Broncos lock Matt Gillett (right) and Jharal Yow Yeh.
Coach, Ivan Henjak’s head was on the chopping block after the Brisbane Broncos missed out on a place in the finals for the first time in 19 years. A 18-16 loss to the Canberra Raiders at Suncorp Stadium consigned the Broncos to tenth place on the NRL Premiership ladder and an off-season of soul searching.
Henjak told attendees at the Broncos’ presentation ball in October that he believed the club had the players to achieve the ultimate prize, and he and everyone else at the club would not be satisfied with merely making up the numbers in the top eight in 2011.
But the loss to Canberra on September 3, 2010 meant they did not even make the eight, with final spot falling to Manly-Warringah. South Sydney beat the Broncos into ninth place because of their superior for-and-against record.
The Broncos needed to beat Canberra by 15 points or more to make the finals, but with the Raiders leading 12-4 at halftime, it was obvious this was not going to happen.
Late tries to winger, Jharal Yow Yeh and NRL Rookie of the Year, Matt Gillett gave home fans hope of a victory, but it was all to no avail. Rising star, Josh Dugan produced another wonderful display at fullback for Canberra, scoring a try and saving three with courageous defensive efforts. Another outstanding contributor for Canberra was former Broncos’ forward, Tom Learoyd-Lahrs. Winger, Daniel Vidot scored two tries and centre, Jarod Croker kicked three goals. Lock and skipper, Corey Parker was the Broncos’ best.
The match was the last in Broncos’ colours for State of Origin winger, Israel Folau who had signed with AFL club, Greater Western Sydney, which hoped to use him as a marketing tool in the western suburbs of Sydney where rugby league is king and there is a large Polynesian population. The Broncos played the last month of home and away football without skipper, Darren Lockyer who suffered a rib injury against North Queensland Cowboys.
On the same night as the Broncos were bombing out of the finals, Gold Coast Titans secured third spot on the ladder with a gutsy 21-18 win over Wests Tigers at Robina. Scott Prince (shoulder), Brad Meyers (ribs) and Ashley Harrison (broken nose) all required treatment, making the win even more meritorious. Harrison and Prince were the Titans’ best, while hooker, Robbie Farah was outstanding for the Tigers. The crowd of 26,103 was close to capacity and rugby league was riding high on the Gold Coast. The win assured the Titans of a home final.
I covered the Titans’ match for The Courier-Mail, and having cut my teeth as a senior player in the Group 18/Gold Coast competition in the 1970s, I was delighted to see the elite level of the game doing so well in the region. But I knew there were big challenges ahead, particularly as the Titans, the newest club in the competition, boasted the oldest playing roster.
Also making news in early September, 2010 was the decision by referees boss, Robert Finch to stand down after the Grand Final due to “the constant public and media scrutiny of referees”.
His son, Brett, who was contracted to Melbourne Storm, blasted NRL boss, David Gallop for not supporting his father.
“He (Robert) has got the hardest job in the game,” Brett said. “I think he does a great job….(but) the referees get no support from David Gallop when they’re criticised and hung out to dry and bashed.”
Parramatta signed former Test forward, Reni Maitua on a two-year deal but the 28-year-old could not play again until May 20, 2011 when he completed a two year ban for using the steroid, clenbuterol.
Manly and Wests Magpies were mourning the loss of former front rower, Doug Walkaden, at the age of 69. Walkaden represented City against Country in 1963 and Sydney Colts against the French touring side in 1964, with my former Murwillumbah Brothers’ coach, Ron Saddler the skipper. Walkaden played for Wests in a match against France at Lidcombe Oval in 1968. France had played in the World Cup final against Australia at the SCG a few days earlier.
Walkaden made his First Grade debut for Manly in 1963 in a pack which included dual rugby International, Rex Mossop and Fred Jones, Australia’s hooker in the 1968 World Cup. One of Walkaden’s rival forwards when he played for City against Country was Geoff Hampson, who was based in Armidale in those days. I played against Hampson when he was at the end of his career, and was contracted to Mullumbimby Giants. I was playing for Murwillumbah Brothers.
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