The Sydney Morning Herald from Sydney, New South Wales, Australia • Page 23

22 SPORTING LIFE Zht S')bncn JHorniiui $eralb www.smh.com.au MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 1998 inralbarasssdly giraggy TTaDOos says eveiry player deseirves to gelt a inniedM MAN OF THE MATCH STEVE MASCORD Brisbane Test star Gorden Tallis said yesterday he was embarrassed to have received the Clive Churchill Medal as grand final man of the match, because he did not believe the award should exist. Tallis joined a distinguished honour roll after the Broncos' grand final victory, admitting he had little recollection of the match after an early head knock. "I don't believe that there should be an award," Tallis said. "There are 17 players out there. "It's not just the players, it begins back in November with the trainers.

There should be 50 awards to everyone in our club. "I'm a bit embarrassed especially in a team like this, full of great players." Asked whether he felt his own performance was worthy of the award, Tallis said he couldn't remember. "I was a bit dizzy, a little bit out of place," he said. "To tell you the truth, I'm going to have to watch it on video because I don't really remember what happened. "The week dragged on for what seemed like a fortnight, but the game went in 10 minutes." Yesterday's match was a form of deliverance for Tallis, who sat out the 1995 season after signing ith Super League and failing to get a release from St George.

When he returned to Kogarah with the Broncos this year, some fans pelted him with projectiles but he later said "they still wish I was playing for St His patience was rewarded when he toured Britain with the Super League Australian side last year but he was maligned by crowds there as well, telling reporters he was "not a Tallis is expected to be called up today for the Australian side to take on New Zealand in the second Test at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Friday week. He said he avoided putting pressure on himself this week by ignoring media reports. "We didn't get any papers and we didn't watch any television," Tallis said. "Every time it came on, I changed the channel so I didn't have to watch it "That's what you've got to do. The more you hear things, the more you believe it, so you've just got to wipe it all out" An early missed tackle on selection rival Steve Price didn't help his confidence.

Tallis had tipped Price for Test selection in the lead-up to the game. "I went up too quickly on Price, he stepped me and that makes me feel really bad," Tallis said. "They're a good side, they're very powerful, but I think they just ran out of gas. Those two 100-minute games made them run out of petrol." Tallis has been struggling with a groin injury for much of the season but is confident he'll be fit for the second and third trans-Tasman Tests, if selected. "I haven't really been thinking about it I thought about the one earlier in the year and it hurt me.

"If they pick me. 111 play." The team medical is set down for Brisbane next Sunday. AAP reports that the Broncos returned home last night to rapturous welcomes at both Brisbane airport and their headquarters at Gilbert Park, Red Hill. The airport was besieged by fans eager to get a glimpse of their heroes. Amid flag waving and cheering, the crowd erupted as the players ran the gauntlet to a bus for the 20-minute ride to the club.

"We are going to party all night," said one fan. Brisbane's suspended forward Peter Ryan was deeply moved when coach Wayne Bennett stopped grand final celebra- tions to present he and Ben Walker with championship rings. The feared defender was suspended for a high tackle in a finals match against Melbourne and was more nervous yesterday than if he had been on the field. He sat alongside Walker, who has been understudy this season to skipper Allan Langer and five-eighth Kevin Walters. Ryan revealed that Bennett had presented he and Walker with NRL championship rings in a gesture he said would stay with him for the rest of his life.

FtclM mm lap ikr Jtas A WHAT THEY SAID "We just couldn't get a groove in the first half. They just stopped our momentum completely. It wasn't until we got that first try in the second half that we really got going but we were really on fire after that." Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett on his team's slow start. "I thought they had given a lot in the xst half and obviously I couldn't predict how it would go, but I was pleased. The clock was running down and we were putting the scores on." Bennett again.

