Pre and post coverage from the 2015 Whitsunday Brahmans A and reserve grade grand finals.

1. The Times, Thursday, September 3, 2015 — 41
GRAND FINAL
WEEKEND
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SAtuRDAy PRE GRAND FINAL EVENt
Supporters & players luncheon 11am - Reef Gateway Hotel
All supporters welcome - Free Entry.
2pm- Final Captains Run training session at Les Stagg Oval - Proserpine.
SuNDAy - ItS GRAND FINAL DAy
1pm Down Under Bar Whitsunday Brahmans
Reserve Grade v Moranbah Miners
3pm Metropole/Airlie Action Scaffolding Whitsunday Brahmans
A Grade v Sarina Crocodiles
VENuE: StADIum mAcKAy
Supporter buses leaving from Reef Gateway & Metropole
Hotels, contact directly to book a ticket. $30 A tIcKEt
RUGBY LEAGUE: Without the
week off, Brahmans’ coach
James Webb isn’t sure his
team would’ve been able to
front up for Sunday’s grand fi-
nal.
Whitsunday earned the
right to a week’s rest after de-
feating Sarina in the major se-
mi-final a fortnight ago.
That left the Crocs to play
Souths in a preliminary final
on Sunday, with the winner to
advance to the decider.
The Brahmans used the
week off to rest sore bodies
and fine-tune their prepara-
tion for what is arguably the
club’s most important game in
its history.
“It (the week off) was mas-
sive for us. Realistically there
were guys there who wouldn’t
have been able to play,” Webb
said.
“The week off is definitely a
bonus, especially the way we
used it.
“It was great having the re-
serve grade still in because
you’ve got another squad to
run with.
“We did our last fitness test
on Saturday followed by
another session with reserve
grade.
“It was non-contact but we
had a fair hit-out.”
Webb said the side’s gritty
18-16 win over the minor pre-
miers in the major semi-final
had given the team confidence
going into the grand final, but
he knows they have to im-
prove if they’re to claim their
first Mackay Rugby League A-
grade premiership.
“We were very good but we
let ourselves down a few times
with penalties.
“In grand finals you need a
few 50-50 calls and the bounce
of the ball to go your way,” he
said.
“We have to raise the inten-
sity a bit but if we do what
we’ve been doing well, we
have a good chance.
“It’s going to be a great day
for the club with both teams in
the grand final.
“I haven’t seen it before and
we may not see it again.”
Webb also encouraged lo-
cals to make the trip south on
Sunday to support their teams
to what would be historic vic-
tories.
“In a tight game you’ve got
to look for whatever can get
you home. If there’s a big
crowd there it could lift us
home,” he said.
Michael Newman
Fullback
Ivan Petelo
Front row
Darcy Wright
Second row
Callum Wilkinson
Utility
Jhy Cockburn
Hooker
Grant Cooke
Lock
Phil Ramage
Halfback
Dane Vardanega
Five-eighth
David Kay
Wing
Jack Briscoe
Centre
Matt Antony
Prop
Sam Key
Five-eighth
Week off helps cause
Rohan Ahearn
Second row
Isaac Richardson
Utility
James Webb
Prop
Anthony Blackwood
Wing
Alex Clare
Centre

2. 42 — The Times, Thursday, September 3, 2015
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RUGBY LEAGUE: Fifteen years
ago the Brahmans lost their
one and only A-grade Mackay
Rugby League grand final.
Now they’ve got a shot at re-
demption against the same
club that denied them in 2000.
The coach then was Eddie
Muller, a former Canterbury
Bulldogs’ player, and he re-
members the game against
Sarina vividly.
“I think they beat us by
about 12. We had a few inju-
ries and no depth, but the best
thing about Prossie this year
is the depth,” he said.
“In the years I coached, it
was one or the other (strong A
orreserveteams).That’swhat
happened to us, we didn’t have
much in reserve grade and we
got a couple of injuries.”
A focus on depth this year
has resulted in both A and re-
serve grades qualifying for
the decider, which reinforces
Muller’s point.
