Webcke swaps NRL for farming

THE Broncos might be the losers from Shane Webcke's NRL retirement announcement this week but it means daughter Erin will be able to start year 1 at Wheatvale State School next year. Yesterday, Webcke said he and wife Allison hoped work would start on a new home on their Wheatvale farm by September. "Erin turns five next week. (My son) Hayden turns three this year and will go to kindy at Allora next year," Webcke said. He expects to keep share-farming arrangements on his property going during the transition period as he has commitments in Brisbane, but there is no doubt the Broncos warhorse will be tackling a lot fewer footballers and a lot more hay bales in the not too distant future. One thing for sure in the Webcke farming plans is his interest in buying a cattle breeding property to supplement the home farm at Wheatvale. "I have been out looking at a fair few properties in the Warwick area with Andrew Williams from Elders Limited but properties are pretty dear," he said. "We need to get it right. "I am a sheep man at heart and haven't given up on sheep but in reality sheep production is not a profitable game at present." While he has a manager operating his pub, the Royal Hotel at Leyburn, Webcke hopes to be more hands-on once the family moves to Warwick Shire. "Wheatvale isn't too far away from Leyburn," Webcke said. "I have made a commitment not to work full-time away from the farm but there are a few little jobs I will stay involved in down in Brisbane." He enjoys writing and hopes to continue his weekly media column with the APN network. There is the possibility of some radio and television.As for finishing his rugby league career with a season back where it all began at the Wattles club, Webcke said that possibility was now very doubtful. "If my knee was good enough, I would play on with the Broncos," he said. But you never say no to anything." Webcke said his wife Allison was accustomed to life in the country as her father was a police officer and her family lived in many country towns. "But I appreciate it will be a fair change for her away from our friends in Brisbane," Webcke said. "The way we live our lives now, she will probably be able to spend more time with her friends when they visit after we move home." Webcke doesn't believe he has the passion for coaching to go into that facet of the game. "I see my future in the game more in administration but will help with a bit of coaching for the juniors one day," he said. The big prop won't be putting undue pressure on himself to win a premiership with Brisbane in his final season. "An NRL premiership would be great in my final year but I am not staking my whole life on it," he said. "I can't wait to get back to the country even though I have enjoyed my time in Brisbane

By Gerard Walsh

THE Broncos might be the losers from Shane Webcke's NRL retirement announcement this week but it means daughter Erin will be able to start year 1 at Wheatvale State School next year. Yesterday, Webcke said he and wife Allison hoped work would start on a new home on their Wheatvale farm by September. "Erin turns five next week. (My son) Hayden turns three this year and will go to kindy at Allora next year," Webcke said. He expects to keep share-farming arrangements on his property going during the transition period as he has commitments in Brisbane, but there is no doubt the Broncos warhorse will be tackling a lot fewer footballers and a lot more hay bales in the not too distant future. One thing for sure in the Webcke farming plans is his interest in buying a cattle breeding property to supplement the home farm at Wheatvale. "I have been out looking at a fair few properties in the Warwick area with Andrew Williams from Elders Limited but properties are pretty dear," he said. "We need to get it right. "I am a sheep man at heart and haven't given up on sheep but in reality sheep production is not a profitable game at present." While he has a manager operating his pub, the Royal Hotel at Leyburn, Webcke hopes to be more hands-on once the family moves to Warwick Shire. "Wheatvale isn't too far away from Leyburn," Webcke said. "I have made a commitment not to work full-time away from the farm but there are a few little jobs I will stay involved in down in Brisbane." He enjoys writing and hopes to continue his weekly media column with the APN network. There is the possibility of some radio and television.As for finishing his rugby league career with a season back where it all began at the Wattles club, Webcke said that possibility was now very doubtful. "If my knee was good enough, I would play on with the Broncos," he said. But you never say no to anything." Webcke said his wife Allison was accustomed to life in the country as her father was a police officer and her family lived in many country towns. "But I appreciate it will be a fair change for her away from our friends in Brisbane," Webcke said. "The way we live our lives now, she will probably be able to spend more time with her friends when they visit after we move home." Webcke doesn't believe he has the passion for coaching to go into that facet of the game. "I see my future in the game more in administration but will help with a bit of coaching for the juniors one day," he said. The big prop won't be putting undue pressure on himself to win a premiership with Brisbane in his final season. "An NRL premiership would be great in my final year but I am not staking my whole life on it," he said. "I can't wait to get back to the country even though I have enjoyed my time in Brisbane."

Originally published as Webcke swaps NRL for farming