League Queensland - JUNE 2016

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INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

NO BRAINER, FIJI NOT AUSTRALIA REDCLIFFE – ‘I HAD A DREAM’ CNW ‘GOOD GUY’ JOSH MCGUIRE 47TH BATTALION MEMORIAL TROPHY MIGHTY MAGNIFICENT TOOWOOMBA

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CONTENT 6:

Michael Morgan

11: Controversy Corner 18: Dolphin Stadium 15: Herman Ese’ese Happy in Brisbane 23:

CNW “Good Guy” Josh McGuire

28: A Magnet Called Cairns 36: Rugby League Country 46: 47th Battalion Memorial Trophy 52: Confraternity Shield

From the editor

Welcome to our second edition of “League Queensland”. Over the past month I have travelled from Cairns to Brisbane, out to Roma for the 47th Battalion Memorial Trophy and generally seen rugby league in many parts of the state. The recent Australia vs New Zealand test won by the Kangaroos with Paul Gallen taking Man of the Match honours indicates to me that the Origin Series in 2016 will be far from a forgone conclusion as far as Queensland is concerned. I thought that Gallen deserved his award and probably the two best backs in the Australian camp on the night will also be wearing sky blue later in June. Add James Tamou to that mix plus the uncertainty over some of Queensland’s ageing stars and I feel the bookies have got it right giving the blues a slight favourites tag. By the time you read this magazine Origin (1) could be over so I’ll stick my head out and predict a “Maroons Victory” with the Blues winning Origin (1) and Queensland taking out (2) and (3). The Blues are on a roll with victories in the Residents game, Under 16 and Under 18 National Finals all played in Brisbane. Towards the end of June Origin (2) will be played in Brisbane with our Queensland Under 18 team playing the curtain-raiser.

Townsville must be congratulated on their winning the Cyril Connell and Mal Meninga Cups for the second year and with their Cowboys and Blackhawks flying high are certainly the regional hot-spot at the moment. On the NRL front any club CEO who saw the Cowboys vs Broncos epic on the 20th May must be shaking their heads wondering what they can do to stop another ‘Queensland Own’ Grand Final. Two wonderful teams playing like it was a grand final. Yes, a few mistakes were made but that made the game a better contest as it proved even the very best are human.

Around the state we have seen the Central Divisions 47th Battalion Memorial Trophy played for in Roma with the Sunshine Coast taking home the men’s and women’s finals while selection trials for the South East Queensland teams were held in Ipswich. In June there will be a record 48 teams travelling to Rockhampton to play in the Confraternity Shield which has been a stepping-stone for many Internationals including Johnathan Thurston, Ben Hunt, Matt Scott, Julian O’Neill and others.

Regards

Publisher: League Queensland is wholly owned by Tony and Carmel Price. ABN: 1508728009.

COPYRIGHT 2016 by Tony Price, all rights reserved.

Editor: Tony Price E: tony@leaguequeensland.com.au P: 0427 451 913 A: 34 Faust Street, Proserpine, Qld. 4800 Subeditor: Simon Price Information and Advertising: Carmel Price P: 0439 675 325 E: admin@leaguequeensland.com.au Graphic Art: Kassi Cartia E: kassi@kartiadesigns.com.au www.kartiadesigns.com.au Printed by: Crystal Media T: 07 3356 0788 E: crystal@crystalmedia.com.au A: Unit 7/ 36 Windorah Street, Stafford, Qld. 4053 www.crystalmedia.com.au Digital version at leaguequeensland.com.au, available two weeks after printed release.

On the cover: Brisbane Under 20 Player, Offa Finau, Sam Anderson (Redcliffe),2016 Sunshine Coast team, 1954 Far North Queensland team.

Disclaimer:

All material contained in this publication is subject to copyright and may not be reproduced, in part or in whole without written permission of the editor. Whilst the greatest care is taken to ensure that the information in the magazine is correct at the time of going to press, readers are advised to check latest information before visiting. The publisher cannot accept responsibility for errors, inaccuracies or omissions. As it is not possible to ensure that the advertisements which are published in this magazine comply with the Act the responsibility must, therefore, be on the person, company or advertising agency submitting the advertisements for publication.

The views expressed within League Queensland are not necessarily the views of the publisher, but those of individual writers.

Tony Price, Editor

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FAVOURITE

SON SAM THAIDAY

TELL Sam Thaiday he is the 2.0 version of himself and he laughs and says “more like 0.2”.

“Also with the new interchange rules this year (reduction to eight) there will be more tired forwards around the middle that a pass or offload can tire.”

FAVOURITE That is a sign of the humility that has allowed Thaiday to be a bench star since Wayne Bennett returned to the Broncos.

Few Origin veterans put up with playing off the bench.

Thaiday returned to his best football in May.

He is a new model of himself with Bennett encouraging the 30-year-old to use his footballing instincts again.

Thaiday had become a battering ram in an ageing body.

Like a star centre who one year realises he can no longer beat his man on the outside, Thaiday has had to adapt his strategies to remain effective.

For a forward with the engine of the Townsville-raised Thaiday that means re-introducing creativity to his game.

A schoolboy five-eighth and goal kicker, the 108 kilogram Thaiday has revisited his junior days.

“Wayne has just given some of us forwards a bit more freedom and range to attack,” Thaiday said.

“I wouldn’t go as far as saying we have a license or anything but myself and a couple of others are being allowed to showcase our skill more.

“Instead of just bashing it up and trying to gain some metres, it might be more effective for me to at times promote the ball with another pass.

“I need to be able to play what’s in front of me more. With my ageing body I can’t just play the way I always have. I have to be smarter.

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Being a bench player in the modern NRL isn’t the insult it used to be but still you need to be very competitive to make it in the NRL and competitive players aren’t interested in warming the bench.

Thaiday received two starting positions in a row in early May when Alex Glenn was injured and the backrower performed well enough against Cronulla and Manly to keep the spot for Brisbane’s epic clash with the Cowboys in Townsville which the Broncos lost to a Johnathan Thurston field goal.

Even after the Manly game, coach Bennett stated that Thaiday would remain on the bench.

“He’s a chance but probably not,” Bennett said when.

“Sam has been playing well in the last four or five weeks. He is in good form.

“Like so many of the players here, they are team-oriented blokes that accept what the team needs ... he’s a guy who’s played over 200 games and we are happy to have him here.”

Bennett obviously decided Thaiday’s team-first mantra was worthy to start with after all as he changed his mind five days later.

Thaiday could be the rare NRL player who spends more time on the field during State of Origin than the NRL. – BRUCE JOHN

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“If you don’t have a job by Friday you’re working for me!”

HE just might be the embodiment of a dream once held by generations of Townsville rugby league players and administrators. A local junior who made the big time, and he did all of it from home. But when you meet Michael Morgan for the first time you cannot help but be captivated by his humble nature. Maybe it has something to do with his upbringing, or the fact he once prepared to spend life straight after school working throughout the day for his old man. Yep, the man who is now a State of Origin incumbent and newly minted Test player was once a high school graduate who, like all school leavers, took his first tentative steps in the real world with some uncertainty about the future. “He was allowed to go off on ‘Schoolies’ celebrations, and after that he spent a week looking for a job,” Morgan’s dad Ross said.

“He walked into sports stores and places like Super Cheap Auto asking for a job. He came home one of those afternoons and I asked him ‘have you got a job yet?’ and he looks at me and says ‘not yet’. So I said ‘if you don’t have a job

by Friday you’re coming to work with me at my business’. So there he was the next week working under trucks, working for me. It was about six weeks later that (former Cowboys’ coach) Neil Henry called wanting to make him fulltime…he wasn’t working for me anymore.”

Morgan formed a lethal halves combination with New Zealand junior representative Michael Parker-Walshe in the Cowboys’ under-20s, and it was his form there that earned Morgan an NRL debut at the age of 18. But the story starts well before then, with Morgan playing his first games for Townsville Brothers aged 6, and he earned his first team captaincy for Townsville’s Marian Catholic Primary School, where he attended from preschool to the end of Year 7. He then went through secondary school at Townsville league nursery Ignatius Park College, which has other notable NRL alumni including Aidan Guerra, Cowboys’ teammate Kyle Feldt and former State of Origin playmaker Scott Prince.

“I think what I learned most from my upbringing here is that you have to work hard to realise your goals,” Morgan said.

“Plenty of people supported me along the way including my family, my junior coaches, teachers…there’s a lot of people to thank. There were times when it got challenging but I had plenty of people around me to keep me going. Townsville is my home and I’m proud to represent the region, and we’re always grateful to the fans who travel from across the region to support us.”

Morgan is part of a rugby league family, with his brothers Ben and Daniel playing in the Townsville and Districts Rugby League competition for Brothers and University respectively.

The eldest sibling of the family, Melissa, is also an avid supporter with a love of league, while his cousin Gene Morgan plays in the Townsville rugby union competition for Teachers West. The family lineage includes Morgan’s great-grandfather Duncan McIvor, who played for Queensland in 1915 and was a highly regarded Townsville forward. “My wife Sue and I are very proud of all our children,” Ross said. “Michael has achieved a lot but his sister and brothers are always there to pull him into line, not that they have to do much of that.

“We try and go to every game we can and we went to his Test debut and that was another special experience, and hopefully he can keep his body intact during Origin and finish the year well again.” The teenager who once handed in his resume to various Townsville shops has become a Townsville favourite and a dream spokesman for Townsville and the surrounding region. His phenomenal talent and inspiring climb to the top is sure to set an example for countless North Queensland juniors for many years to come, but Morgan deflects any talk of him being a rugby league superstar. I’m just happy to be doing the best I can for my club, and if the team is doing well the representative rewards come with it,” Morgan said. “The goal is to keep being consistent and putting in that effort for the team week in, week out, and if I’m doing that and keep enjoying my footy I’ll be happy.”

Image: SMP Photos 6

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ORIGIN OUTLOOK WANT to know the real reason why the Blues have only won a single series in nine years?

“If they start taking risks they will start getting playing better but I still hope they lose.”

Chris “Choppy” Close, a Maroons legend, has the answer.

Queensland have picked conservatively this year too, the major difference being they are coming off a 52-6 massacre of the Blues in Game Three last year. Two out of form players in Aidan Guerra and Nate Myles were selected for Game One but otherwise every player is performing very well in the NRL.

“They have got their selections wrong for a decade because they refuse to take risks,” Close said.

The Blues team named for Game One was again a safe side with the favourites picked in almost all positions except for the Blues bench where underperforming Manly utility Dylan Walker got a start. Otherwise there’s Matt Moylan at fullback rather than the inform Lachlan Coote.

Bryce Cartwright was named as a development player and Tyson Frizell was named as 18th man. Tyrone Peachy, a true X-factor, was omitted as was Broncos speedster James Roberts.

Close knows what does and doesn’t make a good Origin team.

He was man of the match in the first two Origin games and then spent several years as a team manager.

“I really think the Blues have picked the wrong players for almost every game in the past eight or ten years,” Close said.

“They always go safe and don’t pick the players who can break a game apart.

“I just think that’s where they have lost it, at the selection table. If you don’t pick the right players then what hope have you got of winning.

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The Blues have picked several out of form players including Moylan, Blake Ferguson, Greg Bird, Michael Jennings and Robbie Farrah. To be fair to the Blues, Queensland’s depth has never been better.

Even with eight players banned because of breaking curfew in the Emerging Maroons camp there are quality players like Jacob Lillyman and Gavin Cooper missing out.

Of the eight players banned, only Valentine Holmes, Anthony Milford and Dylan Napa would have been in selection contention.

Milford would have been difficult to find room for though as Michael Morgan has been playing very well and was excellent last year off the bench coming on at lock and backrow.

Queensland’s halves depth is at an all-time high. Beyond Cooper Cronk and Johnathan Thurston, there is Morgan, Milford and Ben Hunt plus Corey Norman, Daly Cherry-Evans, Moses Mbye, Ash Taylor and Kane Elgey.

Close praised the work of former coach Mal Meninga for creating the depth.

Queensland’s depth has been continually improving over recent years and Meninga and the Maroons’ program need to be given credit for that dynasty because of the work they have done for the next generation to flourish, Close said.

“I think we have an amazing array of players to pick from and have for the past five or six years.

“Having said that, the guys who were playing before this era need credit too because they may not have been as talented but they played their heart out and gave it their all.”

Origin Game One kicked off on June 1.

– BRUCE JOHN Image: SMP Photos

THEY HAVE GOT THEIR SELECTION WRONG FOR A DECADE Image: SMP Photos

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SUPPORTING REGIONAL COMMUNITIES

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MY FIRST DISAGREEMENT with the topic of what jersey at Origin Level or International Level a player should be wearing goes back to 1995 when Adrian Lam was selected to play for Queensland after playing test rugby league for Papua New Guinea. Our administrators seem to change their minds to suit the occasion and as long as we do that International Rugby League will be the loser. Lam was a current New Guinea International, born in New Guinea but Queensland needed a half-back so in their hour of need principal went out the window and Lam became a Queenslander.

It should be the aspiration of every young rugby league player to represent their country and if that country happens to be France, England, New Zealand, New Guinea, Fiji, Samoa or Australia that is where their allegiance should stay. Jumping fences for pure financial gain should be stamped out by the highest authority in the game and if finance is the problem the cash-rich NRL should ensure that every International Rugby League player gets paid the same.

The latest incident when Semi Radradra was selected to play for Australia is simply wrong. What can rugby league on the international stage hope to gain from the decision? Neither Australia nor New Zealand would miss out on a place in a World Cup Final if the selection of Radradra was the deciding issue as both have quality wingers in abundance while the selection of the talented Eels winger in a Fijian team which is no longer a possibility could have seen them competitive. Radradra has played rugby league for Fiji and simply came to Australia like hundreds of others to better his career. I don’t blame Radradra and the other quality Fijian players in the NRL, Intrust Super Cup or any other competition for looking after “Number One” but I say that if the NRL has to pay these players to represent their country of birth, so be it.

There are two New Zealand born and bred International forwards playing for the North Queensland Cowboys. One played for the New Zealand Maori team in 2008 and 2010 after playing for the Junior Kiwis in 2007.

He was selected in the New Zealand train-on squad for the 2011 Four Nations series but never made the final cut. He now plays for Australia!!

The other toured Australia with a New Zealand Under 16 team and, after being headhunted by Kirwan High School, went on to play for Queensland Under 18 and Australian School Boys. He now plays for New Zealand!! Can you work it out?

I was bought up in the era when Australia started their rugby league domination and watched the 1970 English team defeat Australia for the last time back in 1970. It was a great tour with crowds flocking to games all over the country. England, France and New Zealand were all dominant rugby league countries in the period immediately after the Second World War and in fact a ‘World Team’ selected in 1961 could not beat England. England won the World Cup in a bruising encounter against Australia in 1971 but has never looked like defeating Australian since as the cream of their talent has played in the NRL. Immediately following the World Cup champions like Tommy Bishop, Cliff Watson and Roger Millward signed with Australian clubs and from the mid 1970’s onwards the crowds have dropped off at International level simply because the ‘Old Country’ is not competitive.

Justin Hodges mentioned in a recent article that during his playing career the pinnacle as a player was ‘Origin’. I suggest that with no disrespect to Justin Hodges that is sad as the pinnacle in any sport should be representing your country. I actually don’t know how a player in any sport can feel good about playing for one country against your country of birth. I’ll admit many astute judges don’t seem to think it matters but if we don’t protect the idea of playing for your country I suggest we get rid of International Rugby League at all levels and just play competitions like the New Zealand Maori vs Indigenous All Stars, Australia vs Combined South-Sea Islands (PNG, Fiji, Tonga, Samoa), New Zealand vs Europe (England, Wales, France) etc.

In October and November this year an Australian team coached by Mal Meninga will play a Great Britain team coached by Wayne Bennett. That’s a great start to getting the International game right but never forget the little people who love to see their countries colours on display and after all, winning is not everything.

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THE I N T R U ST SUPER CUP

The Pride’s Javid Bowen Image: Courtesy Northern Pride

THE Intrust Super Cup has reached an interesting stage following eleven rounds plus a week off for the Queensland Residents game. The Blackhawks as expected with their roster are leading the competition with nine wins, a draw and a loss and are also the best attacking team (34.18 points a game) and best defending team (14.9). A clear example of their all-round strength is the fact that none of their players feature in the top points scorers in the Intrust Super Cup but their Jonathon Reuben is 1st leading Burleigh’s Kurtis Rowe in the try scoring. Included in the Blackhawks season has been a loss to the Hunters in PNG and a draw with Burleigh away showing that they certainly don’t travel as well as they play at home. No doubt the team to beat in 2016.

Burleigh are sitting in 2nd spot with eight wins and a draw including their last round win against the Pride in Atherton.

While they can score points with Jemal Fogarty leading the competition on 120 they need to tighten their defence to worry the Blackhawks as they have six teams with a better defensive record.

The Hunters have lost to the Sunshine Coast Falcons, Burleigh and Capras away but have kept their impressive home ground intact. They are the only team to defeat the Blackhawks this season and with a miserly 17 points a game conceded are one of the better defensive teams in the competition. Their Achilles heel is their attack which is only the 8th best in the competition.

Kim Williams at the Capras has improved their team from 2015 but after two strong wins on the road against Burleigh and Souths-Logan must have been disappointed with their effort in Townsville against the Blackhawks. They scored two tries midway through the first half to narrow the score to 12/10 but with Hezron Murga and Noel Underwood scoring doubles the game slipped out of the Capras reach. The Capras came back with a vengeance in round 11 defeating the highly rated PNG Hunters at Browne Park 27/20 to move into outright 7th spot.

The Falcons are currently in 8th spot with the Falcons defending their line at the same rate as they attack. They have a minus 1 point’s differential after 11 rounds so Chris Flannery has to either stiffen their defence or create more activity around their attack for them to threaten the top-ofthe-table teams. They have defeated Burleigh and PNG this season so have the ability to mix it with the leaders.

Wynnum have jumped several spots in the last month and following their 30/16 victory over Tweed Heads now sit in 9th spot. The started the season with six consecutive defeats but have now won four in a row. They have home games over the next two rounds so the Seagulls faithful could see them climb further up the ladder. The Tweed Heads Seagulls sit in 10th position with four wins and a bye but their last round defeat has endangered their season. They play Norths and Ipswich in their next two games before running into competition heavy-weights Easts Tigers and Burleigh in rounds 14 and 15.

Easts Tigers are currently in 4th spot on the ladder with six wins a draw and three losses but face Townsville (home), Burleigh (away) and Sunshine Coast (away) in the next three rounds.

There are only two teams with a better attacking record while their defence is the fourth best in the competition. Billy Walters on 102 points is the 2nd best point’s scorer year to date. Redcliffe have moved into clear 5th spot following their impressive 52/10 over Norths at Dolphin Oval. They have six wins and four losses and the second best defence in the Intrust Cup only conceding 17 points a game.

