League Queensland - September 2016

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COMPLIMENTARY

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

GRAND FINALS GALORE THE MIGHTY BURLEIGH BEARS OUR PICK – STORM VS SHARKS THE CATCHCRY – “UP THE RIVER”

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CONTENT 4 8 12 15 16 22 23 25 26 32 33 34 35 36 38 39 40 45 46 48 50

Defence, Form and Champions At the Caxton The Super Cup XXXX Leading the Field Mighty Burleigh Bears The Fogs Challenge Brisbane Out and About Ipswich Rugby League Grand Final Mighty Herbert River Brothers Dominate Beyond the Broncos Beyond the Broncos Girls Academy Roma and District Rugby League Mount Isa and District Rugby League Cairns and District Rugby League The Mackay and District Rugby League Rugby League Country The Central Highlands CNW Good Guys – Hervey Bay Seagulls Ignatius Park It’s Been a Pleasure Knowing Him

From the editor The Finals are well and truly upon us with most competitions being decided around the state and as usual there were upsets a-plenty. Rockhampton Brothers had not lost a game all season and went down in the Grand Final to Norths after leading late in the game to prove the old adage, “it’s not over till the fat lady sings” is correct while the form of the Sunshine Coast Falcons late in the season shows anything is possible. I looked at the Super Cup at the end of the regular season and immediately ruled them out having to face PNG in New Guinea. The Falcons never hesitated and beat the formidable Hunters at home before going through my Cup favourites the Blackhawks in Townsville.

Our magazine is monthly so by the time some read this column the season will be over but I’ll throw my tips out there and predict that Redcliffe, who lost 40/24 to Burleigh Bears in the major semi-final, will go onto win the Super Cup after defeating the gallant Falcons at Dolphin Oval. Once again, I hope I’m wrong and the Falcons continue on their winning way. In the NRL the form teams over the last nine rounds were the Canberra Raiders and Penrith but I suspect the cream will rise to the top in the last rounds of the finals and we will see the star power of Johnathan Thurston (Cowboys) and the combination of Cronk and Smith (Melbourne Storm) lead their teams onto the field come Grand Final Day. Once again, I hope I’m wrong and Cronulla break a 49 season drought for their first premiership.

Our last ‘League Queensland’ for the season will be our Christmas ‘Season in Review’ where we cover the season on a Queensland wide basis including photos of the various senior premiers around the state. It will be a magazine to look out for as there are around 30 competitions covered in the 64 pages.

Kind regards,

Tony Price

Publisher: League Queensland is wholly owned by Tony and Carmel Price. ABN: 15 808 728 009.

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: Kartia Designs 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 On the cover: Cherbourg player Fred Aubrey with daughter Lesley after the game. Fred was overcome with emotion as he accepted the trophy for Player of the Final and the Charles “Chaz” Williams Memorial Shield for ‘Best and Most Respected Player”.

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.

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DEFENCE, FORM AND CHAMPIONS BEFORE we talk rugby league I must explain my success as a punter. I have owned a few race horses over the years with the latest one drowning at the local show grounds after I gave it away to a barmaid at the local pub. The only race it won was when the trainer (Norm McHardie, great rugby league player) told us it couldn’t win so we never backed it at 14/1. I was involved in others but the only time they ever won was when I never backed them so I drifted away from the ‘Sport of Kings’. Another thing I learnt was never back a mate’s horse!

where Joe Dalton sat every Saturday and had a punt but that Tuesday he was in the Stewards Room at Flemington picking up the Cup and winner’s cheque along with his partners.

I was going home that afternoon when Joe phoned me to ask how much I had on Prince of Penzance! What can you say?

Back to rugby league – We are into the semi-finals and the Dogs and Titans are gone. Yes on the right day Melbourne Storm, Canberra, Cronulla, Cowboys, Panthers and Broncos can all win the big one. I didn’t feel that the Titans have the polish and there was something missing from the Dogs.

The Bulldogs have one of the best forward packs in the competition but their backs cannot support them as was shown playing the Cowboys in the last week in August and more so against the under-performing South Sydney in the last round of the competition. I’m going to pick a winner and feel that winning form is good form so I’ll only look at the last nine rounds of the competition since the end of Origin.

That’s round 18 onwards and sadly for us true Queensland supporters the standout teams are the Raiders and Panthers.

I rarely have a bet these days but like most Australians have a small flutter on Melbourne Cup Day along with a few schooners at the latest pub. One of my mates had a horse running that day but as a stickler for my tried and true tradition of not backing a mate’s horse I shied away from it and had a couple of trifectas in the big race, bought a couple of sweep tickets for the family and had a good day.

The big race came around (yes, the Melbourne Cup) and my mate’s horse Prince of Penzance duly won at the small odds of 100/1. I was in the Cannonvale Reef Gateway near Airlie Beach 4

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Since I was five years old I was told that defence wins rugby league games but you have to score tries to put pressure on a defence. A new phrase around rugby league in the past few seasons has been the spine, meaning the halfback, hooker and fullback and their ability to control a game, so when we analyse the eight teams in the semi-final series we will look at their defence, their attack, the spine and what is vital to win the big games and that is the quality of the cattle on the field.

I was told before a ball had been kicked this season that Canberra would win the minor premiership and I told the person who made the comment he was on drugs but here we are heading into the semi-finals and they have the best attack in the league averaging 27 points per game compared to Melbourne, Cronulla and the Cowboys (24), the Broncos and Penrith (23) and the Titans (22). The Raiders’ Jarrod Croker sits alone at the top of the point scorers for the season on 248 from 22 games while along with his teammate Jordan Rapana he’s also high in the try scoring stakes. Leading the way and unstoppable is the Storm’s Suliasi Vunivalu in front of Cronulla’s Valentine Holmes who also has Ben Barba and Sosaia Feki in the top 20.

The Melbourne Storm, one of my ‘claytons’ Queensland teams with Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk, Billy Slater, Cameron Munster all coming from the Sunshine State, have the best defence in the league by a long margin in the regular season but over the last nine rounds the Raiders and Panthers have tightened their defence. The Raiders have only conceded 14.75 points a game compared to other top eight teams while the young Panthers have conceded less than 14.

The others are; Storm (15), Cowboys (16), Sharks (20), Bulldogs (21), Broncos (17) and Titans (17). The Broncos, with almost a State of Origin forward pack, have no defenders in the top 20 and the Cowboys have one.

Melbourne must be concerned about the way the fired up Broncos won 26/16 in round 25 and there must be a question mark over the team following that game. Our spine is interesting with the favourites having two of the best in the business in Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk who know each other’s game backwards. They are missing Billy Slater but let’s face it, he’s basically been missing for two seasons.

Cameron Munster is a super-star in the making and their New Zealand forward pack keeps rolling on. Craig Bellamy would not have been impressed with the Storm’s performance against the Broncos in round 25 but he has the cattle to come back. Their 16/10 defeat of the Cows in Melbourne on the 10th September was business like as most Storm victories are and having to play either the Raiders or Panthers in Melbourne is a better way into the finals than playing the Cows or Broncos.

Cronulla are the team that everybody wants to win after their own team and this year they led for a lot of the season. They have a great hooker in Michael Innis and the most experienced pack in the NRL. I would not read much into the 12/6 loss to the Rabbits who along with their Bondi neighbours are quality under-performers. Cronulla got their season back on track against the Roosters with a strong 37/12 victory and I feel that their 16/14 win over the Raiders who had not lost a game for nine rounds has bought them back into premiership calculation. The absence of Paul Gallen in that game proved the boys are ready to give the premiership a real rumble.

They will play either the Cows or Broncos in Sydney which will be their biggest test.

The Raiders were the form team of the competition leading into the finals but I have a question mark over their forward pack. I feel that their sting is in their back line but in the big games you need a strong forward pack to take those guys in the right direction. Jarrod Croker is one of the great players of the 2016 season, leading the points scoring and third in the try scoring. His unheralded partner Aiden Sezer, who is

only in Canberra because of the ‘Cherry-Evans’ debacle on the Gold Coast, has had a great season but I feel there is a question mark especially with their classy Blake Austin out for the season. The Raiders heading into the last round of a gruelling 26 round competition were the only one of the top eight undefeated since round 18 but when the big guns fire in the finals I cannot see them there. The loss to Cronulla must have shaken the Raiders and now playing a fired up Penrith will be no easy task.

Remember that song, ‘The Cowboys are Coming’, well here they come and there is very little to indicate they won’t be there again on Grand Final day. They had a stutter in rounds 21, 22, 23 and the first semi-final against Melbourne but playing at “Fortress Townsville” should see them head to Sydney. It has been said many times before and I’ll only repeat it but they cannot win without Johnathan Thurston – pure and simple. Another key to their success is having Jake Granville on the paddock for the finals series. Granville is the best hooker in the country apart from Cameron Smith and a vital cog in the strong Cowboys wheel. The Cowboys have strike power all over the park and should be the bookmaker’s favourites. Jason Taumalolo in my opinion is the best backrow forward in the world and with Thurston guiding the ship they will create havoc in the finals.

The Broncos as predicted in our August ‘League Queensland’ magazine came good and won five out of five to give themselves a great chance of a podium finish. The Origin period probably cost them a top four spot but they are firing at the right time of the year and the Wayne Bennett factor should give them an edge. Bennett has the knack of turning ordinary players into Internationals and watch younger players like Tom Opacic and Jai Arrow in the finals. On paper the Broncos have the best pack in the competition and they need to go forward like they did against Melbourne to give the classy Anthony Milford and Ben Hunt the room to move.

The Broncos outside backs collectively I feel are the best in the competition but they need their star-studded forwards to fire to give them room to move. This season they have replaced the guile and experience of Justin Hodges with the blistering pace of James Roberts but Corey Oates is their leading try scorer and the only Broncos player in the top 20 list. Hunt would be remembering the 2015 Grand Final but he is another year older and wiser. If they bring their “A Game” along they are premiers, if they bring their other game along they will advance to week three of the finals and go down to the Sharks in Sydney.

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The Dogs are gone and I feel their form at the wrong end of the season was always a problem. In the last eight rounds they conceded 170 points while only scoring 129 which is not semifinal stuff. Their defeat by Penrith in the first week of the Semi’s was not a good sign for 2017. James Graham in my opinion is the best prop in the NRL and a real super-star of the game but he needs Moses Mbye and Josh Reynolds firing on all cylinders to make this team contenders.

The Panthers have four of the best up and coming players in the game in Matt Moylan, Josh Mansour, Bryce Cartwright and Nathan Cleary but I feel they will lack the experience to match it with the Storm, Cowboys, Cronulla and Broncos. I knew they would have too much momentum for the Bulldogs in the first week of the finals but having to play Canberra in our capital will not be easy. Former Bronco and New South Wales halfback Peter Wallace gives them experience but apart from Trent Merrin I feel that 2016 will not be the Year of the Panther. A great chance in 2017.

The Titans were probably along with Cronulla the team everybody wanted to win but they were always going to struggle from eighth position. Their 44/28 defeat by the Broncos in Brisbane was not the flogging the score indicated and could easily have been a draw. Disgraceful referreeing cost the Titans dearly but they will be better in 2017. The ‘Hayne Plane’ landed too late in the season and will be better for the club next year. They have a great set of halves, a strong if not brilliant set of forwards and Konrad Hurrell to give their outside backs some direction.

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My prediction is for a Storm vs Cronulla Grand Final with the Cowboys vs Cronulla game in Sydney the best game of the year.

The Cowboys will beat the Broncos in Townsville and I feel that the Raiders will defeat the Panthers in Canberra in a tight contest. I feel that the Sharks biggest challenge is behind them with their victory over the Raiders and the battle of the two Queensland teams in Townsville is not what either wanted leading into a Qualifying Final game at Shark Park. I feel that the old heads in the Cronulla team like Gallen, Michael Ennis, Luke Lewis and James Maloney will be hungrier than the 2015 premiers. Rugby league’s ‘Bradman’, the incomparable Johnathan Thurston, could win the game for the Cowboys but whatever the result the last game at Shark Park in 2016 will be packed to the rafters.

The Storm have also played their hardest game of their finals campaign defeating the 2015 premiers in Melbourne and with Craig Bellamy giving instructions to a team that contains Cooper Cronk, Cameron Smith, the Bromwich brothers and a horde of stars they will test every team on their day. I feel that their recent loss to the Broncos in Melbourne shows they are vulnerable but they will not make those mistakes again. I feel they will have too much experience for the Panthers or Raiders but playing Cronulla in front of 80,000 supporters in blue, black and white who have not seen a premiership in almost 50 seasons could get the Sharks over the line. In conclusion, please read the opening three paragraphs of this column. I’m not a great punter.

Johnathan Thurston won the 2015 Clive Churchill Medal, but there was no player on the ground that day better than Anthony Milford – The Broncos need that form to win in 2016.

Image: Courtesy Brisbane Broncos

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ORIGIN AT THE CAXTON WHEN people think of ‘Origin’ in Queensland the word ‘Caxton’ soon enters their heads and if you are one of the hundreds of thousands of people who have been there on ‘Origin Night’ you would know what I mean.

Since that first game in 1980 the people have been coming in their thousands and what started back in 1889 with one of the early owners George Fred Pont with his love of sport has certainly carried down through the years with the Farquhar family having run the hotel since 1997 the Caxton is now firmly established as the number one ‘Rugby League Pub’ in Queensland.

The Farquhar’s ooze rugby league royalty with Alex Farquhar a legend of North Queensland Rugby League being the only player to have appeared in all of Ayr’s Foley Shield Finals in the late 1940’s into the 1950’s. Farquhar was a rugged no nonsense forward who played for Ayr in the first ever Foley Shield Final against Babinda in 1948.

He played in the North Queensland trials in 1950 but was kept out of a starting spot by Duncan Hall who would go onto be selected in the Australian Team of the Century. That season Ayr, with Farquhar in the second-row, won the Foley Shield by defeating Cairns 23/15. In 1951 after playing for North Queensland in the Country Trials he was selected in the 8

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Queensland Country team that played City in a Queensland trial. Later that season he partnered Kel O’Shea in the Ayr team that lost to Babinda in the Foley Shield Final.

He played for North Queensland against the American ‘All Stars’ in 1953 and was in the Ayr team that defeated Cairns 18/12 to win the 1954 Foley Shield. During the 1955 season Farquhar played for North Queensland against France but while all this was happening Alex Farquhar was ‘mine-host’ at Ayr’s Kalamia Hotel and in the days of the hand cane cutter this was no easy task.

The work was hard in the North Queensland cane fields but the pay was so good that then current Internationals like Jack Horrigan, Duncan Hall and Ron McLennan flocked to the north.

Big Alex took to the hotel trade like a duck to water and almost 70 seasons later the tradition continues.

