE NEXT FIVE YEARS $b

35%

30%

25%

20%

15%

10%

2007

2008

2009

2010

SPORTS BETTING TURNOVER ($B)

2011

2012

2013E

2014E

2015E

% CHANGE

RUGBY LEAGUE PLAYER | 53

| 20 BILLION TO ONE

BETTING TAKES UP

$1.5 billion

13 MINS OF AIR-TIME ON ANY NRL GAME

the amount of money spent on NRL gambling alone

it’s broadcast. “You can’t watch a game of league without being bombarded with fucking online betting. It’s like you’re watching a league game at a TAB.” It’s a fair point he makes too. If you study a regular fixture match you’ll see throughout the broadcast, an average of 15 minutes and 38 seconds of gambling advertising and roughly 225 occasions where gambling advertising is displayed. It’s no surprise to see that Sportsbet and Ladbrokes are most popular amongst 18-29 Year olds. Players aren’t immune to it either. Ryan Tandy became the first player in 2010 and now the latest claims of a Manly v Eels match is under police investigation. “It shouldn’t come as a surprise. The league is dangling a carrot to people who are gamblers, that’s the crazy thing.” We live in the ‘lucky

63.8%

MEN 50+

58.2%

2.6%

MEN 35-49

44.1%

7.8%

MEN 25-34

41.4%

9.6%

MEN 18-24

40.1%

6.7%

0.8%

3.3% 54

WOMEN 18+

47.9%

BET ON AFL/NRL GRAND FINALS

BET ON AFL/NRL

TOTAL

country’ but are we lucky really that lucky? Rugby League forms the social fabric of this nation but it should never be used as a tool for companies to exploit its fans for profit. Forget the no shoulder charge rule or the no touching the referee rule, this is the biggest problem that our game has ever faced and something needs to be done. It’s a tricky situation that the game is now in. One summed up best by Ian Roberts. “There’s got to be a stronger conversation about this. A stronger conversation at the top, I’m talking about in the board. In the NRL there needs to be a conversation about the ethics of what the games really about, are we willing to promote this type of culture and jump into bed with betting syndicates? A conversation, just get a conversation started.”

TOTAL

WOMEN 18+

MEN 18-24

MEN 25-34

MEN 35-49

MEN 50+

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| AT HOME WITH JAMIE LYON

HOME

WITH

JAMIE LYON Interview by RYAN LATTY

â&#x20AC;&#x2122;m a Parramatta fan and I like Jamie Lyon. A statement that not many Eelâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s fans, let alone rugby league fans, can make. A man whose career has been criticised by many; there are few who know the real Jamie Lyon. As the sun sets on his decorated career, we sat down with Jamie to discuss just why he walked out on Parramatta in 2004, the secrets behind the success he enjoyed at Manly and what made him decide to walk away from the game for good.

RUGBY LEAGUE PLAYER | 57

| AT HOME WITH JAMIE LYON

|Thanks for the memories: Lyon signs off with another stellar performance at Brookvale Oval

You grew up in the bush, what qualities did you develop growing up in that environment? Coming from the bush, I was always playing footy with my mates, being outdoors, riding the bikes, swimming at the river – being outdoors was a big thing You were only young when you signed for Parramatta, was it hard moving away from home and to the city? Very. It was quite nerve wracking at the start but I moved in with a family from the club, who hosted a few of us [players] there at Northmead. Crusher had a few kids at his house too so that made it a little bit easier – they all helped me to settle in The 2001 season stands in my mind as ‘one that got away’ for Parramatta. What were your reflections on that season?

Yeah, definitely. That was hard because we were so successful throughout the season, we hardly lost a game. Looking back, we might have been a little bit over confident, we were a bit shell shocked, 24-0 down at half time, it was hard to take. But that was definitely one that got away. You had received many awards whilst at Parra – the Jack Gibson medal in 2001 and many others, whilst also being at a fairly successful club – did you see yourself staying there for your whole career? Yeah I had ambitions to stay there. But at the time it was pretty tough, it all happened pretty quick and footy was full on at that stage. By the end of it, I got sick of it and went back to the bush. That was going to be the end of it, I was going to finish up - it was a tough and stressful time.

You live and you learn. The mistakes I made gave me an opportunity to learn from them, the hardest part was probably letting your team mates down, that’s the biggest one… and the fans. Jamie Lyon

“I had to come back and play footy, Cynthia was gonna sack me from the Bowling Club!”

You’ve said that if you could change how things ended at Parra you would. What would you have done differently?

You got a call from St Helens who offered you the chance to play for them. Why did you accept their offer?

Definitely. I would’ve tried to at least get through the 2004 season for Parra. Looking back now, being a bit older, I see that I let my teammates down. I probably didn’t think I was that important for the side and I guess I thought that me leaving wouldn’t affect them too much. I see now I was wrong about that; I was playing for NSW and Australia, I was probably one of the senior players at the club. I would’ve definitely changed that and tried to get through the season.

I wasn’t really looking to get back into the game - I was happy with bush footy! But I needed to pay the bills and with Cynthia threatening to sack me from the bowling club, I needed something else. I knew St Helens had a strong side and the offer was a great chance for me and my family

The media was fairly critical of you at this time, how did it affect you?