Souths Logan have moved into 11th spot but Josh Hannay would not be happy with their 16/16 draw with the Falcons after their convincing win over Norths the previous week. The Magpies have one of the better attacking teams in the competition with only Burleigh, Easts Tigers and the Blackhawks above them but Hannay who was one of the best defensive centres in the NRL hasn’t taught them how to tackle. They have leaked a terrible 28 points a game which is only bettered by the hapless Mackay Cutters and 2015 premiers Ipswich.

The Pride are struggling after going down to Burleigh in round 11 and have dropped to 6th on the ladder. The Pride’s Khan Ahwang is sitting in third spot in the Intrust Super Cups point scorers for the season on 100 while Javid Bowen with eight tries for the season sits in second spot.

Norths are in 12h spot with three wins and a draw following their terrible 52/10 defeat at the hands of Redcliffe at Dolphin Oval while Ipswich have continued their fall from grace losing to Easts 52/20 at North Ipswich Oval. The glamour team of

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the 2015 competition who took the Australian title have only beaten one semi-final contender which was the Falcons while having a staggering 27 points a game scored against them.

The Mackay Cutters who only three seasons ago won the Intrust Super Cup are easily the worst performing team in the competition with a solitary two point win against Ipswich to their credit and a defensive blimp which is basically 100 points worse than the average of the competition. Their 11th round 52/8 loss to the Townsville Blackhawks has taken their season tally to a minus 193 points. Clearly the Cutters have to look at 2017 with some concern.

Late in May it was sad to see a serious knee injury put the Blackhawks Neville Costigan out of the game. A player who put his heart on his sleeve he gave his all in a career that spanned 15 seasons of top-flight rugby league the colourful Papua New Guinea International done it all. He played for his country of birth six times, made six Origin appearances for Queensland, won an NRL Grand Final for St George/Illawarra and travelled the world playing the game he loved. Costigan was a Mackay Wests junior who played 169 NRL games with four different clubs before departing for the English Super League where he notched up another 24 games before returning to North Queensland to play for the Blackhawks in 2015.

Neville Costigan was a key player in Queensland’s resurgence as an Origin power-house playing six games from 2007 – 2010.

The Queensland vs New South Wales Residents clash this year was won by the Blues 30/16 to record their first victory since 2013. The southern victory was never in doubt and the six tries to three was a good indication of the superiority of the visitors. Big New South Wales winger Ken Maumalo was basically unstoppable and his three try effort bought back memories of Israel Falou in full-flight. Although the NSW halfback Josh Drinkwater was the official Man of the Match there was no better player on the field than Queensland’s lockforward Jai Arrow who made 50 tackles and ran the ball 15 times in his 73 minutes on the field.

The Maroons were in trouble early when they put pressure on themselves with unforced errors and by the 11th minute big Ken Maumalo had stamped his authority on the game with two great wingers tries and an 8/0 lead. Queensland then composed themselves and the Blackhawks fullback Jahrome

Hughes scored near the post to give half-back Darren Nicholls an easy conversion. The Blues were the next to score with Asipeli Fine going in and former Queensland Residents fiveeight Shaun Nona now wearing a blue jumper converted the try from the sideline to take his team to 14/6. Once again the home team attacked and Jack Svenden scored to narrow the gap to 14/10.

The opening minutes of the second session were all New South Wales as their fullback Justin Hunt combined with Drinkwater to score. The everreliable Nona added the extras so at 20/10 the game was slipping away from Queensland. Queensland simply made too many errors and the Blues were quick to capitalize scoring another two tries through Maumalo (his 3rd) and Dylan Kelly. Nona missed the first conversion but nailed the second from the sideline to take the Blues into unstoppable territory at 30/10 with 15 minutes on the clock. Queensland scored the last try of the game when Cameron Cullen combined to send Darren Nicholls in for his second try but at 30/16 it had been an impressive New South Wales victory. “League Queensland’s” best on ground was Jai Arrow for Queensland followed by Herman Ese’ese, Jack Svendsen, Anthony Mitchell and Sam Anderson while Drinkwater, Abraham Papalili, Ken Maumalo and Elijah Taylor went well for the winners.

New South Wales Residents 30 (Ken Maumalo 3, Asipeli Fine, Josh Drinkwater, Dylan Kelly tries; Shaun Nona 3 goals) def Queensland Residents 16 (Jahrome Hughes, Jack Svendsen, Darren Nicholls tries; Darren Nicholls 2 goals) at Langlands Park. Man of Match: Josh Drinkwater (New South Wales).

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HAPPY IN BRISBANE BIG HERMAN ESE’ESE

Image: SMP Photos

IN the hipster suburb of West End a front-row juggernaut was crafted. Surrounded by the Brisbane River on one side and chic Cafes with allegedly inspirational quotes on blackboards outside them.

It is an odd place to shape the future of the Broncos but that’s what the Souths Logan Magpies did with Herman Ese’ese. The 108 kilogram prop arrived in Brisbane late last year a despondent figure wondering if he really wanted to be an NRL player.

At the Bulldogs he was part of their next generation meant to graduate into the team this season and make a fearsome bench weapon alongside David Klemmer. He wasn’t happy in Sydney though and wasn’t happy in the Bulldogs team.

A drink driving charge was the eventual result and he quickly realised he needed to return to Brisbane where he spent his teenage years as a standout at Wavell State High.

The Broncos were immediately interested in signing Ese’ese when he arrived but for his welfare it was decided he would work his way up through Souths Logan. So during intense sessions with the Magpies Ese’ese found his mojo again.

He graduated to the Broncos in December and was highly impressive at training. He began the year playing for the Magpies and after a couple of slow games, he dominated from round three through to six.

He was the best player on the park in those games, regularly making more than 180 metres for his side. Broncos coaches knew they had something special though in April. With Alex Glenn injured for a clash with the Rabbitohs at Suncorp Stadium, Ese’ese was in line to debut alongside fringe props Frank Molo and Keegan Hipgrave.

At training that week, the 21-year-old Ese’ese was lined up alongside Josh McGuire for a tackling drill and Ese’ese absolutely thumped the Australian and Queensland star.

It drew oohs and ahhhs from journalists and trainers watching and the two bulls went at it for the rest of the session ripping into each as steel sharpened steel. The message was blunt from Ese’ese. I am good enough for the NRL. “Like a lot of young kids who move to Sydney to further their NRL careers he just wasn’t suited to that lifestyle,” his manager Simon Mamino said.

“He is a really good guy Herman and he just needed to be back in Brisbane.

“His family has now moved up here to support him and everything is working out really well.”

“The Broncos have been really good to him and he enjoys working with Wayne Bennett and the coaching staff there.

“He will hopefully get some games during the Origin and press his case for the team.”

– BRUCE JOHN LEAGUEQUEENSLAND.COM.AU

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AARON

PAYNE RUGBY LEAGUE IN THE BLOOD

RUGBY league is in Aaron Payne’s blood, and so is North Queensland so when curtains fell on his 219-game NRL career he just had to stay involved, and that passion has now made him one of the most important figures in North Queensland when it comes to putting talent on the right path.

Payne, 33, is coach of the North Queensland Cowboys’ under20s team - his first ever role as a team coach - and so far he is enjoying a dream debut, with his young Cowboys sitting third on the Holden Cup table after Round 10. Under Payne’s watch are some of rugby league’s brightest prospects, including highly rated teenage fullback Kalyn Ponga, captain Coen Hess who made his NRL for the Cowboys last year – and all-time NYC single-season try-scoring record holder Gideon Gela-Mosby.

The Cowboys life member is a born and bred North Queenslander, having grown up in Townsville where he played junior football for Centrals Tigers. Payne’s father Mark played Foley Shield for Townsville and earned North Queensland jumpers in 1975 and 1976, and went through the grades at the now defunct Estates club. Payne himself won three Foley Shield grand finals playing for Townsville before making his first grade debut in 2002. He was a beneficiary of the region’s status as a rugby league nursery, having first linked with the Cowboys as a scholarship holder during his early years at Kirwan State High School, and he always wanted to give something back.

Starting off-field work at the Cowboys as game day development officer, Payne went through the ranks to spend 2014 and 2015 overseeing the club’s academy program, which has seen 12 players join North Queensland’s NYC squad this year.

But he just had to make the leap to fulltime coaching. “I am really enjoying coaching and the relationship I have with our young players,” Payne said. “There is a fair bit of pressure involved, but there was pressure in my previous job as a player too, so it’s not completely different. I think playing rugby league gives you a good platform for coaching, especially at a level when you’re under a fair bit of pressure. And when you’re a senior player in the side you are a coach of sorts because you are always guiding the younger boys around.”

Payne achieved plenty during his first-grade career, most notably a run-on role in the 2005 grand final against the Wests Tigers. As fate would have it, Payne took over the reins of 16

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Image: Courtesy North Queensland Register

the Cowboys’ under-20s coaching position from former West Tigers’ second rower Todd Payten, who played in the 2005 decider. Payne is following a class act, with Payten a highly regarded under-20s coach who led the young Tigers to the 2012 NYC premiership in his first year coaching. “Todd’s a great coach and he certainly has a way of getting the best out of young players,” Payne said.

“He certainly put our under-20s in a healthy place and they are big shoes to fill, but I like to think I’m doing my best.”

Payne appears to be doing exactly that.

The Cowboys’ under-20s held a 7-3 win-loss ledger by the middle of May and had strung together the consecutive wins, the last coming in the form of a 44-38 thriller against the Melbourne Storm. Kalyn Ponga again created buzz with an 80m second half try, wrong footing the Melbourne halfback before making a break up the middle and palming away a defender.

He then finished the solo effort with a last gasp lunge at the line after being sent to ground by a scrambling Melbourne player.

Ponga receives arguably the greatest media attention of any teenage rugby league player, certainly in Queensland anyway, but Payne said the talented youngster still had a long way to go. “That individual try he scored was exceptional,” Payne said.

“But he probably didn’t have one of his better games for us, and he still has a lot to work on.”

Payne is not the only member of his family working at the Cowboys, with younger brother Dean now the club’s corporate partnership manager after first working for the Cowboys in an off-field capacity in 2008 as their player development manager. Youngest brother Brady, who like Aaron and Dean also played for the Young Guns, is now a product manager with a Brisbane-based company. Payne has no intention of joining the corporate world like his siblings any time soon though. He is a rugby league man through and through. “The Cowboys gave me an opportunity that I’ll always be thankful for,’ Payne said. “I think it definitely helps in this role when you’re from the area, and I love North Queensland. I definitely can see myself coaching for a long time to come.”

– MICK THOMAS

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17

I HAD A DREAM

THE REDCLIFFE DISTRICT RUGBY LEAGUE CLUB THERE are those that dream and it comes to nothing and there are those that dream and through hard work and dedication their dream comes to life and so it has for the hard working committee at the Redcliffe Dolphins. There is no dispute that the Redcliffe Leagues Club complex is the envy of the Brisbane Rugby League with their magnificent Leagues Club, great grounds and shopping complex at their door but it came from a lot of blood, sweat and tears over many years.

We had a Dream to build a Stadium What started back in the late 1940’s was a foundation of a family club that has stood the test of time and through good times and bad has grown. While some Brisbane clubs could not weather the storm of the late 1980’s Redcliffe silently prospered and in the 21st Century made the decision to create a stadium as good as any in Brisbane apart from Suncorp Stadium.

The support of the Redcliffe community has been paramount in this venture with Alan Sutherland the Mayor of the Moreton Bay Regional Council, the Federal Member for Petrie Luke Howarth and the local newspaper “Redcliffe and Bayside Herald” big supporters of the project. Since the end of 2014, a public campaign by the “Herald” was taken up by Howarth, 18

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both long-time supporters of the Dolphins. The Moreton Bay Regional Council committed $3million to the project and after a petition was handed to the Federal Government by Mr Howarth which was signed by 1800 people a further $4million was promised. The stadium will be built in stages until further funding is secured.

Our Best Redcliffe Team

By League Queensland Fullback Ian ‘Bunny’ Pearce Winger John Ribot Centre Chris Close Centre Peter Leis Winger Kevin Yow Yeh 5/8 Trevor Benson ½ Back Mark Murray Lock Ian Thinee 2nd Row Bryan Neibling 2nd Row Wally Fullerton-Smith Prop Arthur Beetson Hooker Greg Conescu Prop Petro Civoniceva

Redcliffe District Rugby League Football Club chief executive Tony Murphy said the club was grateful for the $4 million in Federal Government funding. “We’re really happy with that.

Luke Howarth’s worked really hard on this because he can see it will create jobs for the Peninsula. Already, the Dolphins precinct is the second biggest employer on the Redcliffe Peninsula. The upgrade will generate hundreds of additional jobs — not only construction positions but also new, ongoing jobs in hospitality, marketing, cleaning and maintenance,” he said.

“The new stadium will be able to accommodate 10,000 people.

There will be covered seating, upgraded change rooms and a recreation area for schools and junior player camps. Sports teams and their fans won’t be the only beneficiaries. The upgrade is part of a long-term plan to create a precinct on Brisbane’s northside that will be able to host concerts and trade shows.”

Later this month The Redcliffe Dolphins dream of a stadium at Dolphin Oval becomes a reality when their magnificent new Grandstand will be opened. The soon-to-be-named stand will be the first part of a 10,000+ state of the art facility on the Redcliffe Peninsula adjacent to the magnificent Redcliffe Leagues Club. While some Brisbane rugby league clubs are struggling the Redcliffe Dolphins are skimming across the waves both on and off the field.

After ten rounds of the Intrust Super Cup the Dolphins, coached by Adam Mogg, are the 2nd best performing of the Brisbane based clubs sitting in 5th spot on the ladder with five wins from nine games and a positive 54 points differential.

The construction of the new stadium has forced the Dolphins to play all their games away from home so apart from great days at Southpine and Burpengary they have played seven away games. This means that the run into the finals in front of a pumped-up home crowd looks good for the Dolphins.

The Dolphins Fogs Colts are currently leading the competition with eight wins from nine games and a positive point’s differential of 142. Their Reece Braun leads the points scoring on 88.

The Dolphins 2nd Division team are sitting in 4th spot with three wins from five games while their Tyson Gamble leads the point scoring and was one of nine Dolphins players selected in the SouthEast Queensland training squad for the Divisional Championships in June.

Redcliffe are a proud club although they have only played in the Brisbane competition as an A Grade e n t i t y since

1960. The club was founded on the 27th February 1947 with colourful Brisbane bookmaker Bill McLeod the first patron and one of the main instigators to establish the club. Others heavily involved in the early days were Hughie Harvey, Tom Maule, Cliff Benson, Bill Higham, Dave Baldwin and Bill Richardson. One interesting note in the minutes of the First Annual Meeting was the election of all publicans and bookmakers on the Peninsula as Vice-Presidents.

The Redcliffe club found almost instant success with their Under 17’s defeating Cribb Island in the Grand Final of the Sandgate Suburban League while the reserve grade also won the flag defeating Sandgate 10/5 after having to play two Grand Finals that both went into extra time. 100 minutes one week and 100 minutes the next week, no wonder players like ‘golden-point’. One of their premiership winning Under 17 players from 1947, Jim Martin played 18 seasons for Redcliffe, most in 1st grade before retiring in 1964.

Redcliffe were very competitive in the Sandgate Suburban League going through the 1948 season undefeated with Bobbie Williamson as player-coach and by the end of the 1949 season had joined the North Coast League, playing teams from Woodford, Brisbane All Blacks, Aspley/Bald Hills, Sandgate, Zillmere, Pine Rivers and Dayboro.

By the middle of the 1950’s the standard of play had improved to the extent that Redcliffe moved into the Geraghty Cup which they won in 1954, 55 and 56. In 1958 Dick ‘Tosser’ Turner arrived at the club as coach of the Under 16 team which played in the Brisbane Junior Rugby League competition. This foot-inthe-door soon expanded and by 1959 due to the persistence of officials like Don McLennan and following the appointment of former Australian fullback Ken McCrohon as coach the club had Under 16, third and reserve grade playing in the Brisbane competition. Ken had played eight games for Queensland between 1956 and 1957 and made his one test appearance for Australia on the 9th June 1956 against New Zealand on the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Ken McCrohon made an immediate impact with Redcliffe taking them to the 1959 reserve grade premiership by defeating Souths 14/8. McCrohon, playing in the centres, kicked two goals while fullback Jack Charlesworth, winger Kevin Benson (2) and Dick Boxsell scored tries.

Northern Suburbs moved a motion on the 19th November 1959 to have Redcliffe allowed into the Brisbane Competition granting it full district status. The motion was passed unanimously and on the 2nd April 1960 Redcliffe led by Ken McCrohon played their inaugural first grade game against Souths at Davies Park. McCrohon also won the 1960 and 1961 “Courier Mail Best and Fairest” award. Since that day in 1960 the mighty Redcliffe Dolphins have played in 18 Brisbane or Queensland Cup Grand Finals, winning in 1965, 1994, 1997, 2000, 2002, 2003 and 2006 while taking the runner-up mantel in 1973, 1975, 1977, 1981, 1983, 1987, 1996, 1999, 2001, 2007 and 2012. Despite losing the 1996 Queensland Cup they won the BRL crown.

Redcliffe’s Shane Pumipi Image: SMP Photos

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Two of Redcliffe’s best in 1965 – Col Weier (headgear) and the legendary Kevin Yow Yeh addition of the magical Kevin Yow Yeh playing against Valleys Image: Courtesy Redcliffe Rugby League

During the 1961 season Bob Gehrke became Redcliffe’s first international when he toured New Zealand with the Australian team. Bob never played a test on the tour but the tough hooker did play eight games for Queensland.

Possibly the greatest coup in the history of the Redcliffe club was the signing of a young Arthur Beetson from Roma in 1964. The big centre thrived under the coaching of former International Henry Holloway and went from a classy centre into the greatest front-row forward Australia has seen. Redcliffe made the semifinals in 1963/1964 but with the addition of the magical Kevin Yow Yeh in 1965 they went one step further and on the 11th September 1965 the mighty Redcliffe Dolphins won their first premiership in the big grade, defeating Valleys 15/2 in front of 25,253 people.

Kevin Yow Yeh was the star of the day scoring two tries for the Dolphins while his centre partner Trevor Harken who would tour New South Wales with the 1969 Queensland team scored the other.

Stuart Northey (2) and “Big” Henry kicked goals. Young Arthur Beetson won the 1965 “Courier Mail Best and Fairest” award for the best player in the Brisbane competition.

The 1966 season saw Beetson and Yow Yeh playing for Balmain with both figuring in the New South Wales selection trials.