Born in Ayr he ran the Kalamia Hotel from 1945 until 1956 and for the next 40 years Alex and his sons, Steve and Ross owned and ran hotels around Queensland. In 1997 the Farquhar’s purchased the Caxton Hotel and ‘Origin at the Caxton’ has been part of Queensland rugby league folklore.

Origin Legend’s Ben Ikin and Petro in front of the ‘Eight in a Row’ window at Brisbane’s iconic Caxton Hotel Image: Courtesy Caxton Hotel

Finalist forfor Excellence Finalist2015 2015- -Best BestRestaurant Restaurant// //QHA QHAAwards Awards Excellence WINNER 2014 Best Steak // I Love Food Awards Lifestyle Food Channel WINNER 2014 - Best Steak // I Love Food Awards - Lifestyle Food Channel Finalist 2013Best Restaurant // QHA Awards for Excellence Finalist 2013- Best Restaurant // QHA Awards for Excellence Winner Food Awards Winner2012 2012––Best BestPub/Bistro Pub/Bistro// //I Love I Love Food Awards

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The last Burdekin team to win the Foley Shield. Ayr played in four Foley Shield Finals from 1948 to 1954 winning in 1950 and 1954. Alex Farquhar was the only player to appear in all four finals. He is third from the right, in the back row standing beside the tall guy, who just happens to be the great Kel O’Shea who played for Australia, Queensland and New South Wales Image: Courtesy Burdekin RL

To say the Farquhars’ are a football family is an understatement with the boys following in Alex’s footsteps and carving out very handy careers on the playing field. Steve was a Brisbane Norths junior who came into grade in 1970 and played there until the end of the 1975 season apart from two seasons in Newcastle (1971, 1972).

main-stay of the great Easts Tigers teams that won consecutive Brisbane premierships in 1977/1978 and scored 23 tries in his three seasons there. Ross Farquhar was a real handy rugby union forward in Brisbane and Sydney in the 1970’s into the 1980’s while Steve’s son Stirling is still running around in the Brisbane grade competition today.

In 1976 Steve signed for Easts and that season he played for Queensland against New South Wales in Sydney. He was a

Their hotel, the Caxton is the undisputed king of rugby league in Queensland with their thirsty cliental consuming 156 kegs

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ORIGIN AT THE CAXTON during Origin 2016 and a record nine Queensland jerseys proudly hang from the wall in their famous ‘Cauldron Bar’.

Anybody who is anybody in Queensland and Australian rugby league is seen at the Caxton at some stage and when somebody makes the comment, “I’ll see you at the Caxton”, there is no mistaking the destination.

The Caxton has found particular notoriety in recent history with the State of Origin Rugby League matches, providing fans of the sport with a party atmosphere in the true Queenslander spirit.

The Caxton was recognised recently for its contribution to history through the National Centenary of Federation Celebrations with the annual “Running of the Buses”.

The

Ca show xton’s n ew ing t he s bar-m taf f he an Chr is know s wh ‘Budda at h ’ e’s d Handy oing.

What started as a few patrons waving and cheering on their team’s bus as it made its way to the stadium, has now become a mass of screaming fans who flock to The Caxton solely for this purpose. The Farquhars, Origin and the Caxton – all integrally linked to Queensland Rugby League.

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The mighty Burleigh Bears are the 2016 Super Cup premiers after a hard 26/16 victory over minor-premiers, the Redcliffe Dolphins. The Bears led 6/0 early when Curtis Rowe scored in the 12th minute and the radar-like Jamal Fogarty kicked the first of his five goals for the afternoon. The Dolphins came back with a try to Jonus Pearson to narrow the gap to 6/4. The Bears big forward pack gave the Burleigh half combination of

Cullen and Fogarty plenty of room to move and in the 22nd minute Curtis Rowe scored his second try to increase their lead to 12/4. The middle of the first half belonged to the Bears who increased their lead to 14/4 with another Fogarty goal before the Dolphins came back. The last 20 minutes of the first half was all Redcliffe as they continually attacked but resolute defence from Burleigh with Lachlan Burr and Luke Page leading

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Duncan Hall Medallist – Cameron Cullen Photo: SMP Images

the way stopped their momentum. In the 33rd minute Tyson Cleal scored near the posts after a Bears error to take his team to 14/10 and it was game on at Suncorp Stadium. Both teams walked off the field thinking they could win with possession in the first half going to the Burleigh team 54% to 46%.

The second half was a war of attrition with both sets of forwards trying to assert their dominance but in the 48th minute the ever alert Curtis Rowe made a break to put Sami Sauiluma over in the corner.

The Parramatta bound Jamal Fogarty kicked the conversion from the side line to take the Bears into a 20/10 lead.

In a similar pattern to the first half the Dolphins came back in the middle 20 minutes and after two Burleigh errors the Dolphins Queensland Residents Darren Nicholls scored a try which he converted to once again narrow the gap to four points at 20/16.

Burleigh appeared to struggle at this stage with Rowe knocking on near his line before saving the day seconds later picking up a ball on his goal line.

The free beer started flowing at the Burleigh Leagues Club in the 69th minute when Waka, Rowe and Fogarty combined to put the Duncan Hall Medallist Cameron Cullen into space and his converted try took the score to 26/16. Redcliffe were not finished and attacked for the last ten minutes of the game but several unforced errors stifled their momentum. They were attacking when the final whistle blew. The best for Burleigh were Cullen, Lachlan Burr, Luke Page, Jamal Fogarty and Curtis Rowe while Chris Gesch, Sam Anderson and Zach Strasser played well for the Dolphins.

The Semi-Finals The feats of the Sunshine Coast Falcons were the talking point of the Super Cup. The Sunshine Coast Falcons came into the semi-finals in fifth spot on the premiership ladder and most experts never expected them to repeat their heroics of defeating the unbeatable PNG Hunters at home in the first elimination final. Who would have expected the Falcons to recover from their last round 34/4 defeat by PNG in Port Moresby but recover they did in a magnificent fashion.

The Falcons who are a feeder club for the Melbourne Storm have some great players but when your attack is only marginally better than your defence it makes playing teams like the Hunters a nightmare. The Falcons CEO, former Queensland Origin player Chris Flannery was full of praise for his team and the coaching of Craig Ingebrigtsen following the win especially after they trailed 6/4 at half time against a team that had not been beaten on home soil in 2016. But more was to come against another competition heavy-weight the Townsville Blackhawks and once again the Falcons soared. A three-try haul to Ryan Morgan and a try to Jye Ballinger saw the Falcons run out 18/10 winners to the team I considered the team to beat all season.

The Redcliffe Dolphins turned their season around after round 10 of the Super Cup but ran into a red-hot Burleigh Bears in the major semi-final. They had five wins, four losses and a bye in the opening ten rounds but from round eleven they dominated the competition with thirteen wins and a loss to really stamp their authority on the competition.

Their only defeat in the latter part of the season was a narrow 11/10 to long-time rivals, the Wynnum Seagulls at Dolphin Oval. Proof of their authority was their massive point’s differential of 383 with 728 points in attack at an average of almost 32 points per game and a miserly 345 points conceded in defence at 15 per game. Both are the best in the competition LEAGUEQUEENSLAND.COM.AU

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and along with Darren Nicholls as the competition’s leading point scorer on 258 the club was looking good going into the finals. Since their round 17 loss to Wynnum the Dolphins had scored an average of 41 points a game while conceding 12. The Dolphins defeated the Sunshine Coast Falcons 38/16 at fortress ‘Dolphin Oval’ to move into the season decider.

Burleigh were the first team into the Super Cup Grand Final after their stunning 40/12 defeat of Redcliffe at Dolphin Oval on the 11th September.

The Bears surprised most punters as the Dolphins had dominated the competition for the last fifteen games of the regular season while the Bears had gone down five times in the same period including a 32/14 loss to the Dolphins in round 12. They had led for most of the season but a narrow 25/24 loss to the Northern Pride in round 21 cost them the minor premiership. They finished the season with a strong 30/18 win over Souths Logan and 24/12 defeat of Easts at Suzuki Stadium to give themselves momentum going into the finals. Their Jamal Fogarty led the points scoring into the final round of the competition and even a try and five goals could not prevent Darren Nicholls overhauling him. The Parramatta bound Fogarty was crucial to Burleigh’s chances in the Grand Final.

– TONY PRICE Melbourne Storm contracted Ryan Morgan – a key for the Falcons.

The Dolphins Queensland Residents half back Darren Nicholls went into the finals under an injury cloud.

Photo: SMP Images

Photo: SMP Images

AIDING IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF ALL LEVELS OF RUGBY LEAGUE IN QUEENSLAND

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LEADING THE FIELD AS AT 14 SEPTEMBER 2016

NRL

BRISBANE SOUTHSIDE 3

NORTHERN DISTRICTS COMPETITION

1.

Melbourne Storm (Qualifying)

1.

Eden Landing (Premiers)

1.

Avondale Tigers (Premiers)

2.

Cronulla Sharks (Qualifying)

2.

Wynnum Manly Jnrs (Runner Up)

2.

Gin Gin Hawks (Runner Up)

3.

Canberra v Penrith (E/Final)

3.

Redland Juniors (3rd)

3.

Agnes Waters Marlins (3rd)

4.

Cowboys v Broncos (E/Final)

4.

Beenleigh Jnrs (4th)

4.

LEADING THE FIELD

INTRUST SUPER CUP

IPSWICH RUGBY LEAGUE

1.

Burleigh Bears (Grand Final)

1.

Goodna (Premiers)

1.

2.

Redcliffe Dolphins (Qualifying)

2.

Brothers (Runner Up)

2.

3.

Sunshine Coast Falcons (Qualifying)

3.

Fassifern (3rd)

4.

Townsville Blackhawks (4th)

4.

Swifts (4th)

FOGS COLTS

GOLD COAST / TWEED COMPETITION

1.

Wynnum Manly (Grand Final)

1.

Tugun (Premiers)

2.

Redcliffe Dolphins (Qualifying)

2.

Burleigh Bears (Runner Up)

3.

Redcliffe Dolphins (Qualifying)

3.

Tweed Heads Seagulls (3rd)

4.

Norths Devils (4th)

4.

Southport (4th)

BRISBANE 2ND DIVISION PREMIER

TOOWOOMBA RUGBY LEAGUE

1.

Albany Creek Gaters (Premiers)

1.

Pittsworth Danes (Grand Final)

2.

Brighton Roosters (Runner Up)

2.

Warwick Cowboys (Grand Final)

3.

West Brisbane Panthers (3rd)

3.

Highfields Eagles (3rd)

4.

Waterford Demons (4th)

4.

Gatton (4th)

BRISBANE RUGBY LEAGUE

BORDER RUGBY LEAGUE

1.

Redcliffe Dolphins (Grand Final)

1.

Inglewood Roosters (Premiers)

2.

Ipswich Jets (Grand Final)

2.

Tenterfield Tigers (Runner Up)

3.

Wynnum/Redland City (3rd)

3.

Stanthorpe (3rd)

4.

West Brisbane (4th)

4.

Killarney (4th)

ROMA DISTRICT RUGBY LEAGUE

BRISBANE NORTHSIDE 1 1.

Moreton Bay Pride (Premiers)

1.

Roma Cities (Premiers)

2.

Dayboro Cowboys (Runner Up)

2.

Chinchilla Bulldogs (Runner Up)

3.

West Mitchelton (3rd)

3.

St George (3rd)

4.

Pine Central Holy Spirit (4th)

4.

Red Bulls (4th)

CENTRAL WEST RUGBY LEAGUE

BRISBANE NORTHSIDE 2 1.

Norths St Josephs (Premiers)

1.

Ilfracombe Scorpions (Premiers)

2.

Samford (Runner Up)

2.

Winton Devils (Runner Up)

3.

West Arana Hills (3rd)

3.

Blackall (3rd)

4.

North Lakes Kangaroos (4th)

4.

Barcaldine (4th)

WESTERN LEAGUE

BRISBANE NORTHSIDE 3 1.

Moreton Bay Pride (Premiers)

1.

Charleville Comets (Premiers)

2.

Fortitude Valley (Runner Up)

2.

Augathella Meatants (Runner Up)

3.

Brighton Roosters (3rd)

4.

Pine Rivers (4th)

BRISBANE SOUTHSIDE 1

CENTRAL HIGHLANDS COMPETITION

South Kolan Sharks (4th)

SOUTH BURNETT RUGBY LEAGUE Cherbourgh Hornets (Premiers) Nanango Stags (Runner Up)

CENTRAL BURNETT RUGBY LEAGUE 1.

Mundubbera Tigers (Premiers)

2.

Eidsvold Eagles (Runner Up)

1.

Hervey Bay (Grand Final)

2.

Western Suburbs (Grand Final)

3.

Wests (3rd)

4.

Past Brothers (4th)

1.

Calliope Roosters (Premiers)

2.

Wallaby's (Runner Up)

3.

Dawson Valley (3rd)

4.

Gladstone Rebels (4th)

BUNDABERG RUGBY LEAGUE

GLADSTONE RUGBY LEAGUE

ROCKHAMPTON RUGBY LEAGUE 1.

Norths Chargers (Premiers)

2.

Rockhampton Brothers (Runner Up)

3.

Biloela (3rd)

4.

Yeppoon (4th)

1.

Magpies (Premiers)

2.

Whitsunday Brahmans (Runner Up)

3.

Wests (3rd)

4.

Moranbah (4th)

1.

Herbert River (Premiers)

2.

Centrals (Runner Up)

3.

Brothers (3rd)

4.

Norths (4th)

1.

Cairns Brothers (Grand Final)

MACKAY RUGBY LEAGUE

TOWNSVILLE RUGBY LEAGUE

CAIRNS RUGBY LEAGUE 2.

Ivanhoes (Qualifying)

1.

Emerald Tigers (Premiers)

3.

Innisfail Brothers (Qualifying)

2.

Middlemount Panthers (Runner Up)

4.

Tully Tigers (4th)

1.

Cloncurry Eagles (Premiers)

1.

Bulimba Valleys (Premiers)

3.

Bluff Rabbitohs (3rd)

2.

West Inala Panthers (55)

4.

Dysart Bulls (4th)

3.

Redlands (3rd)

4.

Beenleigh (4th)

2.

Normanton Stingers (Runner Up)

1.

Maroochydore/Coolum (Premiers)

3.

Town Lions (3rd)

2.

Kawana Dolphins (Runner Up)

4.

Wanderers Devils (4th)

BRISBANE SOUTHSIDE 2

SUNSHINE COAST / GYMPIE

1.

East Mt Gravatt (Premiers)

3.

Caloundra Sharks (3rd)

2.

Brothers St Brendans (Runner Up)

4.

Caboolture Snakes (4th)

3.

Capalaba (3rd)

4.

