Reply to thread

Message: [QUOTE="Big Pete, post: 2725890, member: 1899"] [CENTER][CENTER]TOOHEY’S CHALLENGE[/CENTER][/CENTER] [CENTER][CENTER] [/CENTER][/CENTER] The pre-season competition sprouted international wings in 1992 with semi-finals of the rich Tooheys Challenge played in Wellington and Auckland. The experiment in the Shaky Isles met with mixed success. In competition with the extensive World Cup cricket television coverage, and with weather conditions conspiring against organisers, the crowds were down on early predictions. Illawarra defied expectations to claim their first major title, in their 11[SUP]th[/SUP] season in the NSWRL. The immaculate kicking in general play of halfback John Simon, an impregnable defence and the goalkicking boots of winger Brett Dochety were the prime factors in Illawarra’s stunning win. Simon repeatedly ensured it was Brisbane who were running the ball back from their territory and not the Steelers, with a radar-accurate kicking game in warm late-afternoon conditions in Dubbo. And the swarming defence of the young and unfashionable Steelers closed down the potent like few other teams had managed. Topping it off was the boot of Western Suburb’s cut-off Docherty, who landed the two goals that were decisive to Illawarra’s victory. There may have been no tries, but the closeness of the scores and the determination of both teams to snare their first prizemoney of $200,000 created a dramatic and captivating contest. The Steelers thoroughly deserved their victory. They made more breaks than Brisbane and had the better of the territory for the majority of the match. The normally lethal Brisbane backline was shut down with usual catalyst Allan Langer afforded no room to move. It wasn’t until the final minutes, in a desperate push down the right-hand side, that the Broncos made their first clean-break, winger Tony Currie advancing 25 metres before he was cut down by the cover defence. Steelers fullback David Riolo produced a mighty game, repeatedly finding space from broken play and proving safe and reliable under the high ball. Winger Docherty, a late replacement for Test winger Rod Wishart, was not only competent with the boot, but earned great credit for his relentless support and dogged defence. Skipper Chris Walsh proved the inspiration for the Steelers. His coolness under pressure, and capacity to lead from the front, helped one of the youngest Illawarra sides in history to go the distance in the trying conditions. Names such as Girdler, Fritz, Cross, O’Meara and David Walsh, virtually unheard of in 1991, were set to become the stars of the future for the Steelers. Illawarra 4 (Docherty 2 goals) defeated Brisbane 2 (Matterson goal) Illawarra David Riolo, Brett Docherty, Ryan Girdler, Paul McGregor, Alan McIndoe Dale Fritz, John Simon Chris Walsh, Dean Schifilliti, Steve Waddell, Craig Izzard, Les Morissey, Ian Russell. Interchange: John Cross, Brendan O’Meara, David Walsh Brisbane Paul Hauff, Michael Hancock, Steve Renouf, Chris Johns, Willie Carne Kevin Walters, Allan Langer Glenn Lazarus, Kerrod Walters, Andrew Tessmann, Mark Hohn, Alan Cann, Terry Matterson. Interchange: Tony Currie, Darren Plowman, Julian O’Neill, Bob Conway Toohey’s Challenge Round 1 Brisbane 28 defeated Canberra 16 at Lang Park Man of the Match: Trevor Gillmeister Quarter-finals Brisbane 14 defeated Gold Coast 10 at Eric Weissel Oval, Wagga Man of the Match: Kerrod Walters Semi Finals Brisbane Broncos 16 defeated Western Suburbs Magpies 10 at Athletic Park, Wellington Man of the Match: Kevin Walters [/QUOTE]

Verification

Active Now

No members online now.

Total: 29 (members: 0, guests: 29)

Reply to thread

Log in

Active Now