"I don't want to get offside with past players who, when they were part of the side, were magnificent. But I had a little bit of a think about it the other day and I've got my own thoughts." Bennett again when asked if the 1998 Brisbane model was a better team than the 1992-93 premicrship-w inning teams. "We were pretty confident at half-time but we started the second half poorly and things just got away from us. I suppose we did pretty well just to get this ar but they were ar too good for us." Canterbury hooker Jason Hetherington. "I thought it was best for the team.

All I wanted was for those guys to win. I was part of the team, whether I was starting, and it still feels great I could have started. I've played all year there but it wasn't about me. The team comes first" Brisbane inger Michael Hancock, who had been cleared to play after finger surgery but surrendered his place in the team to Michael Devere. "Half-time went too long for us." -Canterbury coach Steve Folkes.

"We have made Sydney more tight-knit around rugby league. The game is in a better state than it was five weeks ago." Folkes again. "I felt empty after Origin III but nothing was going to keep me off the field at the end today." Broncos fullback Darren Lockyer, who was concussed at full-time in Queensland's win in State of Origin III. "I just want to have more moments like this." Broncos lock Tonie Carroll. "Before we ran onto the field the television monitor in the dressing rooms was showing the Fiji-Tonga rugby union match and I couldn't take my eyes off that" Broncos Fijian forward Petero Civoniceva revealing how he motivated himself before the grand final yesterday.

"I could feel my arm starting to click a bit so I knew I was in strife. I just wanted to get out there I feel I let the boys down a little bit today." Canterbury prop Troy Stone after playing with a broken arm. "I don't believe that there should be an award. There are 1 7 players out there. I'm a bit embarrassed especially in a team like this, full of great players." Broncos forw ard Gorden Tallis after he won the Clive Churchill medal.

"You've got to buy a newspaper to get a form guide. And you've got to go through the sport to get to it" Broncos captain Allan Langer hen asked if he as orried about all the experts tipping forget the efforts of his players in the lead up to yesterday's decider. "I think what we've done over the last five weeks speaks for itself really," Folkes said. "I'd be extremely disappointed if we didn't have the likes of Britty Darren Britt and Jason Hetherington and Pricey Steve Price considered. "I think they've been the form front row of the semi-finals series and there's others you can throw in: Craig Polla-Mounter, Travis Norton." Meanwhile, Brisbane grand final hero Walters renewed his call for the Broncos to return to Suncorp Stadium next season.

"I think the problem we have with the crowds Suncorp Stadium has a lot to do with that," Walters said. "It's a rugby league stadium, like the Sydney Football Stadium. Players want to play here and fans want to come here. ANZ Stadium has served its purpose as a rugby league venue. "Times are tough at the moment and I think we've got to Bet back to a rugby league venue.

It's better to have a smaller stadium that's full." Walters dedicated the pre miership win to his wife Kim, who died earlier this year. "It's just a very emotional time in these bigger games and I know she's around and watching and helping," Walters said. Yesterday's match was not without it's controversy despite the wide margin. The Bulldogs were concerned about the legitimacy of Brisbane's first two tries, with a hint of ball-stealing in the lead-up to winger Michael Devere's third-minute effort and doubts over whether Kevin Campion got the ball down cleanly soon after. They also thought the half-time break went too long up to 17 minutes.

"We were just sitting around, wondering when this is going to end," team doctor Hugh Hazard said. And fullback Rod Silva was ruled offside after taking an intercept in the 67th minute ith the Broncos ahead 26-12. "My gut feeling was that he was offside," referee Bill Harri-gan said. "I'll check the video to see if he was." Canterbury did have one fairytale victory left in them going into yesterday, but they used it up in the President's Cup grand final. Down 22-0 to Parramatta just before half-time, the Bulldogs came back to win 26-22.

"It's amazing," said Canterbury-bound Broncos centre Darren Smith, who watched the game. "I don't know how they keep doing it all the time." LEAGUE ROUND-UP STEVE MASCORD Australia cannot afford to leave Newcastle half Andrew Johns out of their starting side for the second Test against New Zealand, former Knights coach Mai Reilly said last night. Brisbane's premiership skipper, Allan Langer, is a hot tip to this morning be named half and captain for the October 9 clash at Suncorp Stadium, displacing the incumbent Johns. Johns would therefore be under consideration for the five-eighth or hooker spots but he is not favourite for these positions either. While Johns has been selected as rake in previous Australian sides, he has not acted as dummy-half something he would have to do with Langer at No 7.