Muller still keenly follows
the Brahmans and is confi-
dent, on the back of the club’s
strong recruiting this year,
that Whitsunday can get the
job done on Sunday.
In many ways the stars have
aligned for the Brahmans this
year, with Grant Cooke and
Darcy Wright both electing to
return home while former
Mackay Cutter Rohan Ahearn
has also opted for Les Stagg
Oval’s pastures.
On top of smart recruiting
in the off-season and their
abundance of homegrown ta-
lent, it’s shaping as Whitsun-
day’s best chance to win an A-
grade premiership.
“They’ve picked up a few
good guys with Cookie (Grant
Cooke) and Darcy Wright.
They’re Q-Cup players so it
has all come together for
them, hopefully they can do
it,” Muller said.
“I went down and watched
the major semi-final and I
think they just lacked in the
last plays.
“In those big games, espe-
cially against Sarina, the boys
have to turn them around and
get them on their own line
making mistakes. We can do
that. Ramage has a good kick-
ing game.”
Sunday’s grand final will be
played at Mackay Stadium
from 3pm.
REVENGE: Eddie Muller was the Brahmans’ coach last time they made an A-grade grand final.
Coincidentally, the team will play Sarina – the team they lost to in 2000.
Revenge on the
cards in decider
Brahmans to atone for 2000 loss
ALL YOU NEED TO
KNOW
■ Saturday
11am – Players, sponsors
& supporters’ lunch @
Reef Gateway Hotel –
steak house
2pm – Final captain’s run
for A- and reserve grades
@ Les Stagg Oval
■ Sunday
Buses leaving from Reef
Gateway Hotel &
Metropole. $30 return
ticket. Book by contacting
hotels
Reserves v Moranbah @
1pm
A-grade v Sarina @ 3pm

3. The Times, Thursday, September 3, 2015 — 43
RUGBY LEAGUE: Regardless of
the results this weekend, the
Whitsunday Brahmans have
achieved their primary goal
for 2015.
At the start of the year the
club identified the road to suc-
cess by trying to improve
depth across all three grades.
Players were recruited and
home-grown talent was nour-
ished, and the end result is
two teams playing off in grand
finals on Sunday in Mackay.
“That was the main aim at
the start of the year, to get a
club that had a fair bit of
depth,” Brahmans’ reserves
coach Adam Smith said.
“We’ve been missing that
for the past few years but this
year has been good. Even dur-
ing the middle of the year
when we had a few injuries in
A-grade there were people
who stepped up... even the 18s
stepped up.” While this year is
one worth savouring, it hasn’t
always been easy-going for
the Whitsunday Brahmans.
Smith is a nine year veteran of
the club and understands
feats like having both reserve
and A-grade teams in the de-
cider don’t come every day.
“There have been years
where both teams have been
down the bottom of the ladder,
so it’s good to finally be up
there with the top teams in the
competition,” he said.
“It was big enough in the lo-
cal town when we won re-
serves five years ago so it
would be great to win both A-
grade and ressies.” While the
current day Brahmans have
seemingly emerged from the
dark and appear well-placed,
the future of the club has also
been showcased during the
year, with products of the un-
der-18s stepping up to senior
football admirably. Kade
Breen, Harry Wecker and Kei-
ran Anderson are just a few
names that illustrate the ta-
lent being produced by the re-
gion. “In the reserves there
are a fair few who were play-
ing 18s last year or the year be-
fore. They’re still young but
hopefully in the next few
years we’ll be able to win an A-
grade premiership with all the
local kids,” Smith said.