Beetson was selected in a NSW forward pack that contained Australian players John Raper, Dick Thornett, Ron Crowe, Ian Walsh and Kevin Ryan and was later selected in the Australian team to play Great Britain in the 2nd Test at Lang Park. “Big Arti” was forced to withdraw because of injury but on the 23rd July 1966 made his test debut on the Sydney Cricket Ground in the 3rd and deciding test won 19/14 by Australia. The immortal Arthur Beetson would go onto play 14 tests for Australia, tour with the 1973 Kangaroos, play in the 1968 and 1972 World Cups, 1975 and 1977 World Series, win premierships in 1974 and 1975 with Eastern Suburbs in Sydney and proudly lead Queensland onto the field in the twilight of a great career in the first ever Origin game.

Redcliffe came of age as a club both on and off the field in the 1970’s playing in losing grand finals in 1973, 1975 and 1977 but the quality of the player had improved dramatically.

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Former Australian player Ken Day coached the club in 1972 and Steven Crear represented Queensland from the club. The signing of colourful former Australian half-back Barry Muir as coach in 1973 saw a new aggressive attitude at Redcliffe and players like Ian Thinee (1971 Ira Berk Award), Rod Halley, Forrester Grayson, John Barber, Steve Bullow (1975 Ira Berk Award), Tony Obst, Peter Leis, Robin Orchard, Ron Raper, Chris Anderson, Ian Pierce (1978 Rothmans Medal and Courier Mail Best and Fairest), Brian Gardiner and Terry Donnelly played for Queensland under his watch.

A classic example of getting better with age applied to Tony Obst who made his Queensland debut in 1972 and played five games for his state before the end of the 1976 season. Obst eventually played 230 games for the Dolphins including the 1973, 1975, 1977 and 1981 Grand Finals but his finest season was 1980 when he won the Rothmans Medal, Courier Mail Best and Fairest, Rugby League Week Award, Pacific Land and Homes Award plus his clubs Best and Fairest.

Off the paddock the energetic Dick ‘Tosser’ Turner, Eric Keam, Kevin Simpson, Des Webb and Don McLennan led a committee that got things done and over the next ten years they established the Redcliffe Leagues Club and leased a portion of Talobilla Park and by the mid-1970’s the Dolphin Oval at Klingner Road was underway.

In 1977 the club appointed one of their favourite sons, Ian ‘Bunny’ Pearce as captain/coach and the likeable Pearce took his team to the Grand Final only to lose 17/13 to Easts.

On a personal note ‘Bunny’ Pearce had a remarkable season winning the Rothmans Medal, Courier Mail best and Fairest and a Datsun car as the Ira Berk Player of the Year. During the 1978 season Greg Oliphant became the Peninsula’s second international when he was selected as a reserve for the 1st Test against New Zealand on the 24th June at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Australian won the test 24/2 and on the 15th July he ran onto Lang Park as Australia’s half-back in the 2nd Test.

Oliphant later toured England with the 1978 Kangaroos and on his return signed a contract with Balmain.

The 1980 season saw the emergence of another key signing in the pocket-dynamo centre from Cunnamulla, Chris Close who had played for Valleys and Queensland in 1979. He made an immediate impact in 1980 winning the inaugural ‘Man of the Match’ in the first State of Origin, a performance he repeated again in 1981. Close eventually played 16 games for Queensland and toured New Zealand with Australian teams in 1980 and 1985 playing three tests. Trevor Benson, a club stalwart who would eventually play 237 games for the Dolphins including

the 1981 and 1987 Grand Finals, also played for Queensland in 1981 and in the twilight of his career won the 1990 Rothmans Medal.

The one and only Arthur Beetson returned to Redcliffe as player/coach for the 1981 season and took his cherished Dolphins to the 1981 Club Championships but after winning the lower grade finals the Dolphins lost the big one 13/9 against Souths.

The 1982 season was the first time the Queensland-wide State League competition was played and Redcliffe made the inaugural final to be beaten by Easts 23/15. Included in the Dolphins side that day was a lock-forward by the name of Wally Fullerton-Smith who the club had signed from Roma. FullertonSmith or Gator as he was called was regarded as one of the finest defenders to ever wear a Queensland jersey. He played the first of his 16 games for Queensland in 1983 and on the 12th June 1983 he made his Test debut against New Zealand at Carlaw Park, Auckland. Fullerton-Smith would go onto play eight tests for Australia between 1983 and 1988.

The mid 1980’s saw Redcliffe, Wynnum-Manly and Souths become powerhouse clubs in Australian Rugby League with Redcliffe fielding a team that included Internationals in Mark Murray, Wally Fullerton-Smith, Bryan Niebling, Greg Conescu and John Ribot plus Queensland players in Trevor Benson, Richie Poulsen, Mitch Brennan, Paul Khan, Jamie Sandy and Shane Bernardin. Despite this awesome power they basically failed on the field losing the 1983 final to Easts and the 1987 final to Brothers. Individually the players shone with Bryan Niebling winning the 1986 Rothmans Medal, playing 16 games for Queensland and 13 tests for Australia (Test debut on the 9th June 1984 against Great Britain in Sydney). He signed with the Brisbane Broncos in their inaugural 1988 season alongside team mate and Australian player Greg Conescu who had made

his test debut in the same game as Niebling. The power of the Dolphins was obvious on the 18th June 1985 at Lang Park when John Ribot, Mark Murray and Greg Conescu ran out wearing Australian jerseys playing for Redcliffe while Chris Close a former Dolphin was also in the team.

The arrival of the Broncos in 1988 heralded the end of a local junior making a Queensland or Australian team from the Brisbane Rugby League competition and Redcliffe went through a rebuilding period as they lost more than most to the national competition. The Queensland Rugby League introduced a Residents team in 1994 which played a similar team from New South Wales. Redcliffe’s Craig Spark and Ian Graham were selected in the Queensland Residents with Graham going onto Australian Residents selection. Later in the season a XXXX Maroons team toured South Africa with Grant Adamson joining Spark and Graham. Ross O’Reilly had taken over the coaching of the club in 1993 and in 1994 he gave the staunch Dolphins supporters their second A Grade premiership in 34 seasons with a 24/18 defeat of Wests. Although Redcliffe never featured in the 1995 finals Tom O’Reilly and Graham Cotter were selected in Queensland Residents teams.

The Queensland Rugby League introduced the state-wide Queensland Cup in 1996 and Redcliffe were beaten 8/6 by Toowoomba in the first final.

Later that season they defeated Wests 16/12 in the BRL Grand Final with Kahu Tweedie picking up the player of the game award. Tom O’Reilly and the hard working James Hinchey were selected in the 1996 Queensland Residents team.

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1997 was another stellar season for the high flying Redcliffe Dolphins as they swept all before them defeating Easts in the Queensland Cup 18/16 after trailing 16/6 with ten minutes to go. James Hinchey scored two tries in the last ten minutes giving Anthony Singleton a conversion after the bell to win the game.

Redcliffe also won the BRL competition with a comprehensive 35/6 victory over Easts with Aaron Douglas scoring three tries. On the representative front George Wilson, Anthony Singleton, James Hinchey, Tony Gould and Cameron Hurren won Queensland Residents jerseys. Redcliffe never featured in the 1998 final but their George Wilson, James Hinchey and Chris Essex made the Queensland Residents team.

The Dolphins had a strong 1999 season taking the minorpremiership in the Queensland Cup before going down 12/10 to Burleigh in the Grand Final. The Dolphins A Grade and Colts teams won their premierships with a 28/18 and 26/22 victory over Norths while the classy Michael Roberts won the Queensland Cup Player of the Year and Courier Mail award.

Season 2000 continued on a good note for Redcliffe as they won the Queensland Cup by defeating Toowoomba 14/6 in the Grand Final after Toowoomba had beaten them 46/12 in the first semi-final. Trent Leis was selected in the XXXX Queensland Maroons.

The 2001, 2002 and 2003 Queensland Cup Grand Finals were played at Dolphin Oval. Toowoomba defeated Redcliffe 28/26 in 2001 although Adam Mogg (Courier Mail Player of Year), Jason Webber, Michael Roberts, Luke Scott, Phil Graham and Andrew Wynyard all made the Residents team with Roberts winning his second Queensland Cup Player of the Year award. In 2002 Redcliffe won the minor-premiership before continuing the good work defeating Ipswich 43/10 in the Grand Final. The Queensland Residents team included Trent Leis, Damien Richters, Brian Jellick, Aaron Barba, Shane Perry, Barry Berrigan, Russell Lahiff, Luke Scott and Troy Lindsay.

Redcliffe had a magnificent 2003 season, winning the Queensland Cup 31/18 over Burleigh plus they won the A Grade and Colts. Aaron Barba was the star of the Queensland Cup Grand Final with a threetry haul. Redcliffe players in the Queensland Residents team included Shane Perry, Adam Starr, Shane Tronc and Ben Jones.

Redcliffe never featured in the 2004 or 2005 Grand Finals but on the Queensland Residents front they had Trent Leis, Adam Starr, Ben Jones, Daniel Green, Justin McKay and Troy Lindsay flying their flag in 2004 with Ryan Cullen, Shane Perry and Jamie Russo in 2005.

The 2006 season saw Redcliffe back with a vengeance and after being defeated 56/22

by Toowoomba in the major-semi final of the Queensland Cup the Dolphins recovered to win the Grand Final 27/6. Michael Roberts won his third Queensland Cup Player of the Year award and he joined Ryan Cullen, Troy Lindsay and Adam Starr in the Residents team.

The 2007 season was bitter-sweet for the Redcliffe club as they saw Arthur Beetson, Ian Thinee and Jamie Sandy selected in the Queensland Indigenous Team of the Century while Nick Emmett, Shane Perry, Michael Roberts and Danny Bourke made the Queensland Residents team. Redcliffe made the Queensland Cup Grand Final only to go down to Tweed Heads 28/18 in the big game.

Between 2008 and 2011 the Redcliffe Dolphins did not feature 22

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in a Queensland Cup Grand Final but their number of representative players continued to grow with Kaine Manihera (2008), Josh Hoffman (2009), Liam Georgetown, Chris Farrell and Nick Slyney (2011) all making the Queensland Residents team. Ryan Cullen won the 2010 Queensland Cup Player of the Year.

Redcliffe won the Queensland Cup minor-premiership in 2012 but were beaten 20/10 by long-time rivals Wynnum-Manly in the Grand Final. The Dolphins Luke Capewell won the Queensland Cup Player of the Year while Chris Farrell, Liam Georgetown, Nick Slyney and Joe Bond joined him in the Queensland Residents team. From 2013 until 2015 the Dolphins finished 8th, 11th and 7th in the Queensland Cup but as mentioned are one of the big improvers of the 2016 season with better things to come. Nick Slyney (2013), Aaron Whitchurch (2014 and 2015) made Queensland Residents teams while this season the number has grown to three with Whitchurch, Darren Nicholls and Sam Anderson wearing Queensland Residents colours. – TONY PRICE

OUR CNW ELECTRICAL

GOOD GUY OF THE MONTH JOSH MCGUIRE

COVERED in ink, Josh McGuire is a rugby league prop and the son of an ARMY veteran who toured Afghanistan. The Aspley junior and former roller hockey enforcer could be easily stereotyped. However, the Broncos and Maroons star is anything but what you think. McGuire is actually one of the leading charity workers in the NRL. He is an ambassador of Ronald McDonald House and raises funds for critically ill youth by regularly visiting families and children involved in the crucial charity. McGuire has even created a charity run to raise funds for Ronald McDonald House.

McGuire partnered with long-time friend Richard Holt to establish the ‘Holt Bolt’ and the 6-8km military-inspired obstacle race has become a very popular event and raised significant money for the charity. The kids in Ronald McDonald house are very sick and need long-term care near a hospital and are unable to regularly go home.

McGuire lifts the spirits of the kids when he visits, distracting them even for just an afternoon can help them for days.

“It is a privilege for me to be able to talk with the kids and listen to them,” McGuire said.

“I love it. I don’t really like talking about it because it is not about others knowing, it is about the kids in there getting a distraction from the hardships they are facing every day.”

Photo: SMP Images

“For me, it is grounding and makes me appreciate what I have because no matter what is going on in footy it is nothing compared to what these kids are going through.

“I want to keep working with the kids and hopefully I can do more in the future.”

Josh also dedicates his free time to supporting the Bringing Calyn Home Appeal.

This charity aims to provide support to Calyn Hoad and his family after Calyn selflessly threw himself in front of a fourwheel drive to save his younger brother and suffered critical injuries from the courageous act.

McGuire has repeatedly visited Calyn and worked to secure Channel 7’s restoration of the Hoad family home to be more accessible for Calyn.

McGuire has credited his partner Tynssa, son Maxon and daughter Maiya for inspiring his charity work.

“My partner and daughter are my key inspiration for my charity work, they motivate me to commit as much time as I can to supporting others,” McGuire said.

“My family have a solid history of giving back to the community, so it’s something I’ve grown up around and continues to influence me.”

– BRUCE JOHN

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SOUTH EAST QUEENSLAND CHAIRMAN’S CHALLENGE BROTHERS IPSWICH GROUNDS

BROTHERS IPSWICH RLFC hosted the 2016 South East Queensland Chairman’s XXXX Challenge series over the weekend of May 6, 7 and 8 for the Ipswich Diggers, Gold Coast Vikings and Brisbane Second Division Rugby League representative teams in each of A Grade and Under 20s being the visitors to the area. All three teams showcasing a selection of players from within each of the respective competitions playing over a weekend of round robin rugby league. Since its inception in 2007 Gold Coast had six wins, Brisbane Second Division two and 2016 seeing Ipswich claim their first victory.

Friday night kicked off the first of the round with Ipswich v Gold Coast in both grades. Ipswich Under 20s came out strong scoring early to take the lead 4-0, Gold Coast hit back before half time heading into the break leading 6/4. The second half had Gold Coast back to true form scoring four more tries, and Ipswich scoring two with the fulltime match score showing 24/14 win to Gold Coast.

Saturday a fresh Brisbane U20s under new coach Wayne Thomas took on the Gold Coast in day two, displaying another crowd pleasing match the Vikings lead 16/4 at the break. Both teams keen for the win seeing only three tries scored overall in the second half to give Gold Coast the victory 26/10.

Brisbane backing up on Sunday to verse Ipswich Under 20s took the halftime break leading 22/6. Not wanting to let the home crowd down Ipswich came out scoring try after try keen to get the win only to fall short going down at fulltime 34/20.

Gold Coast Under 20s have dominated their age trophy with Brisbane and Ipswich both having to now wait and see if they have the squad to claim the trophy in 2017. SEQ Chairman Brad Tallon presented Gold Coast Under 20s with the winning Trophy after their match on Saturday.

Ipswich A Grade with ten of their BRL players on hand displayed dominance on the weekend with the first over the Gold Coast Vikings showing a halftime score of 34/0. Gold Coast out of the sheds scoring the first 10 points of the second half were not strong enough to withhold the Diggers who bounced back taking the points 48/10.

Vikings A Grade keen for victory wanted to pounce early on Saturday crossing first to lead 6/0 but Brisbane crossed twice for a 12/6 halftime lead. Brisbane claimed the first try after the break followed by a few more increasing their lead to 26/6, Gold Coast not wanting to give up finished the match with two tries going down losing 30/18.

After an early Sunday morning recovery swim session, Brisbane Captain James “Junior” Crawford lead his team out wanting nothing more than to win. Going into the decider against the Diggers, down two key players ruled out by team Physio Rick Walton through injury from the previous day’s match, Under 20 team 24

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6TH – 8TH MAY 2016

Captain Joel Adams and team mate Ofa Finau backed up after their earlier game. Even with these players on hand Brisbane were no match against Ipswich who led 48/6 by half-time.

Coach Cameron Joyce wishing he could throw on the boots had his team returning to the field without their team Captain and fullback who sustained injuries in the first half. As the time clock ticked down Vice-Captain Tai Betham had three forwards playing in the backs, each Brisbane player tried to get their team back in the match scoring a number of tries. The home team Ipswich were not going to allow that claiming their first SEQ Trophy victors 62/16 to the sound of the final hooter.

Brisbane Second Division Rugby League would like to thank Brother Juniors (Gibson Park, Stafford) for the use of their facilities for team training, our sponsors Souths Leagues Club, Barry Harrison Homes and team Physio Rick Walton from Taigum Physiotherapy for their valued support.

Following the trials the South East Queensland team was announced for the State-wide Divisional Carnival to be held at Southport’s Owen Park from the 3rd to 5th June. The team was:- Lui Afele (Nth Ipswich), Denman Ah-You (Bros Ipswich), Shawn Anderson (Tweed Seagulls), Chris Ash (Ipswich Jets), Raymond Baira (Fassifern), Mikaere Beattie (Ipswich Jets), Tai Betham (Bulimba), Matt Brown (Ipswich Jets), Brett Coutts (Moreton Bay Pride), Josh Harvey (Tweed Seagulls), Tyrone Lockrey (West Brisbane Panthers), Brendan Marshall (Nth Ipswich), Harold Mosby (Fassifern), Lachlan Roe (Ipswich Jets), Max Seumenatafa (Goodna), Ono So’Olia (Ipswich Jets), Ben Sullivan (Ipswich Jets), Troy Swift (Albany Creek Gators) and Alex Taumaoe (West Brisbane Panthers).

– CATHERINE CARROLL

AROUND THE GROUNDS THE FOGS COLTS competition sees traditional rivals the Redcliffe Dolphins leading the competition on 20 points with nine victories and one loss while Wynnum Manly are just on their heels with eight wins and two defeats. The Dolphins have had a great season to-date with the best attack and defence in the league to give them an impressive 172+ point’s differential.

Norths are sitting in third spot on seven wins although their terrible 42/12 loss to Redcliffe at Dolphin Oval in Round Ten must cause some concern.

Easts and Burleigh are neck-and-neck with six wins from ten starts with the Tigers marginally in front with a slightly better defensive rate while Souths-Logan, Sunshine Coast, Ipswich Jets, Toowoomba and Tweed Heads Seagulls make up the field.

Reece Braun from Redcliffe leads the point scoring on 90 from Jack Miers (Norths) on 86 and the Wynnum pairing of Brayden Joseph (64) and Aaron Booth (56). The leading try scorer is Te Rangiatea McDonald from Wynnum on eleven.

The ten team Brisbane A Grade competition has the Ipswich Jets flying the flag for the league stronghold with six wins from six games plus a game in hand against West Brisbane Panthers.

The Jets have been clinical in scoring an impressive 38 points per game while conceding only 14. Wynnum-Redlands also sit on 18 points but have played seven games while Redcliffe, with five wins from seven starts and the best attacking record apart from the Jets, are also contenders. The Gators sit in fourth spot followed by the Normanby Hounds, West Brisbane Panthers, Easts, Carina, Logan Brothers and Valleys.

