Sport
22 February, 2024
Legends dominate in Danes territory
A crowd of over three thousand turned out at Club Pittsworth on Saturday for the International Legends of League, in what was undoubtedly the largest community event of the year so far.
Football fans swamped the club grounds to meet and mingle with National Rugby League (NRL) legends including Sam Thaiday, Steve Price, and Ben Hannant.
The day commenced with junior games against Oakey and Souths teams, including an Under 15 girls competition.
Pittsworth faced off against Clifton’s Wattles in the A Grade friendly, followed by crossfield games for the Under 6s, 7s and 8s.
The main event of the night was the Qube Australian Legends team of ex-professional rugby league players against Pittsworth’s very own Rebel Sport Danes All Stars team.
The local team included Greg Burton, Matt Reynolds, Steve Lacey, Geoff Brose, Ben Lindenmayer, Chris Parker, Jade Thompson, Damian Sutton, Scott Kirby, Daniel York, Scott Stower, Michael Dempsey, Travis Short, Thomas Draper, Christopher Trott and Adam Cronin, to name only a few.
The night was a wrap for the International Legends of League program, which started earlier in the week, and included school visits, a sponsors bowls day and cocktail function.
The International Legends of League has never been held in Pittsworth before but has been operating since 2003, with over 90 events organised across Qld, NSW, NT and Papua New Guinea.
Event Manager Troy Byers, said the event was fantastic.
“It was outstanding, overall, the community were the winners, because seeing people turn up, having fun, and to see the little kids when they run out on the field with the players.
“Every single person had a smile on their face,” Mr Byers said.
One of the local organisers, and player for the Australian Legends team, Matt Briggs, said the day was everything he hoped it would be.
“What we wanted to do was have a good community event, and raise interest around rugby league in our town,” Mr Briggs said.
He commended the professional rugby league players on their humble, sincere and friendly disposition.
“The guys were no different to any other bloke I played footy with,” Mr Briggs said.
He commented on how each of them never knocked back an autograph or photo for an admirer.
Ben Hannant, more commonly known in the rugby league world as “Polar Bear”, scored two tries during the game, leading the Legends to victory over the local All Stars.
The final score on the night was 32 points to 24.
Pittsworth State High School teacher Adam Cronin played for the Danes All Stars on the night, and commented on how good it was to pull the jersey on again.
He enjoyed catching up with old mates, and players he hadn’t seen in some time.
“I haven’t played for eight years, it was a bit of a shock to the body, but I really enjoyed it.
“It was really good seeing all the young kids there, that’s what it is about, and getting them to see and meet these great players.
“It was really well organised with the fireworks, it was a good day,” Mr Cronin said.
One enthusiastic 13 year old had a heart-warming experience on Saturday when he lined up for Sam Thaiday’s autograph.
Thaiday realised he didn’t have a pen, so this young boy offered him his.
After waiting patiently for Sam Thaiday’s autograph, the boy was being called away by his parents.
He told Thaiday to keep the pen.
Instead of agreeing, Thaiday told the young boy that he would be in the dressing rooms later preparing for his game, and the boy could come by then and get his pen.
The boy agreed.
As promised, he returned a little while later to the change rooms.
Sam Thaiday came out and produced an International Legends of League jersey that had been signed by all of the team.
He told the boy to go into the dressing rooms and get his pen, and while he was at it, he could meet all of the NRL legends for himself.
A dream come true for one local lad!
This only highlights the calibre of professional sportsmen who were part of the International Legends of League in Pittsworth.
Mr Byers said their next event is planned for March 9 in Townsville.
