THURSDAY
“Hey Jig, got a second?” asks senior rugby league scribe Robert Dillon. “Do you remember when Wayne Bennett flew Alfie Langer back from England for the final Origin in 2001?” Yes! It was one of the iconic comeback-stories in rugby league. At this point I’m thinking: How did he know my nan used to babysit the Langer boys in Ipswich, and why does he want to write a story on Alfie. Excited, I ask: “Is Alf going to partner Brock Lamb in the Knights halves next year?” What a cracker of a yarn. “Not quite,” Dillo replies. “You see, now that the Knights have collected another spoon, I’m clocking off. We need someone to do the hard yards writing Seven Days In League.” Didn’t you punt me into touch last year suggesting the Real NRL or even Newcastle Rugby Union was more my level? “It was either you or Dane Tilse,” Dillon quips as he packs his bag. “The Knights have already picked Tilsey to play reggies against the North Sydney Bears. You’ll have to do.”
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Up north the Broncos, with Alfie pulling the reins as a runner, buck the Cows 20-10 and leave the Townsville faithful to ponder what the XXXX they are going to do during September.
FRIDAY
It is hardly electrifying, but the Slipperies get the job done against the Bunnies to secure fourth spot. With his side in first gear, coach Brad Arthur jumps on the CB radio. Semi says “10-4 rubber ducky” and cruises over for a hat-trick of tries.
On a sadder note, a convoy of motorbikes had earlier accompanied the coffin of Kurri Kurri girl Hannah Rye, who last week lost her battle with Ewing sarcoma cancer. Trent Hodkinson, the shining Knight who took Hannah to her year-10 formal, was among those to say their final goodbye.
SATURDAY
Thank goodness for Herald hack Brett Keeble. I’d only been in Newey a few months in ‘97 when the Knights lifted the holy grail. Yes, I remember it being “better than Lego”. But those final few moments, outside of Gary Harley declaring “Albert’ll score, Albert’ll score” and the week following are a bit of a blur. Thankfully Keebs, who is on a comeback of his own at the Herald, hasn’t forgotten a pass, tackle, try or beer and does a bang-up job of retelling the tale in a four-page tribute in the great daily.
Meanwhile, the heroes from ‘97 gather for a feed and a few heart-starters at the swank Newcastle Club. I reckon a beer and a bet at the Cricketers Arms Hotel followed by a pit-stop at Hamburger Haven enroute to Fannys would have been more apt.
Down south, skipper Cameron Smith joins Darren Lockyer on 355 games as Melbourne storm past the Faiders 32-6. He is also now just 38 games shy of Bill Harrigan’s most games for a referee.
It’s chilly at the foot of the mountains. Skipper Matt Moylan appears a forlorn figure, churning out the k’s on a exercise bike pitch-side, as the Chocolate Soldiers are lapped by the Silvertails.
SUNDAY
Father’s Day, Old Boy’s Day and the ‘97 grand-final shindig wrapped into one. You guessed it: “better than Lego.” More than 20,000 pack Marathon to pay homage to Chief, Butts, Alby and the rest of the premiership heroes. Joey is a late scratching. He has Channel Nine duties for the noth’n game between the Dragons and the Dogs. “That’s my job,” Joey tells a Sydney rag. “ Plus I’ve got my son’s 18th birthday next week. “It’s better for my health if I work this weekend.” You’ve changed.
The ‘97 Knights on hand, present the current crop with their jerseys. It’s a shame a couple of the old boy’s don’t slip the blue and red on themselves. Imagine Chief doing a “Spud Carroll” on Sharks skipper Paul Gallen. He doesn’t and Gal covers more territory than the rescuers looking for Harold Holt .
At ANZ, Josh Dugan makes the bus but his day ends like that of a bride-to-be after a dozen Vodka Cruisers –in tears. Needing a win to climb into the top eight, the Red V(odka) concede two tries in seven minutes to lose 26-20 to the Doggies. The kennel is barking, but that’s nothing compared to the barn dance in Townsville after the Cows sneak into the finals.
“Here come the Tigers wearing black and gold. (sing along with me) Stout hearted men, all fit and bold” …The mighty Tig Togs finish the season with a 26-18 thrashing of the Once Were’s at Leichhardt. Departing duo Woodsy (anyone else reckon he looks like Greek singer Demis Roussos) and James Tabasco Sauce star. Demis carves out 217 metres to go with 37 tackles and five offloads and a note-perfect rendition of “Forever and Ever”.
Monday
Townsville employers wake to an epidemic: “Sick as a dog” reads the text message from thousands of hungover Cows fans.
Mad Monday, it seems is no more. At the very least it has been watered down to mild-mannered Monday. Fair dinkum. I know a local rugby club which spends a week celebrating grand finals. It starts on Silly Sunday and moves on to 30-middy Monday, Top-up Tuesday, World-of-pain Wednesday, Thirsty-Thursday, F*&#%d-up Friday and On-the-sauce-again Saturday.
TUESDAY
After a pow wow with Panthers supremo Gus, Moyza is sent on a sabbatical. With him go the Penny’s finals hopes. Now to the real issue. What’s doing with the Panther’s cheerleaders? According to their website, they have ditched the “Catwoman” suits in favour of “more athletic outfits”. Pfffft. Next Royce Simmons will be promoting Man Shakes.
WEDNESDAY
Michael Maguire is called to the Colosseum at Redfern where Rusty Crowe gets the Gladiator suit out and throws the coach to the lions – in this case the Gold Coast Titans. Madge’s sacrifice comes 12 months after he signed a three-year deal. Wasn’t he the same coach, the Messiah, that won the club’s first premiership in 43 years. Funny game rugby league.
In breaking news, Tilsey has retained his place in the Knights reggies for the semil against the Once Weres.