In Brisbane 2nd Division the Albany Creek Gators still lead the Premier Grade competition on 25 points from Brighton Roosters (24), West Brisbane Panthers (23), Wynnum Manly

(21), Waterford Demons (20) Fortitude Valley (19), Carina (17), Normanby (16), Logan Brothers (16) and Easts (10).

The Brisbane 2nd Division has 65 teams involved with three divisions in the south and three in the north. As of the 22nd May the competition was as follows; Northside 1: Pine Central Holy Spirit 27 points, Aspley 26, Dayboro Cowboys 25, Moreton Bay Pride 25, West Mitchelton 19, Pine Rivers 18, Banyo 17, Brothers Jnrs 11.

Northside 2: Samford 27, Norths Jnrs 27, West Arana Hills 25, Norths St Joseph’s 24, Albany Creek Gaters 23, North Lakes Kangaroos 21, Narangba 20, Brighton Roosters 18, West Mitchelton 15, Aspley 15.

Northside 3: Fortitude Valley 31, Brighton Roosters 31, Pine Rivers 27, Moreton Bay Pride 24, Aspley 23, Burpengary 23, Samford 19, Pine Central Holy Spirit 17, West Arana Hills 13, Northlakes Kangaroos 11.

Southside 1: West Inala 31, Redlands District 27, Beenleigh Seniors 27, Bulimba Valleys 26, South Sunnybank 19, Southern Suburbs 19, Logan Brothers 16.

Southside 2: Brothers St Brendans 33, Capalaba 28, East Mt Gravatt 26, Greenbank 26, Carina 25, Eagleby Giants 21, Browns Plains 21, Slacks Creek 19, Beenleigh Seniors 18, Logan Wanderers 17, Souths Sunnybank 16.

Southside 3: Wynnum Manly Jnrs 28, Edens Landing 28, Beenleigh Juniors 23, Logan City Hawks 22, Redlands Juniors 21, Mustangs 20, Jimboomba Thunder 20, Waterford Demons 19, East Mt Gravatt 19, Brothers St Brendans 15.

– TONY PRICE

Action from the Brothers St Brendan’s v Souths Sunnybank clash Image: Courtesy Catherine Carroll

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WOMEN IN LEAGUE DURING May I watched women’s rugby league at all levels from Under 14’s playing on the Sunshine Coast to the Jillaroos playing the Kiwi Ferns in Newcastle and one thing that impressed me was the intensity. The 47th Battalion Carnival in Roma where a Central Division team was selected to play in the Divisional Championships was a real eye-opener with “Hits like Origin”. The Final between the Beerwah team from the Sunshine Coast and the Central Highlands team was a contest from start to finish with both teams scoring a try and a goal the difference.

The test between Australia and New Zealand played in front of more than 27,000 people in Newcastle was the best game of the night with New Zealand’s Georgia Hale and their fullback/captain Sarina Fiso the difference between the two teams as the visitors won 26/16 after leading 12/6 at half time. The Jillaroos put first points on the board from a Maddie Studdon penalty but within minutes the Kiwi Ferns hit back with the first try of the game to Atawhai Tupaea who showed great handling skills.

Within minutes they extended their lead to 8/2 when Tupaea scored her second try from a magnificent Georgia Hale pass that cut out two players. The big hits from both teams were ground-shaking with 34-yearold Heather Ballinger, Chelsea Baker and Ruan Simms the best of the Australians while Teuila Fotu-Moala was outstanding for New Zealand.

The Jillaroos came back aggressively with ten minutes to go and their fullback Samantha Bremner scored off a great pass from Maddie Studdon to narrow the gap to 8/6. Both forward packs gave all they got leading into the break with big hits from Australia’s Kezie Apps, Vanessa Foliaki, Brittany Breayley and Sims but the Kiwi Ferns were up to the task with Kahurangi Peters and Moala never taking a backward step. Late in the half the Kiwi centre Maitua Feterika barged over from two metres out to give her team their 12/6 advantage.

Australia had to score first in the second half but it was not to be as the game winning combination of Fiso and Hale once more put the Jillaroos on the ropes with the captain scoring to extend their lead to 16/6. The Jillaroos hit back again with the Gold Coast’s Karina Brown scoring a great individual try as she chased her own kick but the conversion missed so the score narrowed to 16/10 with 20 minutes to play.

The work rate of Heather Ballinger in the second half was the best on the field and on several occasions she went close to scoring but once again the Kiwi Ferns captain showed her class to score another individual try which extended their lead to 20/10 which soon became 26/10 when Krystal Rota ran from dummy-half to score a converted try.

Sunshine Coast’s Sarah Walker Image: Redford Sports Photography

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The Jillaroos recovered and with Ballinger and Taufa leading the way pressured the Kiwi’s line. Maddie Studdon threw a great pass to Karina Brown to score out wide which Caitlyn Moran converted from the sideline to close the scoring at

26/16. The best for Australia were Baker, Studdon, Ballinger, Taufa and Sims while Fiso, Hale, Tupaea, Fotu-Moala and Krystal Rota played well for the Kiwi Ferns.

AUSTRALIA

NEW ZEALAND

1. Samantha Bremner 2. Chelsea Baker 3. Corban McGregor 4. Annette Brander 5. Karina Brown 6. Allana Ferguson

1. Sarina Fiso 2. Lanulangi Veaimu 3. Maitua Feterika 4.

Va’anessa Molia-Fraser 5. Atawhai Tupaea 6. Georgia Hale

7. Maddie Studdon 8. Simaima Taufa 9. Brittany Breayley 10.

Heather Ballinger 11. Kezie Apps 12. Vanessa Foliaki

7. Kristina Sue 8. Lilietta Maumau 9. Krystal Rota 10. Kelly Maipi 11. Teuila Fotu-Moala 12. Annetta Nuuausala

13. Ruan Sims (c) 14. Libby Cook-Black 15. Kody House 16.

Casey Karklis 17. Emma Young 18. Caitlyn Moran

13. Nora Maaka 14. Amber Kani 15. Kahurangi Peters 16.

Krystal Murrray 17. Charmaine McMenamin

Coach: Steve Folkes

18. Mary-Jane Ale Coach: Alan Jackson – TONY PRICE

KAILAH’S LONG DRIVING SUCCESS

Image: Cameron Stallard

THE words commitment, passion and dedication is synonymous with Queensland Rugby League and is shown week-in, week-out across many footy clubs in Queensland and for one Western Queensland lady, the commitment, passion and dedication to play Rugby League has paid off in a big way.

Kailah Rogers resides in the western outback town of Longreach and gives up a majority of her weekends to make the four hour one-way trip to Emerald to line-up with the Emerald Cowgirls in the Central Highlands Rugby League Women’s competition.

Rogers, 21, first strapped on the boots at age 5 for the Charleville Tigers and has just been selected for the Central Crows Women’s Rugby League Representative team to play at the QRL State Carnival this month.

Previous to that, she was selected for the Central Highlands Women’s Representative team earlier this year which saw the team train weekly for three months prior to the 47th Battalion carnival. Without complaint, Kailah made the eight hour return journey to Emerald for the two hour training session.

When asked about the drive and making the commitment, Rogers says you have to make the commitment if you want to do the things you love.

“I’m not sure if I will ever get used to the drive as it is a very dull drive, however at the end of the day because I get to play the game I love, it makes it that much easier. I don’t

really think about the distance, I just get in the car and drive.

I spend a lot of weekends away from my partner, family and friends, but that’s what you have to do in regional areas to be able to do the things you love.”

After playing Rugby League for a few years now, Rogers says the biggest thing she’s learnt is to be passionate and never give up, whether it be on the football field or in life, and hopes this piece of advice can be shared amongst all juniors today.

“Whether it be in life or on the field, never give up. The moment you give up on anything is when you are defeated, especially when playing a team game.

“You are not only letting yourself down by giving up but also you are also letting down your team mates.”

“Put 110% effort into everything you do, and no matter the outcome you should never be disappointed. You never lose, you either win or you learn.”

Kailah’s commitment, passion and dedication to Rugby League is something that should be cherished by all.

Her story is a great example for the future generation of players from the Outback, who dream of playing Rugby League for this great state of ours, Queensland.

– CAMERON STALLARD LEAGUEQUEENSLAND.COM.AU

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A MAGNET CA THE Far North Queensland city of Cairns has been a magnet for touring rugby league teams since the game was established there in 1918. Rugby League followers in most parts of Australian would have no idea how difficult it was to play intertown rugby league in this far northern city prior to 1924 when the Townsville to Cairns tail-link was connected but suffice to say that the only way to travel was by mail boat which had to endure cyclones and the dangers of the Great Barrier Reef.

The first of many touring teams to taste the delights of Cairns was Toowoomba who played a Cairns representative team at Norman Park on the 4th September 1921. Much to the delight of the 3,000+ crowd the locals with Tim Cronin scoring three tries, won 19/5.

By 1923 the Cairns representative team were the Champions of North Queensland, a title they won in 1923, 1924 and 1925.

The opening of the rail-line quickly bought elite teams to the city and on the 18th August 1924 a South Queensland team that some would describe as the best of all time arrived to play Far North Queensland. It is hard to imagine today but the 1924 South Queensland squad of 17 included 11 internationals and six Queensland players. The FNQ team had one Queensland player in Charlie Christensen but at one stage late in the game they only trailed the super-stars 16/12 before finally being defeated 27/12. Brisbane arrived in 1925 with a team that contained two internationals including the legendary Harold Horder and four Queensland players but a strong Far North Queensland team took the honours 12/8 after leading 12/2 late in the game. South Queensland loved the far north and toured again in 1929 playing FNQ at Babinda and actually played a game on the Atherton Tablelands.

The 28th June 1932 was a momentous day for rugby league in the far north as the touring England team that had played Australia on the 18th June at the Brisbane Cricket Ground ran onto Parramatta Park in front of more than 5,000 spectators.

The FNQ team ably led by North Queensland captain, Harold Burns, kept the Englishmen at bay for half the game but the touring team dominated the second half to run out comfortable 53/8 winners.

The magnificent 1932 Englishmen departed for the south the next day and on the 16th July they defeated Australia 18/13 in Sydney to retain the ashes.

The magnet that was Cairns bought more touring teams to the Far North with Vic Hey leading a South Queensland team containing 11 internationals and eight 28

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Queensland players in 1935 and despite the war Central Queensland toured in 1941 with the north prevailing 15/3.

The 20 seasons after the Second World War saw every team that toured Australia make Cairns a regular stop with the American ‘All Stars’ held to a draw on the 24th June 1953 as former Australian player Ron Griffiths scored to tie the game up at 17/17. Great Britain travelled to the magnet in 1954, 1958, 1962 and 1966 with huge crowds attending these games. This was a time when Cairns, Innisfail, Tully, Babinda and Eacham dominated the Foley Shield and the quality of player in the north was unquestioned. The 1954 Englishmen defeated FNQ 39/18 but the northern team were without five of their stars who were unavailable because of North Queensland duty.

The 1958 English touring team defeated FNQ 78/8 after being defeated by Australia 25/8 in the first test only 14 days before.

This training run against FNQ steeled the Englishmen as they went south and defeated Australia 25/18 and 40/17 to win back the ashes. (FNQ photo on next page).

Many young rugby league followers would scoff at the suggestion that France was once the dominant country in world rugby league but from 1951 to 1960 they had Australia’s measure. The rugby league crazy Far North were excited about the prospect of seeing the flamboyant Frenchmen in action and although they never travelled to Cairns in 1951 they did defeat a star-studded North Queensland team 50/17 in Townsville before winning the test series 2/1. A record crowd poured into Parramatta Park on the 28th June to watch the 1955 Frenchmen who did not disappoint winning 66/21 before going on to win the test series against Australia 2/1. France toured again in 1960 and although on the decline as a rugby league nation they still drew the series against Australia and defeated FNQ 26/15 in Cairns on the 25th June.

ALLED CAIRNS The 1962 Great Britain team arrived in Australia and clearly showed they meant business by destroying Australia 31/12 in the 1st Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground on the 9th June before heading north to Queensland. They played what some describe as a depleted Far North Queensland team in Cairns on the 23rd June and it is recorded history that the boys from the Far North led this champion team 31/28 with two minutes on the clock before a late try to their test fullback, Gerry Round gave them the game 33/31. Eight of the best from Far North Queensland including internationals Alan Gil and Bobby Banks could not play that day as they had been selected to play for North Queensland the next day in Townsville. The forwards led by John Eaton, Danny Clifford and Arthur Belbin were simply magnificent while Robinson and Weatherley were the pick of the backs. I would suggest that this was FNQ’s finest game as this Great Britain team defeated North Queensland 47/14 in Townsville the next day before clinching the ashes a week later at Lang Park with a 17/10 victory.

The touring teams kept heading north to Cairns with Great Britain playing FNQ on the 4th June 1966 and after winning 48/7 they departed for Sydney where they defeated Australia 17/13 in the 1st Test. This FNQ team was captained by Alan Gil and included some of the best of all time from the region including Stan Williams, Neil Gil and Barry Dawson. In 1967 New Zealand played in Cairns for the first time winning 45/3 on the 22nd June. Big business and the needs of the pokermachine rich Sydney clubs stopped extended rugby league tours so in 1970 the FNQ game was given to the Northern Territory in an effort to boost the game there. Queensland sent their representative team to Cairns in 1973 and a Robbie Henley led FNQ went down

21/6 to a team that included eight internationals. The 1974 Great Britain team played North Queensland in Cairns with the last strong ‘Pommie’ team for many years winning 30/5 in front of a crowd of around 9,000 people. The North Queensland team that day included current CRDL Chairman Colin Moore, Peter Luppi, Doug Muir, Ray McIllwain and Eion Wilson. Great Britain went onto play Australia in the test series, losing 2/1 in the last competitive contest for many years.

The era of the extended rugby league tour was over and although in 1979 and 1984 the number of games only fell by 5 or 6 it was towns like Cairns that missed out. International rugby league was on the decline with the cream of English rugby league playing in Sydney club football and a new game in town called “Origin” all the rage. The 1988 Great Britain tour was restricted to 13 games including the North Queensland encounter in Cairns on the 27th May. The crowd rolled in and more than 7,000 spectators packed the ground as the Englishmen, with Martin Offiah scoring four tries, defeated North Queensland 66/16. 1990 bought another French team to the far north and on the 14th June Queensland Country went down in a close encounter 12/9 with John Skardon close to the best on the field. In 1982 the Queensland Rugby League introduced the State League which was a competition covering most regional areas plus the Brisbane clubs. This created an opportunity for the people of Cairns to see their North Queensland team in action on a regular basis but the allure of International rugby league had slipped away.

Apart from a few early season trial games the Far North Queensland rugby league followers were starved of top-quality rugby league until Cairns entered the Queensland Cup in 2008 as the Northern Pride and in the past eight seasons have proved one of the better performing teams in the competition with two premierships (2010, 2014) and a track record that is the envy of all Brisbane based clubs.

– TONY PRICE

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GLORY, GLORY TO SOUTH SYDNEY

IN plain simple terms South Sydney are the most successful club in Australian rugby league with 21 premierships and another 13 Grand Final appearances in 108 seasons. The Rabbitohs as they are known are a foundation club going back to that first 1908 season and through the good times and the hard times they have endured. They won the first premiership and took the flag in 1909 and either side of the First World War (1914 & 1918) they were also successful.

The mid 1920’s was a period of dominance for the mighty club as they won seven of eight premierships between 1925 and 1932 including going through the 1925 season without loss. In was in this period they earned their title, “Pride of the League”. The Rabbitohs struggled from the mid 1930’s well into the 1940’s before the arrival of “The Little Master” Clive Churchill in 1947.

The talented fullback won five premierships with Souths in 1950, 1951, 1952, 1954 and 1955. He missed the 1952 premiership as he was away on the Kangaroo tour to England and missed the final in 1955 due to injury (he played South’s last regular game of the 1955 season against Manly with a broken arm, winning the game with a successful sideline conversion kicked after the full-time bell with his broken arm wrapped in cardboard).

From 1956 until 1966 the Sydney Rugby League competition was dominated by St George who won a record 11 premierships in successions and today their record of 15 titles is second only to the mighty Rabbitohs.

The 1967 season coincided with my learning there was a game called rugby league and I have followed the 1967 premiers, South Sydney ever since. Souths had lost the 1965 Grand Final 12/8 to the Dragons but the nucleus of a great team was assembling who would dominate Sydney rugby league for the next six seasons winning premierships in 1967, 1968, 1970 and 1971. It is interesting to note that when a panel of judges selected the ‘Best Ever South Sydney side’ in 2004 as many as eight players from this era were included.

The mighty Rabbitohs of this period were like the Broncos of the 21st Century with a team that at times contained 11 internationals. During this six year period Eric Simms, Brian James, Michael Cleary, Bobby Honan, Jimmy Lisle, Paul Sait, Denis Pittard, Bobby Grant, Ray Branigan, Ron Coote, Bobby McCarthy, Gary Stevens, John Sattler, Jimmy Morgan, John O’Neill, Elwyn Walters and George Piggins all wore the green and gold from the club.

Falling club revenue and talented players seeking higher incomes say many of South Sydney’s stars leave from 1972

onwards with Coote, Morgan and Walters going to the Roosters while John O’Neill and Ray Branigan went to Manly. Manly won the 1972 Grand Final 19/14 over Easts with Branigan scoring a try and kicking six goals. Between 1972 and 1975 the winning Sydney team had a strong South Sydney influence.

A rugby league famine descended on South Sydney for more than 20 seasons as financial troubles beset the club and although they had limited success making several finals during this period including winning the minor-premiership in 1989, pre-season competition in 1994 and winning the midweek Tooth Cup in 1981 the club struggled on and off the field and in 1990 they won the dreaded ‘Wooden Spoon’, a trophy they also won in 2003, 2004 and 2006. Following the devastating ‘Super League War’ it was decided as part of a peace settlement that the competition had to be reduced to 14 clubs and South Sydney were told they were not wanted and at the end of the 1999 season they were shown the door.

It was at this time that the mighty South Sydney spirit came to the fore and with the ‘never-say-die’ George Piggins leading from the front and high-profile Australian’s like Russell Crowe, Ray Martin, Andrew Denton, Anthony Albanese, Mike Whitney, Kristina Keneally and Nick Greiner taking up the challenge the Rabbitohs marched on. More than 80,000 of the faithful marched through Sydney streets in protest and George Piggins comments sums it all up, “Seeing men in their sixties weep wasn’t an easy thing to contend with on the night when they tried to kill the greatest club on earth,’’Piggins says. “But I never considered giving up. This was a fight for principle, for a great sporting institution and for ordinary people shattered by their football club being taken away from them.’’