Browns Plains (4th)

MOUNT ISA RUGBY LEAGUE

SUPPORTING RUGBY LEAGUE ALL OVER QUEENSLAND

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THE MIGHTY BURLEIGH BEARS MUCH OF THE HISTORY WRITTEN HERE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY THE BURLEIGH BEARS

NOT unlike the rising of the phoenix from the ashes, the Burleigh Bears have risen from a swamp and disused tip to the juggernaut it is today. To hazard a guess, the Burleigh Bears would have to be one of the most successful sporting clubs in Australia today. While a number of older and more established clubs have fallen by the wayside, the Bears have gone ahead in leaps and bounds, especially over the past two decades. And it has basically been the same people who have been associated with the club for many years who have kept the Bears moving forward for the overall benefit of footballers, members and social members.

The club today supports six football teams benefitting many people both on and off the field, while the more recent purchase of the Burleigh Bombers license has seen the Bears management providing a first class facility for Australia Rules followers, social members and a number of other sporting clubs. Apart from a meeting place for these clubs and a social centre, the Burleigh Sports Club, as it now known, provides much needed funds for the sporting clubs.

It is quite amazing the way the Bears have evolved when compared to other well established rugby league clubs in New South Wales which were miles ahead of the Bears in the ‘70’s, 80’s and 90’s and today have their doors closed.

Any successful football or sporting club for that matter, does not achieve greatness without a first class administration.

The Bears have been fortunate in this regard with an administration headed up by President Laurie Orr and manager Ian Amos. These administrators and their directors have taken the punt and put their bold plans into bricks and mortar, not without some sceptics who doubted they would be successful. They proved the knockers wrong and went ahead with building their own Taj Mahal.

Apart from the office bearers, there has always been a band of willing workers who have been prepared to put their shoulders to the millstone to make sure the club survived and developed.

Despite a perception, among some outsiders that the BBs are a silver tails club, nothing could be further from the truth because it has been a battlers bonding, which has seen the club grow like Topsy. In fact it has been past players who have kept the club going when the Bears were broke and

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battling for survival. Two shining examples of past players leading the way are Laurie Orr and Bill Ross, who took over as treasurer in 1999. Today past players comprise the football committee, which is responsible for running the football teams while the BBs senior committee provides the funds for the football teams to function and volunteers, both men and women, continue to man catering venues in another source of fund raising to help keep the teams going around.

KOALA BEARS – The Burleigh Bears were once known as the Koala Bears because of the number of koalas which would cross the Gold Coast Highway at Tallebudgera. Not that the koala name ever really stuck to the senior teams because it was considered a “bit soft” and was mainly used for the Burleigh Juniors. In fact there is a framed jacket from 1975 hanging in the BB’s foyer today, which was donated to the club by Pat Walker. It is a white jacket with a koala bear logo.

KEG ROLLING DOWN THE HILL – The late Campbell Duncan, who was a descendant of the early pioneers of Burleigh, in his reflections of early Burleigh recorded in 1989, tells of the first game of rugby league at Burleigh. “Through the years, the social life of Burleigh had picked up with the forming of a life-saving club, football team, several tennis courts, a dance hall, billiard room and horse races on the beach on Boxing Day. “We all joined in one way or another.

A day of great amusement was the first rugby league match at Burleigh. Rudd Park was the venue. “The goal posts were tea-tree poles set on the southern end of the edge of the swamp (undrained then. After a time the poles started to grow with branches a metre long.) “One team calling themselves the Woops-Woops were road men working at Nobbys. The other team, The Navvies were Burleigh horse and dray men with a sprinkling of locals.

The contest was a for a 10 gallon keg of beer which was rolled down from the Bluff Hotel and set up on the sideline.

The losing team was to pay for it.

“About half the players were attired in flannel shirts, long trousers tucked into their socks, and sandshoes. Some were over 50 years of age, some even kept their hats on.

“The teams were lined up and the rudiments of the game explained. The idea was to get the ball over the line.

THE MIGHTY BURLEIGH BEARS It could have been the beer that affected their sense of direction, some of them, when they got the ball ran for the nearest line whether it was the oppositions, their own or even the sideline. Some when tackled would come up fighting and wanting to know if throwing down hard was absolutely necessary. The many spectators who gathered had the times of their lives and the match was an amusing talking point around the town for a long time. Who won? It didn’t matter. The players enjoyed their diversion from their five and a half day hard working week.

“Tom Duncan, who was somewhat of a poet, composed a poem about the game. One verse I remember went thus:

“When exhaustion was nearing the brink, they’d stop and say “we need a drink” “But they carried on through thick and thin, “Till the referee said “We’ll turn it in”, “And when the football season’s done, “We’ll sing and dance and have lots of fun’ “And celebrate all the victories won, “By the football team at Burleigh.

EARLY DAYS

1937 APEL CUP PREMIERS – BACK: Lou Vaughn, Eddie Fielder, unknown, Colin Banks, John Lane, George Black CENTRE: Bob Johnson, unknown, Stan O’Kamura, Bill Stone, Charlie “Chook” Harris (Coach) FRONT: Mort Rankin, Ron Toms INSERT: Keith Stewart (C)

The Bears won a knock-out competition (League Cup) in 1933 against Nerang with a team that included Tom Boast, M Martin, D McMillan, A Geddes, C Johnson, F Berg, Kimlin, J Camp and F Kendriclt. In 1934 the competition consisted of Burleigh, Nerang, Mudgeeraba, Southport, Currumbin, Coolangatta and Canungra and the Bears collected the Appel Cup with a 15/2 defeat of Nerang and the Birkbeck Shield with a narrow 4/2 defeat of Nerang. Their team that season was S. Stenson, Tom Boast, E Dumlinski, R Pearce, L Pearce, W Willowdean, J Campbell, R Croak, F Berg (Capt), W Amos, Mansfield, M Stewart and J McMillan.

Burleigh also made the Final of the Plunkett Cup against Southport that season but the Brisbane referee, A Davidson sent R Cronk and Martin Stewart from the field during the game which was called off when the Burleigh players refused to play. Later Cronk was suspended for 12 months and Stewart for life for punching the referee. A reply was organised for the following week and prior to the game commencing F Berg, the Burleigh captain voiced his protest as to the legality of the two suspensions but it fell on deaf ears and Southport won the final 22/6.

In 1937 the Bears won the Plunkett Cup with a 10/3 defeat of Beenleigh. The team comprised Lou Vaughan, Eddy Fielder, Colin Banks, John Lane, George Black, Bob Johnson, Stan Okamura, Bill Stone, coach Charlie “Chook” Harris, Mort Rankin, Ron Toms and captain Keith Stewart. Rankin and Stewart scored tries with Stone and Rankin kicking goals. George Black was later on a gatekeeper at Pizzey Park games, while Keith Stewart’s jersey takes pride of place in the BB’s foyer today.

1948 – RYDER CUP PREMIERS – George Gessler, Eddie Hocking, Alan Lawrence, Joe Columbus, Ron Story, Jack Cuddihy, Eddie Fielder, Maurie Gurr, Gordon McMillan (Snr) MIDDLE: Keith Stewart, Paddy Tundley, Ross Crockett, Henry Williams, Dudley McMillan, Bob Black FRONT: Gerry Brims, Norm Marriott, Gordon McMillan (Jnr), Kevin “Butch” Conlon, Roy Banney

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Rugby League went into recession with the start of World War Two and restarted in 1947 with the following sides comprising the league – Coolangatta, Ingleside, Burleigh and Beaudesert. President of the BBs was George McMillan with George Gessler and Keith Stewart on the committee.

The Burleigh Bears won the Ryder Cup in 1948 with the side comprising George Gessler, Eddie Hocking, Alan Lawrence, Joe Columbus, Ron Story, Jack Cuddihy, Eddie Fielder, Maurie Gurr, Gordon McMillan, Keith Stewart, Paddy Trundley, Ross Crockett, Henry Williams, Dudley McMillan, Bob Black, Gerry Brims, Norm Marriott, Gordon McMillan, Kevin ”Butch” Conlon and Roy Banney. In 1949 the club won the B grade premiership with the team comprising Joe Columbus, Alan Lawrence, Maurie Gurr, Keith McMillan, Henry Williams, D. Rose, Ross Crocket, Jack Cuddihy, Paddy Trundley, N. Marriot, R. Banning, with Gerry Brims vice-captain and Gordon McMillan captain. This team went through the season without losing a game and was the last premiership winning senior team for the Bears until the 1979 season. In the early 1950’s rugby league on the Gold Coast struggled but by 1956 it was back on track with All Whites (Southport), Sea Lions Surfers Paradise, Dam Busters (Mudgeeraba), Beenleigh and Burleigh playing in the competition.

In 1957 Burleigh Heads lost the premiership final to the Surfers Paradise Sea Lions 31/12 after the score had been 10/7 at half time. Just before the interval the referee sent Clive Moon (Burleigh) and R Smith (Sea Lions) from the field.

The Burleigh team was Clive Moon captain-coach, Pat Gray, Joe Galvin, Graham Hart, Brian McKavanagh, Rex Raby, Arthur Warren Mick Orbel, Don Feguson, Kevin Stimpson, Graham McColl, Clarrie Moloney, Don Roach, Norm Rix and Jim Paskins. The Bears did however win the Gavan Shield earlier in the season with a 19/9 victory over Southport at Owen Park. Don Roach scored two tries while Howard, Ferguson and Moon also crossed the try line with Moon kicking two goals.

With Bob Singh as president and Pat Shannon as coach, the

Under 17s took out the 1961 premiership. Those in the side were Brian Matthew, Neil Mitchell, Trevor Martin, Joe Sheils, N Fenton, Darcy Sheils, David Shannon Vince Black Des Sellin, Geoff O’Neill, Malcolm Ford, Les Dunlop and Denis Dawes.

In 1966 the Southport Tigers went into Group 18 in New South Wales because there was no football played south of Brisbane and the Bears followed in 1968. The league comprised Tigers, Burleigh, Mullumbimby, South’s (Murwillumbah) Brothers, Old Boys and Seagulls. The next big move was in 1969-70 when the Bears shifted from Rudd Park to Pizzey Park on the recommendation of Alderman John Laws. There were no fences at Rudd Park and the spectators would sit on Scotchman’s Hill and officials were forced to rattle the bucket to get them to pay something. In hindsight it was a good move because Pizzey Park had four toilets and two tin dressing sheds. In 1976 the Bears had three teams in the grand finals and that was the reason for the red and white paint job like KFC. They lost the seniors and reserves and won the under 19’s.

In 1979 Bears won the Group 18 premiership for the first time in 30 years with a 16/2 defeat of Nerang at Owen Park, plus the Seagulls Knockout worth $20,000.00 which was a lot of money back in the day. The team was Gary Thomas, Brian Beazley, Michael Toomey, Ralph Michaels, Chippy Duncan, Jim Clancy, Wayne Homer, Paul Bugler, Mark Newman, George Moroko, Steve Newman, Lee O’Neill and Peter McNamara.

Toomey and Beasley scored tries while Gary Thomas kicked five goals. The Player of the Final was Paul Bugler. The period between 1979 and 1982 was an extremely successful time for the club, premierships and grand final appearances in all grades under the guidance of such astute coaches as Yogi Thompson, Eric Lilley, Glen Harrison and Tony Scott. It could be argued that 1982 was the best year in the proud history of the Bears as all four teams made the Gold Coast finals with the Under 21’s, reserve grade and A Grade winning the flag. The big Bears forward pack with Laurie Oar, Jim Heery and Chris Thorley leading the way were unstoppable as they defeated Tugun 30/2. Former Australian full-back Garry Dowling played for Burleigh in what was basically his last game of rugby league as he was killed in a car accident early in 1983. The Bears had earlier won the reserve grade 27/2 over Tugun and the Under 21’s 25/16 over Southport Tigers. In the A Grade team that day were Darryl Joyce, Garry Dowling, Jim Crane, Chris Thorley, Tony Bayly, Laurie Oar, Gary Thomas, Terry Toloa, Michael Toomey, Wayne Homer, Merv Davis and Archie Moore.

Apart from the 1986 Under 19 premiership titles eluded the proud club until 1995

1982 A GRADE PREMIERS – TOP: Laurie Oar (C), Tony Scott (Coach) BACK: Tony Cocking, Wayne Homer, Tony Mitchell, Mick Toomey, Merv Davis, Gary Thomas, Terry Teloa Waldon, Gary Dowling, Darryl Joyce, Jim Heery, Tony Bayley, Jim Crane - ABSENT: Chris Thorely

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FRONT: Noel

THE MIGHTY BURLEIGH BEARS when the Bears defeated South Tweed Heads 26/6 to take their first crown for eleven seasons. Led by captain-coach Rick Stone the Bears played intelligent rugby league with Brendan Hauville scoring two tries in a player of the game performance. Included in the Burleigh team that day were Hauville, Stone, Danny Burgess, Steve Armstrong, Dave Clark, Steve Prickett, Greg Whitbread and Brett Dunn.

In 1999 the Burleigh Bears stunned Redcliffe by winning the Queensland Cup. The Dolphins were the premiership favorites and had beaten the Bears on three occasions leading into the finals but under the guidance of Rick Stone and led by Grant Adamson they marched into the Grand Final with wins over Norths and Redcliffe. The Bears led 8/0 through two goals by Ben Lythe and a try by Darren Anderson but the never-say-die Dolphins scored just before the break to narrow the score to 8/4. The second half was a war of attrition with the Dolphins hitting the lead in the 60th minute through a Ricky Hewinson try. The board read 10/8 with eight minutes on the clock when Jamie Mahon scored the last try of the game to give the title to the Bears with their 12/10 victory. The Bears team was Jamie Mahon, Aaron Douglas, Darren Anderson, Frank Napoli, Faron Anderson, Craig Freer, Grant Adamson (c), Tony Priddle, Ben Lythe, Shane O’Flanagan, Bill Dunn, Hamish Smith, Dean Allen, Brad Middlebosch, Ali Brown, Justin Bryant and Reggie Cressbrook.

Between 2003 and 2005 the Burleigh Bears dominated the Queensland Cup being minor-premiers in 2003/2004 and playing in three consecutive Grand Finals. In 2003 the Bears lost 31/18 to the Redcliffe Dolphins while in 2005 they went down 36/6 to a Shane Muspratt inspired North Queensland Young Guns but in 2004 they took home the big trophy with a magnificent 22/18 victory over Easts Tigers. The Bears started the day with a narrow loss 21/20 loss in the Mixwell Cup to Easts but inspired by big Shane ‘Flash’ O’Flanagan the Bears won the game when ‘Flash’ scored after 17 minutes of extra time. 2006 was a wonderful year for the club winning three grades of the Gold Coast Competition and Fogs Cup (QRL). The A Grade Grand Final went down to the wire against odds-on favorites Tugun had not lost a game all season and had their fullback sent from the field in the 56th minute. The Bears had led 16/12 at half time but in the early stages of the second half Tugun took the lead through a converted try by Shaun Ireland. Craig Briscoe scored soon after to increase the Tugun lead but an all in brawl in the 56th minute stopped their momentum.

