As a Queensland supporter, I am still basking in the success of the Mighty Maroons. Even Blues supporters have begrudgingly acknowledged the amazing efforts of the 2017 Maroons. And there has hardly even a bleat about the referees. That in itself speaks volumes about the game. Of course the knives were out for several Blues players and the future of the coach Laurie Daley also came under immediate scrutiny after Queensland won the unwinnable series and NSW lost the unlosable (or so they said).
At the risk of sounding like “I told you so” – I did say after game one – one swallow a summer does not make and neither does one win a series, or a dynasty, make.
The result immediately raised that old chestnut about the yawning gap between what Origin means to the Maroons as opposed to the Blues. A week later, the cracks in the Blues side have begun to surface. Stories of player unrest, dummy spits and a long lazy day spent at the Lennox Pub. No harm in that, I guess – it is a top spot and very intoxicating, pardon the pun. Unless of course you are playing in one of the games of your life in a couple of days.
The Blues were simply up against it before they hit the Suncorp turf. Before that amazing tribute to Johnathan Thurston and before the first whistle. Kevvie Walters may well have set up this and future victories when he showed some of the young prospective Maroons some tough love win last year after they broke his curfew.
After the game, Cameron Smith showed all of his class sharing the podium with his great mate and compatriot JT for the final time as together they hoisted the shield. Another warm and fuzzy moment that had many Maroon fans reaching for the tissues.
Where does the difference between the teams lie – if you are a Queensland supporter – you known in your heart what it is and it’s difficult to describe.
If you are a Maroons player, then I think JT said it all in an interview. Thurston said: “We are simply the custodians of the jersey for the next generation of Queensland players”. With those simple but meaningful words, I believe he better than anyone summed up the difference between the cultures of the two teams.
We will all miss JT and his remarkable talent but his jersey, and those of many others look to be in good hands.
– Casey
O’KEEFE BOOT A WINNER
The boot of former Liston local lad Michael O’Keefe helped The Australian Universities Rugby League Team to unprecedented six World Cup wins on Sunday at Pepper Stadium. The Australian side overcame a gallant Pacific Islands Universities outfit to win the World Cup final 30-12.
In what was their toughest game of the tournament, the Australians were pushed to the limit by a gallant Pacific Islands team clinching a third straight Universities World Cup in the last 20 minutes.
There were plenty of nerves from both sides in the opening minutes of the game before the Pacific Islands scored and led 6-0.
Close to half time, the Australians held the ball and TRL player Jarrod Lee scored in the corner. In a rare miss, O’Keefe failed to convert the kick from the sideline and at half time the Australians trailed 6-4.
Four minutes into the second half the Pacific Islands extended their lead when winger Marli Sini swooped on a loose ball and scored an opportunistic try. With a successful conversion, the Pacific Islanders led 12-4.
The Australians put points on the board with a try from star centre Jamie Anderson. O’Keefe did not miss with this conversion and narrowed the margin to 12-10.
Australia crossed again and led 16-12 after O’Keefe added the extras. Mistakes were creeping into their opponents’ game. The Pacific Islanders put the ball out on the full in the restart and Australia scored again. The successful conversion pushed the lead out to 22-12.
After the Pacific Islands put the restart kickoff out on the full, the Australians then upped the ante against the Islanders’ defence – putting on a shift through the hands down the left for centre Mick Pearsall to score his first try near the corner. O’Keefe nailed the conversion from near touch to give the Australians a 22-12 lead.
Australia took full advantage when Jesse Domic was sin binned for dissent wrapping up the game with two more tries.
O’Keefe who played his junior football in Stanthorpe and followed it up with a stint for the Cowboys is studying at USQ. His goal kicking throughout the tournament was very consistent and one of the telling factors in the competition.
Australian Universities 30 (Mick Pearsall 2, Jarrod Lee, Jamie Anderson, Ryan Cameron, David Sheridan tries; Mick O’Keefe 3 goals) d Pacific Islands Universities 12 (John Faiumu, Marli Sini tries, Robert Via 2 goals) at Pepper Stadium, Penrith. Referee: Darian Furner (New South Wales/Australia). Touch Judges: Tian Nicholls, Ethan Mitcham. In-Goal Judges: Wyatt Raymond, Jack Evatt. Half-Time: Pacific Islands Universities 6-4.