We were pretty successful and didn’t lose too many games in the time I was there. We had a great side, Shaun Long, Paul Sculthorpe, Paul Wellens, Jason Hooper, Francis Meli, Darren Albert. It was good to see a different part of the world. Great to play at Old Trafford too, being a United fan now.

Yeah, it was stressful. It was tough back then, but you live and you learn. The mistakes I made gave me an opportunity to learn from them, the hardest part was probably letting your team mates down, that’s the biggest one… and the fans. What made you want to return to Wee Waa after things ended at Parra? I just wanted to go back where my friends and family were. Work a little at the bowling club and get back into country life; pour some beers, play a little bit of footy, that was my comfort zone. [laughs] I loved it. It was good. The footy side there was not as strong as other country sides like Tamworth and Gunnedah, whereas Wee Waa were always struggling to make a side, so to go back there and help them out, there was a buzz around the town and to get them back winning again was a big thrill for me. We won the Grand Final; it was a really good time.

What were some of the highlights from your time in England?

You chose to come back to the NRL at the end of 2006 – almost re-signing with Parramatta. Why did that fall through? I was talking to Parra and a few others – Penrith, Newcastle, Canberra, Cowboys. It was always going to be Manly in the end, with Crusher being there. It was never planned, with the negotiations, it just seemed to be the right one at the time. I guess I got a little bit older and a little bit wiser. It was good to come back, I felt I had unfinished business in the NRL. It was great to return to be a part of Manly’s resurgence, to see the club grow back into a really strong club again. I was never a Manly fan as a kid but definitely am now, that’s for sure. The kids are fanatics, they’ll always be Manly fans, as I will be.

RUGBY LEAGUE PLAYER | 59

| AT HOME WITH JAMIE LYON

|Smile for the camera: Lyon says farewell to the NRL, accompanied by his 3 kids, in a victory lap of Brookvale Oval.

You won your first NRL Grand Final in 2008, in a 40-0 thrashing of Melbourne. How does that game rate in your career highlights? [laughs] It’s definitely up there. That was big. To lose a couple before it made this one pretty sweet. Defeat in 2007 hurt but to turn it around the next year was something special. Beaver, probably the biggest legend of the club, to send him out like that was special. He had a nickname of ‘fairytale’ for a couple of years, so he was running off that for a while. I still remember now how pumped I was after that one. We had a great culture, we all got on so well. We spent a lot of time together away from footy – having a beer or playing golf. Most of us were around the same age – the Stewart boys, Steve Matai, Jason King, Anthony Watmough, Michael Roberts; the list goes on. That was the main thing. You were named co-captain with Jason King in 2009 and then followed that up with back-to-back Dally M Centre of the Year awards. What about being captain enabled you to take your game to another level? I was a bit worried about being captain at the start, especially with other great leaders in the team. I don’t think I could’ve done it without Jason King. He probably would’ve got the job full time if he was an 80-minute player, he had tremendous qualities about him – always leading from the front. We had a good combination. It was a really great time.

You’ve achieved so much at Manly, what would you say you are most proud of there? Obviously the Grand Final wins are right up there, they’re hard to replace. To do it with some of my best mates makes it really special. But even turning up to training, putting that jersey on for game days and leading the boys out to Brookie Oval. What are you most looking forward to about retirement? I was going to say more time with the family, but I’m starting this job so it might be less time with the family [laughs]. Truthfully I am looking forward to working for Paladin. They’re a great local company, supplying fantastic kits to people in rugby league. They love forming partnerships with sporting teams all around Australia and other countries which is really exciting to be a part of. But I’m also looking forward to being injury free! Training and playing, all with niggling injuries – it takes its toll! It will also be nice to spend public holidays with the kids, I’ve missed out on that for years with footy. Any chance of you turning out for the Wee Waa Panthers? I’ve thought about it and I’m still thinking about it. They’re still struggling out there for numbers and guys working and that sort of stuff. They’re in the 2nd divison comp now, I would like to have a few more games for them, but like I said, I don’t know how long my hamstring would last.

|One of a kind: A career as unique as the man himself, they’ll be reminiscing about this man’s genius for years to come

Which coach has helped you the most in your footy career?

One player you didn’t get to play with that you wish you did?

That’s a tough one. They’re all brilliant. Des, was brilliant. Toovs was so passionate, even Bazz, I think he’s going to make a wonderful coach once he gets a full squad out there, he’s got a great way with people and players, I really think we’ll see more of him down the track, I think he’s got rep coach written all over him. Even Craig Bellamy was awesome at Origin, Phil Gould as well. Brian Smith was such a smart coach. Very lucky. Shane Flanagan was my first coach at Parramatta SG ball, he started it all off for me, I’ve had some great coaches at Wee Waa – my last coach Donny Crookshank who is really enjoyable to play underneath him, he was a farmer and gave up a lot of his time, such a legend of Wee Waa. I guess you’d have to put him at the top of the list.

I played with Andrew Johns a few times in rep games - he was the best player I’ve seen. Some of the stuff he could do on the field was unbelievable. Maybe Terry Randall or Eric Grothe. You’re married with 3 kids, what sort of father is Jamie Lyon? I like being their mate but I also like trying to teach them the right things to do, to make sure they’re good role models down the track. My little girl she’s the hardest to keep in check... she thinks she owns the place! They’re good fun. I try to bring them up the right way and lead by example...I hope that‘s what they’ve learnt from my career.