The Bears struck back through tries to

Aiden Howard and Kris Kowaltzke to close the gap to 26/26 at full time. In the second minute of extra time Burleigh’s Niko Hifu slipped a ball to Aaron Lowcock who scored to give the Bears the crown. The Bears also won the reserve grade 19/16 over Tugun and the Under 19 title 26/12 over Currumbin-Tugun.

In 2008 and 2011 the Bears won the Under 19 title and in 2012 came back into the A Grade winners circle with a second grand final in extra time. The Bears captain, Brad Bennett kicked a field-goal in extra time to give his team a narrow 13/12 victory. Tugun had led 6/4 at the interval and 12/8 late in the game before a try in the dying seconds by Kevin Nilan sent the game into extra time. The best on the field for the Bears was Jacob Grant who had a hand in all three of the Burleigh tries. Earlier in the day the Bears had beaten Cudgen 34/28 to win the Under 19 crown.

Last season the Burleigh Bears won the A Grade premiership with a hard fought 36/24 victory over Tugun. The combination of Jacob Grant and Connor Toia proved the difference between the two teams. The Bears had led 26/6 at one stage in the second half before the Seahawks fought back to narrow the gap to 26/24 before Grant and Toia scored late tries. Jamie Anderson won the man of the match with his two try effort in the opening half but others to play well for the Bears included Khan Ahwang, Shaun Maloney and Carne Rhodes. This season the Bears led the competition for most of the season only to see Redcliffe take the minorpremiership but they will still finish the regular season in second spot on the ladder. Jamal Fogarty led the point scoring in the Intrust Cup for much of the season only to be pipped at the post in the last round. Current NRL players from Burleigh Bears include Internationals Ben Hannant and Alex Glen while the up and coming Bronco Jai Arrow is a Burleigh Junior. The Koala Bears of 1930 and now the big bears of Burleigh Heads.

1999 QUEENSLAND CUP PREMIERS – BACK: Rick Stone (C), Brock Anderson, Faron Anderson, Reggie Cressbrook, Bill Dunn, Ali Brown, Cleve Brown (T), Brad Middlebosch, Beefa, Tony Priddle, Shane O’Flanagan, Ben Lythe, Michael Kerwick (M) FRONT: Hamish Smith, Rod Bathe (T), Frank Napoli, Jamie Mahon, Grant Adamson (C), Craig Freer, Met Noovao, Dean Allen, Darren Anderson

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2004 QUEENSLAND CUP PREMIERS – BACK: Cleve Brown (T), Rick Stone (C), Kris Flint, Tony Gray, Adam Cook, Ali Brown (C), Nick Shaw, Martin Griese, Mark Gee (AC), Warren Ellem (COM), John Flint, Paul Anoleck, David Royle (Com), Darrell Madge (S), Mark Harris (Com) FRONT: David Connelly (M), Shane O’Flanagan, Robert Apanui, Jason Webber, Ryan Gundry, Brent McConnell, Trent Purdon, Adam Hayden, David Hicks SITTING: Reggie Cressbrook, Aseri Lang

4TH / BACK ROW: Sam Grant, Tim Wolens, Jacob Grant, Jarrod Tua, Parahi Wilson, Carne Rhodes, Kelly Tate, Kyle Kalkhoven, Oliver Regan, Josh Berkers, Logan Geyer, Chris Law, Connor Broadhurst 3RD ROW: Tyler Sparkes, Netane Vi, Tom Rolwes, Rhys Duke, Waka Wanahi, Drew Thorton, Sami Sauiluma, Tom Sly, Jonah Gardiner 2ND ROW: Hayden Schwass, Damian Ford, Josh Alioamai, Kurtis Rowe, Louie Fanene, Daniel Schwass, Pat Politoni, Caleb Morehu 1ST/ FRONT ROW: Darren Griffiths, Pat Vai Vai, Luke Page, Jamie Dowling, Jamal Fogarty,Tyler Chadburn, Cameron Cullen LEAGUEQUEENSLAND.COM.AU

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Wynnum’s Aaron Booth – the dominant player in the FOGS Challenge Photo: SMP Images

THE FOGS CHALLENGE THE team that wins the FOGS Colts Challenge on Grand Final day will have to find a way of stopping Aaron Booth, the classy Wynnum Manly halfback who has notched up 144 points.

Booth who is not the regular Wynnum goal kicker has crossed for 23 tries this season including a treble against closest rivals the Redcliffe Dolphins in the major semi-final. His partner in crime Brayden Josephs, who plays five-eighth, has scored 176 points and both will be on fire in the Grand Final against either Redcliffe or Easts.

The curtain came down on the regular season in the FOGS Challenge with the bayside teams of Wynnum Manly and the Redcliffe Dolphins the teams to beat going into the finals. The Seagulls have had the wood on their peninsula opponents defeating them 30/26, 20/8, 36/18 and 40/12 in their four clashes to date. The points scored by both teams is almost a carbon copy with the Seagulls scoring 34.09 points a game and the Dolphins scoring 33.59 points per outing. Defensively they are almost identical as well with 17.86 and 17.72 points respectively. Wynnum finished the season on 42 points from 19 wins and three defeats in front of Redcliffe on 40 points

including 18 wins and then Easts (33), Norths (29), Burleigh (28), Sunshine Coast (24), Souths Logan (24), Ipswich (18), Toowoomba (14) and the Tweed Heads Seagulls (8).

The top point’s scorer in the FOGS Challenge was Jack Miers (Norths Devils) on 180, Brayden Josephs (Wynnum) and Reece Braun (Dolphins) who finished on 170 points.

The second week of he finals played on the 11th September saw Norths Devils go down to Easts Tigers 26/22 while the Seagulls flexed their premiership muscles with a dominant 40/12 defeat of the Dolphins at Dolphin Oval. Booth crossed for his treble and kicked three goals while Cameron Torpy, Tumoana Halkyard, Joseph Burchell and William Toloi also crossed the white line. Josephs kept his eye in kicking three goals. Redcliffe scored tries through William Partridge and Agassi Stowers while Bailey Rogers kicked two goals.

It is difficult seeing either Redcliffe or Easts taking the crown off Wynnum at this stage of the season but stranger things have happened in rugby league. Time will tell.

AIDING IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF ALL LEVELS OF RUGBY LEAGUE IN QUEENSLAND

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BRISBANE OUT + ABOUT THE Brisbane 2nd Division Rugby League Competition is the largest in Queensland with 24 South Brisbane and 20 North Brisbane clubs playing in seven divisions. Most of the players are amateurs and the competition is fierce. There are three divisions in both north and south plus a premier grade which is played on a Brisbane wide basis. The Northside Division One competition concluded on the 10th September with Moreton Bay Pride taking out the premiership with a rugged 8/0 defeat of minor premiers the Dayboro Cowboys. The game had been locked up at 0/0 at the interval and it took until the 65th minute for a try to be scored.

Norths St Joseph’s won the Northside Division Two premiership with a 22/14 defeat of minor premiers Samford on the 13th August.

Samford had beaten St Josephs in the preliminary final but after defeating West Arana Hills 22/12 in the Qualifying Final they went into the big game on-fire. Moreton Bay Pride defeated Fortitude Valley 34/22 in the Northside division Three Grand Final after knocking the minor premiers the Brighton Roosters out in the Qualifying Final. The Pride who finished the regular season in fourth spot in the ten team competition defeated Pine Rivers 34/20 and Brighton Roosters 22/6 on the way to the big game.

In the first semi-finals for the Premier Grade the West Brisbane Panthers defeated Waterford Demons 56/6 and the Brighton Roosters defeated the Albany Creek Gaters 20/14. In the second week of finals the Gaters defeated West Brisbane Panthers 34/22 at Langlands Park to secure the second spot in the Grand Final against the Brighton Roosters who were minor-premiers. The Grand Final played on the 10th September had everything with four try hero Anthony Gadd unstoppable for the

ide with Moreton Bay Pr Greg Smith from umont ea B h an, Keit BSDRL Chairm

(Above) Northside (3) Grand Final winner Greg Smith from Moreton Bay Pride with BSDRL Chairman, Keith Beaumont. Greg at 50 could be the oldest guy playing full contact rugby league in Queensland and has won his first Grand Final. (Below) North Side (2) 2016 Premiers – Brothers St Josephs

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Northside 2 Grand Final winning captain, Daniel Jones (Norths St Josephs) with Brisbane 2nd Division President Keith Beaumont.

Gaters as they won the game 42/40 in extra time. The Gaters captain and club president Nathan Sologinkin also had a big game while the best for the Brighton Roosters were Brent Boyd, Jamie Maliko and Taio Rio. In the Southside (1) semi-finals Redlands District defeated Beenleigh Seniors 24/16 while Bulimba Valleys defeated West Inala 28/24 to go straight into the Grand Final. On the 3rd September the minor premiers West Inala defeated Redlands 36/12 to also move into the final. The Bulimba Valleys team had not lost a grand final for four previous seasons and 2016 was going to be another great year for the Bulimba team as they notched up premiership number five with a 26/16 win at Langlands Park. The Bulldogs led 18/6 at half time and fought off a determined Panthers comeback in the second session to win the game.

East Mount Gravatt defeated minor premiers Brothers St Brendans 28/18 in the Grand Final for Southside (2) after taking their scalp in the first semi-final. The Brethren recovered to defeat Capalaba 46/14 and moved into the Grand Final with some confidence but the boys from Mount Gravatt were too good on the day. Edens Landing defeated Wynnum Manly

Juniors 28/24 in the Grand Final for the Southside (3) Division after being defeated 16/12 in the minor semi-final on the 13th August. Wynnum moved into the grand final while the boys from Edens Landing had to defeat Redlands Juniors 20/18 to advance to the decider.

The Brisbane Rugby League competition concluded their normal season with Wynnum Manly/Redland City taking out the minor-premiership with 49 points from Redcliffe (47), Ipswich (44), West Brisbane (42), Albany Creek Gaters (36), Easts Tigers (35), Valleys (30), Normanby (28), Carina (24) and Logan Brothers (22). The Jets finished the season on a high accounting for Valleys 36/22 in the last premiership round and then knocking Easts Tigers out of the finals with a determined 32/14 win in the elimination final. The West Brisbane Panthers defeated Albany Creek 36/22 in the first week of the finals but went down 30/24 to a fired up Jets in the Elimination Final. Redcliffe moved into the Grand Final with a massive 51/16 defeat of Wynnum Manly/Redlands City scoring nine tries in the process. The fast improving Jets then defeated the Seagulls16/12 on the 10th September in the Preliminary Final and will face off against Redcliffe in the decider. – Images Courtesy Catherine Jones

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IPSWICH RUGBY LEAGUE GRAND FINAL

GOODNA were simply too good and proved why they were the Ipswich Minor Premiers with a 30/18 defeat of Brothers at North Ipswich Reserve in the Mayor Paul Pisale A Grade Cup.

They had led the competition from start to finish and the crowd loved their inspirational play.

Brothers had started the day in fine style winning the Under 19 grade 40/26 against Goodna and Reserve Grade 20/18 against Cobras they looked winners at several stages of the senior grand final. The Brothers backline looked like they would carry the day but the big Goodna forward pack never stopped all game and midway through the second half the trickle became a torrent.

Brothers led for most of the game and looked set to complete a grand final whitewash with their Reserve Grade and Colts

premierships safely in hand, the classy Brothers outfit found themselves struggling late in the game. With the Brothers backline of Ben Seve, Caleb Heke and IRL rookie of the year Loia Fetaoai running riot in the wet conditions, Goodna trailed at half time but when the tide turned there was no stopping the Goodna boys who ran in six tries to three with Max Seumanutafa, Daniel Ioane, Ratu Waqanivalu, Corey Kirk, Perry Ioane and Jackson Solofa going over the white line while Corey Kirk kicked three goals. Their best were co-captains Filipine and five-eighth Corey Kirk. Desperate to hit the lead for the first time in the match, it was Kirk who found his way over the line before converting his own try from right in front. The family attitude of Goodna was clearly obvious to the large crowd with the Goodna team praying as a team after the game.

Brother’s best were Ben Seve and Loia Fetaoai who scored two tries but the day belonged to the entertaining team from Goodna.

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THE MIGHTY THIS was the catchcry heard all around the playing fields of North Queensland as the boys wearing the gold and black of Ingham and the Herbert River district won four Foley Shields, two Wilson Cups, several junior titles and now four Townsville and District Club premierships. Rugby League commenced in the Herbert River district around the end of the First World War and by the early 1920’s there were junior and senior clubs wearing the colours of Halifax, Natives, Ingham, All Blacks, Macknade, Long Pocket, Rovers, Tourists, Victoria and Trebonne. Halifax were superior in the early years, winning successive premierships from 1920 – 1923 before Macknade ended the run in 1924.

Halifax came back in 1925 and 1926 and won the premiership.

Ingham Brothers kicked off in 1930 and Wallaman joined the competition in 1970. The 1970s and 1980s saw a competition involving Brothers, Lifesavers, Wallaman and Lower Herbert with Tully and Cardwell joining in the late 1980s.

On the representative front by 1926 a combined Herbert River team was competing in the North Queensland Country Carnivals. Although competitive Herbert River had to wait until 1947 before winning the North Queensland B Grade title and, after repeating this effort in 1948, the team went into the A Grade Foley Shield competition. Herbert River has always punched above her weight and winning the Foley Shield four times from five attempts is a remarkable achievement for a small district. The Herbert River district was the last of the Northern regional centres to embrace rugby league after World War 1 and significantly it was the last of the regional centres to continue its own competition and field a Foley Shield representative side in 1994. Rugby league has played a major role in the Herbert River community since 1920. There has always been fierce pride and passion surrounding the district’s representative Foley Shield sides as well as the modern day version, the Herbert River Crushers who have since 1995 played in the Townsville and District Rugby league competition, winning the TDRL “A” Grade Premiership in 2006, 2009, 2013 and 2016.

Ever since former Australian fullback Eric Fraunfelder came to the Herbert to work in the 1920s the district’s rugby league clubs have

HERBERT RIVER

had a healthy number of famous or soon to be famous players don their colours. This started in 1949 with former Brisbane and Balmain player Ted Kealey joining the district’s rugby league. In 1950 the introduction of powerhouse St George and NSW (1946) prop Jack Munn bought a level of professionalism to the district rugby league and when he joined Home Hill-based Duncan Hall in the 1950 Queensland front row, the North could afford to be very proud. In 1952 under the guidance of Queensland forward Trevor Whitehead Herbert River won their first Foley Shield, defeating a crack Babinda team. The boys from the River had to defeat Townsville in a play-off to make the final and it was felt that Babinda who had gone through the Northern Zone without losing a game would be too hot.