DOWN TO BUSINESS
With Origin just a warm and pleasurable memory for some, it is down to the real business end of the NRL. Round 20 looks on paper too easy for my liking – that normally spells impending disaster for tipsters.
Back to Thursday night football the Broncos host the Bulldogs at Suncorp, and it is hard to see them getting beaten. They should have a full complement of players this week. Slammin’ Sam might just have a point to prove after hearing he will not be wanted after 2018.
The Roosters and Knights and Sharks and Rabbits will be in action on Friday night.
The Knights just can’t take a trick, and their coach was thunderstruck after they gifted Jimmy the Jet a try last week. Couple of Roosters players will be smarting after Origin criticism and should lift for this. The Roosters should win but one of these days the Knights are going to catch us all napping.
The Cronulla Sharks showed last week they are a breed of Sharks who can’t swim too well. At one stage, they were in danger of drowning their own half at CBUS stadium.
Perhaps, that was a glitch on the radar .Their opponents the Bunnies had no joy in NQ, and possibly will not have much more here. There season looks done and dusted.
The Panthers take on the Titans who are finding form at the right end of the season after recovering from a series of injury woes. Good win last weekend in the wet and they will test the Panthers here. Nathan Cleary announced loud and clear that he has representative credentials with a great performance against the Warriors last weekend, but a win from the Titans would not surprise.
The Raiders finally got a win in extra time and put a smile on Ricky Stuart’s face for the first time in a while.
They host Melbourne this week and will be sorely tested. Hard to see Melbourne not continuing their good run.
The Cowboys host the Warriors. Shaun Johnson became the club’s latest big name on the casualty list last weekend and is a big out. The Cowboys looked good against the Bunnies at Barlow Park and are starting to up the ante. They will get another win here as the Warriors look gone for another season.
It is time for the Dragons to find the form that saw them surprise competition leaders earlier in the season. They went close last weekend, but will need to pull out all stops in their derby against a Manly Eagles side that look to be cruising.
The Tigers host the Eels in the final game of the round and would need to really lift to win here. I think they are done for 2017. Expecting a good win from the Blue and Gold here.
CASEY’S TIPS
Broncos
Roosters
Sharks
Titans
Storm
Cowboys
Sea Eagles
Eels
COMEPITTION HEATING UP
Another large field of bowler and beginners hit the green at the Tannymorel Bowls club for Round three of the Tanny Classic.
Conditions were perfect for bowls, the greens were in great condition and so too were the combatants as plenty of cross green heckling filled the air.
Rounding up a handy five points each was the winning team of Levi Don Coulten and Pete Collis after their 17-9 win over Allen Buse Geoff Farmer and Koala.
In other games, Lyn Coleman Matt Shepherd and Darren Rabbitt scored a narrow two-point win over Joel Farmer Shane Upton and Ron Philps – the final score 16-14.
Mavis Lavardon Myrtle and Aaron had a 12-7 win over their opponents Julie Buse Sue Butz and Grumpy.
In another close game, Ash Coleman Gazza Penn and TB had a 16-13 win over Tuck, Marg Thompson and Geoff Creighton while Deb Islin Thommo and Mick O’Leary had a more comfortable win over Quinton Coleman Lorna T and Peter Gynther. Final score in their game 17-10.
At the completion of the third round, things are tight on the leader board. Pedro Collis has his nose in front on 13 points but there are plenty of chasers. Matt Shepherd is just one point behind him on 12. Don Clouten and Mick O’Leary are in striking range on 11 points. Allen Buse one back on 10 and Aaron with nine points. There are a clutch of players sitting on eight points, and all within range of the leaders.
The trick is to keep turning up on a Saturday afternoon, playing some good bowls enjoying some great company and accrue more points.
CONDITIONS NO PROBLEM
For some people, not mentioning any names, it is difficult to find the middle of the fairway or the centre of that tiny hole on the green on a clear day, so hats off to the Sporters who ventured out into the foggy conditions last Sunday. Of course when the veil of fog eventually lifted, conditions were perfect and not a golfer was missing.
