Plan hatched 10 months ago by Park Ridge Pirates finishes with QFA Division 2 premiership flag

plan hatched 10 months ago by Park Ridge Pirates president Andy Colenso and his brains trust worked to perfection when the club’s QFA Division 2 outfit beat local rivals Beenleigh in a grand final classic.

Park Ridge Pirates win the 2018 premiership.

A plan hatched 10 months ago by Park Ridge Pirates president Andy Colenso and his brains trust worked to perfection when the club’s QFA Division 2 outfit beat local rivals Beenleigh in a grand final classic.

Park Ridge prevailed 12-17-89 to 11-6-72, rewarding the best team throughout the season with the ultimate prize.

Park Ridge will now be promoted into the Hart Sport Cup.

Tom Overington of Park Ridge Pirates kicks long.

Ground work for the premiership flag, the first senior title in the club’s five year history, was laid last November when Colenso approached former Sandgate Hawks coach Graham Adams.

The pair knew each other well from their playing days opposing each other in the QAFL when Adams was with Windsor-Zillmere and Colenso was at Coorparoo.

Colenso knew Adams, a premiership player with Windsor-Zillmere and a Queensland representative, was a winner and the right man to take Park Ridge to the next level.

“Bomber’s (Adams) contribution was untold,’’ Colenso said.

“We were strategic the way we went about it.

“We planned it, we executed it.’’

Park Ridge Pirates win the 2018 premiership

Park Ridge were so meticulous in their planning they even organised a bus for several Sandgate players recruited by Adams to follow him from the bayside to Logan City.

“You have to have someone (Adams) with the knowledge and drawing power to bring players and the players he brought were sensational.

“They had to buy into it to have success and they did.

“And so have the other players we brought from other clubs and down south.

“It is great when you plan something and some 10 months later you are standing there with the cup having a drink.’’

Every week, twice a week, for training, coach Adams would chauffeur recruits from his old club of the Sandgate Hawks to western Logan for training.

The mini-bus was organised by Colenso to enable north Brisbane-based recruits an easy and fun access into the Logan City club.

Park Ridge Pirates Graham Adams, middle, was also a bus driver.

“It left from my house at Zillmere,’’ Adams said.

“The boys would jump on the bus. We had a bit of fun on the way down and on the way back,’’ he added.

Adams praised his Sandgate player connection for their attitude at their adopted Park Ridge club.

“They were fantastic and had a great time,’’ Adams reflected.

“Everyone brought into it.’’ Adams is a QAFL premiership winner as a coach and a player but victory with Park Ridge was special.

“You never know how often they (premierships) are going to come around,’’ he said.

“It is lovely to get one in the later parts of my career.’’

Park Ridge Pirate player Brandon Cherry.

Colenso said he was also delighted for the club’s senior foundation players - Wayne Ollington, Gus Tarrant, Josh Rowe, Chris Kassulke, Dylan Raabe, Brandan Cherry - and juniors Nathan Colenso and Riley Greene who had been with the club from day one.

“We are super proud,’’ Colenso said.

“For a club so young to achieve the grand final was a fantastic effort in anyone’s langauge.’’

He paid tribute to coaching staff, volunteers and supporters.

Full time and time for celebrations for the Park Ridge Pirates.

“It was not just the 22 that ran out, it was all those people and the local councillor, Laurie Smith.

“It was great to get the job done to see the smiles the on everyone’s faces.’’

Colenso said while the Park Ridge Pirates were rightly basking in the glory of a grand final victory, planning was already underway for next season.

Park Ridge have been promoted into the Hart Sports Cup where they will come up against financially and facility rich organisations like Noosa, Maroochydore and Caloundra.

“As a club we are super proud and basking in the glory,’’ Colenso said.

“But that only last a few weeks and we are going up a division to take on established clubs.

“It will be a decent challenge for us.

“But we will endeavour to be competitive and initially hold our place in the division.’’

Colenso said one spin off from the grand final win was the promotion of the club’s brand.

“We already have two more sponsors who have come on board,’’ he said.

He also paid respects to beaten grand finalists, arch rivals Beenleigh.

“Beenleigh has been our local derby and they are a great young side and we wish them all the best and hopefully it will not be too long before they join us in Divison 1 and we can continue the rivalry,’’ Colenso said.