Who’s the hardest player to tackle in the NRL? Wow, there’s a couple – it’s usually the wingers these days, these ‘steppy’ blokes. Tedesco is probably the one - he’s hard to get a hold of. Radradra and Greg Inglis can be a handful. What would Jamie Lyon say now to the young man who had just signed for Parra all those years ago? That’s a tough one. You make some mistakes along the way but you learn from them. I suppose ‘you will make mistakes but it’s what you learn from them that’s important.’

I played with Andrew Johns a few times in rep games - he was the best player I’ve seen. Some of the stuff he could do on the field was unbelievable.

RUGBY LEAGUE PLAYER | 61

| AT HOME WITH JAMIE LYON

224

GAMES

POINTS

2140

168

TRIES

734

GOALS

THE DALLY M AWARDS

CENTRE OF THE YEAR

CAPTAIN OF THE YEAR

2010, 2011, 2013, 2014

2012, 2014

PREMIERSHIPS

2008, 2011

| COMEBACK VICTORIES

COMEBACK

VICTORIES Written by RYAN LATTY

RUGBY LEAGUE PLAYER | 65

| COMEBACK VICTORIES

1. Canterbury Bulldogs vs Parramatta Eels 1998 Preliminary final | SCORE LINE: Bulldogs 32 Parramatta 20 Traditional rivalries were re-ignited in the preliminary final of 1998 when Parramatta Eels squared off against Canterbury Bulldogs. Leading 18-2 lead with 10 minutes to go, Parramatta fans were in party mode before a miraculous Bulldogâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s comeback broke Eels fansâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; hearts. This game will forever be remembered for the nightmare performance of Parramatta fullback Paul Carige. A string of baffling errors from Carige allowed the Bulldogs to come back into the game and late tries to Polla-Mounter, Rod Silva and Willie Talau dragged the Bulldogs back to 18-16 with only a minute left. Enter Daryl Halligan. Inches from the sideline and with a roaring crowd behind him, Halligan moved forward and sent the ball sailing through the posts. The curse of Carige continued in extra-time as the momentum was all with the Bulldogs. Tries to Polla-Mounter and Travis Norton were the final nails in the Parramatta coffin and it would be the Bulldogs who marched on to the Grand Final, Eels fans left heartbroken.

Newcastle Knights vs Melbourne Storm Round 22 2014 | SCORE LINE: Knights 32 Storm 30 Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve all dreamed of it; a last minute kick from the sideline to win the game for your team. In 2014, Kurt Gidley got to live that dream as his beloved Newcastle Knights squared off against the Melbourne Storm. The Knights were nipping at the heels of the Storm all game, though when Sisa Waqa scored his fourth try of the night with only three minutes remaining, the Storm had what many thought was an unassailable lead. But it was time for a Knights comeback. Travis Waddell barged over under the posts, Gidley converted, and with 90 seconds left the Knights trailed by four. Renewed optimism sparkled through the Hunter crowd and with only seconds remaining, Uate dived over out wide to bring scores level. Shouldering the hopes of a fervent Hunter crowd, Kurt Gidley steps up to take the kick. Newcastle fans held their collective breath and ushered a torrent of prayers to the sky above as Gidley moved towards the ball. Effortlessly, he sent the ball sailing straight between the posts. The stadium erupted; the Knights had valiantly conquered the Storm.

As a goal-kicker, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s always a moment you dream of to kick a winning one after the siren. Kurt Gidley

RUGBY LEAGUE PLAYER | 67

| COMEBACK VICTORIES

3. St George Illawarra Dragons vs Manly Sea Eagles Round 25 2004 | SCORE LINE: Dragons 36 Sea Eagles 34 A crime was committed at Kogarah Oval in Round 25, 2004. The Sea Eagles were robbed. The Dragons had no right to win this game and with 23 minutes remaining they trailed by 24 points. Yet in arguably the most amazing comeback in NRL history, the Dragons scored four late tries to win 36-34. In the last quarter of the game the Sea Eagles could find no answer to the magic of Nathan Blacklock as he dived over for two incredible tries. Inspirational leader Ben Hornby crashed over under the posts minutes later and the Kogarah crowd had found their voice. What happened

next had an air of inevitability about it. The diving Matt Cooper met a kick from Blacklock, a play of imagination and flair, and the Dragons were within four points. Then, when Justin Poore barged over the teams were level. Knowing a successful conversion would win the game, Mark â&#x20AC;&#x153;Piggyâ&#x20AC;? Riddell stepped forward, raised his left arm to the sky, as a conductor instructs an orchestra, and the crowd at Kogarah followed in unison. His kick was high enough, it was straight enough and it sailed through the posts, the Dragons had achieved the seemingly impossible.

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| BIG JACK

BIG JACK Written by LYLE BEATON

Many have tried to unlock the rugby league enigma that was Jack Gibson, a man chosen as coach of the Australian Team of the Century and known almost universally as the “Supercoach” or the “Mastercoach”. Few have succeeded. A profoundly contemplative man, he shaped the modern rugby league coaching landscape more than any other single individual according to current wonder coach Wayne Bennett. At times taciturn and even somewhat melancholy, Gibson was yet perhaps one of the deepest thinkers on the game that has lived, bringing a vast intellect and real understanding of human nature to his life’s work. He had an immense capacity to bring out the best in his players and to mould formidable units of playing talent into a single purposeful team without the usual problems associated with managing a collection of considerable egos. In this he shared the wonderful qualities of a man manager that have always been the hallmark of great sporting coaches around the world.