And grand final star Kevin Walters is expected to continue his association with Langer at the Australian scrum-base. "I don't want to enter into a debate about who should be halfback," ex-Great Britain boss Reilly said. "I'm a great admirer of Allan Langer and of course I admire Andrew. "But I will say that I don't think they can afford to not have a player of Andrew's ability somewhere in the starting side." Brisbane and Canterbury players seem certain to dominate today's selections, especially after the withdrawal through injury on Friday of utility Geoff Toovey, five-eighth Brad ittler and prop Dean Pay. Fullback Darren Lockyer, winger Wendell Sailor, centre Steve Renouf and second-rower Brad Thorn are set to retain their places.

With incumbent props Paul Harragon and Rodney Howe unavailable, Brisbane's Andrew (ice and Shane Webcke will be trying to overcome the challenge of Bulldogs Steve Price and Darren Britt. Canterbury's Jason Hctherington leads Johns in the hooking race. Sydney City's Mat Sing is favoured to supplant Cronulla's Mat Rogers on one wing, while possible additions to the forwards include Parramatta's Jason Smith and North Sydney's Adam Muir. Asked about predictions he would be captain, Langer said: "I'd love to be there it would be a bonus if I made it. But at the moment I'm more worried about getting back to the club tonight and having a good time.

"It'd be fantastic. I've never captained a Test before so it'd be a bonus and something that would really top off my career." Canterbury coach Steve Folkcs called on selectors not to f-r 1 Brisbane as unbackable favourites before the match. Capping off a tough year ailing former Bulldogs supremo Peter "Bullfrog" Moore watches the match from his wheelchair at the SFS. Photo by steve christo Death came knocking at door EDaJa vu as brawl amd penalty emd Ihiopss a resunrectioii Hancock promotes rival Veteran Brisbane winger Michael Hancock made stunning and unselfish decision to hand his starting spot in )isterday' NRL grand Final to his biggest competitor, Michael Devere. Hancock, cleared to play after Finger surgery last week, said a fear of letting hi team down had convinced him to surrender his place.

"I thought it wa best for the team," he said. PRESIDENTS CUP STEVE MASCORD CANTERBURY PARRAMATTA 26 22 drop in the Bulldogs intensity. Canterbury were now playing the clock as much as Brisbane. By the time Darren Lockyer converted, only 18 minutes remained. Canterbury pressed hard, maybe too hard, after that.

With 14:04 remaining, Steve Price grubbered close to Brisbane's line but Kevin Campion fielded the ball on the full. Tick, tick, tick. Brisbane worked upfield and Silva stole a lead and intercepted the dummy-half pass. It showed 12:05 on the clock and half the players from each team chased the runaway Silva, unaware Harrigan had penalised him back at the tryline. By the time Harrigan whistled time out, 25 seconds had been chewed up.

Tick, tick, tick. Half Allan Langer took the tap and spun it out wide, to Walters, to Lockyer, to Phillip Lee hitting it up straight. Lee scored. The clock read 1 1 :35. Lockyer's conversion killed more time, with 10:10 remaining by the restart, and pushed the score to 32-12.

The fat lady had sung. Then Walters did everything perfectly. llalligan went into the tackle too upright and, instead of trying to hit llalligan across the ball, as is the custom these days, Walters hit him below the ribs and drove with his legs. It lifted llalligan up and pushed him back in Canterbury's in-goal. Instead of the Bulldogs working out of their ow territory which is hard enough Canterbury were dropping out and giving Brisbane the ball.