John Sattler was one of the toughest footballers of his generation. He led Souths to their last premiership in 1971 and he never walked away from a fight but in the darkest hours, he feared the club he led to four premierships wouldn’t rise again.

“At the lowest point, I didn’t think we’d get back. I thought when it got to that real desperate stage that the party was over,’’ Sattler says. “Luckily, George Piggins had other ideas.

He was a thorn in the side to all of the bludgers who tried to ruin Souths. “Right through all the trouble, when the club LEAGUEQUEENSLAND.COM.AU

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GLORY, GLORY TO SOUTH SYDNEY almost went broke and when we were really on our knees, people still had faith that it would get up and live on. “That’s South Sydney spirit.’’

Even after winning their Federal Court case in 2000 to confirm their re-admission to the NRL, the Rabbitohs faced an even greater fight. They had to rebuild a club from ground zero, with no players, no training ground, no administrative staff or cash-flow to get the club back up and running. The red and green faithful – the battlers from Redfern, Waterloo, Zetland, Mascot, Botany and La Perouse – voted with their feet by turning up to games and now South Sydney with almost 33,000 members have the biggest membership in the NRL apart from the Brisbane Broncos.

In 2006 Russell Crowe headed a consortium that bought the club and he immediately engaged highprofile rugby league administrators like Shane Richardson to get the club running profitably.

Since 2006 when as mentioned they won the ‘Wooden Spoon’ the fortunes of the club have improved dramatically and with money in their pockets players like Greg Inglis, the Burgess brothers, Roy Asotasi, Nigel Vagana, Chris Sandow, Isaac Luke, Michael Crocker, David Taylor and Matt King have gone to the club. More importantly the great breeding ground that is the South Sydney Juniors have a place to call home with Nathan Merritt, Alex Johnson, Dylan Walker, Adam Reynolds and John Sutton examples of local juniors who have made good. In 2012 South Sydney became the second team in the competition to register 1,000 wins behind the Sydney City Roosters and in 2014 they won their 21st premiership in the big grade.

The Grand Finale commenced in sensational fashion with the South Sydney captain Sam Burgess breaking his cheek-bone in the first tackle of the game but like John Sattler back in 1970 he played throughout to not only lead his team to victory but to win the prestigious Clive Churchill Medal as player of the game.

The mighty Rabbitohs went onto win 30/6 and I’m confident that the spirit of South Sydney will live as long as battlers are involved with the game.

Rugby League was created simply because players could not be compensated for time off work and other incidentals.

It suited the opposition codes to have a sport that was limited to the ones who could afford to play but that’s not the South Sydney or Australian way and as long as the game is played in this country people like George Piggins will never be forgotten and the way he saved the “Pride of the League”.

A GREAT TREBLE – QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT, CAIRNS REGIONAL COUNCIL AND SOUTH SYDNEY The Queensland Government through Tourism and Events Queensland have signed a three year agreement with South Sydney to play home games in Cairns from 2016 until 2018. In a similar fashion to the Suncorp Stadium double-header where Melbourne Storm and Manly played their home games in mid-May this is seen by the Cairns Regional Council and the Queensland Government as a huge economic boost for the local economy. The return to Cairns will be South Sydney’s fourth consecutive trip to their tropical home, having previously taken on the Gold Coast Titans, Newcastle Knights, and Canberra Raiders in previous seasons amid an outpouring of red and green in the region. Minister for Tourism and Major Events Kate Jones said the North Queensland Cowboys reigning premiers from 2015 would play the South Sydney Rabbitohs (2014 premiers) at Barlow Park on the 3rd July.

“Hosting major events such as these in Queensland helps boost the State’s tourism economy, drive visitation to our destinations and create jobs,” she said.

For long-time Rabbitoh, John Sutton, the trip will be an exciting new chapter in the Club’s history in the region.

“It’s great to be heading back up to Cairns again in July,” said Sutton. “Every time we go to Cairns it’s an amazing experience for myself and the boys, seeing just how much they love their Rugby League and their Rabbitohs up there.

“I’m sure there’s going to be plenty of support from both teams when the game comes around next month.”

Cairns Mayor Bob Manning said the city welcomed the return of the Rabbitohs and expected the addition of the Cowboys into the mix would attract a big crowd. “Cairns is a proud sporting city and we particularly love our rugby league,” Cr Manning said. “Souths have almost become an honorary Cairns team and we look forward to welcoming them back to Barlow Park for their fourth appearance. But this will be the first time the Cowboys will have taken the field in a regular season fixture and, judging by the turnout when the team visited Cairns following their grand final victory last year, there will be plenty of support for both sides. We’re expecting thousands of visitors to converge on Cairns to prove why the city is indeed the sports capital of the north.”

The match is one of a host of high-level sporting events that are about to engulf the seaside city. During the months of June and July, Cairns will host the North Queensland Games, the Great Barrier Reef Continental Cup Beach Volleyball tournament, Cairns Classic PGA golf tournament, AFL clash between the Western Bulldogs and Gold Coast Suns and the massive Cairns Airport Adventure Festival featuring Ironman Cairns. With arguably the most spectacular bicycle course in the world, the Ironman Asia Pacific Championships will land in Cairns on the 12th June.

Competitors from across the world will race up the Captain Cook Highway, hugging the coastline from Cairns to Port Douglas. From reef to World Heritage listed rainforest, they will run along the stunning Cairns boardwalk to the finish line in the heart of the city. This race has become a ‘mustdo’ on the IRONMAN circuit, and there is every reason to believe the hype as competitors attempt to capture one of 75 spots for the 2016 IRONMAN World Championship in Kailua-Kona, Hawaii.

– LQ

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CNW ELECTRICAL WHOLESALERS

A LOCAL BUSINESS PUTTING BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY In this day when the all mighty dollar has much to do with decision making there are still many Queensland-based companies that still support grass-roots rugby league simply because they are community minded and they love the game.

One of those companies is CNW Electrical who have 23 stores spread throughout Queensland. The company founder Brian Webb has an infinity with rugby league not seen too often and with a grounding in Far North Queensland rugby league he knows what clubs need to survive. Webb played for Ivanhoes in the Cairns competition in the mid 1960’s during an era when the far north dominated rugby league. His love for the game has endured through the years and rugby league in Cairns has been the winner.

CNW Electrical has sponsored the Redlynch Razorbacks in the Cairns Junior Rugby League for the past two seasons and in 2016 has sponsored the Cairns and District Rugby League at a district level. The Queensland-based company has also assisted the Northern Pride with more than $12,000.00 worth of electrical gear for their 2012 Barlow Park upgrade. If there is one particular club that is dear to the hearts of the CNW staff it is Ivanhoes and for 25 seasons they have proudly proclaimed their support of this long standing Cairns club. Ivanhoes first

won a premiership back in the 1926 season and some of the greats of the game in the north have worn the red, white and blue jersey. The CNW staff have been involved as players, officials and support staff while the company has channelled their time and resources into F.I.G.S (Former Ivanhoes Greats) who have supported the club with funds, training equipment, mentoring and specialised coaching when required.

CNW have also provided financial support to families of Junior Rugby League Players from the local CDJRL community, purchasing footy boots, socks and shorts, paying for rep player commitments, donating items for fund raising for the Kids Junior Rugby League carnivals such as the Gordon Tallis Cup, Laurie Spina Shield and the Shane Muscratt Cup, all fantastic weekends for the kids and families, the highlight of the year for thousands of rugby league families as the kids come away from these carnivals better footballers and better mates.

The families of these kids are also galvanised and locked into the greatest game of all after participating in these fantastic carnivals. They’re a real investment into the grass roots of Rugby League which is one of the proudest and most rewarding aspects for CNW as sponsors.

REDLYNCH RAZORBACKS JUNIOR RUGBY LEAGUE CLUB – 2016 NATE MYLES CUP Back (L-R):- Christopher Pace, Jackson Barling, Caiden Gardiner, Manasseh Robinson Middle:- Sam Dorahy (Coach), Connor Eva, Kyle Hinrichsen, Liam O’Reilly, Callum Augur, Wendy Meade (Manager) Front:- Jai Meade, Eethan Hastie-Munro, Blade Austin, Jago Groot, Carlin Cristaudo (Captain), Ameilio Fraser, Aaron Dawson, Jesse Cragg, Flynn Meade

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CNW OUT AND ABOUT Image: Courtesy Brisbane Broncos

Brisbane Broncos players Corey Oates and Adam TuimavaveGerrard visited a group of elderly aged care residents at the Carinity Aged Care – Clifford Centre last week. A small group of residents are ardent followers of the Broncos team and were delighted to meet the pair in person. The residents gladly met on-fire NRL First Grade winger Oates and NYC Under 20s player Tuimavave-Gerrard for a photo and signed team poster as keepsakes of the encounter. The players also presented a signed football and team poster to the special group of Broncos supporters, who stay up late on Thursday, Friday or Saturday nights to watch their favourite team in action.

Age has clearly not stopped or slowed these residents, as they fired sharp questions at the two young players with as much intensity to rival any press conference. “They certainly know their rugby league,” said Oates. “I was a bit worried there for a minute, answering some of their questions. Their age has clearly not reduced their passion for our team and the sport.” The players were happy to take on the advice from the residents and assured them that they will perform their best for the rest of the season.

NRMA Insurance Broncos player Lachlan Maranta visited the McIntyre Centre recently to support their therapeutic riding programs for young adults with a disability. The McIntyre Centre is an official charity partner of the Broncos for 2016 and will receive financial support for their corporate horse sponsorship program. Since 2014, the Brisbane Broncos Charities Fund has donated over $26,000 to the McIntyre Centre for the purchase of five horses for their vital riding programs.

The McIntyre Centre is the only full-time Horse Riding Centre for people with a disability in Brisbane. The Centre provides a variety of recreational and therapeutic equine programs to both individuals and groups, including special schools,

Image: Courtesy Brisbane Broncos

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children and young adults with a disability, and children from the local community.

The McIntyre Centre operates its riding programs from Monday to Saturday, 36 weeks per year, with additional programs occurring throughout the school holidays. As a long-term sponsor of the McIntyre Centre, the Brisbane Broncos have visited the McIntyre Centre many times, but this was Lachie Maranta’s first time to experience the program firsthand. A little apprehensive at first, Maranta soon took over the reins and volunteered to look after one of their clients during the walk.

“I had no idea how beneficial their riding programs are to children and young adults with a disability,” said Maranta.

“It’s been so much fun meeting their staff and volunteers here at the Centre, and to also finally meet our Broncos’ sponsored horses.”

League Queensland Editor Tony Price caught up with a couple of former Far North Queensland stars at the Queensland vs New South Wales Residents game on the 8th May. ‘Swaggie’ Nona played for Cairns, Whitsunday and North Queensland in the early 1990’s and was regarded as one of the better forwards of his era. His nephew, Shaun Nona won the Duncan Hall Medal in 2014 as Player of the Final when the Pride won the Intrust Super Cup and kicked Queensland Residents to victory in 2015. He did a similar thing on the 8th May only he was playing for New South Wales.

Shaun Nona, Nichelle Nona, Tony Priceand Swaggie Nona.

SSSii nni ncccee e S1966 Si ni ncce e 1966

1966 1966 1966

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FRIDAY FRIDAY08.07.16 08.07.16 GOLDEN GOLDENJUBILEE JUBILEEREUNION REUNION FRIDAY 08.07.16 GOLDEN JUBILEE REUNION FRIDAY FRIDAY 08.07.16 08.07.16 GOLDEN GOLDEN JUBILEE JUBILEE REUNION REUNION PRINCE HOTEL | |FROM | |TICKETS PER PRINCEOF OFWALES WALES HOTELPROSERPINE PROSERPINE FROM6:00PM 6:00PM TICKETS$25.00 $25.00 PERPERSON PERSON PRINCE OF WALES HOTEL PROSERPINE | FROM 6:00PM | TICKETS $25.00 PER PERSON PRINCE PRINCE OF OFWALES WALESHOTEL HOTEL PROSERPINE PROSERPINE |FOOD, |FROM FROM 6:00PM 6:00PM | |TICKETS TICKETSAND $25.00 $25.00 PER PERPERSON PERSON MUST TICKETS | |FINGER LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AUCTION MUSTPRE-ORDER PRE-ORDER TICKETS FINGERFOOD, LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND AUCTION MUST PRE-ORDER TICKETS | FINGER FOOD, LIVE ENTERTAINMENT AND AUCTION MUST MUSTPRE-ORDER PRE-ORDERTICKETS TICKETS| |FINGER FINGERFOOD, FOOD,LIVE LIVEENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINMENTAND ANDAUCTION AUCTION

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Central Divisions hard working Manager Glen Ottaway at the 47th Battalion Carnival in Roma with Tony Price

RUGBY LEAGUE COUNTRY B Y T ONY P R IC E , C A M E R ON STALLARD AND NE IL RE DF OR D

The Cairns and District Rugby League competition has reached an interesting stage after eight rounds with 2015 premiers the Innisfail Leprechauns leading on 16 points from Mossman/Port Douglas who defeated Cairns Brothers 14/12 in Cairns to take outright second spot. The Brethren are sitting in third in front of Atherton and Ivanhoes who have both recorded four wins from their eight starts. Tully, the 2015 minor-premiers, are struggling to keep in touch in sixth spot in front of Mareeba, Edmonton, Kangaroos, Yarrabah and Suburbs. Innisfail, coached by former Queensland Origin player Ty Williams, have the best attack (236) and the best defence (98) in the league while Tully can still tackle but they have forgotten how to score points.

Southern Suburbs won their first game for the 2016 season with a strong 26/16 win over Atherton. Their line-up includes former Cowboy Joel Riethmuller and former Intrust Cup players Aiden Day and Jason Nicoloau so they are certain to worry more top-of-the-table teams before season-end while Ivanhoes won all four grades against Tully at Smithfield.

Tully won the club championships in 2015 but are struggling in 2016 with their reserve grade, who are leading the competition, the only one of their four teams in a semi-final position. The premiership favourites Innisfail Leprechauns defeated Kangaroos 26/14 at Callendar Park but not without a battle. Injury concerns to their captain Rob Harem soured the victory.

The big North Queensland Cowboys game against South Sydney on the 3rd July at Barlow Park is attracting plenty of attention but so is the main-curtain raiser which is a Cairns Connection team vs the Indigenous All Stars. The Cairns Connection squad has been named: 1. Nic Pratton (Atherton) 2. Broski Emery (Brothers) 3. Akeripa Tia Kilifi (Ivanhoes) 4.

Greg Miglio (Tully) 5. Matt Musumeci (Tully) 6. Nathan Curcio (Brothers) 7. Ned Blackman (Atherton) 8. Jack Brock (Suburbs) 9. Rob Haren (Innisfail) 10. RJ Opetia Halls (Suburbs) 11.

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Lachlan Parmenter (Brothers) 12. Ben Reed (Ivanhoes) 13. Ben Reuter (Innisfail) 14. Clint Possel (Mareeba) 15. Luke LaRosa (Brothers) 16. Marvin Toko (Ivanhoes) 17. Whyatt Barnes (Ivanhoes) 18. Adam Fichera (Innisfail) 19. Shaun McLeish (Innisfail) 20. Mark Volte (Edmonton) Shadows are Corey Child (Brothers), Aiden Lee (Brothers), Jack Willis (Atherton) and Jacob Wallace (Ivanhoes).

Cowboys in a way, even though it’s at a completely different level, but when you get that consistency from blokes playing alongside each other for so long, week-in, week-out, it shows in your footy. “They’re a very dedicated group who love their footy and the region, and they work for what they achieve.”

But the season ahead will not be a one-horse race.

Norths - for one – have an enviable roster featuring former NRL players Tom Humble, Wayne Ulugia and Ricky Thorby, and Brothers will only get more consistent as the year goes on under rising Townsville coach Dave Ackers, who guided Kirwan State High School to last year’s Australian Schoolboys championship.

T H E BOYS IN B L ACK AND GOLD AR E HO T YOU can almost hear the cries of “River! River!” vibrating from up Ingham way, and for good reason.

The Herbert River Crushers have set the standard in this year’s Townsville and Districts Rugby League premier league, remaining unbeaten after six rounds thanks to reaching a level of consistency that any of their rivals are yet to match.

The 2015 TDRL grand finalists capped off their dream start with a 28/16 win over keen rivals Brothers in Round 5, handing Herbert River the outright ladder lead and in round six they thrashed the hapless Western Lions 58/12.

Brothers trail the Crushers in second with two defeats including a surprise last round 24/14 loss to the Burdekin in Townsville. Centrals also have four wins and two losses but remain in third spot on differentials. The reigning premiers Burdekin sit fourth while the Western Lions who have lost their last two games are right in the mix in fifth, with Norths (6th), Charters Towers (7th) and University (8th) rounding out the competition.

All teams know that the road to a TDRL premiership goes through Herbert River, and it has been that way for some time, with the Crushers winning the 2013 premiership, remaining a big hitter in 2014 despite losing key personnel before reaching last year’s decider. Halfback and club veteran Mitchell Seri is still pulling the strings, prop Todd Cockburn is playing with the same fierce go forward that won his team the 2013 premiership and Troy Menegon remains elusive at fullback. Throw in experienced teammates such as five-eighth Aaron Solari, prop Brendan Devietti, interchange workhorse Drew Chinotti – who have all been long-time servants of the Crushers – and it’s like reading the team list from 2013. “I think that’s been the big key for us, being able to keep our blokes together,” Crushers coach Ian Schifilliti said. “I guess it’s a bit like the

But it is the form shown by Western Lions that has a lot of tongues wagging. Lions are a junior rugby league powerhouse in Townsville, and this year branched into the TDRL’s senior divisions. It was not smooth sailing in the early phase of organisation as the club anxiously attempted to cobble an under-20s, reserve grade and senior team together, but the old network of senior coach Tony Martin came to the fore.

Recruiting a nucleus of experienced campaigners from his days coaching University to the 2012 title, Martin was able to form a side that has beaten University 39-12, thumped Charters 48-18 and pushed Brothers all the way in a 23-14 defeat. But it was the Lions’ comeback 28-26 win over Norths that really captured attention, with the Lions overturning a 26-0 halftime deficit score, without a doubt the season’s most astonishing win to date.

Among the players that moved to the Lions to play under Martin are Nathaniel Bowman, Daniel Pickering, Chippy Korostchuk and Angelo Townson, who are all TDRL premiership winners with plenty of knowledge of how a team should run. “I think we still have a lot of work to do, but overall we have to be pleased with where we’re sitting,” Martin said. “We never expected to be making the progress we are so early in the picture, but there’s a long way to go.

“Saying that, I think we’ll be ready to take to the top teams and finals is where we want to be at the end of the year, so as long as we stick to the structures that have been working for us I can only see us getting better.”