RUGBY LEAGUE PLAYER | 71

| BIG JACK

|Schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in: A true innovator and teacher of the game, Jack Gibson led his teams with authority and vision. Sitting at the feet of a legend like Gibson would have been a true honour.

There would be no game, if cheap shot specialists had it their way. Jack Gibson

|The famous pair: Gibson’s vision was beautifully complemented by the genius of Ron Massey – a coaching pair made in heaven.

ibson was a tower of strength in rugby league, coaching and mentoring the likes of other great coaches such as Roy Masters and Arthur Beetson. His significant influence over other superb coaches, such as former Manly, Easts and Australian coach Bob Fulton was no less measurable. Most of all, Jack Gibson was a serious man. He was renowned for praying at the altar of discipline and defence and treated a football game “like General Patton treated war” according to former protege and coaching opponent, Roy Masters. Gibson understood that rugby league was a tough enough sport without the need for that sort of skulduggery. He famously stated in 1981 that “there would be no game” if the cheap shot specialists were allowed to have their way. Gibson realised that rugby league

needed, and continues to need, to be open to “the quick, the smart and the skilled” - the players who can utilise speed to carry on half chances, the players who can prise open the most difficult defences and who can carry out the game’s most difficult skills under the most intense pressure. At the core, the key to Gibson’s remarkable success was the principle of innovation. Gibson existed (as a coach) at a time when innovation was particularly widespread and valued in rugby league, as the move to full-time professionalism during the 1970s and into the early 1980s intensified the need to strive for a competitive edge. Jack Gibson’s numerous rugby league innovations were both preparation and play based. Many of them were very basic and involved simply ensuring the players were as comfortable as possible, particularly

1960

1962

1974

Captained his side to a Grand Final appearance against St George as his Eastern Suburbs side finished runners up.

Jack Gibson was known to play the game hard, as he fends off Eastern Suburbs backrower Don Fenton at Henson Park.

Celebrating his first premiership with the Roosters. Back-to-back premierships followed, before moving to South Sydney in 1978.

RUGBY LEAGUE PLAYER | 73

| BIG JACK

in and around game day itself. The proper laundering of playing uniforms, personalised towels and lockers while simple, allowed players to feel better about themselves and concentrate solely on their allotted tasks. Some involved the utilisation of skills from other domestic football codes – Gibson was at the forefront of cross training sessions with other sports, especially in the kicking area where he believed both soccer and Australian Rules players could assist rugby league kickers in achieving greater consistency and results. Video analysis became an early part of Gibson’s repertoire –filming matches and training sessions on old 8mm cameras before video even became part of the coaching vernacular. During the 1970s,

he famously filmed part of a Canterbury training session being conducted by coaching rival, Malcolm Clift, and identified several set moves which he then devised counter strategies for. The owner of a large Cadillac, Gibson then continued engaging in mind games with Clift by parking the unattended vehicle in prominent spots near Canterbury training during the season. As a master of defensive coaching, Gibson also developed the use of individual player tackle counts – a mechanism designed to deepen his analysis of the defensive side of the game (which above all he favoured) and to coach to the weak points of his individual players. In Roy Masters’s view, Jack Gibson was primarily respon-

Jack Gibson was primarily responsible for elevating the role of coach in Australian rugby league. Roy Masters

|LEFT: Flying the flame. Jack Gibson, a torch bearer for the Sydney 2000 Olympics. |TOP RIGHT: Gibson leading out his Eastern Suburbs side in 1974 |BOTTOM RIGHT: The mastermind. Shielded behind a smokescreen of tobacco and sunglasses, Gibson was a true innovator in rugby league. |OPPOSITE TOP: Australia was in safe hands during the 1980s. Gibson as coach and Hawke as Prime Minister – what a time to be alive!

sible for elevating the role of coach in Australian rugby league. This occurred in multiple ways. Firstly, Gibson insisted that as coach he would have sole responsibility for selection. Secondly, the remuneration for coaches rose markedly to be commensurate with that paid to the best players in the game. The role of coach essentially went from bit player to star nearly overnight. Gibson was always aware of the need to avoid the “over-coaching” of his players and to allow them to play a natural game best suited to their capabilities. His very best teams, Easts (1974 and 1975) and Parramatta (1981 – 1983), were brilliant attacking sides which shredded opposition defences and played some of the most glorious rugby

league of the century. Gibson was always acutely aware of the need for a balanced approach to coaching - adopting integrated coaching teams, most especially involving trusted confidants like genius coaching co-ordinator Ron Massey and gifted trainer Alf Richards. The likes of Ray Price have stressed the importance of these figures (particularly Massey) in relation to Gibson’s coaching success, but more than anything the choice of these capable lieutenants reflects the acumen Gibson brought to recruitment generally, whether on the field or off it. On the field, Gibson utilised many new variations in attacking play – flying wedges, walls, place kicks for touch and across the goal mouth to allow his attacking players

1975

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Gibson was known for his cool presence. He always took time to communicate with people, whether they be fans or the prime minister of Australia.