The early pea souper proved no handicap to Mark Lynam who turned in a winning score to take the major prize. Dick Hilton also played well to finish runner-up. Figuring in the run downs were Marg Locke and Angelo Maugeri. Stuart Rayner snapped up the Best Gross score and the pin shot on the 17th. Norm Steele held the pin shot at the 12th. There were no takers for the pro pin and Angelo Maugeri and Len Leigh slipped away with a meat tray each. Tee off this Sunday is at the normal time of 8.00-8.30am.
ONE LAST TIME
Killarney export Stephanie Hancock will be lining up in the Maroon jersey she has served so well for the final time on Sunday. It will also be the final time Hancock captains the Queensland Women’s Rugby league team against NSW in the Nellie Doherty Cup. Hancock who has been a champion of women’s rugby league recently announced she will retire following the World Cup in November. The Interstate Challenge game – will be played at WIN Stadium on Sunday. In a first for Women’s Rugby League, the game will be televised live on Fox Sports prior to the NRL game between the Dragons and Sea Eagles in what is the NRL’s Women in League round.
The Queensland team will be looking to avenge their loss to the Blues last year after an undefeated run spanning 17 years.
Hancock who will be chasing another Jillaroo’s jersey will line-up in the front row along with Heather Ballinger a former Scots OPGC student. Both players will be hoping a good performance this week end will help secure them a spot in the World Cup team.
There will also be a familiar local voice joining the Fox commentary team with former Jillaroos player Jo Barrett calling the game.
The local trio of Barrett Ballinger and Hancock were members of the successful Jillaroos side who won the World Cup in 2013 and team mates in many Queensland successes prior to Barrett’s retirement.
DOUBLE HEADER SPECIAL OCCASION
As the BRL finals draw closer, Tenterfield will host the first of a round of double header games this weekend and with only a point separating the Tigers and Roosters the real business end of the season begins.
Saturday is also Aub Gillespie Day in Tigers territory as the club honours the man who was undoubtedly their number one supporter, the late Aub Gillespie.
The first of the games kicks off at 1.30pm with last year’s premiers the Inglewood Roosters playing the Killarney Cutters. Roosters welcome back their representative pair of Brent Osbourne and Brent Hearne who last weekend played in the curtain raiser to the NRL clash between the Bunnies and Cowboys at Barlow Park in Cairns. The Roosters went down to the Tigers at their last trip to Rugby League park, and will be looking for a win over Killarney who are sure to bounce back from their defeat at the hands of the Gremlins two weeks ago.
In Game two set to kick off at 9pm, the home side will be looking to add a further two points to their tally with a win over the Gremlins. Tenterfield looked impressive when they defeated the Roosters in their last game but come up against a much-improved Gremlins side on Saturday, and will need to play well. The Tigers have a strong playing roster and with the home ground support and playing for their former patron, it is hard to see them getting beaten.
At the end of the game, the action moves to the clubhouse where the Tigers jerseys will be auctioned.
Last year the special day honouring Aub Gillespie and auction of jerseys resulted in more than $8000 raised with funds going to the Tenterfield Hospital and the three divisions of the Tigers club: seniors, juniors and ladies league tag.
This year it is anticipated that the junior and senior Tigers clubs will be the beneficiaries of the day. Club president and Tigers captain coach Brendan Minns said he and the players were looking forward to another big crowd supporting the initiative.
Minns echoed the thoughts of many rugby league followers saying, “Aub was a great supporter of the Tenterfield community and of rugby league in Tenterfield, and we do it to honour him,” Minns said. “He holds a place in our hearts, especially mine. He was a great man, always on the sideline cheering us on, win, draw or lose.”
TRL COMP CLOSE
With just three rounds of TRL fixtures, the top six teams are still up in the air after Wattles and the Cowboys scored wins last weekend. Both sides have their chance to figure in the finals. Both clubs have a bye this weekend and each has difficult games ahead of them in the final weeks of regular fixtures. Both clubs have to play Toowoomba valleys and Highfields in their final games.
Dalby relinquished their outright lead in the competition when they suffered a shock loss to Wattles last weekend. They now sit on 22 competition points level with Valleys.
The 2016 premiers Pittsworth are two points back on 20 and Highfields (18) round out the top four. Behind them is a clutch of teams all with a chance of forcing their way into either the top four or at least the finals.
Wattles and Gatton are on 16 points after their wins last weekend. Also in the hunt are the Cowboys and Souths both on 14 points.