Given the mood Brisbane were in and that Canterbury were struggling to stay in touch, death had just knocked at the Bulldogs' door. Brisbane worked away for a set of six and then grabbed a repeat set. They again attacked Canterbury's line and the Broncos looked to use the ball on the last. The ball went loose and referee Bill Harrigan waved his arm for six again. From the play-the-ball, Gorden Tallis threw a dummy and mon-stered Travis Norton as he went over to score.

It put the Broncos ahead 26-12 and, after that, Tallis said he felt a THETURNING POINT PAUL KENT It was a kick that went downfield, down behind Canterbury winger Daryl llalligan. It was where the Broncos had been directing their kicks all day long, away from the slick Rod Silva to llalligan who, to put it delicately, isn't nicknamed Brisbane led 20-12 with 22 minutes left, and recent history told us Canterbury were by no means out of it. In fact, this was hen they were at their most dangerous. llalligan retrieved the ball in-goal and looked up to see a line of Brisbane tacklers approaching, as they had for most of the day. Brisbane's kick-and-chase game was outstanding.

llalligan had plenty of time to pick his mark and he zeroed in on Re in Walters. The Bulldogs were still in it but were battling plenty of things, most of all Brisbane's class. While llalligan was in no danger of being tackled in-goal, he was not out of danger, cither. ground. Gillies responded by slamming the ball against Pezet's head and a melee ensued.

one stage, the fight threatened to spill over into the crowd as almost every player became involved. Referee Mark Oaten sent Bulldogs lock Matua Parkinson and Parramatta centre Karl Lovell to the sin-bin. Sherwin converted from out wide, then a penalty in front to leave the Eels under siege at 22-20. "It was the fight itself, rather than the eight points, which did it," Gillies said. The Canterbury players had been told before kick-off that it would be Gillies's last match for the team.

Canterbury hit the front when Sherwin scored off a Steven Hughes pass with seven minutes to go, then converted. If you're looking for a turning point," Lamb said, "it was the fight They stuck up for one another and they never looked back." watching Canterbury's President's Cup side reproduce the sort of miracle that got the Dogs first grade to yesterday's main attraction. The Eels seemed certain to win in a canter for most of the game: early tries to winger Andrew Frew, centres Andrew Carige and Luke Burt and fullback David Riolo made that conclusion unavoidable. The Bulldogs managed to score just before half-time, prop Mitch Newton crossing off a dubious Robert Mears pass. But there was no immediate evidence of a fairytale comeback after the break.

It was 17 minutes before the scoreboard attendant was again troubled. Bulldogs fullback Hazem El Masri dived over from dummy-half and winger Brent Sherwin converted for 22-12. The turning point came when skipper Simon Gillies plunged over in the 57th minute. Eels half Troy Pezet twisted Gillies's head as he lay on the West Indies Cricket Supporters Tour 1999 Information Evenings Cricket, Calypso Style nit us for .1 l.int.islic x(Xfk'n and follow the AusMt' iti H.icImcIos rfiMl lo find (Hit morr our sujxHt'r's lours, come along to ,111 inlorni.it ion evening: WHIN: 'house from then d.itrs: loiter 1 tolier HI RE: I evel I H0 CieorRe Street Sydney (enr Hunter (a-ore, iImiv( nstello'v (ewellers) WHt TIME: d. 10 for 7.00 p.m.

He sure lo book and p-t in jrly. rhone Black Label Sports Tours 02 I'l 18tth Bla label Sxirts Tours A Division of AIP Pty Ltd Ik Sitting high in the Sydney Football Stadium grandstand, Parramatta chief executive Denis Fitzgerald looked like he might jump at any moment A week after seeing his first-grade side capitulate to Canterbury after leading 18-2, his President's Cup team had performed an almost-flawless impersonation in the grand final against the Bulldogs. The Eels seconds led 22-0 just before half-time in yesterday's decider and lost 26-22 in a match which featured an all-in brawl and a rare eight-point try. "The boys said at half-time 'if first-grade can do it, so can we" Canterbury coach Terry Lamb said. "They believed in themselves." It must have been an uneasy feeling for Brisbane's players.