It is certainly a very special week to be a Queenslander with the Broncos and Cowboys lining up in the first all Queensland NRL grand final. The trouble for many of us now is which team to support.
The Cowboys are everyone’s other favourite side, so I imagine the sway of support will lean in their favour on Sunday. It surely looks “their time” after heartbreaking decisions and stuff ups have cost them their place in the Big Dance in recent years.
It was fitting to see JT blitz the Dally M Medal field on Monday night and etch his name into the history books.
What a wonderful champion he has become. Once considered by some as a wild child, he has morphed into one of the greatest leaders in the game. The manner in which he conducts himself off and on the field is something younger players should aspire to.
From his off field work with Indigenous kids and the NQ community to the little things like always picking up his kicking tee – respecting the ball boys and giving away his head gear each and every game he has raised the bar on player behaviour. He is of course also a vocal advocate for the players themselves.
It would be fitting for this player with the freakish talent, who league fans have joined on his journey from skinny kid to champion to raise the NRL premiership trophy with Co Captian Matt Scott on Sunday.
Standing in his way is another with a great story – a former Cairns kid also with freakish ability, often misunderstood but who in his final season of rugby league has emerged as a strong and genuine leader of men – Justin Hodges. There were some raised eyebrows when Wayne Bennett named him captain when the coach returned to the Broncos this season. Of course history will show us that to doubt a Bennett decision is to dice with danger or stupidity.
It was great to see common sense and justice prevail earlier in the week when Hodges faced the judiciary. History will also show that things often don’t go that well in that room.
Now that enigmatic former Cairns kid is 80 minutes away from writing his own fairy tale ending to a remarkable career.
This grand final will be a game with plots and sub plots, stories and sidelines aplenty and anyone who doubted an all-Queensland final could pull a sellout crowd seriously underestimated those with maroon blood coursing through their veins.
I am fortunate that someone booked my tickets back in June and like many I have been pinching myself since Saturday night – can’t believe my luck.
Who wins? Can’t pick – the Broncos supporter in me says Benny’s boys – the Nth Qld connection is hoping the Cowboys. Either way we are set to prove to those south of the border Queensland really is the heart and soul of rugby league.
I know there are plenty of other familiar rugby league faces that are heading to Sydney for the game. Guess I might see you there.
Yeeha
Casey
BACK TO BACK FOR WATTLES
Wattles Warriors have been the benchmark for the past two TRL seasons and on Sunday at Clive Berghoffer Oval they dominated the grand final game against the Dalby Diehards to claim back-to-back Premierships with an emphatic 52-26 victory.
It is the first time Wattles have managed the feat, and it is a milestone fittingly achieved in the club’s 50th Anniversary year.
It was a proud moment for the Duggan brothers, Ryan, Luke and Matt who were able to share a rare and special rugby league moment. The trio now have their names etched in Wattles’ history alongside their team mates.
The Warriors went into the game as warm favourites but did not underestimate their opponents who fought hard from fifth spot on the ladder for their tilt at the TRL title.
Wattles were quickly into stride as hooker Mark Gordon opened the scoring for the minor premiers after only two minutes of play.
Aaron Scheid and Joel Koina extended the lead as Wattles posted points at better than one a minute.
Dalby needed a try to stay in the game and James Wreford put them on the board in the 17th minute. The conversion successful, the Diehards trailed 18-6.
In a dominant period of play the inform Brodie Ciesiolka and Brenden Wilson both scored. Duggan was on song with the boot as Wattles extended their lead to 30-6 heading towards half time.
Marcus Jensen scored for the Diehards on the stroke of half time and successfully converted his own try to send his side to the break, down 30-12.
Trailing by 18 points Dalby needed a good start to the second half but any chance of reeling in the Warriors began slipping away when Ciesiolka crossed for his second minutes into the half.
Harry Fulwood joined the list of try scorers and Ciesolka made it three for the final with a try in the 56th minute. Down 48-12 Dalby hit back with tries to Jensen and Pat Manley but the horse had well and truly bolted. As the clock wound down on the 2015 TRL season Corey Blades joined the Wattles try scoring party. Dalby’s Nathan Champney scored for the Diehards in the final minutes of the high scoring game. Despite the loss it was a brave effort from the Dalby team who went into the game without two of their key players Asher Elemani and Xavier Manley.
