Brisbane, October 18, 2003. Matthew Burke on the weave before scoring a try in the first half of the Australia v Romania Rugby World Cup Pool A match at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane. AAP Image/Dave Hunt
If you’re sitting back watching the Wallabies during the Tri-Nations and remembering the good old days, then you’re probably not alone.
Luckily this year during September and October you’ll have plenty of chances to hop in your DMC-12, hop it back to the late 90’s and watch your old heroes come out to play in a host of charity events around NSW.
There are three games in particular worth looking out for – the Silver Foxes playing for the Black Dog Institute in Griffith on Sept 26th, and then on Oct 10th, both Mauling For Muscles in Newcastle and the Kiss The Frog Foundation game in Scone.
First up though, and for sheer star power it’s hard to go past the Silver Foxes, who go on the road for their fourth outing against regional NSW teams, this time travelling all the way to the Riverina to take on the Griffith Blacks.
Once again the Foxes are fielding eight players from the 1999 Rugby World Cup triumph, and six from the Wallabies Team Of The Decade in the 1990’s including Richard Harry, Andrew Blades, Phil Kearns, David Wilson, Owen Finegan, Jason Little, Joe Roff and Matt Burke.
The Foxes have also managed to pull in a few other Wallaby legends to help the cause, such as Randwick great Warwick Waugh, Brumbies stalwarts John Langford and Marco Caputo, dual international Scott Gourley, and dual code speedster James Grant. Several other notable club and rep players are making up the 25 strong touring party (guys like Hugh Williams from Eastern Suburbs, Marc Avery from Sydney University and Nick Wilson from the Narromine Gorillas) which will raise funds for the Black Dog Foundation, a research centre for mood disorders and depression.
Black Dog are running stacks of community events around the Riverina during the preceding week and it should be a big weekend all round with golf on Friday, a junior coaching clinic on Saturday and finally the Silver Foxes vs the Griffith Blacks at 2.35pm at EW Moore Oval, Griffith on Sept 26.
A couple of weeks later on October 10th, Mauling For Muscles takes place in Newcastle to raise funds for the Institute for Neuromuscular Research (INMR) and also Muscular Dystrophy NSW, and this one features the Australian Rugby Legends playing a Newcastle Barbarians side.
The Legends are well known across Australia and Asia for their touring exploits, in particular their displays at the Hong Kong Tens, and will feature a few returning greats of the game in Scott Gourley and James Grant (who will be backing up from their Silver Foxes outing in Griffith!) alongside fellow Wallabies David Carter and Steve Merrick and former Kangaroo forward Mark “Spud” Carroll. Also lining up will be former Warringah hard man John Hearn, former Warringah and Manly Sea Eagles forward Matt Guberina and Brumbies front rower James McCormack.
The Newcastle side is widely tipped to be captain/coached by organizer and comeback king Peter Fallon who returned to the playing paddock for Wanderers this year after being retired for almost 12 years, having played for Hawkesbury Ag College and West Harbour before they were the Pirates.
Apparently there are a few Newcastle Knights crossing codes for the day as well to support MFM.
The action for Mauling For Muscles starts from midday, with the main game kicking off at 2.30pm at St John Oval, Charlestown.
Also on October 10th up in Scone, the newly-minted Kiss The Frog Foundation will run out a KTF Barbarians team to play NSW Country. The Country side will face off against a host of Sydney club players, former provincial players and Wallabies to raise money for former Randwick, St Josephs College and Scone back Josh Clift who broke his neck last year whilst playing for his local side.
He escaped with arm weakness and 3 fused vertebrae but was able to walk again.
Unbelievably, a few weeks later he was involved in a car accident and is now paralysed from the waist down. Josh is currently in an intensive rehab facility in the US – the name Kiss the Frog was chosen by Josh as he is chasing a miracle result with specialized treatment over there.
All in all, some great causes to support and plenty of great celebrity rugby action taking place, so make sure you get along and throw your support behind the players, and have a great day out. You can guarantee that it will be rugby as it should be played.
For further information, or to support any of the above events:
Silver Foxes for the Black Dog Institute, email Olivia Morgan at Black Dog on o.morgan@unsw.edu.au
Mauling For Muscles, email Peter Fallon peter.fallon@cbre.com.au
Kiss The Frog Foundation, email Kieran Gaffney kgaffney@barwickwines.com
whalie
Guest
Hi Bundy and thanks for the excellent article Logan. BTW Bundy: That's www.maulingformuscles.com - no AU! Cheers and look forward to seeing you all there. PS Baa Baas make you guys sound like a bunch of New Zealanders :) Make us proud BAArbarians!
Andrew Logan
Guest
What about prune grappa D? Sounds like a choccy digestive and a good lie down would be the ideal accompaniment.....