The Mackay and District Competition has seen some shock results in round seven with Wests defeating Magpies 16/12 at Glenella while Moranbah defeated Souths in all grades at Shark Park. The Brahmans now sit alone on top of the leader board with six wins from their seven games but Norths who played without Brett Seymour held the premiership favourites to 16/6 in wet conditions. The return of former Brahman Sam Gardel who has spent several seasons with Souths Logan in the Intrust Cup has bolstered an already formidable line-up but injuries are a concern to Jimmy Webb their coach.

The talented Magpies outfit are in second spot with five wins from their seven games and have the best attack in the competition averaging 27 points per game compared to the Brahmans 20. Wests are the big improvers taking the prized scalp of Magpies 16/12 at Glenella to move into third spot while Souths, Sarina and Moranbah have all recorded three wins from seven games. Norths played well against the Brahmans with an attack that is better than four of the teams above them on the ladder while Brothers trail the field with their only victory being a narrow 26/24 defeat of Norths.

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The Northern Division teams to play in the Divisional Championships were selected on the 24th May. The Women’s coach was Nathan Doyle (Mackay) with Assistant Coach Glenn Brock (Townsville). The players were:- Ashley Moloney (Mackay), Jessica Taylor (Mackay), Stephanie Mooka (Cairns), Mariam Agita (Townsville), Lahtiffa Benjamin (Cairns), Tahlulah Tillett (Cairns), Tina Hancock (Mackay), Manutu Nelliman (Townsville), Madeline Oberleuter (Cairns), Sarah Sailor (Cape), Renea Kunst (Mackay), Libby Cook-Black (Townsville), Gagie Namock (Townsville), Elsja Mosby (Cape), Melissa Micallef (Mackay), Adeline Poid (Mackay), Mona Fauid (Cairns), Bianca Dorante (Mackay) and Naomi Temby (Mackay).

Biloela’s Malcolm Darkin has scored eight tries in six games to be leading the competition along with Brothers Ayden Cooper.

Norths sit in fourth spot on eight points with four wins from seven games while Tannum Sands, Valleys, Past Brothers (Gladstone), Emu Park and Fitzroy Gracemere make up the field. Norths Dean Allen heads the point scoring for the league with 70. Four players from the Rockhampton competition made the Central Division teams to play in the Divisional Championships. They were Tyson White (Gladstone Brothers), Chanel Seigafo (Rocky Brothers), Peter Rogers (Biloela) and Daniel Tanner (Norths).

The Central Highlands Rugby League competition is almost at the half-way mark and it’s still anyone’s chance to make the Top 4! 2015 premiers, the Bluff Rabbitohs, have started the season strong despite a huge change in personnel and are sitting nicely in the Top 4 alongside last year’s preliminary-finalists, Middlemount Panthers.

The Panthers were at the brink of not being able to field a team this season due to the mining downturn, but an 11th hour plea from longtime clubman Ryan Hansell ignited the spark that has seen the club continue their winning success from 2015. Former premiership winning players from Bluff, Mitch Wyatte and Joe Taotofi have made the move to Middlemount and the club has also seen the return of a few “old heads” in Joel Duffy, Jason Randell and Steve Henderson.

The Men’s team coached by Leon Hallie (Cairns) with Assistant Coach Troy Rovelli (Mackay) was Yambie Bowie (Cairns), Lenny Magey (Townsville), Zack Walker (Moranbah), Gregory Miglio (Tully), Bree-An Munns (Townsville), Phil Ramage (Captain) (Proserpine), Chris Reisen (Cairns), Dylan Patterson (Moranbah), Clint Posselt (Cairns), Troy Kapea (Townsville), Frederick Koraba (Cairns), David Crampton (Normanton), Ivan Petelo (Proserpine), Ben Stanford (Townsville), Dan Sagigi (Cairns), Matolu Laumea (Townsville), Darryl Brennan (Mackay), Ben Buchholz (Mackay) and Keelan White (Cairns).

The Rockhampton competition after six rounds appears to be a three-horse race with Rockhampton Brothers and 2015 premiers Yeppoon both six from six although the Brethren have a much better points’ differential based on strong defence.

Their miserly 46 points in six games at less than eight a game is as good as any in the state. Biloela sit in third spot with four wins and a draw from six starts although their 24/0 loss to Brothers on the 5th May must have created some concern.

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The Emerald Tigers’ season last year was one that the club would probably be happy to forget, however this year, the club has bounced back to its winning days and

is also sitting nicely in the Top 4. The club has a mix of new and experienced players and has nearly 40 players who are registered and competing for spots in the weekly 19 selected.

The Springsure Mountain Men are the “feel good” story of the competition in 2016. The club, which in recent years has struggled with success, has jumped out of the blocks early with victories in their first three home games of the season.

The club has also seen the numbers at training progressively increase with a mix of new and returning players pulling on the boots to play in the blue and white.

The Clermont Bears and Dysart Bulls have had moderate starts to the season with both clubs facing the same issues of not being able to field the same team each week due to shift work. The Blackwater Crushers and Emerald Cowboys are sadly down the bottom of the ladder after having slow starts to the 2016 season. They still have every chance of making the finals come August if they can find the winners circle in the next few weeks.

Our Women’s competition is continuing to grow around the Central Highlands with the third year of home and away competition.

Defending premiers, the Clermont Bears Ladies, currently sit on top of the ladder with three straight wins to start the season. Crows representatives Carly Bell, Elle Waters and Tegan Rolfe have led their side around the field and have recorded three dominating wins.

The Emerald Tigers Ladies continue their winning form also whilst also blooding a few new, young players in the field.

The Blackwater Crushettes and Dysart Bulls Ladies continue to build on their developing success in the first year of competition and the Emerald Cowgirls, whilst they are full of young and upcoming players, have shown some promising signs of success down the track.

If a betting agency ran markets for who would win the premiership in the Central Highlands, it would be wise to keep your money in your pocket. The competition is still wide open with plenty of surprising results which makes each week unpredictable.

It’s set to be an exciting back-end of the season with every team still in the running for the premiership…we’re looking forward to it!

The Northern Districts Competition comprises six clubs.

Agnes Water Marlins, Avondale Tigers, Burnett Heads Cutters, Gin Gin Hawks, Miriam Vale Magpies, South Kolan Sharks, all proudly representing their small communities. The NDRL celebrated 50 years of competition in 2014. The “Auswide Bank Trophy” season kicked off on 19th March and now with six weeks of the competition completed the League is experiencing a stable season and host clubs are reporting healthy crowds. The competition this year has started with some very exciting and entertaining local football.

So far the table has the Gin Gin Hawks on top and without a loss but each week they have to work hard to for their points.

The NDRL are big into community and family awareness highlighted by the “Beyond Blue” Awareness for Suicide & Depression promotion held at Agnes Water in round 4.

Marlins Rory Slatter shaves his red beard for this great cause.

NDRL Bulldogs Representative team travels to Gayndah for the Wide Bay trials. Gin Gin forward Phillip Lindsay was selected to play in the 47th battalion Carnival at Roma.

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Date Date: Friday : Friday17th 17thJune June2016 2016 Date : Friday 17th June 2016 Date Date Friday : Friday 17th 17th June June2016 2016 Venue Venue : Harrup :: Harrup Park Park Country Country Club Club Venue : Harrup Park Country Club Venue Venue : Harrup : HarrupPark Park Country Country Corporate Corporate Ticket Ticket Areas Areas:Club :Club Corporate Ticket Areas : Corporate Corporate Ticket Ticket Areas Areas: : Diamond Diamond $175.00 $175.00 Diamond $175.00 Diamond Diamond $175.00 $175.00 Gold Gold$125.00 $125.00 Gold $125.00 Gold Gold $125.00 $125.00 Silver Silver $95.00 $95.00 Silver $95.00 Silver Silver $95.00 $95.00 Seat General GeneralTickets Tickets : Grandstand : Grandstand Seat$50.00 $50.00 General Tickets : Grandstand Seat $50.00 General General Tickets Tickets : Admission Grandstand : Grandstand Seat Seat$50.00 $50.00 General General Admission $25.00 $25.00 General Admission $25.00 General General Admission Admission $25.00 $25.00 Children Children (5(5to to 15 15Years YearsOld) Old) $10.00 $10.00 Children (5 to 15 Years Old) $10.00 Children Children (5(5toto15 15 Years Years Old) $10.00 $10.00 Children Children Under Under 5Old) 5Free Free Children Under 5 Free Children Children Under 5Open 5Free Freeatat4.30pm Time Time: 6.30pm : 6.30pm Start Start/Under /Gates Gates Open 4.30pm Time : 6.30pm Start / Gates Open at 4.30pm Time Time: 6.30pm : 6.30pmStart Start/ /Gates GatesOpen Openatat4.30pm 4.30pm

For For all all bookings bookings contact contact : :: For all bookings contact For For all all bookings bookings contact contact: : Tel Tel : :(07) (07) 4961 49619777 9777 Tel (07) 4961 9777 or online onlineatat Tel Tel: ::(07) (07)or4961 4961 9777 or online at9777 ororonline onlineatat

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Hervey Bay are clear leaders after ten rounds of the Bundaberg competition with eight wins and a loss in nine games including a massive 86/0 defeat of Devils on the 21st May. Their nearest rivals Across the Waves sit in second spot with six wins while the 2015 premiers Past Brothers are comfortable in third. The Bay have the best defence in the league only conceding 123 points in the nine games they have played which is 32 better than their nearest rival.

Past Brothers have the best attack in the league with a massive 38 points a game season-to-date while their Jayden Alberts leads the try scoring on eight in front of Wallaroos’ Luke Waters and Devils’ Royce Blair on seven.

Redants prevailing 26/22. Both districts play their own internal competition and against one another but combine for the finals. Cherbourgh leads the South Burnett competition having won five of their six games from Nanago who have won four from five with two byes. Alexander Speedy from Cherbourgh leads the try scoring with eleven from Nanango’s Ashley Smallwood with ten tries. Smallwood is also the leading point scorer in the competition with 84 points in five games.

Central Division representative fullback Jake Carl from Brothers leads the points scoring on 84 from Hervey Bay’s Clinton Horne. Western Suburbs, Eastern Suburbs, Wallaroos and Devils make up the field with lacklustre Devils having a massive 502 point scored against them in nine games.

The South Burnett competition consists of Cherbourgh, Nanango, Murgon, Kingaroy and Wondai Preston while in the Central Burnett the clubs are Eidsvold, Gayndah, Monto and Mundubbera. Kingaroy and Wondai had to play extra time to find a decider in the 2015 Grand Final with the Kingaroy

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Caloundra’s No 10 Wayne Afoa being tackled by Nat Taber from Maroochydore with Troy Mendham and Murray Goldsworthy close by.

Image: Courtesy Richard Goldsworthy

Mundubbera lead the Central Burnett competition with four wins from their five games from Eidsvold with two wins and two defeats.

Highfields with four wins and four defeats also are in the mix.

2015 premiers are currently in 9th spot while their opponents in the big game Dalby are running seventh.

Defence is the key to the Sunshine Coast/Gympie Rugby League competition in 2016 with the Maroochydore/Coolum Swans leading the competition although Caloundra Sharks (220), Kawana Dolphins (208) and the Caboolture Snakes are better attacking teams.

Valleys split Dalby and Wattles in eight position while Goondiwindi with one victory are just in front of last placed Oakey.

The Swans have only conceded 76 points in their nine games compared to 126+ for the rest of the competition.

Kawana who won the 2015 title are currently sitting in third position aligned with the Caboolture Snakes with four wins, a draw and three loses.

The Gympie Devils sit in fifth spot in front of the Nambour Crushers while Noosa Pirates with six loses and two forfeits are destined to run last.

After nine rounds of the Toowoomba competition Southern Suburbs have moved into outright first spot with eight wins from eight starts including big wins over Wattles (26/8) and Oakey (56/12) in their last three starts.

Brothers, Pittsworth, Gatton and the Warwick Cowboys all sit on 12 points with six wins apiece while 42

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Callum Woolacott from Gatton leads the point scoring with 98 points from Luke Nolan 75 from Southern Suburbs and Pittsworth’s Jake Johnston and Highfields Jarrod Lee on 70.

Aaron Hooper (Southern Suburbs) leads the try scoring with 12 from Central Division winger Corey Blades on 11.

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Featuring Featuring Featuring PoetRupert RupertMcCall, McCall,Comedian ComedianDarren Darren Carrand anda ahost hostofofAustralia’s Australia’sCricketing Cricketingelite elite Poet Carr Featuring Featuring Poet including Rupert McCall, Comedian Darren Carr and a host of Australia’s Cricketing elite JoeBurns, Burns, MarkWaugh, Waugh, Ian Healy, Andrew Symonds, Brad Haddin, including Joe Mark Ian Healy, Andrew Symonds, Brad Haddin, Poet Poet Rupert RupertMcCall, McCall, Comedian Comedian Darren Darren Carr Carr and anda a host hostofof Australia’s Australia’s Cricketing Cricketing elite elite including Joe Burns, Mark Waugh, Ian Healy, Andrew Symonds, Brad Haddin, Adam Gilchrist, Glenn McGrath, Ryan Harris & many more.

Adam Gilchrist, Glenn McGrath, Ryan Harris & many more. including includingJoe JoeBurns, Burns,Mark MarkWaugh, Waugh,Ian IanHealy, Healy,Andrew AndrewSymonds, Symonds,Brad BradHaddin, Haddin, Adam Gilchrist, Glenn McGrath, Ryan Harris & many more.

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Date:: :Thursday Thursday16th 16thJune June2016 2016 Date Date Thursday 16th June 2016 Date DateEntertainment : Entertainment :Thursday Thursday16th 16th June June 2016 2016 Centre Venue : Mackay & Convention Centre Venue : Mackay & Convention Venue : Mackay Entertainment & Convention Centre Venue Venue : :Mackay Mackay Entertainment Entertainment && Convention Convention Centre Centre Tickets : $165.00 Per person or $1600 Per Table 10 Tickets : $165.00 Per person or $1600 Per Table 10 Tickets : $165.00 Per person or $1600 Per Table 10 Tickets Tickets: :$165.00 $165.00 Per Per person person or or $1600 $1600Per PerTable Table10 10 Time : 6.30pm for 7.00pm Time : 6.30pm for 7.00pm Time :: :6.30pm for 7.00pm Time Time 6.30pm 6.30pm for for 7.00pm 7.00pm Dress : Smart Casual Dress : Smart Casual Dress Dress Dress:: :Smart Smart SmartCasual Casual Casual For bookings contact : (07) 4961 9777 www.bullsmasters.com.au For allall bookings contact : (07) 4961 9777 oror atat www.bullsmasters.com.au For all bookings contact : (07) 4961 9777 or at www.bullsmasters.com.au For For allall bookings bookings contact contact : (07) : (07) 4961 4961 9777 9777 oror atat www.bullsmasters.com.au www.bullsmasters.com.au

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MORE THAN JUST RUGBY LEAGUE FORMER national rugby league player and Mackay junior Brett Seymour says being back home has been “a bit of a whirlwind”.

Seymour moved back to his hometown of Mackay from the United Kingdom in November last year and is player/coach at Norths Devils in the Mackay and District Rugby League competition. “It’s really good to be back, I’m loving being back with family and friends,” he said. “You just sort of forget how much you miss that type of stuff.” Seymour has been overseas playing the sport he loves for about five years.

The former Brisbane Broncos player said what was happening at Norths was “really exciting”. “We’re not trying to change things in one day but there’s a good buzz around the place and we just want to keep that going,” Seymour said. “Last year we would have had one team and trying to make two sides out of 20 blokes, it just wasn’t workable.”

“We’ve recruited well... but we’ve got a lot of young lads and a lot of seniors, so it’s up to them to up-speed the other guys.” Seymour played rugby league for Souths Sharks when he started playing the sport. “One of the big factors (of coming back) was Greg Sutherland,” he said. “When I was playing as a junior at Souths, Greg was a big supporter of mine. “It didn’t really matter what team it was, Greg was just a great supporter of the whole community.” Sutherland was known as Mr Rugby League in Mackay and was instrumental in helping Stadium Mackay get off the ground. However he passed away late last year.

Seymour said there was a lot more to being at Norths than just winning games. “It’s about providing those lads with something they’ve probably never got over the past 10 or 15 years,” he said. With Norths looking much stronger this season, Seymour said a stronger club meant a stronger competition for the region. “The competition is even and there’s some really good talent through there,” he said. “It’s very physical, I must say, the 44

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refs have got their hands full, there’s a lot going on.” Difficult was how Seymour described doing the dual role of playing and coaching. “It’s hard, you don’t know when to take one cap off and put the other one on,” he said. “It’s a learning curve at the moment, I don’t think I could keep on doing it but at the moment it’s what’s needed.”

At 31-years-old Seymour said he was getting on in rugby league terms. “As you grow you have different focuses and things in life,” he said.

With Mackay and much of North Queensland struggling economically, Seymour said rugby league and sport in general was the glue that kept everyone together.

Away from rugby league, Seymour works for Deadly Choices – a program targeting indigenous health and wellbeing. “It’s really good actually, that gives me another link to the community,” he said. “We’ve got some good stuff going on there.”

“For myself personally it’s exactly what I need... helping someone generally rewards me. “Everything is in place at the moment for me to be a happy person and successful.” Seymour has battled with depression. In 2012 while living overseas he tried to commit suicide.

“I want to be approachable, that’s one thing I’ve learnt from the coaches I’ve had,” he said. “You want to be able to speak to people and not feel ashamed or nervous. “I know a lot of people have taken their lives in this area... that’s something that really hits home with me. “It’s just about letting them lads know that it’s all right to talk.”

– GEOFF PAGANONI

Winter in

Mackay events is heating up with great

June 16 -17 T20 All Stars Cricket, Festival for Bravehearts Harrup Park/MECC

Saturday July 9

August 25 to 27

Aug 24 to Sept 4

G&S Engineering Wine & Food Day - Queens Park

Mackay Airport Beach Horse Racing Festival - Harbour Beach

International Quadrangular Cricket Series - Harrup Park

Find more events at mackayregion.com/events LEAGUEQUEENSLAND.COM.AU

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47TH BATTALION MEMORIAL TROPHY What it is all about – the 47th Battalion Memorial Trophy being presented to the Sunshine Coasts’ Murray Goldworthy by Toowoomba and Queensland legend, Greg Platz.