It was of little surprise Brodie Ciesiolka was named Man of the Match, winning the John McDonald Medal for his performance capping off a stellar season for the young five eighth and the club.
WATTLES 52 (Brodie Ciesiolka 3, Mark Gordon, Aaron Scheid, Joel Koina, Brenden Wilson, Harry Fulwood, Corey Blades tries; Matt Duggan 8 goals) defeated DALBY 26 (Marcus Jensen 2, James Wreford, Pat Manley, Nathan Champney tries; Jensen 3 goals)
RAMS MAKE AMENDS
THE Millmerran Rams were not to be denied in the GF of the 2015 TRL second division. The Rams have been the dominant team throughout the season, and on Sunday posted a comfortable 32-6 win over the Warwick Cowboys, avenging their somewhat controversial loss in 2014. They took a 16-6 lead to the half time break and kept the Cowboys scoreless in the second half as they closed out the grand final with a dominant performance in the second half.
Millmerran player Thomas Halford was named Man of the Match.
In other grades, Valleys defeated Pittsworth 41-32 in the Under 18 grand final. Valleys defeated Gatton 24-10 in the Reserve Grade and in the inaugural Women’s League Tag competition, Goondiwindi defeated Pittsworth 14-4.
SHOWER NO DAMPENER
A LIGHT shower Saturday did little to dampen the powder for the combined Action Pistol and 25 metre bear targets at Inglewood SSAA.
Twenty-three competitors took part in the shoot which was held over two days.
Tom Donald was in fine form, rounding up the opposition on Saturday to take out the event ahead of Scott John and Michael Dudgeon. Donald had such a good day out on Saturday that he repeated the dose on Sunday, defeating Ross Jackson and Michael Dudgeon to pick up another minor placing. Fortunately, he was not eligible for the Junior competition and Will Paterson was able to claim a win in that competition. – Nice shooting Tom.
After the excitement of the pistols this Sunday it is back to clays. The pistol and rifle sight will be available for practice and / or sighting all day.
You can follow all the action at the Inglewood Sporting Shooters Association on Facebook.
CANADIAN FOURSOME POPULAR
THE Canadian Foursome competition held last Saturday at the Stanthorpe Golf Club proved a popular event. Fred Wharton and new member M. Corbett added their names to the list of previous winners on the cups.
A score of 63.5 put them in front of runners- up, Bob Watts and Anthony Puglisi who finished with 65. The event was sponsored by long-time supporters of the club Howard and Sons.
Pin shots went to Keith Barnett at 3/12 and Bob Watts at 17. The team of Lyn Ludlow and Rachael Hendry collected the ladies pin at 3/12 and Nikki Rossow and Janette Andrewartha shared the approach at 17.
Minor prizes went to the teams of Harvey/Ludlow, Hendry/Allen and Leigh/Pickering.
Players are reminded that the mixed Foursomes Championships are almost upon us. The championships will be played on Sunday 11 October over 27 holes. A time sheet has been posted, and now is the time to arrange your partner and get your names on the sheet.
The first Saturday in October has rolled around, so play this weekend in the event sponsored by a trio of cricketing tragic Brett Lacey, Rod Pettiford and Danny Folkers will be for the October monthly medal and putting competition. A time sheet is on the board and tee off from 11.30 am.
BACK NINE FOR SPORTERS
SPORTERS took to the back nine in Stanthorpe last Sunday and Angelo Doorley clocked up a popular win. Runner-up by the cut of the cards was Margy Locke.
Terry Byrnes and Bob Watts claimed the rundowns. Aaron Simmers played very well to win the gross. The pin shot at 12 was won by visiting Evans Heads golfer Fran Dickens. Another visitor Nic Baltas won the pin at the 17th. Ian Anderson just loves the Pro-Pin and won it again.
Jim Mitchell and Aaron Simmers were the lucky winners of the meat trays. Sporters be warned your president Ray Thorn is back on deck next Sunday fresh from his holidays. Tee off on Sunday is at the normal 8am – 8.30am.