Gibson achieved his third premiership in as many years with Parramatta as he holds the Winfield cup trophy along with Eels’ CEO Denis Fitzgerald

NSW Players Bradley Clyde, Laurie Daley, Mario Fenech and John Cartwright all experienced what many players a thankful for being coached by the master himself.

RUGBY LEAGUE PLAYER | 75

| BIG JACK

Jack contributed to improving the players’ lives, their football, and finally the club as a whole. RLP Magazine

to launch at the ball, the bomb. There seems little doubt that the quite remarkable game play variations adopted by rugby league coaches generally in the 1970s/early 1980s were largely a response to Gibson’s continuing initiatives in this area and the need to challenge the “master”. A further key to the Gibson way was his absolute understanding of the need for harmony in rugby league. Fundamentally, Gibson understood that a player who was unhappy in his private life would not perform at his optimal level on the football field. As a result, he went to great lengths to ensure his players were happy – in their relationships, in their home environment and in their interactions within the team. Ultimately, this had numerous consequences – Jack contributed to improving the players’ lives, their football and finally the club as a whole. More

than anything else, Jack Gibson was extremely human in his interactions with people and it was this quality that saw them strive to perform their best for him. It remained a great shock for rugby league in general when Jack Gibson finally succumbed to dementia and ultimately passed away only minutes prior to the Centenary Test played between Australia and New Zealand at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 2008 – a venue which had been graced by so many of his own brilliant teams over the decades. Undoubtedly, it was Gibson’s keen intelligence that allowed him to prosper as a rugby league coach and in so doing define the way in which the game was played both in Australia and overseas. The Gibson way to a large extent still determines modern rugby league trajectories. His deep rooted legacy remains undiminished by the years.

|TOP: The golden era of Parramatta football. Gibson masterminded a hat-trick of titles in the early 80s. It’s been a long time between drinks for the club since the 80s, Peter Sterling still had hair the last time they lifted the premiership!

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| NUMBERS DON’T LIE

NUMB3RS DON’T LIE With the ongoing off-field battle for domination between rival codes, is the NRL progressing as fast or wide as they should be? Although viewership across television has increased, average crowd attendance has stagnated over the past several years.

34,048 62,038 THE NRL FINALS CROWD AVERAGE

AVERAGE AVERAGE

15,252

17,448

2012-2016

2006-2011

2000-2005

AVERAGE ATTENDENCE

AVERAGE

16,051

The AFL finals crowd average - almost double the NRL

CLUB MEMBERSHIPS Brisbane Broncos

36,215

Melbourne Storm

17,009

South Sydney Rabbitohs

32,725

Canberra Raiders

15,239

Parramatta Eels

22,676

Wests Tigers

14,362

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs

20,459

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks

14,074

Penrith Panthers

19,122

Sydney Roosters

13,957

North Queensland Cowboys

18,926

Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles

13,262

New Zealand Warriors

18,000

Newcastle Knights

11,955

St George Illawarra Dragons

17,654

Gold Coast Titans

10,106

*Information accurate to 18th July 2016

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| GRAND FINAL REVIEW

GRAND FINAL REVIEW: Make the Final about the Footy Written By Nick Wasiliev

2016

will live long in the memories of every player and fan from Cronulla. Forty-nine long, painful years. Melbourne pushed them all the way and in those final seconds may have been responsible for half of Cronulla having a heart attack, but it’s moments like these that make our game so good. The same, however, could not be said for the pre-game show, which was (as it probably always is) very hit-and-miss. So, considering many bad pre-game shows that have happened over the last few years, do we reckon it is time to scrap it altogether? Yes, Keith Urban was not too bad, but Richie Sambora’s performance was not exactly stellar. But I’m not one to trash these artists. They are great artists. Yet, their performances were received with the same lukewarm to scathing response. Yeah, artists can have bad days, but when you are dealing with a rugby league crowd that is only really there to watch rugby league, you are going to have it tough from the outset. The crowd don’t care about music. They’re there to watch two great teams smash each other for 80 minutes. So, what is there to do? Well, in my mind, the NRL has two options: do away with it completely, or go all out. The NFL

in the US has proven you can go all out. The Super Bowl halftime show has not only become an institution in its own right; it is part of the whole experience of the Super Bowl. The NFL spend big bucks on the absolute best performers in the world, and give us a spectacle - something that fans remember. Is it time the NRL follow suit? Or is it time we do away with the whole idea? League is our identity, so why should we have to copy a sport from another country? Instead, why don’t we make the Grand Final day ABOUT the Grand Final? The NSW Holden Cup final between Sydney and Penrith before the pre-game show this year certainly grabbed the attention of many of the fans more than the pre-game show did. Should that final be the pre-game entertainment? It certainly puts the focus back on rugby league. It’s Grand Final Day and regardless, it should be a wonderful spectacle to sign off the season in style. Music has always had a place in everyone’s hearts, no matter what genre it is. But, seeing musicians getting consistently negative feedback for performing at sporting venues by people who would rather watch the footy, maybe it’s time to do away with the pre-final show, and make the final about the footy.

