A swag of Storm silverware

Winners of the inaugural Churches of Christ Fast Fours tournament - Tenterfield visiting team Rob Alcock, Nev Richardson, Greg Ambrose and Judy Richardson check out their winning spoils.

The NRL and AFL seasons are done and dusted for 2017. What magnificent finals. Plenty of champions on display. The Storm are littered with superstars, but the star of Richmond’s Brownlow medallist and Norm Smith medallist Dusty Martin has been shot into another orbit after last weekend. Billy Slater showed us just a touch of how hard he has worked to get back to his superstar best when his emotion spilled over after winning the Clive Churchill medal.
Thoroughly enjoyed both games – you could not have asked for more.
– Casey
How did your NRL team perform in 2017?
If you are a Storm supporter, it is almost impossible to find fault with their near-perfect season.
The Melbourne trophy cabinet will be overflowing with the Premiership, the minor premiership Clive Churchill Medal (Billy Slater) Dally M Medal (Cam Smith) and Dally M Fullback of the Year and Coach of the Year. Suliasi Vunivalu and Josh Addo-Carr set try-scoring records and Cameron Smith enhanced his reputation reaching a plethora of milestones throughout the year. Melbourne won 23 games. Lost only four. Finished with a home record of 11/2 and an away record of 12/2. They won 10 on the trot including the grand final and their longest losing streak was one game. They used only 25 players all season, scored 125 tries and conceded only 61 tries.
Looking at those stats, it’s amazing they didn’t win the grand final by the length of the straight. Are they the “best ever“ club team. Hard to say, but they will go down in history as one of the best.
Where to from here? They lose superstar Cooper Cronk along with Jordan McLean, Tohu Harris and Slade Griffin. Brodie Croft and Riley Jacks. It’s a big void but no-one will handle the transition better than Melbourne and Craig Bellamy. Can they go back to back – only a fool would write them off.
12 out of 10 for an unbelievable 2017.
Cowboys – Bravest and gutsiest side ever. The battle-weary Cowboys soldiered on as the hysteria and belief spread over throughout NQ of the country. They proved they can mix it with the big guns without their biggest.
The Cowboys lost no supporters after the GF, and despite the obvious disappointment, they can hold their heads as high as any team in the NRL.
Retention is the name of the game going forward, and most of their top names have been resigned. Te Maire Martin and Jordan McLean join the 2018 roster while Ray Thompson a local junior who has played over 100 NRL games for his beloved Cowboys retires.
2018 expect to see them there when the whips are cracking as they welcome back JT and Matt Scott.
9.5/10 – They showed the rest of the competition what it means to have heart.
Roosters – disappointing – In patches they were arguably the most destructive side in the NRL Telstra Premiership. However, rarely – maybe once or twice – were they able to put it all together for 80 minutes, with players guilty of clocking off for extended periods.
The Roosters lose Aidan Guerra and Connor Watson heading to the Knights, but welcome attacking weapon James Tedesco.
A third preliminary final loss in four years will hurt, but if they can cut out the schoolboy errors then premiership glory could be theirs in 2018. 7.5/10 harsh but they promised much but didn’t deliver when it counted.
Broncos – The 11-year premiership drought continues. The team that ended their season will go down as one of the most dominant NRL sides in history. Cold comfort for fans, but the team probably performed above expectations.
Many ’experts’ wrote the Broncos off at the start of the season. In the end, the injury curse cruelled their premiership dreams. Here is life at the Broncos without Corey Parker and a lot of that is to do with McGuire’s stellar transition to lock. A new look Broncos awaits in 2018 – Ben Hunt, Tautau Moga, Benji Marshall, Jai Arrow, Herman Ese’ese and Adam Blair exit. Jack Bird joins the team. Question marks remain around the halves pairing of Anthony Milford and Kodi Nikorima. Only time will tell. A fully fit Darius Boyd and hooker Andrew McCullough should see at least another top-four finish. 7.5/10
Eels
Out of the finals in straight-sets. When the disappointment fades, the Eels players should look back with pride on what was achieved this season.
Players were galvanised by the trauma of 2016. All pulling in the same direction and united by a desperation to play for a coach in Brad Arthur. They finished fourth (their first top-four finish in 12 seasons), won twice as many games as they lost, unearthed a couple of future stars and brought hope back for long-suffering fans. 8/10 – Lookout in 2018.