Showing remarkable recuperative powers, the Herbert River League side survived a terrific battering from Babinda to take Shield 15/4 at the Townsville Sports Reserve. The improved combination, superbly led by Trevor Whitehead, restricted Babinda’s scoring efforts to two penalty goals. It was Herbert River’s first venture into the Shield finals since the League had been elevated to A Grade status in 1949. Babinda took the field obviously intent to confine the game to the forwards. This was overdone to such an extent that one winger handled the ball only once throughout the match. George Skinner, who was drafted into the team as a replacement for Horrie Robinson, scored the opening try while Rod Skinner and Nick Euclid also went over the white line. Peter Vallely put the icing on the cake by kicking three goals. The best for Herbert River were Peter Vallely, Doug Kennedy, the Skinner boys and Lionel Martin. In 1957 Nambucca Heads’ George Smith was bought in to lead the Herbert River side. He later moved to Lithgow from where he made the 1962 Australian side when John Raper was injured.

Barry Muller was another Queensland representative from Toowoomba who came to the Herbert to play. In 1960 the great Don Meehan arrived in town after winning the 1959 Foley Shield with Mackay. Meehan made an immediate impact taking the boys in black and gold to the 1960 Foley Shield Final only to go down to a Jimmy Paterson inspired Innisfail. Meehan was an inspirational leader and after several seasons away from Ingham he returned in 1964 and in 1965 once again ran onto

HERBERT RIVER RUGBY LEAGUE TEAM 1952 NORTH QUEENSLAND A GRADE CHAMPIONS BACK (L-R): Visio Cantamessa, Horrie Robinson, Doug Kennedy, Lionel Martin, Rod Skinner, Doug Glen, Ossie Cumner CENTRE: Peter Castellaro, Peter Vallely, John Menico, Trevor Whitehead, Matti Kauppila FRONT: George Skinner, Aldo Bacchiella, Pat Farrell, Nick Euclid, Colin Lyons

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the Townsville Sports Reserve in the black and gold. Cairns were favourites with a team that contained Australian centre Alan Gil and Queensland lock Stanley Williams. Herbert River simply outplayed the favoured Cairns team in the first half, scoring two tries through Queensland winger Ray Miguel and Brian Fletcher while Queensland lock Stan Williams scored for Cairns. Dave Melvin, the Herbert River halfback, had an outstanding game and thoroughly deserved the Farrelly Blazer as best player on the ground while the Herbert River forwards, with Alan Gardner, Brian Backo and John Schmidt firing, were too strong for Cairns.

The 1979 season saw another quality leader arrive in town in

the shape of former Sydney Wests forward Nick Moroko and in 1980 Herbert River played in their fourth Foley Shield Final.

The Burdekin had endured a play-off the previous week against Mount Isa in Innisfail and struggled against the boys from Ingham. On paper, the Burdekin team looked the stronger and indeed they scored three tries to Herbert River’s two in the final.

Moroko kicked six goals from seven attempts in a masterful performance but their best player was probably Aldo Cantoni who scored the first try. Midway through the second half Steve Skinner scooped up the ball and ran away to score a converted try near the posts to give Herbert River a vital 18/13 lead and the shield went north to Ingham.

HERBERT RIVER RUGBY LEAGUE TEAM 1965 NORTH QUEENSLAND A GRADE CHAMPIONS Back (L-R): Brian Murdock, John Schmidt, Brian Walsh, Ray Miguel, John Smith, Ray Tainton, Dave Cutting Middle: Bert Anderson (Secretary), Mike Goddard, Len Mahon, Brian Fletcher, John Peard, Lindsay Smith, Bob Treseder (Treasurer) Front: Ned Day, Dave Melvin, Don Meehan (Captain/Coach), Jim Caldwell (President), Barry Haines, Alan Gardner Absent: John Hilliard, Brian Backo

HERBERT RIVER RUGBY LEAGUE TEAM 1980 NORTH QUEENSLAND A GRADE CHAMPIONS BACK (L-R): Cliff Johnson, Greg Edmondson, Greg Lamborn, Lino Tomba, John Menico (Selector), Barry Butler, Chris Coleman, Phil Hopley MIDDLE: Jack Grinstead (Secretary), Peter Seri, Richie McGill, Bill Linnett, Mike Malone (President), Kevin O’Connor, Joe Pennisi, Aldo Cantoni, Bert Anderson (Vice President) FRONT ROW: Steve Skinner, Phil McWha, Max Johnson, Nick Moroko (Captain/Coach), Kerry Cooper, Dennis Quagliotto Insert: Bill Johnson (Masseur) I was there that day in 1982 when Herbert River were the better of the two teams on display but the record books show a draw was the result. The boys from Ingham led 12/9 at half-time after Aldo Cantoni had scored a try in the 24th minute then Joe Pennisi scored late in the half while Townsville’s Rod Kranz went over for the Brolgas. The second half commenced with Herbert River on the attack and when Barry Rolfe scored a converted try to give his team a handy 17/9 lead the majority of the crowd could see a repeat of 1980 when the River defeated the Burdekin. Minutes later was the most controversial moment in the game when Glen Fuller crossed in the corner and although the keen eye of Barry Gommersall saw a try, many in the vicinity did not see the ball touch the ground in the player’s hands. This seemed

to take the gloss off the Herbert River defense and midway through the second half the board read 17/17 when Larry Foran scored a converted try and the pendulum was swinging in favour of the home team. Townsville was denied a try in the 25th minute and then Steve Skinner scored the try of the game when he stepped around three Townsville defenders to score, the conversion giving Herbert River the lead 22/17.

The clock was approaching fulltime when another classic ‘Barry Gommersall’ decision gifted Townsville a penalty after a dubious knock-on decision and Rod Wells crossed to take the game into extra time. It is now history that another 25 minutes were played with Glen Fuller scoring for Townsville and later the ageless Dennis Quagliotto for Herbert River to make the final score 25/25.

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THE MIGHTY

HERBERT RIVER

HERBERT RIVER RUGBY LEAGUE TEAM JOINT NORTH QLD A GRADE CHAMPIONS 1982 BACK (L-R): Les Harding, Bevan Skinner, Lino Tomba, John Aitken, Lou Cantoni, Mark Chapman, Aldo Cantoni, Steve Skinner, Alan Searle MIDDLE: Bill Johnson, Mark Smith, Mario La Rosa, Brian Fletcher, Kevin O’Connor, Mick Martin, Gordon Argaet, Nino Cardillo FRONT: Reg Davis, Richie McGill, Barry Rolfe, Mark O’Bierne, Doug Senior (Capt/Coach), Laurie Spina, Dennis Quagliotto, Joe Pennisi INSERT: Mark Jamieson

HERBERT RIVER CRUSHERS RUGBY LEAGUE TEAM – 2006 TDRL A GRADE PREMIERS- BACK (L-R): Chris Bradshaw, Trent Johnson, Luke Spina, Luke Giudicatti, Paul Rose, Michael Rose, Leigh Strid MIDDLE: Steven Chiesa (President), Sue Swarbrick (Treasurer), Donna Hartley (Trainer), Elmo Lenti (Selector), Todd Cockburn, Neil Jesse, Brendan Seri, Jeff Herd (Trainer), Peter Seri (Manager), Greg Shannon (Secretary) FRONT: Grant Swarbrick, Paul Dezolt, Kevin Cook (Co-Coach), Robert Rose (Co-Captain), Keiron Quagliotto (Co-Captain), Jason Erba (Co-Coach), Mitchell Seri, Michael Russo INSERTS: Russell Jenson, Brendan Chapman

By 1995 the Foley Shield was in decline and although Herbert River had played in the competition in 1994 workplace changes saw the once strong four-team club competition disappear and like the Burdekin they were forced to compete in the Townsville club competition. Compete they did and from 1995 until 2016 over 22 seasons the mighty River played in six TDRL Grand Finals for two defeats and four premierships.

The Burdekin handled the move to Townsville faster and won the premiership in 2000, 2001 and 2003 but by 2006 the cream rose to the top and Herbert River coached by Jason Erba and Kevin Cook reversed a serious 48/4 thrashing in the major semi-final to defeat Townsville Brothers 26/24 after trailing 18/8 at half time. Michael Russo (2), Neil Jesse, Michael Rose and Todd Cockburn scored tries while Michael Seri kicked three goals. The River had won the reserve grade title earlier in the day with a 28/20 defeat also over Brothers.

HERBERT RIVER CRUSHERS RUGBY LEAGUE TEAM – 2009 TDRL A GRADE PREMIERS STANDING (L-R): Sponsor, Sponsor, Trent Johnson, Scott Gibson, Jared Seri, James Geaney, Luke Giudicatti, Steven Devietti, Dane Vardanega, Ben Spina, Sponsor, Sponsor, Peter Seri (Manager) Front: Elmo Lenti (Selector), Mitchell Seri, Cody Snow, Damon Cockburn, Todd Cockburn, Chris Bradshaw, Matt Harvey, Michael Russo, Colin Wilkie, Scott Vardanega, Brenden Seri, Cade Seri (child)

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THE MIGHTY

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The rivalry between Townsville Brothers and Herbert River surfaced again in 2009 when the players in gold and black took the title with a dominant 26/4 display. Family has always been a part of Ingham rugby league and through the years the same names keep appearing and 2009 was no exception with three sets of brothers (Seri, Cockburn and Vardanega) playing in the team. A mistake free Herbert River coached by Joe Pennisi completed 17 of 19 sets in the first half and scored four tries to one through Ben Spina, Brenden Seri, Luke Giudicatti and Todd Cockburn while their classy half-back Mitchell Seri kicked five goals. The River also won the Under 19 Grand Final 20/6 against a hapless Brothers. The 2010 season saw the River again in the Grand Final but Brothers took some satisfaction with a premiership, taking the title in extra time.

In 2013 Herbert River coached by Tony Byrnes won the minorpremiership and once again ran onto the paddock against

2016

Brothers who had beaten them 34/18 in the major semi-final.

The Brethren looked the goods and led Herbert River 8/0 early before an Anthony Perkins inspired River took the lead 10/8 at half time. Man of the Match Mitchell Seri took control in the second half and the River with Perkins (2), Rob Sheahan and Andrew Chinotti scoring tries while the talented Seri kicked four goals.

The 2015 season saw the Herbert River Crushers win the club championships fielding teams in all grades on Grand Final day but a late try to the Burdekin’s Zac Heron denied them victory in the senior game. Herbert River had led 8/0 early in the game and 18/16 with three minutes on the clock before the try in the corner by Heron. The River looked to 2016.

– TONY PRICE

UP THE RIVER

THE Herbert River Crushers secured premiership redemption by a winning a drama-charged Townsville and Districts Rugby League grand final 32-20 against a brave Centrals Tigers.

The Crushers ran rampant in the opening half to lead 22/0 at halftime, but the momentum swung back to Centrals in the second as the Tigers scored the next four to trail 22/20 with less than 10 minutes remaining until fulltime. Central’s winger Lenny Magey then pounced on a high ball that was allowed to bounce, scoring in the right corner to rapturous support with five minutes to go, only for Magey and another Centrals chaser to be ruled offside.

Herbert River had dodged a bullet and reacted accordingly, with Crushers winger Samsen O’Neill diving over in the corner in the following set, before Crushers captain Todd Cockburn grounded a dropped ball in the Tigers’ in-goal to seal it just seconds before fulltime. It was heartbreak for Herbert River last year, with the Crushers losing to Burdekin on the fulltime siren, but there was pure elation for the Ingham boys 12 months later.

“We found out how to do it the hard way again,” Cockburn said.

“Last year we came from behind to do pretty much what Centrals did today, but we couldn’t close it out.

“The first half was pretty much flawless, but then we found a few mistakes in the second half and let them back into it, but we fought home the last 10 minutes.”

It was indeed a near-flawless first half from Herbert River, with Crushers winger Lachlan La Rosa scoring a hat-trick and O’Neill scoring Herbert River’s other four-pointer during 40 minutes of complete Herbert River dominance. But Centrals were not finished, not by a long shot. Earning a penalty from the first set in the second stanza, Centrals dominated the forward battle and got their first try from interchange Tom Campbell in the 48th minute, followed by the second to barnstorming lock Halvor Harris in the 55th.

There was no let-up, with Centrals running hard at a tiring Herbert River pack, and the pressure paid off when Magey got his first midway through the half after fending off two defenders with a strong left-edge run.

HERBERT RIVER CRUSHERS RUGBY LEAGUE TEAM – 2013 TDRL A GRADE PREMIERS - STANDING (L-R): Peter Seri (Manager, obscured holding Cade Seri), Colin Wilkie, Mark Cockburn (Trainer), Scott Gibson, Steven Devietti, Andrew Quabba, Matt Harvey, Ryan Sheahan, Drew Chinotti, Jared Cockburn, Brendan Devietti, Jared Seri, Christian Quabba (Trainer), Graeme Gibson (Trainer), John Devietti (President) FRONT: Aaron Solari, Richard Pandia, Mitchell Seri, Anthony Perkins, Todd Cockburn, Troy Menegon, Tony Byrnes (Coach), Brenden Seri (holding Collins Seri) LYING: PJ Webb

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Herbert River Crushers’ Captain Todd Cockburn Image: Wandering Willows Photography

Magey was in again five minutes later thanks to solid lead-up work from Harris, and although the sideline conversion by Wes Barrie went wide, Centrals were running over the top of Herbert River.

The seemingly inevitable happened when Magey crashed over for his third, only to be denied by the late off-side decision.

“It was probably one of the 50/50 calls that sometimes go with you, and unfortunately it didn’t go with us,” Centrals coach Steven Lansley said, whose team won its last premiership in 2002.

“I did think we scored…all the momentum was shifting towards us.

“There’s an old saying in sport that you have to lose one to win

won, so hopefully we’re talking to you this time next year as winners.”

The win was particularly special for Crushers halfback Mitchell Seri, who earned player of the match honours in what was his fourth A grade TDRL premiership win.

Seri was the only member left over from the Crushers team that won its inaugural A grade title in 2006 with an upset victory against Brothers.

He hand a hand in almost every Crushers try, including the first which was set-up on the back of his 40/20.

“I think our best ever grand final win was our first in 2006, but apart from that you’re splitting hairs between them,” Seri said.

“They’re all special.

“We’ve worked so hard to get where we are now, so I think we’ll be celebrating up in Ingham for a few days to come.”

