By Casey O’connor
THE Boffins at NRL headquarters were given plenty to think about last weekend when the AFL dominated the Sydney sporting landscape. In front of a crowd of 60,000 at Olympic park, the new kids on the block the GWS Giants showed they are genuine flag contenders this season when they defeated big brother the Sydney Swans.
They are now one win from what would be an historic grand final.
GWS are a great success story – like much the AFL undertake the plan to put a second team in Sydney and win the hearts and minds of fans in NRL heartland was well-planned, well-executed and well-funded unlike the soap opera the NRL has become.
The NRL appears to lurch from scandal to scandal. At a time when we should be focused on the finals, we have match-fixing allegations, Andrew Fifita’s bizarre support for a one-punch killer, the Hayne plane allegedly drifting of course with some unsavoury characters and egg throwing in NQ. Let’s not forget the on field debacles we see every week as the Refs and the answer to everyone’s problems the “Bunker” make astounding decisions. All of that of course follows the circus that was Parramatta all season.
Rugby League has survived for over 100 years and is not about to curl up and die, but it is about time those at the helm started to show something other than apathy for the state of the game and listen to stakeholders not just at the top of the tree either. All the way down to grassroots.
Strangely, the AFL and GWS don’t see themselves at war with rugby league. I guess they don’t need to be when the NRL is so good at shooting itself in the foot. League is at war with itself.
– Casey
95 REASONS TO CELEBRATE
ON Wednesday, one of Stanthorpe’s treasures – Enid Hamilton celebrated her 95th birthday. This remarkable lady is not only well known in tennis and golf circles in the region, but is widely acknowledged as one of the district’s leading historians. If you need to know when where and how it happened, then Enid is your lady. If she doesn’t know the answer, you can rest assured she will sniff out the all the details.
Family and friends helped Enid celebrate at Stanthorpe Museum. – Happy Birthday Enid
GRANDFINAL SPOTS BOOKED
THE Warwick Cowboys booked their place in the TRL A grade grand final on Sunday after a gutsy 32-20 win over Highfields in the Preliminary final.
After being denied a saloon passage to the grand final by Pittsworth the previous week, the Cowboys put first points on the board with a try to Sam Broomhall after 15 minutes of play. Highfields hit back shortly after but two spectacular length of the fields tries pushed the Cowboys out to a 16-6 lead.
The Eagles showed plenty of determination and closed the gap to 16-10 after Sean Hamel scored. The Cowboys replied in kind when fullback Craig Donn regathered his own grubber to take the score 22-10 in the Cowboys favour at half time.
Cowboy’s half Paul Cantwell had a hand in two second half tries as the Minor Premiers kicked away to a 32-10 lead. The Eagles came back with two late tries but with a grand final appearance in their sights, the Cowboys were not going to be denied. Captain Dylan Galloway led from the front and was well supported by Paul Cantwell, Joe Fuimaono and Luke Brosnan.
The Cowboys now have the opportunity to win their first TRL grand final since 1988. They take on Pittsworth on Sunday at Clive Berghoffer Oval in what is sure to be an enthralling game. The performance of both teams has been outstanding this season, and each deserves their place in the grand final. With everything on the line on Sunday, the Cowboys will be keen to reverse the tables after they were defeated by the Dane’s two weeks ago. By their own admission their defence was much better against Highfields and they will need to build on that to lift the trophy on Sunday.
The Cowboys young guns also made sure it will be a big weekend when they booked their place in the Under-18 grand final with a win over Pittsworth in their Preliminary final.
In thriller scores, they were locked at 18-all at half time. The arm wrestle continued in the second half and was finally broken when Cowboys front tower Matt Titcomb scored to give his side 24-18 lead.
With two minutes left on the clock, Pittsworth fullback Dominic Briggs scored and when Markey converted the scores were once again locked up at 24-all. The game went into extra time and the momentum was with the Cowboys when they were given a penalty. Kai Etherington’s successful kick put the team into the grand final against minor premiers Valleys.
OFF TO IRELAND
MATTHEW Wilkie may have been a handy leg spin bowler when he was a young bloke playing cricket in Stanthorpe, but it is with Rugby Union that he has carved out a career. Wilkie who has a Master’s degree in coaching and is currently completing his PhD in Talent Development has been with the ARU for 10 years and is the Coaching Pathway Services manager.
At a time when Australian Rugby Union needs any talent that breathes to be quickly identified, Wilkie is about to fly the coop and head for greener pastures. He has just been appointed the head of Coaching Education with Irish Rugby Union and begins in his new position the first week in November. Just a hop step and jump from the CF White Oval.
ACTION CONTINUES ON RANGE
IT proved to be another busy weekend on the range for those at the Inglewood range last weekend.
Rochelle and Jodi Bynon saddled up for some Single Action practice on Sunday while others competed in the Pistol competition.
A big field faced off In the Pistol Competition, with Robert Smith top scoring followed by Andrew Slack and Jason Lew finishing in third position.