Sharks
There’s a reason why no side has gone back-to-back since the Broncos in 1992-93 and – the hunter becomes the hunted. The Sharks found out what it’s like to have teams hunting them every week. Patches of brilliance were offset by silly penalties and costly errors, and they paid a heavy price. Their roster is ageing, but they have some rising stars including Valentine Holmes. They lose Jack Bird but gain Josh Dugan. Does James Maloney stay or go. 7/10
Sea Eagles
Was 2017 a success, or a failure? Probably, somewhere in between. They finished with the third-most tries of any club after 26 rounds, but ran out of puff at the end of the season. Tom Trbojevic had a breakout season, while Cherry-Evans and Blake Green developed a great combination. Very little player movement reported. Expect a better finish in 2018. 7/10
Panthers
Expectations were high after 2016, and the Panthers were early favourites to win the GF. The Panthers had one of the best second half records all season, but the game is 80 minutes. They struggled to beat top four sides and missed too many close games.
Seems to be trouble in the den with the question unanswered will captain Matt Moylan go or stay.
Tyrone May’s ACL injury will affect the Panthers season get go, but on the flip side they have one of the best rising stars in Nathan Cleary. Probably underachieved in 2017, but another year of development under their belt. 6.5/10. Better days ahead for the Penny Panthers.
Dragons
Bitterly disappointing end to the season gave the Cowboys a leg up. Gareth Widdop inspirational for them. Welcome Ben Hunt and James Graham. They have gone from a team making up the numbers to one that can now set a top-eight finish as a minimum. They’ve learned the hard way not to take weaker teams lightly. Should be better for it in 2018. 6/5 /010. One to watch next season.
Raiders
Have a lot of the qualities seen in successful footy teams but they fell agonisingly short time and again. Jack Wighton and Josh Hodgson led the way and Ricky Stuart has not many changes in a reasonably settled squad.
Fans will be expecting with a little tweaking the Green Machine will roar into action as they expected again this year. A touch disappointing 5.5/10
Bulldogs
Put a line through 2017 – pretend it never happened and start afresh. New coach, new signings hopefully a return to the Dogs of old – Huge loss captain James Graham.
Cowboys owe them big time. A very generous 3.5 /10.
Rabbitohs
Another powerful attacking force one week, below par the next. Parted ways with head coach Michael Maguire just days after their campaign ended. Welcome Dane Gagai into the burrow and welcome back Greg Inglis. Another to put a line through for season 2017.
4/10 Great expectations in 2018.
Warriors
The record remains on replay at Mount Smart Stadium. Missed the playoffs for the fifth time in six years despite their roster. The most frustrating team in the NRL. 2017 one of their worst seasons. Looks to be no joy in the pipeline for fans.
Disappointing – 3/10.
Tigers
A rollercoaster year that promised much and delivered not much more than turmoil.
Tedesco and Woods will peddle their wares elsewhere in 2018. Rejuvenated Benji Marshall returns to his spiritual home. and will be joined by Josh Reynolds, Russell Packer and Ben Matulino.
3 /10 Plenty of hope for Tigers fans under new coach Ivan Cleary.
Titans
If you are looking for drama, look no further – 2017 – simply a disaster – sacked the coach and kept the player – Wrong according to most. Still hunting for a new coach and also a new owner. Need to bring the playing factions together and bring out the best in their star signing. Good luck whoever gets that job 2/10.
Knights
Finished with the wooden spoon, but showed more fortitude than many who finished further up the ladder.
Coach Nathan Brown and playmaker Brock Lamb have silenced their critics and there is excitement about the prospects of Daniel and Jacob Saifiti, Mitch Barnett and potential Ponga are excellent signings. Gagai’s loss is a blow, but this is a club on the up. Look for them in the eight in 2018. 5/10
A club with $$ in their salary cap – If Cooper Cronk plays on, could Joey woo him to the Knights – stranger things have happened.
RAIN NO PAIN
I am sure everyone has been praying for rain in the district, and when it finally arrived on Sunday it was not going to stop the diehards at the Inglewood Sporting Shooters range.