Image: Redfern Sports Photography

PLAYED ON THE ARTHUR BEETSON OVAL, ROMA

30TH APRIL – 1ST MAY 2016 THE name 47th Battalion Shield originates from a donation from Bundaberg’s Peter Macellos who served in the Battalion during the 2nd World War and gave the trophy to honour the memory of fallen comrades. The Battalion had a distinguished history in the 1st World War fighting at Pozieres, Bullecourt, Messines, Passchendale and Dernancourt. During these campaigns they lost 661 killed and 1,564 wounded. The 47th Battalion in the 1st World War was drawn from Tasmania and Queensland with one Tasmanian soldier, Sergeant Stanley McDougall winning the Victoria Cross and Military Medal at Dernancourt. During the 2nd World War the 47th Battalion was essentially a Wide Bay unit that drew most of their soldiers from Tairo, Gympie, Murgon, Wondai, Kingaroy, Childers, Howard and Bundaberg.

The battalion served with distinction in the New Guinea and Bougainville campaigns losing 67 killed and 147 wounded.

I have never pretended that I don’t have a soft-spot for country rugby league and after two great days enjoying the hospitality of the south-west Queensland town of Roma courtesy of the Central Division and the Roma Cities Club that soft-spot has intensified. The 47th Battalion Carnival has been continually run since 1971 and although it was originally a coastal competition involving Maryborough, Bundaberg, Gympie, South Burnett and the Sunshine Coast it has grown to encompass the entire Central Division. Over the years basically every area has won the trophy with South Burnett (6), Maryborough (3), Bundaberg (8), Toowoomba (3) and Maryborough/Hervey Bay in 1996. However Sunshine Coast/Gympie have won the most titles with victories on 21 occasions leading into the 2016 carnival.

The 2016 carnival attracted men’s teams from the South West (Miles to the border), North Wide Bay, Toowoomba, Rockhampton, Bundaberg, Sunshine Coast, Gladstone and the Central Highlands while the Women’s section involved teams from South West, Bundaberg, Central Queensland Capras, Sunshine Coast/Beerwah and the Central Highlands.

The competition was broken up into pools with Toowoomba who had won the title in 2012, 2014 and 2015 in pool A along with Rockhampton, Sunshine Coast and North Wide Bay while the hosts South West Country were in pool B along with Bundaberg (2013 winners), Gladstone and the Central Highlands. The 46

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Women’s competition was played in one group with a semi-final played on the Sunday morning followed by the Grand Final in the afternoon. Points were allocated for winning each half and the game so it was possible to go through the competition undefeated as was the case with Bundaberg and not make the final. Country Rugby League is fickle and while some teams had the advantage of being eight rounds into their club season so well prepared for the possibility of playing four games in two days other teams had not started their season and came into the competition a little underdone. Despite this the standard of rugby league was high and there were no easy games in the 21 played during the carnival although an underdone North Wide Bay struggled in the closing stages of their three games.

Toowoomba paid for a mistake in their opening game against the Sunshine Coast giving away a penalty on the stroke of half time to let the opposition take a slender 12/10 lead into the break but more importantly give away the two possible points for the winning half. The Clydesdales looked the most polished of the teams on display and although they finished with the best points differential of a positive 68 they missed the finals. Five of their squad made the Central Crows representative team while grand final opponents Sunshine Coast (four) and South West Country (two) were split by the three players from undefeated Bundaberg and Rockhampton while Gladstone and Central Highlands had one apiece. Toowoomba’s Alex Ambia who missed selection was another crowd favourite as the nuggetty Papua New Guinea player was dangerous every time he touched the ball.

On the Saturday the local South West Country boys defeated Central Highlands 28/10 in the opening game before losing to Bundaberg 28/18 in the afternoon while Bundaberg scrambled to defeat Gladstone 18/16. This narrow win and a half loss to South West Country and later Central Highlands cost Bundaberg a spot in the Grand Final as the six points was enough to see South West Country sneak into the big game. South West Queensland played out of their skins and despite the lack of match practice were the crowd favourites over the weekend.

Their replacement hooker Brendan Grulke was the Player of the Carnival and made the run-on side for the Central Division.

The Sunshine Coast won their hardest game on the Saturday when they defeated 2015 winners Toowoomba 24/16 after both teams were tied up 10/10 with seconds on the clock in the first half. They defeated North Wide Bay 26/4 and Rockhampton 30/4 on their way to the final. They were professional and it’s obvious the near proximity to the Sunshine Coast Falcons has given some of their players an edge. The Grand Final was basically a classy Sunshine Coast playing a dogged but injured South West Country who went into the game with both starting props struggling to take the field. The boys from the bush were gallant in defeat scoring a try in each half. Sunshine Coast was too strong on the day with their best being Murray Goldworthy, Cory Forrest and Dylan McGrath while South West Countries best were Brendan Grulke and Zac Downey.

Women’s rugby league is the growth area of the sport in Queensland and the five teams that played in Roma never left anything on the field in any game. On the Saturday Bundaberg defeated Central Queensland 6/0, Central Highlands defeated South West Country 22/8 and the classy Sunshine Coast/Beerwah team defeated Bundaberg 50/0. The Central Queensland team

played without their Jillaroo’s Chelsea Baker and Kody House so this certainly took a lot of the attack out of this team while the Sunshine Coasts Annette Brander was also missing for the same reason. The Grand Final was between Central Highlands and Sunshine Coast/Beerwah with the strappers working overtime to get the players on the field.The final was a rugged dour affair with no holds barred. A high tackle on Central Highland’s former Australian player Tegan Rolfe took a lot of the sting out of their attack and although she returned to the field she struggled to get involved. Both team scored a try with the coastal team kicking a goal to win 6/4 in a tight encounter. It was an extremely physical contest and player of the final Mariah Storch (Central Highlands) tackled herself to a standstill while Sarah Walker (Sunshine Coast) was close to their best. Sunshine Coast captain Amy Bock commented in accepting the trophy that the match was as physical and as competitive as any that the highly credentialed Sunshine Coast team had experienced. Following the respective Grand Final’s the Central Division selectors picked their teams for the Divisional Championships. They were:-

CENTRAL CROWS

MEN’S A GRADE CENTRAL CROWS WOMEN’S A GRADE 1. Jake Carl (Bundaberg) 2. Corey Blades (Toowoomba) 3. Steve Franciscus (Toowoomba) 4. Chanel Seigafo (Rockhampton) 5. Jason King (Central Highlands) 6. Nathan Sullivan (Bundaberg) 7. Jason Wilmont (Toowoomba) 8. Trent Richardson (Toowoomba) 9. Brendan Grulke (South West) 10. Jason Wardrop (Sunshine Coast) 11. Murray Goldsworthy (Sunshine Coast) 12. Tyson White (Gladstone) 13. Rueben Baillie (Bundaberg) 14. Dylan McGrath (Sunshine Coast) 15. Mitchell Carpenter (Toowoomba) 16. Zac Downey (South West) 17. Daniel Tanner (Rockhampton) 18. Peter Rogers (Rockhampton) 19. David Oakes (Sunshine Coast)

Lana Sheedy (Sunshine Coast) Chelsea Baker (CQ Capras) Steff Gallagher (Sunshine Coast) Kody House (CQ Capras) Kailah Rogers (Central Highlands) Tegan Rolfe (Central Highlands) Courtney Lockwood (Sunshine Coast) Ellie Waters (Central Highlands) Sarah Walker (Sunshine Coast) Carly Bell (Central Highlands) Annette Brander (Sunshine Coast) Emily McMurdee (Sunshine Coast) Sam Beasant (Sunshine Coast) Amy Bock (Sunshine Coast) Kiri Samson (Central Highlands) Mariah Storch (Central Highlands) Sheree Jewess (Bundaberg) Chloe Ramsay (Central Highlands) Sarah Field (CQ Capras) LEAGUEQUEENSLAND.COM.AU

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CENTRAL CROWS WOMEN’S REPRESENTATIVE TEAM 2016 (Photo taken after Carnival and some girls had departed) Back (L-R):- Alan McIndoe (Assistant Coach), Mariah Storch (CH), Carly Bell (CH), Cloe Ramsay (CH), Emmaley McMurdy (SC), Amy Bock (SC), Kailah Rogers (CH), Stef Gallagher (SC), Courtney Lockwood (SC), Steve Savage (Coach) Front:- Sarah Field (CQ Capras), Kiri Samson (CH), Tegan Rolfe (CH), Elle Waters (CH), Lana Sheedy (SC), Sarah Walker (SC) Image: Redford Sports Photography

SUNSHINE COAST RUGBY LEAGUE REPRESENTATIVE TEAM - Winners of the 47th Battalion Memorial Trophy held in Roma 1st May 2016 Back (L-R):- Jason Wardrop, Blake Bella, Luke Roberts, Jamie Casey, Robbie Cordwell, Alex Clare, Scott Maddick, Logan Houghton, Dylan McGrath, Jordan Ryan Middle:- Rohan Messer, Phil Taylor, David Oakes, Jake Tyler, Darren Pereira, Jacob Friske Front:- Corey Forrest, Murray Goldsworthy (Captain), Paul McEwin.

Image: Redford Sports Photography

No book before has captured the history of the rugby league in North Queensland like More than the Foley Shield.

The book tells the story of more than 300 players and officials that had a hand in the 100 year rise and development of the game in the north of Australia.

MORE THAN THE FOLEY SHIELD

The stories of the great international teams that toured the North like the 1928, 1936 and 1946 Great Britain sides, the magnificent 1951 and 1955 Frenchmen who thrilled the crowds in Townsville and Cairns.

The book is not only about the games - it captures the great players like Ola Olsen from Charters Towers, who played six games for Queensland in 1908 through to our current North Queensland super-star Johnathan Thurston.

No region or town misses out with more than 400 photos, many never seen before, of teams and players from Sarina in the south, Thursday Island in the north and Mount Isa in the west.

The book written in chronological order tells about the great North Queensland team that supplied nine Queensland players in 1915 and also tells about the success of the North Queensland Cowboys, Mackay Cutters and Northern Pride.

The great games are mentioned in detail like the 110 minute marathon in 1982 when Townsville and Herbert River fought out a 22/22 draw, the 100 minute Carlton Shield final in 1938 when Cairns and Townsville drew and the great effort from the 1962 Far North Queensland team in Cairns who went down to a magnificent Great Britain team 33/31.

This touring team had beaten all corners including Australia. More than the Foley Shield tells all. Don’t miss out on this great piece of North Queensland history.

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Available online – www.morethanthefoleyshield.com.au

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Image: SMP Photos

MAL MENINGA AND CYRIL CONNELL CUPS B LACK HAW K S DO QUEENSL AND PROUD

FOR the second season the Townsville Blackhawks have claimed the Mal Meninga Cup (Under 18’s) and Cyril Connell Cup (Under 16). Both teams finished top of their pool in the state championships and performed well in the semi-finals.

The standard of rugby league throughout the season was high and a credit to the players, coaches and managers of the teams that took part.

The Cyril Connell Cup semi-finals saw the Blackhawks edge out the Toowoomba Clydesdales 34/30 while Souths Logan defeated Norths 24/14. The Grand Final was played on the same program as the Queensland vs New South Wales Residents game but if you were at the ground early all you could see was Blackhawks and Souths Logan supporters.

Souths Logan dominated the opening half and despite knocking on from the Blackhawks kick-off scored the first try to David Fifita in the first five minutes. The boys in black and white jerseys scored another try within minutes with the

With seconds on the clock and Souths Logan pressing the Blackhawks line a dropped ball gave the Blackhawks a sniff and they capitalized in spades with Mitch Fogarty scoring a try to take his team into the sheds training 18/4. Whatever Blackhawks coach Allan Petersen said to the boys at half-time worked as Souths Logan never added to their score while Kade Banset scored in the opening minutes of the half to narrow the score to 18/10 after the Adam Cook conversion.

Souths Logan came back strongly but the resolute Townsville defence was up to the occasion. Townsville’s strong running second-row forward Isaac Locke scored twice within minutes but Cook missed both conversions so the game looked like heading into a tie at 18/18 with seconds on the clock. It is history now that the Blackhawks were awarded a penalty on the siren and Adam Cook kicked the most important goal of his short career to give his team a 20/18 victory.

Townsville Blackhawks 20 (Isaac Locke 2, Mitch Fogarty, Kade Banset tries; Adam Cook 2 goals) def Souths Logan Magpies 18 (David Fifita, Geordie Brand, Ioane Seiuli tries; Ioane Seiuli 2, Jake Rowles goals).

Man of Match: McKenzie Baker (Townsville Blackhawks) A week later the Townsville Blackhawks were back in Brisbane, this time at Bishop Park to play the Parramatta Under 16 team in the National Final. The old saying,

“A good big man will always beat a good little man” hard running Geordie Brand running through most of the Blackhawks team to extend Souths Logan to a very handy 12/0 lead after 20 minutes. The morning got worse for the Townsville team as Souths Logan extended their lead to 18/0 with a try to Loane Seiuli which was converted by Jake Rowles.

certainly applied here as the Eels were simply too big, too strong and too powerful for the Townsville outfit.

The Blackhawks made several unforced errors early in the game and a converted try to Charbel Tasipale was a sign of things to come for the northern team. Sadly indecision

TOWNSVILLE BLACKHAWKS QUEENSLAND CHAMPIONS CYRIL CONNELL CUP 2016 - Front Row L-R (sitting):- Curtis Dempsey, Mitchell Fogarty, Hamilton Taia Middle Row L-R:- Nick Barnes(Trainer), Kelsey Hesp, Marty O’Brien, Jake Hindom, Jacson Lott, Manfred Babao, Adam Cook, Darian Lampton, Clint Amos (trainer), Kade Banset Back Row L-R:- Mitchell Zohn, Kieran Moran, Allan Petersen (Coach), Kallum Delacour, Harrison Leslie, Quinlan Kelly, Ty Everett, McKenzie Baker, Isaac Locke, Grant Wilson (Manager), Dr Ward, Adam Whyte, Mark Winton (First Aid)

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cost them dearly and by half time the Parramatta team had stretched their lead to 22/0 with further tries to Asaeli Vuicakau, Cliff Lea’aetoa and their best player and captain, JP Nohra scoring and having a hand in the Vuicakau try.

The Blackhawks stuck to their guns in the second half and played much better but could not break the strong Eels defence. The NSW team scored another two tries to eventually run out 32/0 winners with winger Lea’aetoa running the length of the field to score his second of the game and Dennis Mataia going in for the last. JP Nohra from Parramatta won the Man of the Match Award while the best for Townsville were McKenzie Baker, Isaac Locke and Hamilton Taia.

The Blackhawks team were – (1) McKenzie Baker, (2) Darian Lampton, (3) Martin O’Brien, (4) Kallum Delacour, (5) Kade Banset, (6) Kelsey Hesp, (7) Adam Cook, (8) Quin Kelly, (14) Cameron Bateup, (10) Hamilton Taia, (11) Isaac Locke, (12) Adam Whyte, (13) Jacson Lott, (9) Curtis Dempsey, (14) Jake Hindom, (16) Manfred Babao, (17) Kieran Moran and coach was Allan Petersen.

Parramatta Eels 32 (Cliff Lea’aetoa 2, Charbel Tasipale, Asaeli Vuicakau, JP Nohra, Dennis Mataia tries; Kyle Schneider 4 goals) def Townsville Blackhawks 0.

Following the game a Queensland Under 16 team was announced to play New South Wales on the 1st June at ANZ Stadium. The team was – (1) McKenzie Baker (Townsville Blackhawks), (2) Tanah Boyd (Gold Coast White), (3) Geordie Brand (Souths Logan Magpies), (4) Ethan Bullemor (Norths Devils), (5) Blake Campbell (Gold Coast Green), (6) Tino Faasuamaleaui (Central Qld Crows), (7) David Fifita (Souths Logan Magpies), (8) Thomas Gilbert (Norths Devils), (9)

Zachary McCormack (Gold Coast Green), (10) Cory Paix (Toowoomba Clydesdales), (11) Jack Paterson (Norths Devils), (12) Dejzha Pene (Norths Devils), (13) Ioane Seiuli (Souths Logan Magpies), (14) Jonathan Siofeli (Souths Logan Magpies), (15) Garrett Smith (Mackay Cutters), (16) Lazeryth Su’a (Gold Coast White), (17) Hamilton Taia (Townsville Blackhawks).

The Townsville Under 18’s were one of the better performing rugby league teams in Queensland during the 2016 season not losing a game on their way to the state final against Norths Devils. In the finals they had beaten Victoria 48/6 and then the Falcons 54/24. The Sunshine Coast team had also gone through the regular season without a loss and then defeated Easts 26/12 in the quarter final before going down to the Blackhawks. Norths had lost one game to Victoria in the regular season and then narrowly defeated the Capras 36/32 and Gold Coast White 16/13 on their way to the final.

The Townsville team were playing for their third successive Mal Meninga Cup title and had a nucleus of experienced players from last year’s Cyril Connell Cup premiers. They were always going to be hard to beat and so it turned out with Samuel Carter and Michael Carroll scoring converted tries in the opening ten minutes. Matters got worse for the Devils with the very talented Duarne Dempsey scoring another try before half-time while Oscar Carter kicked four from four to give his team as dominant 20/0 lead at half-time.

The Blackhawks continued their dominance in the second session with Julian Christian putting Jayden Stephens in but the Devils came back and played their best rugby league for the game with Unngoorra Harbour scoring. The flying Duarne Dempsey then took the game completely out of Norths reach with a great try which increased their lead to 32/4. Once again the gallant Norths came back and Kyle Patterson and Kalem Hart scored to narrow the gap to 32/16 but the Blackhawks coasted home with big Emry Pere scoring their last try which was once again converted by Oscar Carter. The best for Townsville were Duarne Dempsey (Man of Match), Julian Christian, Oscar Carter and Kurt Wilshire while Unngoorra Harbour, Samuel Armstrong and Gerome Burns tried hard for Norths.

Townsville Blackhawks 38 (Sam Martin, Michael Carroll, Marshall Hudson, Jayden Stephens, Duarne Dempsey, Emry Pere tries; Oscar Carter 7 goals) def Norths Devils 16 (Unngoorra Harbour, Kyle Paterson, Kalemb Hart tries; Gerome Burns 2 goals) While the Blackhawks are the best in Queensland they met sterner opposition in the National Final played at Bishop Park on the 15th May when the Penrith Panthers ran onto the paddock. Once again a bigger, faster and dominant team the Panthers attacked early with their talented captain Sean O’Sullivan dictating play. O’Sullivan had a dominant game scoring the opening try and kicking six goals from six attempts as he led his team to a 36/28 victory. The Blackhawks gave away too much start and were the better team in the second session but at 24/10 down at half-time they were always going to struggle. The Blackhawks tries in the middle of the second half to Marshall Hudson and Julian Christian were two of the better tries that will be scored on Bishop Park in 2016 but unfortunately they missed several scoring opportunities that cost them dearly. When the board read 24/22 to the Panthers the game was there for the winning but the NSW team through Brian Too scored next to extend their lead to 30/22 which was always a bridge-too-far for the northern team. This lead went to 36/22 when William Burns scored but the last points of the game went to the Blackhawks Kurt Wiltshire who scored his

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MAL MENINGA AND CYRIL CONNELL CUPS

TOWNSVILLE BLACKHAWKS – MAL MENINGA CUP 2016 QUEENSLAND CHAMPIONS - Front Row:- Brad Garners (Manager), Julian Christian, Tom McCagh, Duarne Dempsey, Oscar Carter, Jayden Stephens, Emery Pere, Jack Althaus, Roy Baira (Trainer), Campbell Duffy, Hannah Goodwin (First Aid) Second Row:- Dick Walsh (Coach), Dr Rod Ward, Nathan Barrett, Jack Glossop, Kurt Wilshire, Cody Gibbs, Brett Anderson, Corey Horsburgh, Michael Carroll, Jacob Bourke, Sam Savage, Marshall Hudson, Glenn Brock (Trainer), Mark Winton (Tour Manager) Image: SMP Photos

second try which was converted by Oscar Carter.