– MICK THOMAS

HERBERT RIVER ‘CRUSHERS’ RUGBY LEAGUE A GRADE TDRL PREMIERS 2016 - BACK (L-R): Desley Cosenza(Treasurer) Adrian Chinotti (secretary) Louie Gaggiano (first Aid) Peter Seri (Interchange Official) Graham Gibson (first Aid blue shirt) Mark Chiesa (Manager) Billy Johnson (Strapper - yellow shirt) KNEELING (L-R) Mark Cockburn (head strapper) Ian Schiffilliti (Coach-hat) Lachlan LaRosa, Luke Murray, Kianan Blanco, Damon Cockburn, Damian Devietti, Andrew Quabba, Scott Gibson, Steven Devietti, Samson O’Neil, Joe Pennisi (President) FRONT (L-R): Drew Chinotti, Troy Kapia, Mitch Seri, Aaron Solari, Todd Cockburn, Troy Menegon, Brendon Devietti, Ben Stanford Image: Wandering Willows Photography

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BROTHERS DOMINATE

Image: Courtesy Townsville Brothers

IT is obvious that Townsville Brothers have talent in their ranks in 2016 with their seniors bowing out in the preliminary final to Centrals after finishing the season in second spot on the ladder and their three under grades winning their respective Grand Finals. In Reserve Grade Phillip Daisy (2), Joshua Brack (2) and Robert Congoo scored tries while Brack kicked two goals as they defeated the Herbert River Crushers 24/20. Scott Vardanega (3) and Chris Bell scored for the Crushers with Luke Casale kicking two goals.

For Brothers, it was revenge on Herbert River who beat them convincingly (big margins) in the Round 12 match and 32/18 in the Major semi-final.

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Brothers jumped out to an early lead and at one stage had a 22/6 advantage before Herbert River came storming back to set-up a close finish. However Brothers held on for a welldeserved victory.

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The Brothers Under 20 team went through the season undefeated and actually scored an amazing 514 points while only conceding 54 for the season. This team of young stars defeated Centrals 50/10 with Coby Gibbs (3), Tre-Jamal Conlan, Reece McKenzie-O’Brien, Faron Morris, Jonathon Young, Jordan Whitehead and Man of the Match, Steele Platt scoring tries while Zac Parker (6) and Jonathon Young kicked goals. The young Brethren also defeated Centrals 42/6 in the major semi-final and it is clear that many of these boys will be wearing senior jerseys in 2017.

Centrals tried hard against quality opposition with Rexie Stephen and Puni Taia scoring tries while Kyle Furner kicked a goal. Brothers Under 18 team defeated the Burdekin 20/12 with Lance Folbigg (3) and Sam Stopp scoring tries while Jacob Hucker kicked two goals. For the Burdekin Luke Carrett and William Pugnale scored tries with Joel Mason kicking two goals.

Left to right: Jharal Yow Yeh, students from Cavendish Road State High School, Paul White CEO of the Brisbane Broncos.

BEYOND THE BRONCOS THE Beyond the Broncos program aims to improve school attendance rates and year 12 attainment rates for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in 10 high schools across the Greater Brisbane region.

A dedicated team of Broncos’ Indigenous Support Staff provide one-on-one mentoring support, encouragement and motivation for students to achieve maximum school attendance, effort and behaviour and to complete Year 12.

This year the program supports around 300 students in years 10 to 12.

families to increase school attendance in selected primary schools across the State. The program is co-delivered by the Brisbane Broncos and North Queensland Cowboys and will see schools compete for fortnightly prizes for best attendance rates.

Brisbane Broncos and North Queensland Cowboy ambassadors including Justin Hodges, Scott Prince, Jharal Yow Yeh and Matt Bowen, deliver video messages each fortnight to the winning classes and then attend each school at the end of each term to deliver prizes.

Former Brisbane Broncos Captain Justin Hodges joins fellow star ex-Broncos Jharal Yow Yeh and Scott Prince and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Support Officer Merle Cashman, Karen Weigel and Steve Parle who provide dayto-day mentoring support and guidance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

The schools currently in the Try for 5! project are;

Together, the team provide support and are based at 10 schools across the Greater Brisbane Region including Beenleigh, Marsden, Cavendish Road, Redbank Plains, Tullawong, Sandgate, Wavell, Mitchelton, Glenala, and the St Peter Claver College.

Yarrabah State School

Cunnamulla State School Garbutt State School Cooktown State School Western Cape College Healy State School

TRY FOR 5!

Dunwich State School

The Try for 5! project is a challenge and reward program designed to motivate and incentivise students and their

Murgon State School

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BEYOND THE BRONCOS GIRLS ACADEMY IN August the Brisbane Broncos Community Team launched the new Beyond The Broncos Girls Academy to an excited audience at the Alexandra Hills State High School.

The program will be delivered by Brisbane Broncos support officers to more than 300 female students in the following schools:

This is one of 15 high schools across Redlands Shire, the Surat Basin and northern NSW that will participate in the academy.

REDLANDS SHIRE

Dedicated Broncos support staff will provide mentoring support, encouragement and motivation for students to achieve maximum school attendance, effort and behaviour and to complete Year 12.

Cleveland District State High School

A team of Broncos Community Dept staff and Indigenous Ambassadors have been on the road for the past month launching the academy both regionally and locally in the Greater Brisbane region.

In August the Department staff were also fortunate to be joined by Broncos NRL stars and wingers Corey Oates and Lachlan Maranta who are keen supporters of the program.

The success of the launches can be attributed to the vital support and mentoring provided by Indigenous Ambassadors Justin Hodges, Scott Prince, Jharal Yow Yeh, Preston Campbell and new recruit Bo de la Cruz.

The Girls Academy will support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander girls in Years 7 – 12 in the selected schools.

Alexandra Hills State High School Victoria Point State High School Wellington Point State High School

NORTHERN NSW Banora Point High School Tweed River High School Murwillumbah High School Wollumbin High School Ballina High School

SURAT BASIN Chinchilla State High School

The features of the program include:

Dalby State High School

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In-school mentoring and support from our school-based Brisbane Broncos support staff

Miles State High School

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Semester challenges and rewards for attendance and behaviour

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Group presentations on topics including culture, lifestyle and careers

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Support in completing Year 12 and developing career pathway plans

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Exclusive access to Brisbane Broncos staff, players, facilities and events.

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Our Lady of the Southern Cross School Roma Senior College St John’s College Tara Senior College

Lachlan Maranta, Jharal Yow Yeh, Corey Oates, students from Alexandra Hills State High School and Broncos’ Student Support Officer, Natashya Kitchener.

Roma City Gladiators – 2016 A Grade Premiers Photo: Courtesy Peter Rafter (QRL)

ROMA AND DISTRICT RUGBY LEAGUE

THE 2015 premiers Chinchilla Bulldogs surrendered their title to the Roma Cities Gladiators 34/10 in front of a big crowd in Roma. The Gladiators finished the season with the minor premiership on 34 points in front of St George, Chinchilla and the Red-bulls. Chinchilla had beaten Roma 22/20 in the major semi-final and were the first team into the Grand Final but the signs were ominous when the Gladiators took their spot with a 68/4 thumping of St George in the preliminary final. With star senior captain Matt Waites (Roma and District Player of the Year) leading the charge, the Gladiators finished

their sets and pushed their advantage during the first half, finishing 16/6 at the interval before going on with the job in the second half. The Bulldogs who had won the title in 2014 and 2015 tried valiantly in the second session but several key penalties took the momentum out of their attack. For Roma Cities Chris Ghellar (2), Billy Coonan, Tom Barton, Matt Waites and Braden Collins scores tries with Shannon Irwin (4) and Billy Coonan kicking goals while Joe Peters and Anthony Horswood scored for Chinchilla with Jeff Gilbert kicking a goal. Despite the setback for Chinchilla, Bulldogs captain Mark Lingard said he was proud of their efforts through what was a tough rivalry with the Gladiators. “At the end of the day we were outplayed” he said.

Roma finished the season on a high fielding three teams in the Grand Finals with their reserve grade winning 12/10 against the Red Bulls and the Under 18’s going down 22/18 to Mitchell. The Under 16 Grand Final was won by Chinchilla who defeated the Red Bulls 24/20. Player of the Year Awards for the Roma District went to Matt Waites (Roma Cities A Grade), Brian Argus (Miles/Taroom Reserve Grade), Ollie Peak (Mitchell Under 18) and Kade Tennyson (Chinchilla Under 16).

Mitchell Under 18 Team – 2016 Roma and District Premiers Photo: Courtesy Peter Rafter (QRL)

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MOUNT ISA AND DISTRICT RUGBY LEAGUE

CLONCURRY Eagles won their first major premiership in the modern era against Normanton Stingers 28/14. The Eagles kicked off and Normanton Stingers tried to put a hole in Eagles defence without succeeding. After a change-over Normanton capitalised off of a dropped ball and Kurtley Busch scored at the right corner post four minutes into the game. The kick was converted and the Stingers led for the first and what would be the only time in the game. Both teams were feeling pressured and knocked the ball on several times before Eagles sealed possession.

With 16 minutes remaining in the first half, Eagles regained possession and a few quick steps from Corey Moseley saw the Curry score to the left of the posts. The try was converted by James Baira to close the gap at 6/6.

It wasn’t long before Eagles were at it again with Clifford Johnny sealing a try under the posts. It was converted just before halftime to give the Eagles a 12/6 lead. The second session was

only minutes old when the Stingers Lewis Baker suffered an ankle injury. Eagles tried to take advantage and almost scored at the left corner post but was pulled off field one metre out.

With about 26 minutes left of the game Eagles moved to the right of Stingers’ defensive line and Clifford Johnny ran 20 metres to score at the right corner post unmanned. The try was converted to increase the Cloncurry lead to 18/6. With 22 minutes to go Eagles player Trent Bell pushed over the line to score under the posts. Baira converted the try and at 24/6 it was a bridge too far for Normanton. Eagles pace picked up and they kicked a 40-20. A quick play saw Jeffrey Wilson score and converted to take the score to 28/6 but Normanton to their credit came back with two unconverted tries to Camden Pasco and Dwayne Savo to take the final score to 28/14.

Eagles coach James Baira said the team toughed it out at the start but got the grind out and sealed a win. “Cloncurry hasn’t done to well in the last seven years,” he said. “It is the first time since 1988 that we have won major and minor premierships and that is a fantastic result.” This season the Cloncurry Eagles led by 2016 Cooper Boot Award winner James Baira along with Schakarne Aitkens, Lesley Gallagher and Jeffrey Wilson the Eagles have remained undefeated at home and on the 28th August they defeated the Normanton Stingers to take first spot in the Grand Final and were hoping to avenge the 2012 Grand Final result against the Stingers who lost their key forward David Crampton to the Townsville Blackhawks. The Stingers who last won the crown in 2012 were beaten 40/28 by the Curry in the major semifinal and had to play Townies in Normanton to see who went into the big game.

– DEREK BARRY The classy James Baira Images: North West Star

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CAIRNS AND DISTRICT RUGBY LEAGUE

Many regard the Cairns competition as one of the more competitive in Queensland and so the final series has proven with Cairns Brothers and Ivanhoes showing they will give the minor-premiers and 2015 champions, Innisfail Brothers a run for their money.

The Innisfail Leprechauns finished the season with 18 wins from their 20 games played but late season losses to Mossman/Port Douglas and the inform Ivanhoes showed they were vulnerable. Innisfail (40) took the minor premiership from Ivanhoes (36), Brothers (31), Atherton (28), Tully (27), Mossman/Port Douglas (26), Edmonton (20), Yarrabah (15), Kangaroos and Mareeba (14) with Suburbs trailing the field on 11.

While the Ty Williams coached Innisfail remain favourites a shock loss to Cairns Brothers has seen them forced to play the improving Ivanhoes for the remaining Grand Final position. In week one of the finals Tully were decisive in knocking Atherton out of the premiership race with a 40/4 shellacking while Cairns Brothers showed they were premiership contenders with a 22/14 defeat of Ivanhoes although the knights led 10/0 early in the game.

In week two of the finals the Tully Tigers played themselves out of premiership contention with a lacklustre 26/12 defeat at the hands of Ivanhoes while the Brothers from Cairns showed their Innisfail counterparts they were a serious threat with a 34/28 victory. The game see-sawed from start to finish with Cairns Brothers scoring six tries to Innisfail’s five but neither team can take any comfort out of the mistake plagued game. Brothers came under huge pressure in the last five minutes of their Barlow Park clash, holding on to make their first decider since 2012 but Ivanhoes are capable of beating either one of the Brothers teams on their day.

The Northern Pride have announced that former Origin player and North Queensland Cowboys star Ty Williams will be coaching the Pride in 2017 although his former team mate at Innisfail in 2015 Rod Jensen will not be at the helm.

The Board of the Pride sacked the likeable Jensen after a reported player revolt citing a lack of communication and uncertainty leading into 2017 as the root causes. Cairns in a similar vein to the Mackay Cutters have to sort out a connection between club rugby league and representative rugby league as the pathway is not clear. Both the Cutters (Mackay) and Price (Cairns) have won Intrust Super Cup premierships in the past four seasons however they have struggled in 2016.

Innisfail’s Brayden Cassady Image: Courtesy of Chris Holmes

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MACKAY AND DISTRICT RUGBY LEAGUE

MOST people in the Mackay area predicted that 2015 premiers and 2016 minor premiers the Whitsunday Brahmans would win the MDRL title but a score-line of 28/14 was not an indication of the Magpies mastery on the night.

The Brahmans won the minor premiership but it came down to the wire with Magpies nipping at their heels all season and Wests looking on with interest.

Magpies took second spot on the ladder with 26 points in front of Wests (24), Moranbah (14), Norths (12), Mackay Brothers (11), Souths (11) and Sarina, who were the 2015 minor premiers and club champions, last.

In the first week of the semi-finals Moranbah defeated Norths 28/22 and in what I never considered a boil-over Wests defeated Magpies 22/18. The following week the Brahmans defeated Wests 20/10 in a very tight game to take first place in the Grand Final while Magpies got their premiership ambitions back on track with a 36/6 defeat of the Miners. The Wests vs Brahmans game could have gone any way with the Brahmans leading 6/0 before Wests came back and scored two tries to take a 10/6 lead. The Brahmans eventually ran out 20/10 victors and booked first position in the Grand Final but maybe the long

road would have been better preparation. The Qualifying Final between Wests and Magpies was a real battle royal with an 8/6 score-line after 80 minutes of hard rugby league.

I had mentioned to several people that in my opinion the Achilles heel of the Brahmans was not their great defence but their attack which was eight points a game worse than Magpies and I mentioned if Magpies came out of the blocks they would take some catching.

On the night the game could not have started worse for the Brahmans with former Cutters star Harley Bickey scoring in the opening three minutes and although the Brahmans scored the next two tries they never recovered.

Late in the first half the Brahmans led 12/6 but on the bell Magpies hit back with a converted try and the signs were ominous for the defending premiers.

The Brahmans outside backs struggled all game and Phil Ramaga had an off-night with his kicks in general play so the Magpies played to their strength and dominated the second half scoring 16 unanswered points.

