By Kanau Sion
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| Waiting for the game to begin |
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| Joanne waiting for the game to start |
Last year (2011) we included a post on an NRL end of the season match between the Brisbane Broncos and South Sydney Rabbitoh played here in Perth's NIB Stadium [formerly Members Equity Stadium]. Back then it was Joanne's first ever experience of watching an NRL game live and in person and one which she'll certainly remember for a long time.
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| Joanne posing with James Tamou |
Early last month on February 12th we had another treat of an NRL game between the North Queensland Cowboys and St. George Illawara, this time as a preseason hit out and what a way to commence 2012 in style here in Perth. For me in person, the last time I turned up to watch these two great teams battle in a regular NRL season was about 15 long years ago in Sydney. Time has passed quickly since then, and great players of that error who dominated the rugby league paddocks have come and gone leaving behind huge shoes to fill. Nevertheless, new players have stepped up well to the pressure and have not disappointed at all. Rather, they have risen amazingly well to the occasion much to the excitement of fans, and developed into fabulous heroes of the modern game who are not only admired but idolized also by zealots of the rugby league world. We were filled with excitement... Joanne and I because first, it was Joanne's second time to watch a game between two NRL sides while at the same time providing me a chance to witness these two great teams battle it out after a very long time. Second, this provided an opportunity for both of us to meet the players in person.
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| Joanne with JT in the background |
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| Joanne with Leeson Ah Mau |
While we were there to give support to our two PNG Kumul wantok heroes [James Segeyaro and Ray Thomson] in the North Queensland Cowboys team, Joanne was additionally excited also to watch and hopefully meet her favorite St. George players like Jamie Soward. For me though, I had spent the afternoon of the day before with the NQ Cowboys players and had the opportunity to meet and chat with superstars of the game including Jonathan Thurston, James Tamou, Tariq Sims, Robert Lui, Matt Bowen and our very own PNG stars James Segeyaro and Ray Thomson among others.
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| With James Segeyaro and Ray Thomson |
In the stadium we were also in the company of PNG wantoks including Joshua Cridge, David Sode who was on a short visit and others. It was a fun filled evening which started with great ball work and superb performances from both sides with a scuffle and punch up midway through first half. Well, I guess the punch up was traditional as it added a bit of spark and excitement into the game. At the final whistle North Queensland Cowboys came out on top with a 22 -14 final scoreline. After the game Joanne insisted we stayed a little longer for her chance to meet players from both sides including Jamie Soward and others from St. George Ilawara, and JT Thurston etc from NQ Cowboys, which I reluctantly obliged.
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| With "JT" Jonathan Thurston |
She managed to squeeze her way through for a glimpse of the players while I took some still shots of her with St. George players Leeson Ah Mau and Atelea Vea and North Queensland stars JT Thurston, James Tamou and Robert Lui.
It was an evening well spent and our night of nights, if I may put it this way, at least in the context of rugby league at this time of the year.
I am pretty sure I have done Joanne a great favor by getting her to the game and her word of thanks appeared to be a testament of her appreciation of this.
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| Joanne posing with Robert Lui |
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