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| MOMENTS & MEMORIES FROM A HISTORY OF CLASSIC GRAND FINALS

Moments & Memories from a History of Classic Grand Finals Written by Ryan Latty

ho can forget it? With the scores locked at 6-6 and with only 20mins remaining, Ryan Girdler receives the ball, only metres out from the Roosters goal line. He steps of his left foot and stabs a kick through the defensive line. Suddenly the ball rebounds off the white wall of Roostersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; players, spurting out towards the open field. Brad Fittler in pursuit, bends to pick the ball up, a sea of black jumpers converge on him as he manages to throw the ball out wide to a sprinting Todd Byrne. Luke Lewis lunges, to no avail, and Byrne can see nothing but green grass ahead of him. The crowd rise to their feet, the stadium now filled with the buzz of cheering fans. And from the bottom of the screen, one man emerged. Scott Sattler. In his last game for the Panthers, he sprinted over to Byrne and with sheer desire, managed to stretch out and tackle him around the waist and slide him into touch. A moment which defined a Grand Final, which defined a career. Each year the NRL Grand Final serves up moments like these. Moments which change the history of a club, of a player, of a community. These moments are etched in our memory forever.

Andrew Johns celebrates Newcastleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 30-24 victory over the Parramatta Eels in 2001.

RUGBY LEAGUE PLAYER | 83

| MOMENTS & MEMORIES FROM A HISTORY OF CLASSIC GRAND FINALS

|TOP LEFT: Beaver fever. The veteran of 349 NRL games signs off in a fairytale Grand Final victory over their nemesis of the late 2000s, the Melbourne Storm. |TOP RIGHT: One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Clint Newton, rejected by the Knights, was a key part of Craig Bellamy’s successful Melbourne Storm side of the late 2000s. Stripped of their premierships due to salary cap breaches, Newton and his band of triumph castaways, victims of poor management and deceit. |BOTTOM LEFT: You beauty. The contrast between Darius Boyd and Todd Carney tells it all. Jason Nightingale on the end of another scintillating St George backline move in the 2010 NRL Grand Final. |BOTTOM RIGHT: Big moments are made for big players. Throughout Lockyer’s career he proved himself to truly be one of the biggest players our game has ever seen. His transition from fullback to five-eight was a sign of the remarkable skill he possesses and his performance in the 2006 NRL Grand Final was the icing on one delicious cake.

RUGBY LEAGUE PLAYER | 85

| MOMENTS & MEMORIES FROM A HISTORY OF CLASSIC GRAND FINALS

Who can forget that flick pass? Some say Matt Bowen is still looking for the ball that Marshall miraculously flicked to Pat Richards in the 2005 NRL Grand Final.

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| MOMENTS & MEMORIES FROM A HISTORY OF CLASSIC GRAND FINALS

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| RLP CROSS-TRAINING

RLP CROSS-TRAINING: RLP knows the gym might be the best place to recuperate after a tough game of footy, but Sabre Surf has the perfect alternative for a full-body recovery. www.sabresurf.com.au Written By Matthew Firth

t’s always difficult to escape the chaos and clutter of everyday life. Increasingly, people search for new ways to relax, which is why more people are turning to stand-up paddle boarding. SUP is an easy and enjoyable way to keep fit and relax. The ability to utilise any body of water in a variety of conditions provides a freedom and flexibility that is unique to the sport – suitable for all ages and abilities. It’s no wonder then, why rugby league players are venturing into the water to reap the benefits, as it provides a full-body workout, but it is the low-impact nature that athletes appreciate. Trying to remain balanced engages the legs and core, while paddling uses the back, shoulders and arms, all while increasing the cardiovascular system. It’s also a great rehabilitation tool for players recovering from injuries.

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Sabre Surf Industries is a leading distributor of SUP’s and can even lay claim to helping NSW achieve State of Origin success in 2014. Blues players’ Jarryd Hayne and the Morris brothers, all used SUPs in preparation for State of Origin. SUP’s have also been at the forefront of social issues, with the White Ribbon foundation launching their ‘Stand up to Domestic Violence’ campaign. Uniting in both their love of paddle boarding and their desire to see social change, hundreds turned out to support the event – including Titan’s coach Neil Henry. Stand up paddle boarding has proven to not only be an ideal way to relax and keep fit but also a way to bring about social reform. As the physical and mental demands of rugby league and our own lives increase, SUP will continue to be a source of cathartic appeal and physical rejuvenation. This summer, be sure to discover the benefits of SUP for yourself!

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COMMUNITY CORNER COMMUNITY CORNER

“Our players are the most scrutinised segment of the Australian population and mate, with the pressures of your work — it doesn’t matter if you’re a bricklayer or aby lawyer — at the end of your week you’ve got to have a release. If Written Matthew Firth not, it’s Groundhog Day. Something’s got to give” Ronnie Palmer