The best for the Blackhawks were Julian Christian, Oscar Carter and Brett Anderson while Treymaine Brown and Sean O’Sullivan were outstanding for Penrith.

Blackhawks: (1) Marshall Hudson, (2) Michael Carroll, (3) Sam Martin, (4) Kurt Wiltshire, (5) Tom McCagh, (6) Oscar Carter, (7) Jacob Bourke, (8) Jack Althaus, (9) Julian Christian, (10) Emry Pere, (11) Brett Anderson, (12) Nathan Barrett, (13) Corey

Horsburgh, (15) Campbell Duffy, (17) Jayden Stephens, (18) Yaza Stephen, (19) R McKenzie-O’Brien. Coach was Dick Walsh.

Penrith Panthers 36 (Jake Tago 2, Sean O’Sullivan, Mitchell Kenny, Brian Too, William Burns tries; Sean O’Sullivan 6 goals) def Townsville Blackhawks 28 (Kurt Wiltshire 2, Brett Anderson, Marshall Hudson, Julian Christian tries; Oscar Carter 4 goals) Man of Match: Treymaine Brown (Penrith) – TONY PRICE

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T H E

CONFRATERNITY SHIELD WHAT I S I T?

THE Confraternity Shield, or “Confro” as it is known by thousands of students throughout Queensland, is a significant feature of the Rugby League calendar. It is under the auspices of the Qld Independent Secondary Schools (QISSRL) and has had a long association with the Confraternity of Brothers Clubs, and has its origin dating back to 1980, the same year as the birth of Origin football. In fact at the opening of the Yeppoon carnival in 1983 the late Ron McAuliffe said he hoped this carnival would grow like Origin in stature and it has.

It started with less than ten schools but this year there are 46 schools competing. It’s safe to say that EVERY independent school that plays Rugby League (even if it’s not the major code at their school) come to the carnival for a week of football.

This year we welcome Ashgrove College, St Laurence’s’ College, Iona College and St Anthony’s College for the first time and it’s significant that whenever a school samples what Confro is all about they always return. Such is its image and respect. It’s a trip away in the old sense for a squad of 20 players and five or six staff who give up a week of their holidays. One of the reasons for the growth and success of the carnival is because so many staff when they move to another school sing the praises of the carnival and before

long another school is involved. Similarly many students who go on to attend the carnival as an adult official are recognised at the annual dinner.

The formulae remains much the same each year, where schools nominate for one of three divisions and after three games find a competition to match their talent and success.

Every school has six games for the week and by Thursday and Friday there are many tightly contested matches for either the Shield, Plate, Bowl, Cup, Challenge or a Trophy named after Bob Lindner. Bob was one of the original participants in 1980 while attending Aquinas College on the Gold Coast and the first international emerging from the carnival. Current Penrith coach Anthony Griffin was player of the carnival in the mid 80’s while attending Emmaus College Rockhampton.

It is held in a different town/city each year, and schools travel long distances to be there. This year it is in Rockhampton, next year in Brisbane and then Charters Towers and it has been in all these towns before. Lionel Williamson, that great Kangaroo winger from the 1960’s, drives his school bus down from Cairns south to wherever the carnival is.

The carnival has adopted Men of League as its chosen charity.

Schools sponsor the Men of League through buying the socks

2015 QISSRL HONORARY REPRESENTATIVE TEAM - Back (L-R):- Anthony Meleisea Murray (St Peter Claver), Michael Balande (Aquinas), Bailey Butler (St Brendans), Jaiyden Hunt (St Thomas More), Tautuituma Leatigaga (St Peter Claver), Sagalima Vartai (St Peter Claver), Daniel Loane (St Peter Claver), Jamoi Tavita (St Peter Claver), Matthew Egan (Marymount), Christian Power (Ignatius Park) Front:- Ethan Pringle (Padua), Dominic MaCumboy (St Brendans), Jacob O’Shea (Shalom), Bailey Gill (Marymount), John Thomas (St Thomas More College, Manager), Scott Maguire (Padua College, Coach), James Conroy (Ignatius Park), Samukie Gaiden (St Brendans), Oscar Carter (Ignatius Park).

Image: Courtesy A Slice of Life Photography

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for Men of League day on the Tuesday or by donating money to the organisation. It shows the spirit that the carnival encompasses in the way the support this organisation.

The most successful sides in recent years have been St. Brendans in Yeppoon and Ignatius Park Townsville. Brendan’s and Ignatius Park Colleges had seven boys playing in last year’s grand final, all of whom attended Confro. Spectators keenly remember how Michael Morgan from Ignatius Park led from the front to defeat Brendan’s some years ago.

Going back further Jonathon Thurston was considered too small to make the QISSRL side chosen at the carnival. It’s a shame that side cannot play in the Australian Schoolboy championships but that’s another story.

This year the favourite may well be host school, The Cathedral College in Rockhampton. If you are Rocky the in the week beginning June 27, be sure to call in and have a look at the talent and spirit on display.

– COL HENNESSY (QISSRL Life Member) CONFRO DREAM TEAM OF CURRENT NRL PLAYERS Selected by Tony Price Fullback – Ben Barba (St Pat’s Mackay, 2012 Dally M Winger – Corey Oates (St Brendan’, Brisbane Broncos) Centre – Gerard Beale (Clairvaux McKillop, Cronulla, New Zealand) Centre – Michael Morgan (Ignatius Park, Cowboys, Australia) Winger – Kyle Feldt (Ignatius Park, Cowboys) 5/8 – Daly Cherry-Evans (St Pat’s Mackay, Manly, Australia) ½ Back – Johnathan Thurston (St Mary’s, Cowboys, Australia) Lock – Ethan Lowe (St Mary’s, Cowboys) 2nd Row – Jacob Lillyman (Columba, Warriors, Queensland) 2nd Row – A iden Guerra (Ignatius Park, Roosters, Australia) Prop – Matt Scott (St Brendan’s, Cowboys, Australia) Hooker – James Segeyaro (St Augustine’s, Penrith, PNG) Prop – Nate Myles (St Augustine’s, Manly, Australia) Interchange – Dave Taylor (St Brendan’s, Australia) Interchange – K urt Mann (St Brendan’s, St George) Interchange – J ake Granville (St Brendan’s, Cowboys) Interchange – B en Lowe (St Brendan’s, South Sydney) Interchange – V alentine Holmes (Ignatius Park, Cronulla) Interchange – D ylan Napa (St Pat’s Shorncliffe, Roosters) Interchange – Jamie Dowling (Marymount, Titans) LEAGUEQUEENSLAND.COM.AU

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WALLY TALLIS I FIRST met Wally Tallis in the very early 1970’s in Townsville.

I was a Whitsunday junior and Wally was a Townsville player in the twilight of a country rugby league career. He was an easy going bloke who had no malice and naturally when a touring team visited Townsville Wally was always around to make them welcome. Over the years I ran into him on many occasions and his great welcoming smile was always there. There was another side to Wally Tallis; he was a great rugby league player in his own right in an era when North Queensland dominated Queensland Rugby League.

Born and bred in Townsville Wally Tallis was a natural sportsman with all the skills that took many players onto International honours. He played Foley Shield for Townsville from 1961 until the early 1970’s and represented North Queensland as a fullback and winger. His first game for North Queensland was in 1962 when he played in a team that defeated Brisbane 25/12. Following this game he was selected to play for Country in the Queensland Trials in a team that contained some of the best of all time including Bobby Banks, Alan Gil and Jimmy Paterson.

After playing in the 1964 Foley Shield Final he accepted an offer to play for Leigh in England. The famous Aboriginal sports star Wally McArthur, a former Australian sprinter who came to England to play professionally with Rochdale Hornets recommended him to Leigh. McArthur was the first Indigenous person to play for an English rugby league club.

Between 1953 and 1959, McArthur played a total of 165 games on the wing with Rochdale, Blackpool, Salford and Workington Town. He scored a total of 611 points during this time. In 2008, the centenary of rugby league in Australia, McArthur was named in the Aboriginal Australian rugby league team of the century. Wally’s son Gorden Tallis was also selected in the team.

After learning his trade in the reserve team Tallis was given his chance in the first team in March 1965, playing in five late season games, all of which ended in victories for Leigh.

He made his debut against Widnes, retrospectively earning Heritage Number 729 when the Club’s Heritage Numbers project was unveiled in 2014. In his second match he made a strong impression with the match-winning penalty goal against Leeds at Hilton Park. The Bolton Evening News

reported: “Wally Tallis, the 6ft 4ins Australian full-back left Hilton Park to a standing ovation after clinching a dramatic 6-5 victory for Leigh over Leeds with his first ever points for the club. “Tallis produced some valiant defending to frustrate the Leeds attack and put the gloss on a sensational performance in the closing minutes when Leigh skipper Bev Risman, who had landed only two of six goal attempts, let the new man take the decisive penalty. It was a beauty, a 40-yarder that went hard, low and straight between the uprights.” Wally returned to Australia at the end of the 1965 season and on the 18th September 1966 ran onto the Townsville sports reserve in his second Foley Shield Final.

Despite scoring a try to put Townsville in front 10/8 late in the game, Cairns recovered to take the shield 11/10. Third time lucky for the big fullback in 1967 when he was in the Foley Shield team that defeated Innisfail 16/15.

Big Wally played in his fourth Foley Shield Final in 1969 when Mount Isa defeated Townsville 12/9.

In the twilight of his career 1973 Wally was captain of the ground-breaking Indigenous All Stars team that toured New Zealand.

The team managed to win seven of its nine matches in just 10 days. The team consisted of 34 players – 19 from NSW, 13 from Queensland and two from the Northern Territory. He is regarded as a pioneer for indigenous players and when his playing days were over coached the boys at Centrals Junior Rugby League in Townsville. But there is more to the Wally Tallis story. Like his benefactor Wally McArthur, the big likeable Thursday Islander was a natural Australian Rules player and actually played more than 400 games in Townsville. He would play Aussie Rules on the Saturday and league on the Sunday – pretty simple stuff for Wally. Both of Wally’s boys were great rugby league players with Wally jnr playing for the Broncos until injured in a car accident while Gorden would captain Australia. Yes, Wally Tallis, one of the good guys and a legend of North Queensland Rugby League.

– TONY PRICE

1962 Queensland Country Representative Rugby League Team- Back (L-R):- R Coxon, Pat Eales, Wally Tallis, J Crow (selector), Bob Hagen, Ray Miguel, G Bailey Middle:- John Reddy, Alan Gil, Jack Jones, R Guthridge, Kevin Yow Yeh, O Smith Front:- J Barlow (Manager), Cliff Powell, Jimmy Paterson (V/Captain), Bobby Banks (Captain), Dan Costigan, Peter Hanna, L Yewdale (Manager) 54

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55

MIGHTY MAGNIFICENT

TOOWOOMBA 1924 – 1925

COMPARING the current Queensland Maroons dynasty to the 1924/1925 Toowoomba Clydesdales is not as far-fetched as it sounds with 15 Internationals (75%) out of a 20 players squad in the class of 2015 while the 1924 Toowoomba team had six internationals and five Queensland players in their thirteen.

Putting this into perspective the population of Toowoomba in 1924 was between 20,000 and 30,000.

The captain of the Toowoomba team was Duncan Thompson who would be the first to admit was lucky to be on the field in 1924 as he had the fragment of a German bullet lodged in his chest courtesy of a wound received in April 1918 when he had served in the AIF during the First World War. Thompson was in the twilight of his magnificent career in 1924 having played for Queensland in 1915 before signing a contract with North Sydney in 1916. He joined the AIF that same year and served until discharged in January 1919. He toured New Zealand with an Australian team in 1919 sitting on the bench in the 3rd game against New Zealand and making his test debut in the 4th game won 32/2 by Australia. During the 1920 season Thompson played in the second and third tests against England and was instrumental in Norths winning Sydney premierships in 1921 and 1922. Thompson toured with the 1921/1922 Kangaroos playing in all three tests and another 23 tour games scoring 100 points.

During the 1923 season he was surprisingly charged by the NSWRL with kicking an opposing player and despite having a clean record and the support of the Sydney spectators and media he was sensationally suspended for the season. Duncan Thompson left Sydney club football forever and with the urging 56

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of fellow Queensland Kangaroo, E.S. “Nigger” Brown went to Toowoomba. He was the current New South Wales captain when suspended and a huge loss to that state.

The arrival of Thompson in 1924 and the coaching of former Queensland rugby union player “King” Renwick saw the Clydesdales rule supreme for two seasons, not losing a game.

The class of player in Brisbane, Ipswich and Toowoomba in 1924 was high with all three teams stacked with state players and internationals. Queensland with Duncan Thompson at the helm defeated New South Wales 22/20, 20/7 and 36/6. The mighty Queensland team also defeated England 25/10 and putting this into context this England team defeated Australia 2/1 in the test series. On the 18th June 1924, five days before they defeated Australia 22/3 in the first test at the Sydney Cricket Ground the England team played Toowoomba.

A crowd of more than 10,000 people packed into the Athletic Oval, they travelled from Brisbane and all over the Darling Downs to see the local champions in action. The England team contained ten test players while Toowoomba fielded a team containing six test players (Tommy Gorman, Duncan Thompson, Vic Armbruster, Jim Bennett, Dan Dempsey and Herb Steinohrt) plus Queensland players in Bill Spencer, Jack Cuneen, Colin Thompson, Cecil Broadfoot and Harry Leibke.

Toowoomba opened their scoring in the first minutes of the game when Duncan Thompson ran from a scrum and gave Tommy Gorman a great pass with the line open. Gorman could have scored himself but passed to Bill Spencer who scored the first of his three tries. Within minutes Spencer scored his second try when he ran from half-way brushing off three internationals in Charlie Carr, Billy Cuncliffe and Jim Sullivan to score beside the posts and with Thompson’s second conversion the Clydesdales led 10/0.

– LQ

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MIGHTY MAGNIFICENT TOOWOOMBA The touring team recovered their composure and Jim Sullivan created room for Charlie Pollard to score to narrow the gap to 10/3 before the Thompson brothers combined with Gorman to put Bill Spencer in for his third try and a strong 15/3 lead. The tourists dominated the closing stages of the first half with Sullivan kicking two goals while their Welsh test centre Tommy Howley scored a fine try to narrow the margin to 15/12.

Toowoomba was the first to score in the second half with a similar move to their opening try involving the Thompson brothers, Gorman, Jack Cunnen and finally Lindsay who went in to increase the Clydesdale led to 18/12. Tommy Gorman scored the last try for the home team and Duncan Thompson’s fourth goal took the score to 23/12. The England team scored two late tries through Dai Rees and Joe Thompson but when J Ollier the referee blew full-time around 5.00pm Toowoomba were leading 23/20.

Toowoomba played 12 games during the 1924/1925 seasons winning 11 and drawing one 3/3 against an Ipswich team that contained internationals Norm Potter, Eric Frauenfelder, John Hunt, Billy Paten and Australian captain Jimmy Craig.

The Clydesdales scored 323 points to 136 against and included in their games were the following:18th June 1924 – Toowoomba defeated England 23/20 with Bill Spencer scoring three tries.

10th August 1924 –

Toowoomba defeated Victoria 47/14.

3rd September 1924 –

Toowoomba defeated New South Wales 16/0 with Bill Spencer scoring three tries.

2nd May 1925 – Toowoomba defeated Brisbane 30/7 with Vic Armbruster scoring two tries.

16th May 1925 – Toowoomba drew 3/3 with Ipswich with Bill Spencer scoring a try.

20th June 1925 – Toowoomba defeated Brisbane 22/3 with R Lindsay scoring two tries and kicking three goals.

27th June 1925 – Toowoomba defeated Ipswich 18/13 to win the inaugural Bulimba Cup with Bill Spencer scoring two tries.

12th August 1925 – Toowoomba defeated New Zealand with Bill Spencer scoring three tries.

19th August 1925 – Toowoomba defeated South Sydney 12/5 with Bill Spencer scoring two tries.

These were wonderful times in the rugby league world with Brisbane, Ipswich and Toowoomba full of state players and internationals. During the 1924/1925 seasons Queensland played New South Wales eight times with the maroons winning seven to the blues solitary victory. The Toowoomba team of 1924/25 contained the following players:Fullback –

Matt Ryan

Winger –

Bill Spencer (28 games for Queensland)

Centre –

Jack Cuneen (2 games for Queensland)

Centre – Tommy Gorman (43 games for Queensland, 10 tests including 8 as captain) Winger –

Roy Lindsay (one game for Queensland)

Five-Eighth –

Colin Thompson (seven games for Queensland)

Half-back –

Duncan Thompson (17 games for Queensland, 9 tests)

Lock –

Cecil Broadfoot (11 games for Queensland)

2nd Row –

Vic Armbruster (43 games for Queensland, 8 tests)

2nd Row –

Harry Leibke (13 games for Queensland)

Prop –

Jim Bennett (36 games for Queensland, 3 tests)

Hooker –

Dan Dempsey (31 games for Queensland, 7 tests)

Prop –

Herb Steinohrt (51 games for Queensland, 9 tests including 3 as captain)

Cecil Broadfoot was replaced by a young Mick Madsen for the 1925 season. Mick went onto play 41 games for Queensland and 9 tests including one as captain. The Toowoomba team lost their inspirational leader, Duncan Thompson after the 1925 season while Tommy Gorman left for Brisbane. Ipswich won the 1926 Bulimba Cup. Was the Toowoomba team of 1924/1925 one of the best to ever play in Queensland? I feel that it was and the fact that Tommy Gorman, Mick Madsen, Duncan Thompson and Herb Steinohrt are all in the Queensland Team of the Century adds emphasis to that debate. Yes, Mighty, Magnificent Toowoomba – One of my Champion Teams.

– TONY PRICE

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