TIGHT FINISH IN ‘GARRA AMBROSE
IN A very tight finish to the Two Ball Ambrose competition played last Saturday at Wallangarra, only 1/4 points separated the first three teams. Scott Williams and Damien Moore eventually took the honours narrowly ousting runners-up Kevin and Peter Williams. A split hair away was the pairing of Steven Hampstead and Simon Blair in third spot.
Two pin shots were claimed with Jay Purcell setting up a birdie on nine and Scott Williams at the approach. With his two on nine, Purcell also nabbed the Birdies Nest.
It is October already and time for the Monthly Medal event this Saturday.
A note for your golfing diary – Sunday 18 October is the 36 hole Foursomes Championship.
EMOTIONAL WIN
THERE were tears and cheers as the Toowoomba trained and owned filly Greyt Start blitzed the field in the inaugural Pat O’Shea Plate (1000m) at Clifford Park on Saturday. The race formerly known as the Fitton Hopeful Plate was renamed in honour of former race caller Pat O’Shea who died early in the month.
Greyt Start ($3.80) can now lay claim to winning the first two-year-old race of the Australian season. It was a commanding win by the Michael Nolan-trained youngster who streaked away in the straight under the guidance of jockey Skye Bogenhuber. The winner also posted a class record time.
Both trainer and jockey were emotional following the win. Nolan said after the race that winning the inaugural Pat O’Shea plate was up there with his Weetwood wins and the win of Jumbo Prince in the Toowoomba Guineas earlier this year.
“This is special. As soon as I found out the race was to be named after Pat O’Shea, I really wanted to win it.
“We set her for it and I’m over the moon,” the trainer said.
It was Skye Bogenhuber’s first win in the Toowoomba two-year-old feature event and she rates it alongside her multiple premiership, Weetwood, Toowoomba Cup and Fillies and Mares Quality victories.
“I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. “I’ve wanted to win this race for a long time,” Bogenhuber said at the post-race celebrations.
The leading Toowoomba rider said she was over the moon to win the race now that it was the Pat O’Shea Plate, saying O’Shea was one of her greatest supporters and it was a great thrill.
The immediate plans for the classy filly are in doubt. Trainer Michael Nolan is yet to decide whether to press on with Greyt Start’s campaign or send her for a spell following the impressive win.
TWO CLOSE ENCOUNTERS
THE Hoop runners Group played two close games of doubles last week. In perfect conditions, Bill Golding and Elaine Brown paired up to take on Shirley Evans and Val Fancourt in the first game. In a tight game, Brown and Golding broke a 12-all deadlock, scoring the final hoop to win 13-12. The winning combination scored consistently all game without any particularly spectacular shots. Shirley Evans had the top score of eight hoops, and both she and her partner came up with a jump shot each.
In the second game, partners swapped and Val Fancourt and Elaine Brown combined well to defeat Evans and Golding 13-12 in another close encounter.
ACTION ROLLS ON AT SUMMT
As the parade of caravans rolled into Stanthorpe for the much-anticipated State Rally, preparations were well underway at the Summit Bowls club for a much-anticipated visit from a large contingent of the visitors.
A big group of travelling bowlers spent an enjoyable day on the greens at the Summit which were turned out in magnificent style by Errol Moss and drew plenty of positive comments from the visiting blowers. John Shannon and Gaye Wilmot also ensured the group were very well fed and watered and the club appreciates the efforts of all three of these hard working members.
It was another busy day on the greens on Saturday with the Summit Club hosting the SDMDBA Presidents Pairs. Eight teams from across the district competed.
It was two Summit teams that made it through to the final on Sunday with the team of Rod Newlands and Paul Zamprogno taking on Wayne Thomas and Kurt Empen. In what was a tough game, Newlands and Zamprogno fought hard but in the end skip Wayne Thomas and Kurt Empen were successful in lifting the trophy for 2015. The score in the final – 22-13.
There were also social bowls played on Saturday Brian Brown and Keith Mungall 20 combined to defeat P. Davis and Graham Rubie.
It is looking like another big weekend of competition at the Summit as the club prepares to host the Summit 2015 Triples Competition this weekend. The competition runs over both Saturday and Sunday and play commences at 9am on Sunday. Coming events:
A reminder to all bowlers that the Annual Apple Blossom carnival is fast approaching. Set down for 24 and 25 October, organisers would appreciate team nominations as soon as possible.