Focus on depth bears fruit
Ansalem Tabua
Fullback
Byron Taylor
Wing
Benny Castley
Centre
Rhys Little
Centre
Cody Gallop
Centre
Timmy Miller
Five-eighth
Louis Leo
Halfback
Doug Davy
Front row
James Coutts
Hooker
James Faust
Front row
Kade Breen
Second row
Matt Lade
Second row
Kieran Anderson
Lock
Hugh Middleton
Prop
Harry Wecker
Second row
Tyler Boyd
Utility
Ben Burgess
Utility
Brett Glazebrook
Front row
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4. The Times, Thursday, September 10, 2015 — 5
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LOCAL NEWS
MICK Malone has been with
the Brahmans for more than
40 years but he can’t remem-
ber a prouder moment in the
club’s history than Sunday’s
dual premierships, when the
Brahmans won both A and re-
serve grade grand finals at
Mackay Stadium.
The triumph was the first
time the club has won an A-
grade Mackay and District
Rugby League premiership
since joining the competition
in 1994.
What made the day all the
more sweet was the fact the
reserves also won, defeating
Moranbah to create club his-
tory.
“It certainly would be up
there in the history of us play-
ing in the Mackay competi-
tion,” the club president said.
“I hoped every year I’d see
it. I’m still alive and I’ve seen
it, so right now I’m pretty hap-
py.”
Whitsunday won the A-
grade decider at Mackay Sta-
dium 21-12 over Sarina, who
finished the season as minor
premiers. The Brahmans led
10-4 at half-time in what was a
bruising contest.
“It was a great game but we
wanted to win more than Sari-
na did,” Malone said. “Sarina
have won premierships here
before, we haven’t.”
The Brahmans only pre-
vious Mackay Rugby League
grand final was in 2000, when
the Eddie Muller-coached
side went down to the Crocs.
Despite seemingly extract-
ing revenge15 years later,Ma-
lone said Sunday’s triumph
wasn’t a case of redemption.
“I wouldn’t call it revenge.
I’d just say, ‘to those who wait
come the spoils’,” he said.
The reserves won their
match against Moranbah 30-4
following a brilliant first half.
The Miners’ team included
former NRL player Jaiman
Lowe, but that didn’t deter the
Brahmans who led by 26 at
half-time.
A and reserve grade premierships highlight memorable day
Brahmans rewrite the
history books with wins
By Keagan Ryan
WHAT A FEELING: A huge Proserpine crowd watched on as the Brahmans claimed A and
reserve grade premierships on Sunday in Mackay.
WHITSUNDAY-based Justic-
es of the Peace are being
urged to volunteer their time
at the local community sign-
ing site hosted by the Whit-
sunday Shopping Centre.
A small team is providing
the free legal document sign-
ing service every Tuesday
from 11am-2pm and Thursday
from 2.30-5.30pm, but site co-
ordinator Ivan Conway is keen
to expand.
“More JPs and Commis-
sioners for Declarations
(Cdecs) would give us greater
flexibility with our roster and
might enable us to add anoth-
er day to the service,” he said.
JPs cater for people seeking
to have documents witnessed,
such as statutory declara-
tions, affidavits, enduring
powers of attorney, land title
documents and wills.
“It is very stimulating and
satisfying to be able to assist
community members in the
way we do, and the team here
is most dedicated to the pro-
gram,” said Mr Conway, who
has been a JP for more than 25
years.
Local JPs or Cdecs interest-
ed in joining the signing site
can contact Mr Conway on
0419 799 401.
Community members inter-
ested in becoming a JP or
Cdec should see the “How to
become a JP” section at
www.qld.gov.au/jps.
Community
site seeks
more JPs

5. 46 — The Times, Thursday, September 10, 2015
SPORT
bles with our interchanges.”
What was most impressive
about the Brahmans’ season
was how they peaked at the
pointy-end of the year.
Despite finishing third, be-
COACH James Webb knew
how Sunday’s A-grade grand
final would unfold.
He had no doubt his Brah-
mans would get the job done if
they persisted with the game-
plan and held on to the ball.
Whitsunday achieved both
goals at Mackay Stadium, re-
sulting in a memorable 21-12
winoverSarina–whofinished
the season as minor premiers.
“It played out exactly like
we expected it would, for both
sides,” Webb said.
“Both teams went out there
to bash each other for as long
as they could and see who was
there when the dust settled.
When the dust settled, it was
us getting the better of them.