Gold Coast Titans’ 2016 season exceeded the expectations of many and they now looking to build on that success he are Cougar was exactly in the best way possible. right when he told us this Whilst many while clubswe enjoy from the rigours “I of THINK WHILST threwtime backaway a beer an NRL season, the Gold Coast Titans are engaging in a with him on his balcony in YOU’VE GOT multitude of programs and initiatives to continue EVER their Drummoyne. Something does have ongoing commitment to have a positive impact in the THAT MINDSET THAT to give, but for the worst and most community. Even throughout the off-season the Titans YOU WANT TO MAKE A publicised part, it is our players’ are constantly visiting schools tocontrol. educate and inspire the What we often and unfortunately DIFFERENCE I THINK next generation by delivering physical and mental health, don’tand hear about are the great things reading, anti-bullying programs. THAT’S THE KEY” that players engage on a daily basis Gold Coast Titans haveinalways been dedicated to making — and when daily, we mean a difference sincewe thesay clubs inception in 2007,Michael developing Ennis The 2015 Ken Stephensprograms Medal was aimed at raising and it. delivering innovative contended;community with Luke Douglas, gamehotly participation, engagement, and bringing awareness to critical social A number of players have Joel Thompson, Tim issues. Mannah and sheet of community contribution ranging recently participated in the official White from Ribbon Stand Michael Ennis being named as the asking his wedding guests to make Up Against Domestic Paddle Eventcharitable in addition to four finalists for theViolence prestigious award donations instead of providing Starlight Wish Weekthe onefforts the Gold Coast. that recognises of an NRL gifts, to being a instrumental in the Titans We player live in awho society point the finger. The plank has that not loves only to achieved partnership with the Down Syndrome in our often so we dig out the onown the eye field,isbut alsoignored, contributed to might Association of Queensland. speckcommunity in another’s. I acknowledge that sometimes players do projects off it. Combine this with Thompson’s focus the wrong thing. For that they need to face consequences. Douglas, the eventual winner of the on teaching Australian students on the But there is no way you can argue the positive work clubs award, has been a strong presence in importance of education and living a healthy and players do in the community is proportionately reported. the Gold Coast community since he lifestyle, Mannah playing a pivotal role as an Gold Coast Titans is a club who have faced severe scrutiny joined the Titans in 2011. With his rap ambassador in multiple causes as well as in the media. But they are also a club whose community work102 is among the best in the NRL. We say we want these guys to be role models for the next generation. But how can our kids look up to these players unless we show them the positive things they are doing for our game? 94

launchiing his own charity and Ennis acting as an integral member of Save Our Sons and having an ongoing contribution to Camp Quality, the competition for the somewhat forgotten honour was fierce. Ennis, who has been involved in community work for the better part of a decade, has a unique outlook on the incredible impact that rugby league players can have on local communities. “I think whilst ever you’ve got that mindset that you want to make a difference I think that’s the key. Each individual will find different interests in different areas, so as long as you’re kicking goals and enjoying it and helping where you can, that’s great,” said Ennis. Whether it be providing assistance with coaching a local junior footy team or running a charity, it all matters. As we have said, time and time again, this great game has a unique ability to catalyse change and this runs through every arm of the game, from grassroots all the way to the top.

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GROUP SECURITY

| COMPETITION IN FOCUS

COMPETITION IN

FOCUS Written by Ruben Campbell | Photos Provided by Kiama Picture Company

GERRINGONG LIONS Each rugby league competition always has a club which is the epitome of success. The Gerringong Lions are without a doubt this club. In 2016 they achieved back to back premierships for the second time in the clubâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s history. The nineteen time first grade premiership winning side achieved their first premiership in the inaugural season in 1914. An absolute force to be reckoned, between 1918 and 1924 they won five premierships, which led them to join the Illawarra competition during the late 1920s. The club has produced some stunning NRL and international players like the Sims Brothers (Ashton, Tariq & Korbin), Rod Wishart and current Gerringong coach and Parramatta legend Michael Cronin. He has managed to create a winning culture through developing a tough mentality in their football style. Whenever opposition teams have been asked why are they so tough to beat, they reply back with a simple message: They just find a way to win. They have built a strong junior base over a long and substantial period of time.

SHELLHARBOUR CITY SHARKS This decorated club has a stellar history, which began with their establishment in 1913 and then their subsequent entrance into the Group 7 competition in 1920. The Shellharbour City Sharks is a proud club, whose history has laid the foundation for contemporary success. A club which participates in a variety of competitions, all with the purpose to develop rugby league talent and provide pathways for their players to achieve success within the game, the Sharks participated in the Ron Massey Cup in 2007 and 2008. They followed this up with their participation in the Illawarra Coal Competition from 2009 to 2013, incredibly acting as a feeder club for the St George Illawarra Dragons in the NSW Cup. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no wonder the Dragons relied on them for junior talent when the Shellharbour City Sharks can boast an alumni roster of the likes of Matt Cooper, Trent Merrin, Dan Hunt & Luke Bailey. We can expect plenty more NRL talent to come out of this proud club in the future.

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| COMPETITION IN FOCUS

THE

TEAMS

MILTON - ULLADULLA BULLDOGS

ALBION PARK â&#x20AC;&#x201C; OAK FLATS EAGLES

After several years in the Group 16 competition, the Milton - Ulladulla Bulldogsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; wish came true when they were finally accepted into the Group 7 competition, after years of petitioning, in the early 1940s. Since their admittance into the competition, the Bulldogs have enjoyed success in all grades, celebrating hard-fought Grand Final victories in 1987, 1989, 2004, 2005 & 2008. Building on early success, the Bulldogs have continued this tradition, with the dominance of their ladies league tag side, winning undefeated, back-to-back minor premierships in recent years.