Winning the first round of clays was Tom Donald with Ross Jackson and Adam Channells taking third place.
The Clays were followed by a Rimfire contest held off the bench. In an upset first time shooter and junior, David Channells showed his more experienced and older opponents just how it should be done. Filling the minor lacings were Ray Dudgeon Stephanie Dudgeon. This Sunday the club has scheduled a Single Action, Rimfire Benchrest. Those who wish to participate in the upcoming Muzzle Loading Championships are encouraged to go out to the range and have a practice.
Remember you can keep up to date with all the news at the Facebook page :- www.facebook.com/pages/Sporting-Shooters-Association-of-Australia-Inglewood-Branch-Inc/253643571426626
TACTICS A BIG PART OF GAME
Golf croquet numbers once again suffered the scourge of the flu and of course several players were missing in action – on holidays however those who were on deck chose to play triples despite the games taking a little longer.
The first game was a particularly tactical affair with each move given careful consideration and often a great deal of discussion. After the 13 hoops of the first game, all players were ready for a well-earned break. The winning team was Justin Liddy, Sharyn Roser and Bev Sullivan returning a score of 13 to their opponents Shirley Page, Marian Castles and Elaine Brown’s 9.
The second game was cut short due to time constraints. It was Bev Sullivan, Elaine Brown and Shirley Roser who led 7-5 when the players called it quits. Best on the court was Justin Liddy who showed good form in both games. He scored six in the opening game and had the best two game combined score of nine. Players are hoping to see those in the casualty ward back on deck next week.
The Ballandean Football Club has decided running a Summer 6’s competition for Under 12-15 and Open Men and Women to fill the void as the YMCA is unable to justify the rising cost of running events at the International club.
It is planned that games will be played on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.
The competition is in the planning stage at the moment and there will be more information provided shortly. You can keep up to date or find information on the website footballqueensland.com.au/play-summer6s/ or alternatively email the Ballandean club at ballandeanfc@gmail.com.
WIN FOR MAUGERI
Regular Sporters golfer Angelo Maugeri played a great round on Sunday to take a win in the weekly event. Runner up was another regular Phil Zikan. Paul Armstrong finished the round with the best gross and along with Aaron Simmers figured in the run downs.
Ray Thorn picked up the Pin shot at the third and the Pro Pin went begging.
Ray Thorn added a meat tray to his winnings and Max Hunter won the remaining meat tray.
A reminder to all Sporters that due to the Foursomes Championship next Sunday, Sporters players will be teeing off on the 10th tee. It is also an 8.00am tee off. Why not join the fun – visitors and novices are always made very welcome.
FAST FOURS
The Stanthorpe Bowls Club hosted the inaugural Churches of Christ Classic on Friday with many visiting bowlers joining the locals on perfectly prepared greens.
Teams played a new format – Fast Fours – that is sure to become popular and was rolled out for the first time in Stanthorpe.
Fast Fours is a modified form of the game where teams of four play only four ends with each player playing only one ball per end. A minimum of four teams play in a pool with a minimum of eight pools in the tournament. Points are accumulated throughout the rounds using the standard scoring system. The two teams with the highest scores at the end of the pool rounds to determine the winning team. The tournament style game is perfect for tournaments like this as it allows teams to engage with a variety of opponents and adds a real fun element to the game.
In the final round on Friday it was Stanthorpe and Tenterfield going head to head. The visiting team of Rob Alcock, Nev Richardson, Greg Ambrose and Judy Richardson edged out locals John Cook, Ray Rankin, Cliff James and Ernie Towes in a tight finish.
Some of the local sponsors included Soul Patterson Pharmacy Argyle Jewellers and Lawrence Springborg.
The day began with a minute’s silence for Police Remembrance Day honouring those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
$20 from each team registration was donated toward Farm Hand a Churches of Christ imitative supporting struggling farmers at grass roots level.
President of the Stanthorpe Bowls Club Justin Liddy thanked all the sponsors and volunteers who helped make the day a success. Liddy said the Fast Fours concept was a hit with players and he looks forward to the club hosting similar event in the future.
BALLANDEAN AGM
An early reminder that the Ballandean Football Club will be holding their AGM on Tuesday the 14th of November at the Ballandean Football Club Clubhouse commencing at 7.00pm.