The best for Magpies were Beau Dixon, Matt Harris, Jerome Iakimo, Matt Temby and Lee Williams while Adam Wright and Byron Taylor tried hard for the Brahmans.

Image: Courtesy Ann Jones

LOCAL LOCAL RUGBY RUGBY LEAGUE LEAGUE LOCAL RUGBY LEAGUE Supporting Supportingthe theWhitsunday Whitsunday Supporting the Whitsunday Rugby RugbyLeague LeagueCommunity Community Rugby League Community

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RUGBY LEAGUE COUNTRY

Cherbourg player Fred Aubrey with daughter Lesley after the game ... Fred was overcome with emotion as he accepted the trophy for Player of the Final and the Charles “Chaz” Williams Memorial Shield for ‘Best & Most Respected Player”; Chaz, a well-known local footballer, died in 2015 and the shield is presented in his honour by the Williams family.

NANANGO’S hopes of a fairy-tale ending to their return to the South Burnett rugby league competition were brought back to earth with a thud by the Cherbourg Hornets, who have now won four South Burnett premierships in five years.

Hornets’ player Lewis Hopkins drew first blood at the six-minute mark. His try was converted by “Player of the Final” Fred Aubrey – the first of nine goals he kicked on the day.

At half-time, Cherbourg was ahead 30/4. The second half began as a mirror to the first, with a try to Lewis Hopkins.

Cherbourg then ground on, with tries to Malachi Wallace, Hopkins (his third) and Fred Aubrey, blowing out the Hornets’

lead to 52/4. With 20 minutes left, Nanango staged a minirevival, scoring three tries in six minutes – to Drew Jackson, Dylan Gilliland and Blake Harvey – and making the scoreboard look more respectable at 52/20. But Cherbourg weren’t finished yet. Carl Aubrey, Malachi Wallace and Gary Willmot put on three more tries before the final siren to take the full-time score to 68/20. Cherbourg tries were scored by Lewis Hopkins (3), Carl Aubrey (2), Malachi Wallace (2), Norman Wragge, Gordon Fisher, Keith Gadd Jnr, Fred Aubrey and Gary Willmot. Fred Aubrey kicked nine conversions, and Mark Saltner one. Nanango tries were scored by Ashley Smallwood, Drew Jackson, Dylan Gilliland and Blake Harvey. Clinton Harvey kicked two goals.

The Northern Districts Grand Final was played at ‘Marlins Park’, Agnes Waters on the 28th August. The weather was at its best for the big day and congratulations to the Agnes Water “Marlins” club for their efforts hosting the event this year. This

Action from the Northern Districts Grand Final

Photo: Courtesy Redford Sports Photography

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year the day took on a carnival atmosphere with mechanizing stalls, face painting and even an artist painting a scene from the game. Both the Avondale “Tigers” and Gin Gin “Hawks” had firm belief the trophy would be in their possession at the end of the game.

Maroochydore’s Murray Goldworthy and Josh Buckland Image: Courtesy Sunshine Coast Rugby League

The game kicked off with both teams muscling up their defence and the arm wrestle held for some time before Gin Gin winger Thomas Strahan broke the deadlock. The try was converted and the Hawks held the lead until just before halftime when “Tigers” winger David Nathan Jones crossed in the corner. The Tigers failed to convert and both teams went to the break at 6/4. After the break the wrestle continued for the next 10 minutes before the Tigers crossed under the posts through centre Matt Ross. Injuries and fatigue then started to take effect on the Hawks, losing their fullback with the halfback carrying an injury, the game started to drift from the gallant Hawks. Further tries to the Tigers through Dan Steemson, Matt Ross and Nathan Leather closed the Grand Final at 26/6.

The Player of the Final was Avondale’s Adam Goldsworthy.

The Sunshine Coast/Gympie competition has been decided with the Maroochydore/Coolum Swans breaking a 16 year premiership drought to defeat the Kawana Dolphins 18/16 in a tight contest. The Swans had lost the previous two grand finals and finished the season in third spot behind minor premiers the Caloundra Sharks and Kawana Dolphins.

In Week One of the finals the Maroochydore/ Coolum boys defeated Caboolture 32/10 to finish their season and the Kawana Dolphins upset the premiership favourites Caloundra 38/6 to advance to the Grand Final.

In the preliminary final the Swans flexed their muscles defeating the Sharks 26/12 and took momentum into the big game. “It’s unbelievable,” co-captain Murray Goldsworthy said. “The boys are ecstatic. We dug deep.

Kawana gave us everything, we just came out on top, it’s fantastic.

“The boys are all best friends and that’s what it comes down to, we play for each other.” Perhaps fittingly, it was the coach who took the Swans to their last title in 2000 who again delivered for the Wises Road faithful. After returning to the team this year, Brett Winkler helped the Swans re-emerge as local footy’s top dog.

Ilfracombe captain Roger Batt with Scorpions newest fan Kora Hoad (three weeks of age) sharing the trophy with her proud Dad and Coach Trent Hoad.

Photo: Courtesy Peter Rafter (QRL)

Winton Devils have won the last six premierships in the Central West Rugby League LEAGUEQUEENSLAND.COM.AU

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and in 2016 they hosted the Grand Final at home against the Ilfracombe Scorpions who have played Winton in five of the last six years and been unsuccessful.

In front of the good sized local crowd, 2016 finished differently from previous years. Ilfracombe came out firing in the first half and Winton had no answer to their sparkling attack with the halftime score favouring the visitors 22/6. The Winton Devils showed they meant business in the second half and were not going to go down without a fight. The first ten minutes of the second half the Devils continually hammered the Scorpions line

and were able to get an early try. The defence from both teams in the second half was relentless with neither team willing to have their line crossed. Ilfracombe put on two late tries to seal the victory, running out winners 30/12 and to take their first ever Central West Premiership. Some of these opposing players have played against and with each other in local teams and rep sides for many years and the mateship between the two teams will be everlasting. Two Central West Rugby League Legends, Nathan “Nudie” Brotherton from Winton and Tom Elliott, Ilfracombe, said immediately after the game that retirement is now. We’ll wait and see who signs up in 2017.

The Toowoomba and District Competition has reached an interesting stage with Warwick Cowboys winning the minorpremiership from the Pittsworth Danes, Highfields, Gatton and Southern Suburbs who took the last place in the finals.

Other clubs were Toowoomba Brothers, Dalby, Toowoomba Valleys, Wattles, Goodiwindi and Oakey in last place. In the Elimination Final played on the 27th August Highfields knocked Southern Suburbs out of contention with a 34/16 victory while Pittsworth defeated Gatton 32/22. On the 3rd September Pittsworth played the game of the season to defeat the Warwick Cowboys 32/10 and book first spot in the final while Highfields eliminated Gatton 40/38 to advance to the Qualifying Final against the Cowboys. Warwick got their premiership aspirations back on track when they defeated the Highfields Eagles 32/20 to move into the Grand Final against the Danes.

NO PLACE WOULD I RATHER BE THAN COACHING THE WHITSUNDAY BRAHMANS! The WHITSUNDAY BRAHMANS RUGBY LEAGUE FOOTBALL CLUB is looking for a well credentialed and inspirational coach for the 2017 season. The Brahmans are the 2015 Mackay and District Rugby League premiers in A Grade and Reserve Grade and the 2016 Minor Premiers in A Grade. The Whitsunday Brahmans are a family friendly club with a proud tradition that goes back 100 seasons.

The Whitsunday area includes the famous 74 Whitsunday islands and is a paradise known to most travellers around the globe. The Whitsunday Coast Airport which is regarded by many as the ‘Gateway to the Great Barrier Reef’ has direct links to Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne so no matter where you come from you are not far from home. The Whitsunday area offers many employment opportunities and the lifestyle is second to none in Australia.

The Brahmans play in the Mackay and District three grades. The successful applicant must have a Level One Coaching Certificate and mould well into the Brahmans Lifestyle. If you are big into rugby league, this is the job for you.

FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT MICHAEL LEE – P: 0457 996 000 E: MICHAEL.AIRLIEBEACH@TILE.COM LEAGUEQUEENSLAND.COM.AU APPLICATIONS CLOSE ON THE 30TH OCTOBER 2016

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The Tigerettes Image: Contributed

Tigers try line eventually coming away with a dominate 44/10 win. Best for Inglewood Roosters were Jamie Meddings, Brandon Sauverain, Tim West, Brent Bennett and Shane Hooper, while James Springborg, Josh Lucas, Jarrod McIntosh and Marc McGrady tried all day for the Tigers.

Although missing out on the major prize of the A Grade Premiership, the day had started well for the Tenterfield Tigers club with their Ladies Leaguetag team the Tigerettes defeating the Wallangarra Ramettes 32/10 in a hard fought match. The young Tenterfield side have now been undefeated for the last three seasons and look like the team to beat again in 2017 season with a very young side. They have been the most consistent side in the BRL Ladies Leaguetag Competition for the last three seasons and ran out deserved winners. Credit to the Wallangarra Ladies who refused to go down without a fight, and never gave up until the final whistle.

On the Gold Coast the Burleigh Bears defeated Runaway Bay 34/8 in the elimination final while Tugun flexed their premiership muscles with a dominant 39/6 defeat of the Southport Sharks in the major semi-final. Tweed Heads Seagulls finished the season as minor-premiers on 49 points from Tugun (41), Southport (41), Burleigh Bears (38), Runaway Bay (31), Ormeau (27), Bilambil (26) and Currumbin (18). The minor-premiers and favourites Tweed Heads Seagulls were bundled out in straight sets losing to second placed Tugun 28/10 and then to the fast improving Burleigh Bears 20/4 in the preliminary final. The Grand Final was played at Pizzy Park between Tugun and Burleigh with the Seahawks winning 27/14 after leading 16/8 at half time.

Grayson Te Kiri scored a double for the Tugun Seahawks while Adam Barnes, Tim Matenga and Ayden Lee also scored tries.

Keanu Te Kiri kicked three goals and Reece Worboys a goal.

Burleigh’s points came from tries to Rhys Duke and Scott Purvis with Daniel Schwass kicking three goals.

Tugun 2016 Champions

Image: Gold Coast Rugby League

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The all-conquering Hervey Bay Seagulls had their work cut out in the Grand Final of the Bundaberg Rugby League Competition at Salter Oval. The Seagulls who had dominated the competition trailed 12/0 with five minutes to go in the first half before their five-eighth (Otto) took advantage of a wilting Waves defence and ran 50 metres to score. The Seagulls who had beaten Waves on four occasions in 2016 were not prepared for the opening onslaught but once the seal was broken the Hervey Bay boys ran in 20 unanswered points through tries to Chol Chol and Terry Horne and four goals to Clinton Horne. The Hervey Bay captain/coach Tye Ingebrigtsen who had signed with Cairns club Mareeba for the 2016 season missed the game with a broken hand. This was the first premiership for the Hervey Bay Seagulls since Dean Pay delivered more than ten seasons before.

In the Central Burnett Grand Final played on the 6th August the Mundubberra Tigers defeated the Eidsvold Eagles 40/14 and in the Western League Grand Final played on Saturday 27th August saw Charleville defeat Augathella 28/10 with Jack Roberts (2), Ethan Capewell, Rhys Teelow and P.J. Willett scoring tries while Josh Stevens kicked four goals. For Augathella Tom Dawson and Cody Steedman scored tries while Joseph Eising kicked a goal.

It wasn’t supposed to happen like this but the previously undefeated Rockhampton Brothers led 18/6 with 15 minutes to go in the Rockhampton and District Grand Final went down to a more determined Norths Chargers 24/18. Norths President Bevan Hopes was over the moon with three of the clubs team’s competing on Grand Final day with the Reserve Grade going down 52/30 to the Woorabinda Warriors while their Under 20 grade lost 24/20 to the Yeppoon Seagulls. Brothers had clearly won the minor premiership with 15 wins from 15 starts and defeated Norths 30/20 in the major semi-final. Until the Grand Final they were the only undefeated A Grade team in Queensland. Norths had struggled into the Grand Final with six of their top players injured throughout the season and they took no part in the last half of the season, including star signing Simon Gregory, Brent Williams and star half Dean Allen. The Grand Final was played before one of the biggest crowds in over a decade and the game surpassed all expectations, with veteran captain Dan Tanner leading from the front along with other old boys Todd Titmus, Andrew “Heavy” Dale, Matthew

Jarvis and R u s s e l l Webber they combined with 18 year old halves pairing Jack White and Caleb Tull to turn around an 18/6 deficit with 13 minutes remaining to snatch an exciting victory. The winning try was scored by 19 year old Bryan Spence who earlier in the day had played a full game in under 20s so it was a wonderful day for the club and their policy to nurture local juniors.

In the Gladstone Competition Wallabys won the Minor Premiership from Dawson Valley, Calliope and Gladstone Rebels. Fantastic football was on display in front of a large crowd in excess of 2000 people in a big day of rugby league at Marley Brown Oval in Gladstone. The crowd was treated to a high standard of rugby league in all grades with the two games of Excellence stealing the show, with just two points separating both sides in each game. In the Women’s Grand Final Wallaby’s and Australian Jillaroo star Chelsea Baker inspired her team with a stand out performance. Up against the well drilled Emu Park team, Baker showed why she is one of the best players in the country with a player of the match performance scoring three tries and kicking three goals.

Baker enjoyed the freedom of playing fullback and created problems for the defense each time she touched the ball. The final score was Wallaby’s 26 Emu Park 6. In the men’s game the Calliope Roosters pipped Wallaby’s 27/22 in the dying minutes of the game.

– TONY PRICE THE CHARLEVILLE COMETS WESTERN LEAGUE PREMIERS 2016 – PLAYERS: Allan Muller, Zack Kinivan, Hobie Pegg, Rhys Teelow, Damian Poole, Jamie Kinivan, Jack Keegan, Garret Smith, Brad Doneman, Tyler Frousheger, Tyler Widgell, DJ Willet, Nick Russell, Nick Brook, Ethan Capewell, Sam Barrow, Josh Jensen, Jack Roberts, Leroy Holley COACH: Jeff Spencer LEAGUE SAFE: Jake Wade Norths’ captain Daniel Tanner Image: Norths Chargers Rugby League Club

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CENTRAL HIGHLANDS FINALS EMERALD Tigers are the Champions of Central Highlands Rugby League in both men’s and women’s competitions for 2016 after two great Grand Finals. In the Ladies Grand Final the Tigers won 18/12 after leading 14/4 at halftime. The Clermont Bears played well but made crucial mistakes that cost them dearly in the opening half with Casey Watkins scoring in the opening minutes to set the tone for the night.

