Brisbane v South Sydney DRLFC
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Friday 28 April, 8:00pm
Friday night footy.
The last day of school holidays here in South Australia.
An easy visit to Linke’s bakery in Nuriootpa for an amazing beef and Shiraz game day pie. This delightful pie has rocketed into the silver medal position in the ‘Pie of the Season’ rankings, only behind the delicious Angaston.
A six tries to one performance.
Wow!
The Broncos: on top of the ladder, playing at home in front of 40,000 plus fans.
Until January this year, I lived in Brisbane for thirty-two years. As a rusted on South Sydney member, there were many long seasons as the Broncos enjoyed their blessed status as the only team in rugby league heartland. Many, many heavy losses. Much ‘chat’ from students in class, and many other folks out of class!
Club legend John Sutton’s debut in the centres in 2004, a wooden spoon season. ‘Sutto’ scored a try, as we were trounced 48-28.
For some reason, I recall a shocking 6-56 loss in 1995, out at QEII stadium. We were fortunate to score those six points. I was wearing a white Souths polo shirt, making me a target of the smug Broncos fans.
Those dark days only make nights like last Friday all the sweeter!
Six tries to one!
The top of the table Broncos held scoreless in the second half.
Captain Cameron Murray, after whom our golden retriever pup is named, in sin bin after four minutes. During that time, the very much in-form Campbell Graham scored.
***
The Mario Fenech-George Piggins inspirational play of the match: There is a long list in such a dominant team performance. Campbell Graham scored his second hat trick for the season. His basketball style pass to Cody Walker for Souths; fifth try was something to behold.
https://twitter.com/FOXNRL/status/1651911591275958272?s=20
The Tony Rampling-Les Davidson tackle of the match: A Latrell Mitchell-Isaiah Tass combination hit on the ever-dangerous Reece Walsh. Mitchell was under Walsh, holding him up, in-goal. Tass’ determination enabled the tackle to drive Walsh into touch in goal. This effort typified Souths’ commitment on Friday night.
The Michael Andrews work rate award: The resurgent Thomas Burgess, at thirty-one years young, now equal third all-time for games NRL played for South Sydney. Burgess is like a fine Barossa red. Only Adam Reynolds and John Sutton are above Burgess on that appearance list. Big Thomas: 18 runs for 189 metres, 87 post contact metres, and sixteen tackles.
Take a bow, Thomas Burgess!
The Phil Blake ‘chip n chase’ best attacking moment: Campbell Graham’s second try in the thirty-fifth minute. With the game in the balance at the end of a torrid first half, a set play from a scrum with the attack set to the left. Souths hit the right side with Graham diving over near the posts. Mitchell converted for a six point lead at half time.
https://twitter.com/FOXNRL/status/1651901414946529281?s=20
Full time: South Sydney DRLFC 32 d Brisbane 6
***
On to NRL Magic round, also in Brisbane, and the Saturday night feature game versus our nemesis, the Melbourne Storm. The most lop-sided match up in the NRL.
Played thirty-eight; Storm wins: thirty-two; number of Souths wins in Melbourne: zero.
We have already lost to the Storm once this season.
No better time to put win number seven in the bank.
Glory Glory!
***
Round 8 R.I.T.V. player of the year points:
3- Thomas Burgess
2- Junior Tatola
1 – Campbell Graham
PROGRESSIVE R.I.T.V. PLAYER OF THE YEAR POINTS – LEADER BOARD:
9: Campbell Graham
6: Latrell Mitchell and Lachlan Ilias
5: Keon Kolomatangi and Thomas Burgess
4: Davvy Moale
3: -Junior Tetola, Cody Walker, Hame Sele, Cameron Murray, and Isaiah Tass
2: Damien Cook
1: Jai Arrow and Shaqai Mitchell
Russel Hansen has worked in schools for over thirty years – as a teacher, coach, coach educator, sports coordinator and in pastoral care roles. Whilst at Brisbane Boys’ College as Director of Athletics, he led teams to six GPS premierships in track and field, and cross country. He has coached at all levels from school to international, most recently coaching a lad to the Australian U/20 4x100m relay squad for the 2022 world U/20 championships. He is married to Heidi, a Primary school principal, and is father to two adult daughters.
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About Russel Hansen
Russel Hansen Has worked in schools for over thirty years – as a teacher, coach, coach educator, sports coordinator and in pastoral care roles. Whilst at Brisbane Boys’ College as Director of Athletics, he led teams to six GPS premierships in track and field, and cross country. He has coached (athletics) at all levels from school to international. His squad at the University of Queensland (to January 2023) included Lachlan Kennedy OLY, Paris 4x100m relay runner, Australian record holder. He is married to Heidi, a Primary school principal, and is father to two adult daughters. Twitter: @Russel_Hansen
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Absolutely says it all
well done Russ
thanks Mick, what a mighty win, against the competition leaders, in Brisbane.
A great team performance – great attack, and committed defence
I note the “blessed Broncos” somehow play Manly as the away team in Magic Round!!
No wonder the Dolphins are getting so much support!!
A great night it was indeed Russell.
Smug Broncos fans? Surely you jest.
My favourite Bronco fan story? Indulge me.
I was sitting on the train after the 2006 GF, having watched Brisbane upset the heavily favoured Storm.
As always, I was wearing the cardinal and myrtle colours of my beloved Rabbitohs. Souths had only just failed to make the finals that season. Well, they missed by quite a bit actually. Won just the 3 games. Stone motherless last. Never mind, I was still proud enough to wear the jersey to the Grand Final.
And as I sat there bumping along on the way back to Central, I happened upon a conversation between 2 celebrating Broncos fans. Here’s what I heard…
“You know what I really love about this win? This Premiership? More than the others? “
“What’s that?”
“This was one for the true believers. The real fans. The ones who’ve stuck by the Broncos through thick and thin. Those hard times earlier in the season just make tonight so much sweeter.”
And you know, I was really tempted to lean forward, let him see my true colours and ask:
“Excuse me mate, but I wonder if you could just explain to me which part of missing the finals twice in 19 years is the thin bit?”
But I thought better off it.
I just sat there and quietly smiled to myself. We’d made the finals once in that time. Yep, just the once.
And I would wait another 8 years until I rode the same train back to Central, awash in the euphoria of Souths first Premiership in 43 years. And that night, I did get to thinking about that guy and I wondered where he was and how he was feeling.
The poor old Broncs had gone out on the first week of the finals to North Queensland.
Must have been a thin old year.