The coaches of both the Cowboys and Wattles teams will be looking for their players to push to the finals after their bye this weekend.
The TRL finals played over four weeks will follow this format:-
August 12 and 13
Elimination Semi-Finals – (Loser eliminated, Winner advances to Minor Semi Final).
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
The construction of new equipment shed and additional awnings meant some games at the croquet court were disrupted last week. The disruptions may have been a nuisance, but there will be a long- term benefit to all players as the area will now be less cramped and provide more comfort for players in all weather conditions.
The association croquet group managed to fit in a few games before the interruptions before Justin Liddy and Sharyn Roser joined the construction team.
Effey Russell and Jenny Tunbridge had an outstanding game in the association croquet, scoring 23 points against Val Shepherd and Grace Howard (10).
Pat Schnoor and Sharyn Roser scored a 23-20 win over Margaret Dickenson and Andrea Denkewitz. Schnoor played some outstanding shots and scored a break of six in this game. Margaret Dickenson also played well and had a break of four and one of three.
In the golf croquet games last week, Sharyn Roser and Teresa Pyne had an early 13-6 win over Justin Liddy and Liz Ellway. Roser shot two hoops in one during the game. The next group played three pairs. Dianne Wren playing two balls had a score of four; Elaine Brown and Pauline Inglis also scored four while Marian Castles and daughter Vanessa managed only one. Their score a reflection of their recent time away from the game and lack of match practice. After the break, Roser, Inglis and Lock teamed up to score a big win over Elaine Brown and Marian and Vanessa Castles – the result 13-2. The final group played doubles with Dianne Wren and Teresa Pyne scoring a 9-4 win over Judy Locke and Liz Ellway.
WATTLES STAKE A CLAIM
The TRL premiership race was busted wide open last weekend with the surprise upset of the competition leaders Dalby by Wattles. Wattles have been the steady improvers in recent games, and last weekend sent a strong message to the rest of the competition.
Michael Pearson and Matthew Duggan laid the platform for the win and are certainly two of the form players of the competition. A worrying sign for other teams.
Wattles led 12-10 at half time, and in an impressive performance scored four unanswered converted tries in the second half.
Matt Duggan did a great job guiding his troops to victory. The return of Duggan has certainly been one of the key contributors to the Warriors recent form.
Wattles are looking the real deal and with several players returning from injury. They have a bye this week and finish the home and away season with games against Highfields (away) and Valleys (home).
Dalby won both Reserve Grade (26-6) and Under 18 (68-6)
A GRADE: Wattles 36 (Braydon Wilson, Ryan Duggan, Josh Henry, Joe Morris, Michael Pearson Brenden Wilson tries Matt Duggan 6 goals) defeated Dalby 10 (Eli Wickham, Zac Morris tries Zac Morris goal)
RESERVE GRADE: Dalby 26 d Wattles 6
UNDER 18: Dalby 68 d Wattles 6
BIG DAY FOR COWBOYS
The Cowboys scored an impressive win last weekend over an injury- riddled Oakey Bears outfit.
The return of Mick Bloomfield certainly lifted the Cowboys. In what became a try fest for the home side, Bloomfield made his presence felt scoring three tries and centre Mitch Watson also scored a treble.
Not to be outdone, his brother Dan was on song with the boot and kicked 10 conversions in an outstanding goal kicking performance. Dion Galloway also got among the tries bagging a double.
It was a big day for the Cowboys Club with a big win in the under-18s (80-0) getting things rolling and the Reserve Grade continued the trend of big margins with a 58-6 win. Wrapping up the successful round for the Cowboys the final results in the A Grade game was 72-4.
The Cowboys A Grade side fancies their chances of making the final six. They have a bye this week and then play Valleys away and finish the season with a home game against Highfields.
A GRADE: Warwick 72 (Mick Bloomfield 3, Mitch Watson 3, Dion Galloway 2, Coen Martin-Brown, Brad Morrish, Josh O’Brien, Darren Pettiford, Josh Cruice tries Dan Watson 10) defeated Oakey 4 (Josh Stanton try)
RESERVE GRADE: Warwick 58 defeated Oakey 6
UNDER 18: Warwick 80 defeated Oakey 0