Although al positions will be declared vacant on the night there are people who are willing to put their hand up and contribute once again.
The club will be seeking a replacement for their current Treasurer Nicole Rametta who is planning to step down due to work commitments. There is always room for more volunteers, so if you are able to help in any way make sure you put the AGM date in your diary.
The Ballandean Club is also planning a barbecue on 14 October to raise some funds for
Ben Rametta who broke his leg in the Preliminary Final and Paul Dachs ruptured his ACL.
Both players played for the Men through the year and the club would like to show their support.. While you are enjoying the barbecue, you can catch up on what is going on around the club If you get to know others that would like to come, book through the Ballandean club’s email address ballandeanfc@gmail.com no later than 7 October to assist with the catering.
HISTORY IN THE CUPS
The Howard and Sons Cup is one of the trophies that Stanthorpe golfers have been competing for many years and last weekend the team of Rob Reeves and Mark McCosker added their name to a long list of previous winners.
The pair played a very good front nine of one under 35 off the stick sending a message to their opponents that they had well and truly brought their best game on Saturday. The back nine prove a little more difficult for all players, but the pair returned the winning score in the Canadian foursomes finishing one shot clear of Rod Werner and Kev Rowling.
Kay Webb and Lorraine Evans teamed up to win the ladies Canadian foursomes holding out Neta Thouard and Helen Jones who settled for runner-up.
David Burgess won the pin shots on offer at three and 12, and once again there were no takers for 17.
Pro-pins were won by the place getters, Rod Werner at 1/10 and Rob Reeves at 5/14. Lyle Bryant collected the remaining pro-pin at 9/18.
Hannah Reeves collected the ladies pin at three, Annelle Batterham at 12 and Linda Kelly had best approach at 17.
Mitre 0 and Howard and Sons were the sponsors of this popular and enduring event on the Stanthorpe Golf club calendar. A look at the names of previous winners engraved on the cups gives you a real window into the history of the club.
Attention turns to the mixed foursomes championships which will be played over 27 holes this Sunday. There are quite a few names on the time sheet at the club, but there is still room for more, so if you have not nominated there is still time but be quick.
Remember in this format, it doesn’t matter how bad the shot you play is, food for thought and often an appetising one at that.
Tee off will be at 9.30am. after the Sporters have left the tee. The club is looking for a volunteer to look after the bar for a time on Sunday. All offers will be accepted.
This Saturday players revert to the later tee off time of 11.30 am for the start of the “summer season“.
After the welcome rain during the week, there might not be the same amount of run on the course for the October monthly medal and putting competition. 4 Water Supplies are the Sponsor for the event.
The Stanthorpe Open weekend is fast approaching, a four ball on Saturday followed by a stroke round on Sunday. The Sunday time sheet is filling quickly with a number of visitors and members who have already nominated. The time sheets for both days are in the club house.
ALMOST STARTING TIME
It is that time of year when thoughts turn to not only the major Spring Racing events in Melbourne big days on our own local racing calendars.
The Warwick and Stanthorpe cup meetings are only weeks away and preparations are well underway for both meetings.
The Warwick Turf club has announced their Ambassador for the big day at Allman park. The face of the 2017 Warwick Cup Day which is only two weeks away is Jess Somes.
Meanwhile, in Stanthorpe preparations are underway for the Stanthorpe Jockey club’s annual Caulfield Cup Day extravaganza.
Big crowds and good fields are expected for both events. Stanthorpe Jockey club chairman Chips Brunckhorst said he and his committee had been working hard in anticipation of another bumper crowd this year.
The recent rain is a welcome relief, and if the prediction of a few more showers over the next couple of weeks is correct, it will see the Stanthorpe track in great order for the upcoming meeting.
Time to get your party together, make your bookings and organise those all important race day outfits.
VWs REIGN
The VW, VDub, Beetle or V Wee depending on your persuasion is that quirky much loved sometime maligned vehicle many of us grew up with, often learned to drive in and fell in love with on the big screen through the Love Bug.
Last weekend VWs of every shape colour and model – some almost unrecognisable swarmed into Warwick for the 2017 Volkswagen Drags at Warwick Dragway .
