Sport
14 March, 2025
Burns Burns for Barrett Shield Success
To say local league guru Travis Burns is burning for Barrett Family Shield success on March 22nd is a serious understatement, the former NRL star has his first-grade line-up focused on nothing less than a positive 2025 season start.
The season opener gets underway in just ten days’ time at Warwick’s Father Ranger Oval, along with supporting pre-season Reserve Grade and Under 19 contests.
“The Barrett Shield is a tremendous tradition on the Southern Downs, so highly respected between the Warwick Cowboys and Wattles Warriors clubs and pursued vigorously annually by both” said the mentor who is commencing his eighth season as the Wattles top grade coach.
“We have it stowed securely in our Platz Oval trophy cabinet after last year, and that is just where we plan to have it remain.”
Steady mizzling rain last year never muddied the Warriors challenge for the silverware honours that was the 32nd Barrett Family Shield clash against the Warwick Cowboys at Clifton’s Platz Oval, the home side pulling up convincing 22 – 12 victors.
Burns handed out the accolades freely last year, more than happy with his team’s performance in trying conditions against quality opponents.
“The lads in green and gold deserved full credit for their 2024 win, everyone played well above average and deserved the result.”
Fullback Jackson Green hit the ground running to underscore Wattles Shield success taking out the Terry Doyle Memorial Medalion as the game’s best and fairest player.
That hotly contested annual contest that commenced back in 1993 saw Wattles post an outstanding performance to secure a 13th success in the history of the classic silverware, trailing Warwick who have 18 wins to their credit, while the season 2000 yielded a draw.
While the match kick-off on Saturday March 22nd at Warwick league headquarters will see the curtain rise on Wattles 60th season, it will also celebrate the 33rd Barrett Family Shield contest.
The Warwick Cowboys won that Inaugural 1993 Shield clash 14- 12 in a cracker of a game at Father Ranger Oval.
Wattles crossed for a converted try in the dying minutes to have the scoreboard reading 12 all as full time was signalled.
The crowd got right behind their teams for the five minutes extra time, when the Warwick side added a penalty goal to win the match.
Warwick winger Rick McGrady, who would go on to play at ARL/NRL level, was outstanding on the night, scoring two tries and earning the “Man of the Match” award.
Wattles players among those to stand out included try scoring centre Grant Goodman and fullback and team skipper Steve Miles.
With the recent demise of Cyclone Alfred and its effect on the Southern Downs, some Wattles loyal may cast their minds back a decade when Cyclone Marcia was causing some local havoc.
Preparations by the Wattles and Warwick outfits was impeded given the annual event was cancelled early on the morning of the big match and supporting trials due to weather concerns.
Concerns that were echoed by many weekend events across the Southern Downs & Toowoomba in the aftermath of the cyclone.
The match eventually got underway, and the first eighty minutes of rugby league in local club the Wattles Warriors 2015 season campaign was anything but memorable.
The Warwick Cowboys signalled their season intentions overwhelming the Warriors 34 – 6 the annual Shield pre-season trial at Warwick’s Father Ranger Oval.
In the post-match presentation ceremony, former Wattles forward and 2025 Warwick Captain/Coach Matt Gainey was pleased the cancellation was reconsidered, “I’m really happy the game went ahead” the skipper said, “the Barrett Shield is such strong tradition for both the Warwick & Wattles clubs, it’s so much more than a pre-season trial.”
While Warwick have been carrying out some encouraging recruitment for their 2025 season campaign under wily coach Col Speed, a former Wattles player, the Warriors have also gathered an impressive array of talent to compliment those who have remained in green and gold for the new season.
While he’s keeping his cards close to his chest, Burns is quietly confident he has a team to make an impression in the Barrett Shield and the 2025 Toowoomba Rugby League premiership, boosted by player depth and talent in the Reserve Grade and Under 19 teams.
Glyn Rees
