The NRL and AFL caravan shows roll on. Who would have thought that Queensland would become AFL central in any year under any circumstances. – (you just can never say never).
It has taken a while but suddenly we have the Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast Suns firing and giving us here in Queensland something more than the Qld Storm to celebrate.
It is testament to the patience shown in boardrooms; hard work and diligence put into creating a strong playing roster and excellent coaching that both the Lions and Suns are enjoying success.
I may be barking up the wrong tree but there are a few things there that a couple of Queensland NRL teams are probably wishing they had explored a little further.
While many Queenslanders are mourning the Broncos situation and the failure of the Titans and Cowboys to flatter you cannot escape the fact that we have witnessed some extraordinary football recently.
I doubt I have ever seen a more enthralling club game than the Storm Roosters clash last round. If you are a league enthusiast and that game did not get your blood pumping, I am gravely concerned for your well being.
Then there are the Panthers and Eels who after promising so much for so many seasons finally look to be delivering the goods.
The NRL rule changes have delivered us the fast and entertaining game we have been craving for several years. There have been a couple of controversial refereeing decisions but on the whole the sky hasn’t fallen in and the refs have in the main stepped up to the plate.
I can honestly say I wasn’t a big fan of the Captain’s challenge when it was mooted but captain’s appear to be giving thoughtful consideration to their challenges and some have shown a real talent for being Johnny on the Spot and getting their side out of a tricky situation that was not going their way with excellent challenges.
Now if we can just get the NRL judiciary sorted the game will be in a much better place. I am appalled that Addin Fonua-Blake’s comments to the referee Grant Atkins in the Manly Newcastle game earned him what amounted to a slap on the wrist. His tirade was disparaging and disgusting and sets such an appalling example to out junior players. Congratulations, Ben Ikin for calling this out for what it is.
Then there was perennial bad boy Wests Tigers centre Joey Leilua who should find himself warning a seat on the sideline for a an even lengthier stint than four weeks after the shot he put on Dylan Edwards. Get it out of your game Leilua it’s not necessary.
Then topping it all off, we have the Penrith coach reacting childishly to a bit of stick from rival fans. Can’t see Craig Bellamy, Wayne Bennett, Trent Robinson, Ricky Stuart or embattled Anthony Seibold to name just a few reacting by blowing kisses. Coaches are expected to be even more professional than their players. It’s the NRL not the school yard – though sometimes I wonder.
(Note no mention of the Brisbane Broncos – the woes of the club, team and coach – I simply have no words).
CASEY’S NRL ROUND NINE TIPS
Titans
Rabbitohs
Panthers
Broncos
Storm
Eels
Sea Eagles
FLY NORTH FOR THE WINTER
What’s not to love about heading north for the winter. Thousands of Vics do it every year – 2020 however is a little different. The grey nomads have been grounded but the AFL has rumbled into town joining the Melbourne Storm in a home away from home on the Sunshine Coast.
For AFL and Melbourne Storm fans it is almost Christmas in July. It’s certainly a warm July change for the AFL players from St Kilda and Carlton and many of their families who will be calling Noosa home for what is supposed to be July but could be an indefinite period and their Storm counterparts.
Four other AFL teams are set to make Queensland their temporary home, North Melbourne, Essendon, Western Bulldogs and Richmond will all become honorary Queenslanders but none should expect too many favours from the Lions and Sun’s fan base. Melbourne Storm however might be received much better giving NRL fans north of the border something to smile about in what is a tough season for Queenslanders
The AFL teams will be playing at the Gabba and Metricon and travelling to Sydney for away games.
As Melbourne and Victoria heads into lock down this week I doubt there will be many players complaining to loudly about relocating.
While the AFL players are no doubt trying to get their heads around being uprooted the Melbourne Storm appear to have settled nicely into Sunshine Coast life. Melbourne Storm officials have already held talks with the Sunshine Coast Council with a view to playing some games out of Bokarina.
The first clash could be as early as July 17 when the Storm are due to play the Gold Coast Titans. What a marvellous opportunity to showcase the Sunshine Coast Stadium with the Intrust Super Cup and the local sunshine Coast League seasons both cancelled.
Storm coach Craig Bellamy has already indicated a preference to play all Melbourne Storm games at the Stadium. It is a big nod to the standard of the Stadium.
The Sunshine Coast Stadium was set to host two NRL fixtures in the initial NRL draw pre Covid-19. The Cronulla Sharks were to play the Cowboys and the Warriors were set to clash with the Rabbitohs so the facility has already ticked all the requirement boxes of the NRL.
What a great thing for Rugby League starved patrons on the Sunshine Coast is the powerbrokers can make this happen.
SHE’S APPLES ALWAYS
If you accept the challenge of painting a silo it’s probably best that you are not afraid of heights. It is a point that talented equine artist Peter Mortimore are decide to take on the task of painting a silo it is probably best The popular equine who has been tasked with immortalising champion mare Winx and jockey Hugh Bowman and champion trainer Chris Waller on silos at Dunedoo in western New South Wales perhaps should have given real thought to.
After spending days 19 metres above the ground in a basket swaying in the breeze as he works Mortimore says he has “overcome his fear of heights.“
Bowman who grew up on a property just outside Dunedoo recently travelled home to Dunedoo to check out on the progress of the mural and see what all the fuss was about. The artwork got the famous “She’s apples“ thumbs up from her jockey.
Local farmer Brett Yeo bought the town’s silos four years ago when grain company Graincorp sold off 72 of them throughout NSW.
The project to paint the silos in Bowman’s honour received a $95,000 state government grant last year.
Peter Mortimore, the artist runs a gallery in Dorrigo and has been painting horses on canvas for 25 years but this project is by far his biggest and most challenging commission.
Mortimore said, “I had to work out how to take an A4 drawing and turn it into a 19-metre one.
The artist won’t be taking the easy option and using spray cans. After initially trying the technique he reverted to what he knows best and feels most comfortable with – a brush – perhaps a larger one than normal.
As Winx fans await the birth of her first foal in the coming weeks, this tribute to the mighty mare is perhaps the largest yet.
The project which is well underway should take around six weeks to complete.
If you are a racing fan or a Winx tragic or merely a fan of murals on silos and things a detour to Dunedoo should be a must on the agenda next time you travel the New England Highway.
EXTENDED FUNDING – FAIR PLAY
The Queensland Government has announced it is extending community funding for sport to assist kids to get back in their game of choice in 2020.
Parents will be able to apply for $150 Fair Play vouchers. The vouchers can be used to offset a variety of costs including registration fees, uniforms, or a variety of other costs associated with getting kids back into sport with a registered activity provider. There is a limit of one voucher per child per year. If you have already applied and received a round two voucher the expiry date has been extended until November.
The new round of applications opened on July 3 and close on October 7. Vouchers must be presented to an activity provider by November 11 and must be redeemed by activity providers by November 25 2020.
A comprehensive list of organisations across the length and breadth of the entire Sunshine Coast regions registered as eligible users of the Fair Play Voucher system can be easily accessed on the Queensland Government website under the Find a FairPlay voucher activity provider tab.