“It hasn’t set in yet. It feels
like it couldn’t have hap-
pened.”
Whitsunday led 10-4 at half-
time on the back of big games
from Darcy Wright, Isaac Ri-
chardson and Ivan Petelo.
“We had a few injuries in
the first half which limited our
ability to change the big men
so Ivan Petelo played out-
standing minutes for a front
rower, especially in the heat
and in such a fast-paced game
... it was unheard of,” Webb
said.
“If it wasn’t for him, we
wouldn’t have been able to do
that, we would’ve had trou-
hind Souths and Sarina, Whit-
sunday won the major semi-fi-
nal and then the grand final to
be crowned A-grade cham-
pions in the Mackay competi-
tion for the first time in club
history. Webb said it was a fo-
cus for the team to finish the
season in top flight.
“Last year we started well
and got flat in the back end
and we spoke about that,” he
said. “We tried to turn a nega-
tive into a positive with the
bad start.
“We said ‘well let’s start
again and get some momen-
tum going’ and we did.”
Coach’s confidence
prevails in decider
HORNS UP: The Whitsunday Brahmans celebrate their A-grade premiership last Sunday after beating Sarina 21-12 at Mackay
Stadium. Photos: Keagan Ryan
FAIRYTALE FINISH: James
Webb finished a winner, hang-
ing up the boots following the
team's break-through win.
The forward has been at the
club for 10 years. He will conti-
nue as coach next season.
“When the dust
settled, it was
us getting the
better of them.”
James Webb
nal performance: “I dropped a
couple of balls but went al-
right... I don’t have much left.”
The junior Brahmans pro-
duct scored a try and had a
hand in another. But it was the
DARCY Wright returned to
Proserpine hoping to win a
premiership before he em-
barked on an overseas trip. He
walked off Mackay Stadium
after the grand final as man of
the match, having led his side
to a memorable victory over
Sarina.
The 24-year-old left behind
Souths Logan Magpies at the
start of the year to return to
his parents’ farm and save mo-
ney before his Canadian ad-
venture.
Much to the delight of the
Brahmans, he also returned to
the footy club.
The second rower was a po-
werhouse on Sunday, domi-
nating Sarina up the middle as
Whitsunday ran out 21-12 win-
ners to claim their maiden
Mackay Rugby League A-
grade premiership.
“There’s nothing better. I al-
ways wanted to win one with
the Brahmans ... they’re still
my team,” he said after the
game.
Wright, who was sent to the
sin bin following a melee with
Lain Wyper, said of his perso-
team’s ability to maintain pos-
session that he credited for
the nine-point triumph.
“We’ve got a good forward
pack and we had everyone
available, too, but we just com-
pleted,” he said.
“The other game we played
against them, we didn’t com-
plete enough. When we com-
pleted, we scored. We did let
them back in a bit though.”
Homecoming triumph in grand
final for local Prossie product
GUN: Darcy Wright was named man of the match for his stirring effort in the second row.
Photo: Keagan Ryan
“There’s nothing better. I al-
ways wanted to win one
with the Brahmans ...
they’re still my team.”
– Darcy Wright
HOW THE GAME UNFOLDED
10th minute – Phil Ramage slots a penalty to open
scoring.
17th minute – David Kay leaps across in the corner for the
game’s first try. The conversion attempt is waved away.
30th minute – Retiring winger Anthony Blackwood adds
another try after Sarina cough up possession. Brahmans
lead 10-0.
36th minute – Sparks fly as Darcy Wright and Sarina’s
Lain Wyper trade blows. Both are sent to the sin bin.
38th minute – Sarina finally score. The kick is
unsuccessful so Whitsunday is up 10-4.
HT – 10-4 lead for the Brahmans at the break. Crucial try
late for the Crocs.
49th minute – The Crocs are in for their second.
Conversion misses so Brahmans lead by 2.
58th minute – Try time for Alex Clare thanks to Ivan Petelo
and Isaac Richardson. Ramage adds the two. 16-8
Brahmans.