There were also two Rimfire Rifle competitions decided. Rimfire produced some good scores but any field position definition were shot out the window – (When was a rest on a bench a field position many questioned).
There are results for the Slow Fire Any Field Position – 50 metre. The event was won by Ross Jackson who relegated ‘Stephanie and Ray Dudgeon to the minor placings.
Ross Jackson also had a win using the lever action animal targets and the placings were again Dudgeon one and two – same as before.
A group of members also attended the State Conference, and it will be interesting to catch up with their news in coming weeks.
Don’t forget this week on the range is muzzle loading and centrefire rifle action. Follow all the latest on the Inglewood Sporting Shooters Facebook page.
BACK IN THE SADDLE
MANY may have doubted we would see Michelle Payne back in the saddle after she suffered a career threatening injury after a race fall, but this is one tough young lady.
Payne looked right at home as she guided her mount to a fourth placing at Sale earlier in the week. The Melbourne Cup winning hoop has worked hard on her fitness levels and will be chasing her share of Spring Carnival rides. Her 2015 Cup partner Prince of Penzance also caught the eye last Saturday when he ran at Flemington. Payne has ridden the gelding in most of his 27 starts, but the ride on him in this year’s Cup is not a given. You can be sure this feisty hoop will be doing all in her power to win back the ride in November. In the meantime, she has recently been granted a dual jockey/trainer’s licence and will also be seeking out talent for her Ballarat stable. Perhaps, there was a subtle message for the owners of Prince of Penzance when she joked after being granted her licence saying, “It’s harder to get sacked (as rider) if you train them yourself.”
AND NOW THERE ARE SIX
NRL fans were treated to some outstanding football games last weekend as the battle to be the last man standing continues.
We began the weekend with eight, now there are six and soon it will be four.
To merely look at the score line of the Broncos -Titans game, you could be forgiven for thinking it was a one- sided affair, but it was an absorbing contest. If Friday night’s game was absorbing, then Saturday night was a nail biter if you follow the Storm or Cowboys. There is so little between these two quality sides fans were left wondering where points were going to come from so strong was the defence from both sides. With the scores at six-all as play got underway in the second half you could almost hear opposition teams begging for the game to go to extra time. As the Storm edged away and the Cowboys fought back and the Storm edged away again, you just knew the Cowboys would make it a contest until the siren sounded. For the Cowboys, there was no late get out of goal card, but they lost no admirers after their 16-10 loss. And so the Storm was the first team to the Preliminary finals forcing the Cowboys to meet the Broncos on Friday night at 1300 Smiles. This game will be a blockbuster – can the Broncos take another step up or will the Cowboys again prove to be the Broncos worst nightmare? All roads in Queensland lead to 1300 Smiles on Friday night where the atmosphere will be electric.
The Sharks were all but written off by pundits when Paul Gallen failed a fitness test and did not travel to Canberra. The Green Machine was out in force and the Viking clap was thunderous. The Sharks stand-in captain Wade Graham lasted only eight minutes before he was sidelined, and the cards looked to be falling the Raiders way. Despite trailing by 12 points, the Sharks remained in the contest with great defence and eventually they reaped the reward and put points on the board before half time.
A Raiders error proved costly as the second half got underway and the Sharks began building momentum. The lead swung like a pendulum as did the play and the Sharks levelled the scores at 14-all with six minutes to go. The Raiders opted for an unsuccessfully field goal attempt but when the Sharks received a penalty following a Raiders indiscretion, the trusty boot of James Maloney sent the Sharks to the Preliminary finals and a week of R&R.
It was left to the Panthers and Bulldogs to wrap up week one of the finals on Sunday.
The Panthers always looked to have the measure of the Doggies. In an impressive performance the Panthers set themselves up for a mouth-watering clash this Saturday night against the Raiders in Canberra. Expect plenty of noise from that now famous Viking clap, but perhaps it will be the Mountain Men who have the last laugh.
In Townsville – well that’s trying to pick your favourite child. The Broncos-Cowboys clash has become the greatest rivalry in the game in recent history – whatever the result, it is sure to be another sensational game played with the highest intensity, the greatest rivalry and respect. Close your eyes and flip a coin – this could go either way. I personally think we were given a peek through the window at the grand final last Saturday night at AAMI Park.
BILLYCART SUCCESS
ORGANISERS of the second Ballandean Billy Cart bash were breathing a huge sigh of relief when they woke to clear skies and a great day for Billy Cart racing on Sunday morning. As crowds gathered carts in all shapes and sizes arrived with kids from six to – well not quite 60 but some pretty big kids – put the finishing touches on their machines. Billy Cart enthusiasts travelled from as far away as Glen Innes for this year’s event.