It was impossible to miss the invasion as you drove through the streets of Warwick and an array of the prized possessions took centre stage in Leslie Park on Saturday morning before heading to the track to show their muscles.
Enthusiasts travelled from across Queensland and interstate to either display their vehicles at the Show n Shine or put them through their paces on the 1/8 mile track.
Sunday’s racing was interrupted with rain delays, but it did not seem to affect the spirit of the competitors or the big crowd.
Craig Hughes of VW Magazine Australia said despite the showers and an earlier than anticipated end due to the rain, the event was another success and there was enough racing to get a result.
Once bitten by the VW Bug you’re hooked for life it seems.
SOUTHERN STARS PREPARE
While the Aussie cricketers struggle in the one day series in India, the Australian Women’s team have put the disappointment and demons of their shock exit from the Women’s World Cup behind them and are focusing on their upcoming Ashes series against the Poms.
The team hit the training paddock in a training camp in Brisbane this week.
It’s the first time the Australian players have come together since being knocked out of the tournament semi-finals in the United Kingdom in late July, with the week-long camp to provide valuable training time ahead of the first Commonwealth Bank Women’s Ashes ODI on 22 October.
Inspiration leader Meg Lanning will not be at the helm for this campaign after undergoing shoulder surgery. Lanning underwent surgery on her troublesome right shoulder in August and has been ruled out for 6-8 months.
Rachael Haynes has been named stand-in skipper of the Southern Stars in place of Lanning.
Haynes who stepped in to fill Lanning’s shoes when she was injured during the World Cup. She becomes the 19th Test captain, and the Southern Stars’ sixth T20 captain and leads an experienced and skilled group of players.
The first match of the multi-format Ashes will be played at Brisbane’s Allan Border Field late next month and wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy is relishing the chance to get some early match practice at the venue.
The Ashes will include the first-ever women’s day-night Test, to be played at North Sydney Oval from 9-12 November, and the Australian players had a chance to try out the pink ball on Tuesday afternoon.
While it’s a new concept for the players, their coach Matthew Mott doesn’t believe the change in ball will be a problem for his charges given they already only play red-ball cricket once every two years..
If you get the chance, catch all the action at Border Oval; you won’t be disappointed and hopefully the women will show the Men’s side how to get the job done as they begin their preparation of the summer series against the “old enemy.“
Commonwealth Bank Women’s Ashes
Schedule
First ODI Allan Border Field, 22 October
Brisbane Charity Partner: Lord Mayor’s Charitable Trust
Second ODI Coffs International Stadium, 26 October
Third ODI Coffs International Stadium, 29 October
Coffs Junior Cricket Association Partners: Coffs Harbour District JCA, Nambucca Bellingen JCA, and Clarence River JCA
Day-Night Test North Sydney Oval, 9-12 November
First T20 North Sydney Oval, 17 November
North Sydney Charity Partner: McGrath Foundation
Second T20 Manuka Oval, 19 November
Third T20 Manuka Oval, 21 November
Canberra Charity Partner: Lord’s Taverners ACT
There was plenty of top class horse flesh and riders in action last weekend in Warwick as riders competed in the Inglewood Quarries One-Day Event at Morgan Park. Several of the riders were hoping to use the two star CIC International event to qualify for the Adelaide International later in the year.
In a big weekend of horse events, there were 300 horses and 160 nominated riders in the disciplines of dressage and showjumping, and cross country over two days with classes from junior to senior riders.
Riding stallion Premonition, for Cooroy owners Lars and Madonna Hedberg Gympie school teacher Brett Cantle showed a top class field a of 10 riders and their mounts clean set of heels in the event.
He led the dressage and showjumping disciplines on Saturday and went on to maintain the lead in the cross country on Sunday.
Competitors included former Australian Representative Madeline Wilson who won the CCI three-star at the Sydney Three-Day International this year, Matt Gaske, Mattea Davidson and Natalie Siiankoski all well credentialled riders.
An interesting inclusion was Siiankoski mount Buck who is probably more at home among the broncos supporters at Suncorp Stadium and had no problems with the crowds at Morgan park.
Lyn Roycroft and Prue Spurrett (NSW) headed the ground jury along with technical delegate James Leva.