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AS a spectator, rugby league is best enjoyed when clubs can represent and evoke a sense of community spirit.
Such passion was on show at the Intrust Super Cup grand final on Sunday in one of the most enjoyable deciders in recent memory.
In
the week leading up to the game, Wynnum Manly coach Paul Green said he
was astounded by the amount of support on display around the bay.
Red
and green sausages were on offer at the butcher while the local bakers
(somehow) churned out loaves in the colours of their local Seagulls.
That
spirit transferred to grand final day at Suncorp Stadium which saw the
Wynnum Manly faithful turn out in full voice and colour – it was the
‘Chook Pen’ en masse and out in force.
Anything red and green was
in vogue; wigs, face paint, zinc, even the occasional South Sydney
Rabbitohs jersey was not considered blasphemous on this particular
occasion.
Although the Stadium’s official crowd figure of 6,200
may not seem all that impressive on paper, the atmosphere and noise
generated by bayside faithful easily topped a Broncos' crowd of at least
four times that figure.
Spurred on by the vociferous crowd, the
spoils of the day went to Wynnum Manly who toppled the opposition
Seagulls for the second time in three weeks in a battle worthy of a
decider.
Young fullback/hooker/emerging cult hero Jake Granville
claimed the Duncan Hall Medal for Man of the Match – his opportunistic
try on the stroke of the break gave his side hope heading into what
turned out to be an inspired second half.
However, despite the sea
of red and green, we definitely should not forget the loyal Tweed Heads
supporters who made the long trek from just below the border.
Having
lost just one match in the regular season their team was, without
doubt, the yardstick of 2011 and if anyone ever deserved to win the
title it was New South Wales’ version of the Seagulls.
The season
didn’t finish quite to plan but their success hasn’t gone unnoticed –
forwards Ryan Simpkins (Penrith) and Josh Starling (Brisbane) have been
snapped up by NRL clubs.
The future also looks bright for the club
thanks to the Colts, who also made it to the grand final only to lose
in heartbreaking fashion to the Norths Devils in extra time.
But the day belonged to Wynnum Manly players, coaches and fans after what was a fairytale finish to the year.
In
his post-match speech, grateful captain Luke Dalziel-Don reserved the
biggest thank you for the team’s supporters and promised to have a beer
with each and every one of them back at the leagues club.
Considering the outpouring of support for his team, he could be there well into October.
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