The Bears Australian player, Tegan Rolfe scored to equalise but Kelsie Parter, playing fullback, scored to give the Tigers a handy 8/4 lead. Minutes later, Stacey Kirkman barged over from ten metres out to extend the Tiger’s lead to 14/4. In the second half, Rolfe passed to Carly Bell and broke through two tacklers to score and reduce the deficit to just a converted try the difference but once again the Tigers came back with Kiri Samson going over to take the score to 18/8 in the closing stages.

Rolfe was again involved in the last Clermont play of the evening when she combined with Rachael Simpson to narrow the gap to 18/12 which was the full time score. The Player of the Final was Miesha Huet. The men’s final was stirring stuff with the Middlemount Panthers leading 10/0 midway through the first half through tries to Sam Creedon and Joel Duffy but just before the interval Jason King went in to narrow the gap to 10/6. The middle of the paddock was no place for the

faint-hearted as both sets of forwards tried to dominate and the Panthers extended their lead to 14/6 with a Mitch Wyatte try.

The Tigers never say die attitude saw them claw back into the game with Rigby and Darby prominent while the little guys in Gavin Power and Darcy Hardness were everywhere.

The Tigers fullback, Jason King went over for his second try and the game was anybody’s for the winning at 14/12 to the Panthers.

The Panthers seemed to wilt under the relentless pressure of the Emerald team and Matt Langby worked some magic from dummy half to create scoring options for Justin Cavanagh and Issiah Huet to give the Tigers a handy 22/14 lead in the last minute of the game. The best for the Tigers were Issiah Huet, Kyle Mattingley, Matt Langby and Jason King while Will Davidson and Alex Sainsbury played well for the Panthers.

EMERALD TIGERS 22 (Jason King 2, Juston Cavanagh, Isaiah Huet tries; Isaiah Huet 1, Ray Ebsworth 2 goals) defeated MIDDLEMOUNT PANTHERS 14 (Sam Creedon, Joel Duffy, Mitch Wyatte tries; Mitch Wyatte 1 goal).

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CNW HERVEY BAY SEAGULLS

RUGBY LEAGUE TEAM 2016 BUNDABERG RUGBY LEAGUE A GRADE PREMIERS Seagulls Captain/Coach Tye Ingebrigtsen is passionate about developing Juniors.....and integrating the Seagulls into the community.

WITH the economics of today’s environment affecting the majority on Queensland’s country regions with respect to the employment situation, it is understandable that most of the senior rugby league clubs in the regions are finding it difficult at times to sustain good player numbers in the senior ranks.

Through the generosity of sponsors like CNW Electrical we are able to continue to improve the facilities for our players and supporters, which helps us to retain and improve our player base. This year we have installed new lighting and built new change sheds which benefits all that get to use our facilities.

Sponsorship support also enables us to provide professional player development squads so our boys can improve their skills and follow their footy dreams. It also provides opportunities for these young men to support several local community groups and be part of the community as a whole. Without the support of sponsors like CNW Electrical, running programs like this would not be possible.

All clubs are severely affected when their current juniors reach the age of leaving school, many are lost to our region either moving away to seek employment or furthering their studies.

However the Seagulls are very proud to be one of the leading clubs in our region where the majority of players at present that are playing A Grade are Seagulls Juniors.

The Seagulls who are the current premiers will have used a total of 11 Seagulls junior players with another 5-7 juniors on the cusp of A Grade selection – they are currently unavailable due to work commitments or injuries.

In this day and age that is an almighty effort and very encouraging to all of our up and coming juniors of today.

A passion of A Grade captain/coach Tye Ingebrigtsen is developing the juniors - so much so, he has instigated junior development squads within the Seagulls and at the next level has instigated a Fraser Coast regional development squad with direct links to the Sunshine Coast Falcons and Melbourne Storm development networks. I would absolutely love to see some of these kids progress to the Seagulls A Grade ranks but 46

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more so I would like to see some get picked up by the Storm or other NRL clubs and hopefully see them go onto play NRL or Q Cup. Like I said before in our A Grade we have a lot of Gulls juniors playing and I am so pleased to see they have been Seagulls all their lives, Seagulls is their team, and Hervey Bay is their town.

I can tell you they are very proud of this and they are focussed on winning a Premiership. I would love to see them achieve this goal, they are a driving force to me which helps maintain our enthusiasm and desire. Sure we have a few players that have come from different locations to play with us, but that has happened here at Seagulls since they began in the early 70’s, as it does at every other club. At times we all (clubs) have to recruit not only to remain competitive but also for the benefit of the club and the current players, but again I must say it is a credit to the Seagulls Club that we have so many juniors playing in the senior grades at this point of time.

Probably the biggest difference in Seagulls recruiting to most other clubs is.....we do not splash the cash so to speak...we do not pay players. Lucky Hervey Bay is such a nice place to live! I am also lucky enough to know a lot of players around the traps, and a few good mates have come on board to help us out. If we hope to compete against the clubs that continually buy in quality players, we need to build up our player depth to cover for injuries and work commitments etc. so we can compete in every game.

Ingebrigtsen has not only instigated the Player Development Squads but has also been instrumental in getting the Seagulls involved in supporting a number of community organisations.

We have joined forces with local Police in promoting and standing up against domestic violence, providing support for suicide prevention, and showing more support for one another. We have also developed an affiliation with the local Cerebral Palsy League with a large number of their clients attending our home game matches to support us. One guy in particular, James Hamilton, absolutely loves his Seagulls and has become our number one supporter. We bring James into the dressing sheds where he loves to mix with and talk to the boys. We as a club are trying hard, not only to be a great rugby league team within our community but also a support group that contributes to the local community as a whole.

(Left) Hervey Bay Seagulls’ Tye Ingebigtsen, (Right) On-field captain Clinton Horne and cerebral palsy – supporter, James Hamilton.

Photo: Courtesy CNW Electrical

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IGNATIUS PARK COLLEGE

BREEDING GROUND OF CHAMPIONS TOWNSVILLE’S Ignatius Park College won this year’s Confraternity Shield from rugby league heavy-weight St Brendan’s College, Yeppoon. The Townsville Catholic College has a proud rugby league history with four Australian rugby league Internationals coming through their ranks. Those players were Danny Moore, Scott Prince, Aiden Guerra and Michael Morgan.

three games for the Prime Ministers XIII and four games for the Indigenous All Stars but the highlight of a brilliant career was winning the Clive Churchill Medal as player of the Final when he captained Wests Tigers to the 2005 NRL premiership.

Those players are Valentine Holmes (Cronulla), Aiden Guerra (Sydney City), Chris Grevsmuhl and the Cowboys Michael Morgan, Coen Hess and Kyle Feldt. Those figures are up there with the best in the land and in Queensland only narrowed by the five top liners from their arch-enemy St Brendans who have Corey Oates, Ben Hunt (Broncos), Matt Scott, Jake Granville (Cowboys) and Kurt Mann (Dragons) playing in the big league.

From 2001 the ‘Rugby League Development Program’ showed almost immediate dividends with another Confraternity Trophy win in 2001 and in 2004 they were the Queensland Secondary School champions. The early part of the 2000’s saw a very competitive Iggy Park playing against equally competitive rivals in St Patricks College, Mackay who won in 2000, 2001 and 2003 and St Brendans College, Yeppoon who took honours in 2002, 2004, 2006 and 2007. One of the better players wearing an Ignatius Park jersey in 2004/2005 was Aidan Guerra who would become Ignatius Park’s third international rugby league player when he represented both Italy and Australia. A great hard working forward Guerra has played 130 NRL games for the Sydney City Roosters, won a premiership in 2013 and represented Queensland on nine occasions.

Ignatius Park College has been around since 1969 and won the trophy section of the Confraternity Shield in 1993 but has only participated in a Rugby League Development Program since 2001. The College’s first super-star was Danny Moore who played three tests for Australia in 1995 and more than 180 first grade games in the NRL and English Super League. Moore was an enigma in that he came from the clouds to play for Australia

Ignatius Park struck gold in 2008 when they won the Confraternity Shield with a team that contained a young Michael Morgan and Kyle Feldt although Jay Lobwein (Ignatius Park) won the Player of the Carnival. Lobwein now plays for the Coventry Bears in England. If ever a rugby league player was destined to play for Australia it was Ignatius Park’s Michael Morgan who played for the First XIII in 2008 and captained the Firsts in 2009.

The production line of champions continues with six current NRL players former Iggy Park students.

A magnificent ball playing centre or five-eighth he has formed an integral partnership with the world’s best player Johnathan Thurston at the Cowboys. Already a dual premiership winner with the Mackay Cutters (2013) and the North Queensland Cowboys (2015) he has excelled at Origin level and is an immediate selection in a team regarded as the best in the world.

Morgan is the perfect foil for Thurston as he is a great attacking player, smart tactical player and magnificent defender. Morgan’s teammate in the class of 2009 was Kyle Feldt who will go down in North Queensland folk-lore as the player who scored the try in the final seconds of play off a Michael Morgan pass to take the 2015 NRL Grand Final into extra time. Feldt is another dual premiership winner with an Super Cup Grand Final medal with the Northern Pride to go with his Cowboys gong.

The strength of this competition cannot be underestimated and in 2009 a strong Ignatius Park team containing Morgan, Kyle Feldt and Chris Grevsmuhl went down in the final to St Brendans. St Brendans won again in 2010 but Ignatius Park picked up another Player of the Carnival award with future Cowboys Under 20 and Townsville Blackhawks player Sam Foster picking up the award. but his talent was undisputed with a long career in the top grade. Next in the production line of great players was the great Scotty Prince who did everything possible on the rugby league field despite his small stature. Originally from Mount Isa Scotty Prince played for Ignatius Park College in 1996 before signing for the Cowboys in 1998. In a career that was marred by serious injuries Prince played more than 300 games at the highest level including four tests for Australia, five games for Queensland, 48

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In 2011 Ignatius Park College won the first of three successive Confraternity School titles making them the first school since the powerful St Patricks College, Mackay (1988 – 1992) to achieve this. The success of the ‘Rugby League Development Program’ was obvious with many talented players going on to success in the NRL and Super Cup. Kieran Quabba picked up the player of the carnival in 2012 and the achievements of the school continues to grow.

IGNATIUS PARK COLLEGE FIRST XIII – 2008 CONFRATERNITY SCHOOL CHAMPIONS – BACK ROW: Mr Brendan Logan (Trainer), Jack Boniface, Ben Benbendorf, Kyle Feldt, Oliver Smith, Lewis Currin, Kurtis Ritchie, Craig McGelliott, Ben Tietzel, Nathan Crowley, Rodney Bong., Mr David Elliot (Coach) FRONT ROW: Mr Michael Giorgas (Asst Coach), Nathan Young, Scott Strachan, Josh Rose, Jay Lobwein, Patrick Day (Captain), Mick Morgan, Ben Carter, Alex Elisala, Riki Mason, Fr Rod Ward (Doctor) Image: Ignatius Park College

The Rugby League Development Programme has an emphasis on developing welleducated and responsible young men who enjoy their sport. All training sessions occur outside school hours, allowing students to focus on their academic studies, which are always a priority. Boys from all over North Queensland and beyond participate in Ignatius Park’s development programmes, while other students choose to simply play Rugby League for fun and fitness. Ignatius Park has teams in all age-groups, from Under 13 through to Open. Boys who are selected for the Development Programme undertake five sessions per week (three early morning sessions and two after school) that focus on the physical development (weight sessions and conditioning) as well as their skills and tactical development. These sessions are run throughout the year except for exam periods where they have time off for the students to focus on their academic workload. The production line of Ignatius Park players into the NRL system peaked in 2011 with twelve players going onto the NYC squads including the very talented Valentine Holmes who is currently flying high with the Cronulla Sharks.

Ignatius Park College, a breeding ground for champions with more to come.

– TONY PRICE

IGNATIUS PARK FIRST XIII Selected by League Queensland Fullback – Valentine Holmes Winger – Kyle Feldt Centre – Danny Moore Centre – Alex Elisala Winger – Moses Pangai 5/8 – Michael Morgan ½ Back – Scott Prince Lock – Chris Grevsmuhl 2nd Row – Aiden Guerra 2nd Row – Coen Hess Prop – Corey Jensen Hooker – Anthony Mitchell Prop – Patrick Kaufusi

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IT’S BEEN A PLEASURE KNOWING HIM WALTER BULLOCH died early in August in Townsville. He was not a great rugby league player but like most of us he loved the game and the camaraderie that came with being involved with the game. He was born in Collinsville on the 19th November 1948 and after attending primary school went to Thornburgh College in Charters Towers where he did play in their First XIII.

On completion of his schooling he obtained an apprenticeship as a fitter and turner at Dacon Collieries underground mine in 1965.

He remained at Dacon for the next seven years working at the Bowen, Garrick, Blake and old state mine seams until his move to BCCM in 1972. Walter’s main interests at this time were rugby league, not only as a player but later as a committee man, team manager, junior league coach and referee.

His involvement included both the Collinsville and Whitsunday leagues. He had long been involved in his other great passions of the union and lawn bowls.

Many a time Walter was in Brisbane or Sydney for a local delegates meeting of some sort – amazing how often these coincided with a State of Origin or a cricket match. In the early 90’s Walter was approached to become Treasurer of Hillside Haven Aged Care Facility.

He accepted the position and in his typical fashion threw himself whole-heartedly into it. It wasn’t only a matter of balancing the books, pay sheets etc. – all done without computers, but helping to improve the facilities and grounds, helping build retaining walls and working hard to fund raise to provide the little extras for the residents.

MEN OF LEAGUE MEMBERSHIP Join the Foundation that helps the men, women and children in the rugby league community who have fallen on tough times.

For an annual fee of just $20 you will become part of the Men of League family. When you become a member you will receive: • A Men of League key ring with your personal membership number engraved • A copy of the Men of League quarterly magazine • The Men of League events calendar - including email notifications of upcoming events • The opportunity to connect with ex-football colleagues through local committees and regular events

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This included 4am starts at Bowen River Rodeo to get breakfasts and full days at May Day in the years when the hostel had the catering.

In 1996, the year after receiving his 30 years’ service award from MIM, he was ruled medically unfit because of his diminished lung capacity to take up a position underground and had to take redundancy.

When he took up a cause, he gave it his all as witnessed by his dedication to his union, to rugby league, to Collinsville bowls club and to Hillside Haven. He was unstinting of his time and energy for them.

He was a people loving person and as all of you know he enjoyed nothing more than having a chat and talking over old times with his mates, almost always over a beer or three. It was sad to see in recent years how his lung disease sapped him of his strength and the ability to do so many of the things he enjoyed.

Becoming a member of the Men of League Foundation is easy.

Visit the Men of League website or call the National office on 02 8765 2232.

Despite that he retained his sense of humour, his delight in meeting up with people and his love of his family.

www.menofleague.com

Walter Bulloch (left) with Queensland Rugby League Life Member Ron Read at a Whitsunday Rugby League Reunion.

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