74th minute – Darcy Wright scores after Michael
Newman’s 80m burst. Brahmans up 20-8.
77th minute – Ramage all but seals the deal with a field
goal. 13-point lead now.
FT – Sarina adds a consolation try after the siren. The kick
is no good so Whitsunday is premiers with a 21-12 win.

6. The Times, Thursday, September 10, 2015 — 47
SPORT
RUGBY LEAGUE: A grand final
is the pinnacle of any sport. To
succeed, you need to be at
your best but that’s easier
said than done.
The big stage pressure,
quality opposition and fear of
failure are all hurdles stand-
ing in the way of performing.
It’s these factors that make
the reserve grade Brahmans’
near-perfect game all the
more compelling.
Whitsunday was flawless
against Moranbah last Sun-
day at Mackay Stadium, rac-
ing to a 26-0 halftime lead. The
Brahmans eventually won the
reserve grade decider 30-4,
kick-starting a memorable
day for the club. Coach Adam
Smith was in awe of the side’s
first half.
“It was one of the best
halves of footy I’ve seen in a
ressie’s side for a long time,”
he said. “All I said was chal-
lenge yourself and play better
than your opposite. I think we
put a lot of pressure on them
which we benefited off.”
Smith said he was sur-
prised Moranbah didn’t fire
more shots last Sunday but
credited his side for not allow-
ing the Miners into the con-
test.
“The second half was very
physical. I thought the whole
game was going to be like
that,” Smith said. “Luckily we
started as well as we did.”
James Coutts, Rhys Little
and Kieran Anderson had
strong games while Timmy
Miller was man of the match.
Flawless reserves land title
CHAMPIONS: The Brahmans produced a dominant performance in the reserve grade grand final, making it two premierships for the club. Photo: Keagan Ryan
Whitsunday
dominates
proceedings
for crown
It was one of
the best halves
of footy I’ve
seen...
SCOREBOARD
Reserves 30 def Miners 4
Tries: T. Miller, R. Little, L. Leo, T.
Boyd & A. Tabua.
HE HAS represented Wales
and played for Crusaders in
the Super League, but retiring
Brahman Anthony Black-
wood said winning a premier-
ship with Whitsunday took
the cake.
The Brahmans’ winger
hung up the boots after his
side’s 21-12 win over Sarina on
Sunday, leaving the field for
the last time.
The former coach, who
stepped down earlier this year
to be closer to his family, said
the Brahmans’ grand final win
would be his most cherished
memory.
“I’ve had a great career in
football and I’ve managed to
win things, I’ve gone places
and I’ve made a lot of friends
but this is probably the thing
I’ll remember for the rest of
my life,” he said.
“From everything I’ve done,
even playing international
(football) this is the highest
privilege thing I’ve ever done.
We’ve got great people, great
players, but we did it for the
town. It wasn’t anything per-
sonal it was a thing for the
town.
“When I started here I pro-
mised them if they gave me
three years I’d get them to a fi-
nal. Now we’re lucky enough
to win.”
Blackwood credited an em-
phasis on defence for the
club’s historic victory, as well
as a dominant performance by
the relentless forward pack.
“The forwards were out-
standing, as they have been all
year,” he said.
“Our defence is what won it
for us. We just don’t want to
concede points and work hard
for each other. When you have
that your attack comes off on
the back of a good defence and
today it won the game for us.”
Blackwood also acknow-
ledged the Proserpine com-
munity as well as the club’s
supporters.
“Thanks for sticking by us
and supporting us,” he said.
“This is what the two want-
ed and we’re making history.”
Blackwood bows out a winner
DEPARTING CHAMP: Former Whitsunday Brahmans coach Anthony Blackwood bowed out
of rugby league as a winner, after Sunday’s grand final win over Sarina. Photo: Contributed
FULL OF RUN: Callum Wilkinson charges at the line against
Sarina. Photo: Keagan Ryan
WINGER: David Kay is wrapped up in the grand final on Sun-
day. Photo: Keagan Ryan