Dan
Guest
Loges On a point of etiquette if one is having port at half time, a cheese platter is also required. D
Sam
Guest
Loges Im from Griffith and the Community down here is very excited about the Silver Foxes coming to town. FYI there are still some tickets available to the after match function at the Gemini. Tickets can be purchased from Central Butchery Banna Avenue Griffith ph 0269622204. I was speaking to one of the organisersfrom the Griffith Game in regard to your liquid refreashments during the game and aparently they have now selected a nice prune grappa for your consumption.
Andrew Logan
Guest
Twoms......David Wilson, Owen Finegan.....hmmmm, just couldn't slip in there unfortunately.
sheek
Guest
I can only add my support to the words spoken by others. Maybe the Black Dog Institute should join forces with TF4E - Topo Foundation For Education - all about the same thing.
Bundy
Guest
Great article Loges and thanks for the plug. Myth - maybe, but barking mad playing again after all these years - loving the 7 day sore cycle!! Mauling for Muscles is a group of Newcastle business people in conjunction with Newcastle Harbour Rotary Club committed to supporting people with Muscular Dystrophy and their families. Your article covers the event well but would add that there is a golden oldies tournie to start the day (more teams welcome) and the Australian Police are playing a Newcaslte selection as a tune up to their end of year tour. Yes, the Baa Baa's will have recent former Knights players which just goes to show the league / union rivalry is a bunch of hot air when it comes to showing heart and helping sick kids. Pleased to advise our 416 seat Black Tie dinner is SOLD OUT but if anyone has a prize to donate we would gratefully accept. Some lucky punter on the night is going to win flights and 8 nights in a suite at the Beachcomber resort in Mauritius. Visit us on http://www.maulingformuscles.com.au Good luck to all the upcoming events you mentioned.
Twoms
Guest
I can't believe Logan has organised a Silver Foxes with an open side brekaway available, denying himself of his usual vicarious thrill of "well if there is nobody, I used to play open side....." Great work on all fronts; the organisation, the causes and finally benching yourself
Andrew Logan
Guest
Kenny Mac - the Narrabri Principles will be operating in Griffith apparently. I have already been informed that port will be served at half-time.....being an aff-leet myself I requested a warm KB can.
Robbie
Guest
Nice one Loges.....gday Dan....and Fallon is a myth
Muzza
Guest
Good article Loges. Having had the privelage of playing against the Silver Foxes at Millamolong last year, I can honestly say it was the highlight of my rugby career. The generosity of these guys is nothing short of amazing and if anyone thinks these guys have lost any of their skills, then think again. Some of the tries that Horan and Little orchestrated last year were truley spectacular. As an opposing player all you could do was applaud and say WOW!!!!! I have our 2nd child due around the time the Silver Foxes play in Griffith, but am still trying to work out how I can get down there without being divorced. Finally, having played with Peter Fallon who is organising the Mauling for Muscles game, I know he loves nothing more than barking at his forwards and steering them around the paddock. A typical half back in every sense. I look forward to seing Spud Carroll's reaction when Pete tries to order him around. Muzza
Andrew Logan
Guest
Gotcha. Hooroo from the guru....
LeftArmSpinner
Roar Guru
brilliant stuff. go the rugby community
Kenny Mac
Guest
A bunch of diehard simpletons, internally giggling like schoolgirls at the thought of packing down or running straight alongside dead-set legends, playing rugger in the spirit of Loges' proposed 'Narrabri Principles' ELVs, for the greater good of some fantastic charities. Pure genius that deserves every success. Hats off to all involved.
OldManEmu
Guest
Do yourself a favour.
Andrew Logan
Guest
OK.....I have to ask. A "Molly Meldrum"?
Brett McKay
Guest
great stuff Loges, look forward to hearing the reports. All great causes too, hope they've very successful events.
OldManEmu
Guest
Nice work Loges It is unspeakably genereous of all the players involved in these sort of events to give up the time and effort required to attract the crowds and therefore funds for these charities and in turn lift the profile of the particular needy cause. The Silver Foxes are an incredible bunch. I would be very very surprised if there is anywhere in the Rugby playing world that there is a group of players who continue to give their time so generously beyond their retirement. Certianly the players enjoy the time they have to catch up but nonetheless it is not something they have to do. I've watched a couple of Silver Foxes games and they ROCK - the old dogs have all still got it, the games are played in magnificent spirit, the skills are still sublime, the toughness is still there, tand he temples are little greyer and the domes a little barer, but best of all it is grass roots, country, festival Rugby. If anyone is in the Riverina on 26 September 2009 do yourself a Molly Meldrum and turn up. And if your not in the Riverina on the weekend of the 26th, then you should be.
Dan Dooner
Guest
Excellent work on all fronts Lads, great job. I'm Bi-Polar and don't mind if anyone knows - lets get rid of the stigma surrounding mental illness. Whilst coaching St Ablerts we always had a great weekend when we travelled to Scone, staying overnight and enjoying the hospitality provided at the Scone Rugby Club House, Josh was an integral part of this as Both President and 1st grade player. I hope everyone can get along to support the events. Yours in Rugby Dan Dooner