Brett Plowman (right) and Parramatta teammate, John Fearnley
Premiers, Brisbane were lucky to escape with a draw in their round 1 match against Parramatta, while centre, Steve Renouf was fortunate not to have been sent off for a spear tackle on giant former Broncos’ winger, Brett Plowman.
Plowman looked to have scored the winning try, but referee, David Manson ruled a forward pass, when it looked flat at worse. Manson also did not even place Renouf on report for what was a classic crotch grab tackle on Plowman, who landed on the back of his neck. Kerrod Walters also was involved. Plowman said Renouf had apologised. Renouf was later cited and banned for one match.
The Brisbane v Parramatta match finished 16-all in front of a crowd of 31,701 at Brisbane’s ANZ Stadium, with the Broncos leading 10-8 at halftime and then 16-8 after lock, Terry Matterson scored between the posts after featuring twice in a sensational 60 metre move.
Parramatta came within two points of their rivals when former Kiwi Colts skipper, halfback, Stu Galbraith intercepted a John Plath pass. Keith Blackett converted and then kicked a penalty goal.
Plowman’s ‘try’ came from a pass from skilful prop, Paul Dunn. Manson consulted with his touch judge, who, according to Plowman, did not offer an opinion. So Manson went with his original belief that the pass was forward. The call robbed Plowman of a fairy tale return to Brisbane, after he also had created a try for centre, Michael Buettner in the first half.
In the lead-up to the game, Plowman told me he had fitted in at Parramatta “a lot better” than at Brisbane, where he felt there was “more segregation” between the first graders and the other players.
“There are no big heads here, not that there were any big heads at the Broncos,” he said. “But everyone here is on a par. Compared with the Broncos we are a bit behind in speed, skills and professionalism, but we have been doing a lot of work in all areas.”
The only other Queenslanders are Parramatta were Marty McKenzie and Joe Bartolo.
Brisbane had been beaten by South Sydney in the pre-season final played in Albury, with Broncos’ prop, Glenn Lazarus declaring afterwards that if Brisbane had been on their game, they would have won easily. Lazarus said there was a lack of enthusiasm from the Broncos in Albury, but the players were ‘up’ for the game against the Eels, and the draw was the wake-up call they needed.
“To say the least, I was happy when Manson ruled Dunn’s pass forward,” Lazarus said. “The only comment I’ll make is that if the referee says the pass is forward, than its forward.”
Former Broncos’ forward, James Donnelly was sent off by referee, Stu Berndt for a high shot on Souths’ Magpies, halfback, Craig Grauf (another former Bronco) in a Brisbane club match at Davies Park. Donnelly was playing for South Queensland Crushers, who had entered a side in the BRL, ahead of their entry into the ARL in 1995.
Souths’ coach, Chris Phelan, a former Queensland State of Origin player, said Berndt should have been more severe on high shots. But there were those in the Crushers’ camp who claimed their players were on the receiving end of cheap shots.
Crushers’ coach, Bill Garnder, a former Souths’ lower grade coach, made full use of his trainers, Gaham Herlihy and Dave Ryan, with Berndt reminding the Crushers only one trainer was allowed on the field at the one time, unless there was an injured player. That was not enough for ground announcer, Jim Gibson, who also issued a warning over the PA. Phelan said, tongue-in-cheek, he was ‘worried’ a young and fit Herlihy would be mistaken for a player, and might be tackled.
Both sides scored three tries with Crushers’ Rod Doyle and Souths’ Gavin Darwin each grabbing a brace
Former Test hooker, John Lang began his ‘Sydney’ coaching career in triumph with his Cronulla Sharks defeating Canberra 24-16 at Shark Park. Lang, who had joined Cronulla from Easts in Brisbane, said in Sydney the desire to win was no greater than in the BRL.
“The difference in Sydney is that there are more people and more dollars involved,” Lang said.
In other news: Kiwi five eighth, Gene Ngamu signed with the Auckland Warriors after being cut by Manly. The Warriors were to enter the ARL in 1995, along with the Crushers, Western Reds and North Queensland Cowboys.
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