You can determine how strong a club really is when you notice the effort they put in off the field. The Albion ParkOak Flats Eagles have been one of those clubs, signing up to the NRL State of Mind program, which aims to create awareness for mental illness. The Eagles have supported the Men of League and Kids Help Line foundations raising over $6000 for each foundation in 2016. The club will kick on with the program for 2017 and will hope to add another premiership to their tally of thirteen in the VB South Coast Rugby League competition.

PORT KEMBLA BLACKS

JAMBEROO SUPEROOS

Port Kembla are the newest edition to the Group 7 competition. Before 2012, they had a long and successful history in the Illawarra Coal League, taking out 23 premierships between 1923 and 1965. Their first few seasons in Group 7 became quite difficult for the most northern based side. Fijian international and former South Sydney player James Storer was signed at the start of 2016 as a captain/coach. His impact has transformed the club immensely with a much improved effort on the field as they could be the team to look out for in the coming years.

The Superoos are one of the first clubs to compete in the competition. A population of only a 1000 people, the club has always received the endless support of the entire community. Jamberoo has shown plenty of improvement each season. As their top two grades played finals football and their Ladies League tag took out 2016 premiership, achieving their first lower grade senior premiership in over 20 years. Like many clubs in competition, it is getting stronger each year and could prove to be the benchmark with in the coming years.

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| COMPETITION IN FOCUS

THE

TEAMS

BERRY - SHOALHAVEN MAGPIES

WARILLA LAKE - SOUTH GORILLAS

The Magpies play their home games at one of the most picturesque and historic rugby league grounds in Group 7. Berry Showground has hosted grand finals on and off since 1921, as the Magpies have been a part of the competition since its establishment in 1913. The 1950s and 1960s proved to be a golden time for the men in white and black, as they achieved five premierships from 1952 to 1967. The Magpies have one of the youngest first grade squads in the competition and could prove to be a force to be reckoned with in the coming years.

The Gorillas celebrated their 50th anniversary in style last season, with record home crowds and having one of the best forward packs in the competition. They were runners up in the Group 7 grand final played at Collegian Sporting Complex. The club entered the competition back in 1965 after Cec Glenhomes and Cec Bernasconi were successful in creating a Warilla based rugby league club. Warilla play all their home games at the ground named after the founding member Cec Glenhomes. With the picturesque backdrop of Lake Illawarra, the Warilla contingent can cheer on their side.

NOWRA - BOMADERRY JETS

KIAMA KNIGHTS

Nowra â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Bomaderry Jets were made up of two previous clubs in Group 7. Nowra were known as the warriors enjoying 10 premierships from 1919 to 1996. Bomaderry were known as the swamp rats. In 2007, both teams were threatened by financial bankruptcy, they were faced with the difficult proposition of merging with their cross-town rivals or dissolve.It was decision which was hard to accept at the time but in the long run it has paid massive dividends. In 2014 Nowra-Bomaderry won their first top grade title under the new merged name and now have a team in every senior grade and are looking to build on this success for the future.

On the 30th of May 1914 the Kiama Knights played the first ever south coast rugby league match. Defeating Gerringong 6-3, they established the oldest rivalry in group 7 history. A highly competitive club and one of the best defensive sides in first grade, they pride themselves in developing some of the best junior sides ever seen on the south coast. Their under 18s side went through the entire 2016 season undefeated, taking out the premiership in the process with 26 -10 victory over the Gerringong Lions. Another great breeding ground for NRL players, the Knights have produced the likes Shaun Timmins, the Morris twins and Mitch Rein.

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KIAMA LEAGUES CLUB

Monster Raffles every Friday and Sunday from 5:30pm

Visitors Welcome

Bingo Monday and Thursday @ 10:30am

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Weekly Promotions including Poker and Cash Trivia 109 Terralong Street, Kiama. Phone 4232 1777 For further information visit the club’s website www.kiamaleagues.com.au

Live entertainment every Friday and Saturnday night and Sunday afternoon

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| BLOOD BIN

BLOOD BIN 03

| 01. Michael Ennis, Round 5 Sharks vs Roosters 2015 | 02. Ben Creagh, Round 16 Dragons vs Storm 2014 | 03. Jamie Lyon, Grand Final Manly vs New Zealand 2011 | 04. Jeremy Smith, Round 2 Dragons vs Titans 2009 | 05. Corey Parker, Round 22 Broncos vs New Zealand 2011

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| 80TH MINUTE

28 ISSUE

THE

EVOLUTION OF LEAGUE

t’s perhaps the most iconic image in our game. Norm Provan and Arthur Summons, arm in arm, covered in mud, trudging off the field in the 1963 Grand Final. An image frozen in time but one that burns so brightly as an inspiration to all those who love the game. Rightly selected as the trophy for the National Rugby League, this moment in time captures all that victory is about; the heartache, the failures, the effort and the reward. Rugby league brings people together, whether you win with grace or lose with dignity, this game serves up moments that unite us all. On that day, in 1963, when Provan’s Dragons

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defeated Summons’s Wests –in what turned out to be Wests’ last ever Grand Final appearance - the scoreboard indicated that only one of these men had claimed victory. Yet as they embraced and walked off the field together, it was clear that both men were truly victorious. As we gear up for another scintillating season of rugby league, we know that there will be more moments of heartache and glory; fans and players alike, yearning to satisfy that insatiable desire for victory. But we should never forget to return to what this iconic image teaches us – that satisfaction lies in the effort, not in the attainment, full effort is full victory.