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Roar Rookie
Joined January 2018
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Hey which way you mob? Living in F'N Queue, I reckon the soul of sport is more important than a heartland remaining the be all and end all. I found following the Cowboys and Queensland in almost every sport - and Queensland bush teams - it is inspirational seeing over dogs from the big smoke being taken down. Any sport looking to expand or consolidate across Australia needs to embrace the soul and spirit of sport first, rather than financially propping up a congested location because of some historical hangups. Respecting history is very important, however managing change in the future is inevitable and fundamental to sustainability. I also get around to checking out how our national teams or international sportspeople are doing after every now and then.... . )#( especially my Indigenous Brothers and Sisters sportspeople :-: .
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I reckon the ‘suger rush hit’ new players at new clubs at the start of a new season will wear off and then we will see true value for money.
Good luck to all the blokes in a new team for landing on their feet and to us mug punters trying to predict the future of players as well as our clubs’ fortunes, however the value of 20/20 hindsight will show us all what decisions actually made dollars and sense.
Queensland: Beautiful one day, paying the bills the next
I had been wanting to write a yarn about the soul of Rugby League (and sport in general) before I found the Roar website, because I reckon stories from the bush can be just as uplifting and inspirational as those involving immortals, internationals or foundation clubs in the big smoke.
Anyway, I don’t remember watching much of my two older brothers play junior league in the mid 70’s, or going to many senior games, but I remember watching lots of the Brisbane and Sydney games on the ABC or following the Foley Shield on the radio.
I was 8 turning 9 and our neighbour asked my mum if I could play. He was the new captain-coach of Black Stars in Mt Isa and because he also coached his son’s team, I was able to get a lift to training and some games. I was a year older than his son but our teams trained in the same little park about the size of a decent backyard. Barefoot on mostly hardened dirt and gravel and a few grass tufts were our playing conditions and the same rules you would see on TV were used. I can even remember sitting in the back of a EH ute with at least 6 other kids going to games!!!!
One older brother played for Brothers and then Wanderers but the oldest brother was Townies through and through. We had lots of rivalry talk while I waited for days until they were finished with the RLW. We also shared my oldest brother’s leather football with a Wynnum Manly seagull on it. Brisbane’s Souths and Sydney’s Wests played in my team’s colours, so following them taught me about the elation and frustration of competitions.
Being a little, skinny Murri kid (always on the end of the row in school photos) I had a bit of zip for the first 10 metres – but would eventually get caught over a longer stretch – so I was a winger until my old man came to a game.
Being on the sideline where the crowd was, I wanted to do my best. I had a big blindside to defend during a scrum, and a tall, gangly winger was obviously going to run over or around me. Nothing to do but sprint up as fast as I could, (5 metre defensive lines back in those days), drop my shoulder into his guts, wrap my arms around and slide down to his knees to pull him down. I can still hear the ooohs, aaaahs and orrrrs from the crowd. I was able to put in a similar shot on a kid running full pelt across the field and using a good fend, but this time I pushed through his guts and laid him out on his back. Later in the game, I pick up a loose ball and crashed between players to get over the try line, it didn’t count due to a knock on call, but in those moments, as a kid, everything was right in the world.
I may have only made two tackles, but I was named player of the match. The next game I was given the number 12 jersey and played hooker.
I always enjoyed testing my physical limits and being in a team and socialising, but it is the sense of achievement when a draw and pass, or a worked move comes off or a side step fools someone that really sinks into a bloke’s heart.
My moment was making one tackle.
What made you fall in love with rugby league?
If Billy Slater misses out on back-to-back Premiership Medals and Clive Churchill Medals, at least give him the Dally M Medal to go with his Wally Lewis Medal.
Everyone else will get a chance next year. You know, someone like Munster….
Dally M Medal 2018 preview
I went to an under 18s CDRL Grand Final and watched Atherton’s gun five eight called Dallas Johnson defeat Innisfail where Billy played halfback.
They both ended up playing in different positions and had great NRL and representative careers. Even though Dallas was scouted by the Storm, Billy showed he had the drive and determination to do whatever it takes to make it into the NRL through a trial and feeder teams. He always did his job to the best of his ability using some natural gifts but mostly determination and confidence to try anything to push his own standards to new levels.
If people can recall only a couple of negative things from Billy’s many years at the top actually speaks volumes about the player. I am not condoning a couple of feet first defense on the try line (maybe a coach’s “suggestion”) but the accident where Klemmer ran into Billy’s foot could have been worse if Klemmer upended Billy in the air and broke Slater’s neck. I reckon both players were responsible for that moment. I also recall that the World Cup was already lost before Billy threw that ball infield against Bennett’s Kiwis, so every Australian player was responsible for trying to play catch up football.
Billy’s ability to maintain a high standard – at speed – for a career and a half means he is one of the all time greats.
He’s an Immortal in my eyes, but I am an FNQer and I may be just a little biased. : )
Oh well, all good things must come to an end.
Thanks for the memories Billy!
Goodbye, farewell and amen….
Billy Slater retires: He's the greatest modern fullback, but does that make him the best of all time?
John Sutton didn’t get any chocolates either….
Errant touch judge admits he stopped watching games long ago because of bad refereeing
That’s what I call a Coates hanger!!!!
The best try ever? Coates pulls off miracle in last minute to steal win from Warriors in stone cold classic