It was obvious that there had been many hours of work put into these carts. There were an array of designs and styles, but it was Ballandean’s Damon Johnson guiding a Nissan Replica that set the fastest speed down the hill- clocked at 47 km/h on John Fletcher’s radar gun. Johnson won the Open final for Chris Haynes team and is looking forward his prize of V8 Hot Laps sponsored by Sirromet.
Winners of the finals were: 5-7 years Lilly Simpson; 8-12 years – Bridget Haynes; 12-15 years Sidney Hollingsworth.
The event is organised by the Ballandean School P & C as their annual fund-raiser and the family friendly day drew another big crowd.
P & C President Aaron Cox says given the success of the event again this year we can expect to see Billy Carts on Jacobsen’s road around this time next year. Never too early to start planning next year’s cart. I understand work has already begun on the Eukey Panther Mark 2.
MITCHELL BAGS A WIN
ONLY a small band of Sporters hit the fairways on Sunday with many regulars involved in the Club Foursome Championship but the standards were still set high. Jim Mitchell celebrated a win as he outscored runner-up Terry Byrnes. Paul Armstrong claimed the Best Gross score and the run downs went to Ray Thorn and John Walsh. There were no takers for the Pin Shots last week, but Dick Hilton and Phil Zikan each treated themselves to a meat tray.
The Sporters family send a bug “Get Well” to one of their stalwarts “Clarky” who is unwell at the moment. While Clarky takes some time to rest and recuperate, Sporters will be teeing off at the normal time of 8am-8.30am this Sunday.
ROCKING IT IN WA
AS rugby league seasons draw to a close, talk always seems to drift towards the future direction of the game. Former Gremlin Stephen Shatte reports that the game is alive and well and thriving in WA. With Mum Michelle and Dad Stephen both based in the navy in WA, it is unlikely their six-year-old son Sam will get the opportunity to follow in his Dad’s footsteps as a premiership winning Gremlin. Sam however continues a strong family involvement in rugby league and is enjoying playing with the Rockingham Sharks in the Freemantle Junior Rugby League competition.
Grandparents Wayne and June Shatte were on the sideline for some of Sam’s recent games, and of course show no bias when they say he is showing plenty of talent. It seems that league is growing in popularity in the West. Not only is it popular in the junior ranks, but there is also a strong senior competition.
BOXERS ON THE ROAD
MEMBERS of the Rose City Boxing Club were on the road again last weekend travelling to the Rebels Boxing Tournament in Rosewood. Two boxers Jacko McMahon (75kg division) and Teresa Poole (ladies 60kg division) competed. McMahon was matched with Ben Smith from Spiders Boxing Club in Caboolture who is the current Golden Gloves title holder in the 69kg Division. Smith stepped up a weight division for this fight but had a couple of year’s age advantage. McMahon controlled the fight right from the opening of round one to the end of round three, with good strait hard punching and movement; the key to a unanimous points win.
Head trainer Damien Lawler was very pleased with the win, saying they had worked on a few different angles and punches and on tightening up McMahon’s defence. Teresa was not matched on the night. The next fight for the club will be in Warwick in September.
BUSY WEEK ON THE COURT
IT has been another busy week on the croquet court. In association croquet Joy Newman took on Heather Widderick and Carol Verwey. Joy was in good form and pegged out with 26, including two breaks of four. Her opponents finished with nine including a break of three from Carol Verney.
Jenny Tunbridge and Margaret Dickenson went head to head, and it was Tunbridge who was showing good form with a 26-16 win over her opponent.
Pat Schnoor and Andrea Denkewitz played Val Richardson and Grace Howard in a tough game. The game went the way of Richardson and Howard 20-19.
Organisers of golf croquet reported their numbers were down with several players unavailable. Six players lined up for triples in the mid-week game. In the first game, Peter Harrington, Dianne Wren and Teresa Payne proved a winning combination. They defeated Marian Castles, Justin Liddy and Elaine Brown in a tie break. Marian Castles was in superb form although on the losing side. She scored all of her team’s six hoops.
Members of her team seemed to find their range in the second game. Elaine Brown top scored in the game and partnered Teresa Payne and Peter Harrington to nail a 12-9 win.
In the opening game on Thursday, Brown and Liddy had a 12-4 win over their opponents John Draper and Marian Castle. In the second game, the men took on the ladies and won 9-6.
The gateball games on Friday were mostly decided by just one point or on the last shot of the game.
Andrea Denkewitz captained the White team of Joy Newman, Les Williams, Pat Schnoor and Heather Widderick. The Red team of Carol Verwey, John Draper, Grace Howard and Effey Russell was captained by Margaret Dickenson.
The opening game was won by the White team 11 points to 10. Margaret Dickenson’s Red team hit back in game two with a10-9 score and continued that winning form into game three to score a 12-11 win. They went on to win game three 17-10. In the final game, Effey Russell hit two of her team’s balls onto the centre goal pole, giving those balls an additional two points each.
Players will be putting in some additional game time in preparation for the Toowoomba Gateball Tournament in early October.
