Maroons Origin side announces they will visit Charleville for their annual country fan day
The Queensland Origin side is going bush again with the Maroons heading to a town with just over 3000 people for annual fan day. Check out that and more in this week’s Blindside.
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The Queensland Origin side is going bush again with the Maroons to descend on Charleville this year for their annual fan day.
The Queensland Rugby League will today announce the Maroons will visit the western Queensland town after smash-hit affairs in Hervey Bay, Mackay, Emerald, Roma, Bundaberg and Gladstone in recent years.
The Maroons will prepare for the 2019 series with a training session in Charleville on Tuesday, May 28. The town is home to former Queensland Origin centre Adrian Vowles. A competition named after him – the Adrian Vowles Cup – will also be held in Charleville this year.
The QRL have also added to their sponsorship stable, with mining giant BHP yesterday agreeing to a three-year deal. BHP will support women’s rugby league and appear on the back of the Maroons’ indigenous training jersey.
Rabbitohs concerned for Inglis’ mental health
South Sydney players and officials are rallying around Greg Inglis amid concerns for the Queensland skipper’s mental wellbeing.
Rabbitohs coach Wayne Bennett came out swinging in support of Inglis a fortnight ago, setting the record straight about suggestions the Souths skipper had put on 15kg over summer.
But Inglis is waging a battle of far greater significance than his waistline. His recent relationship breakdown with long-time partner Sally has imposed fresh pressures as Inglis prepares for one of the most important seasons of his career.
Souths colleagues have made a concerted effort to lift Inglis’ spirits at training in recent weeks.
They want Inglis to know he has a host of good mates after a turbulent off-season that included a drink-driving charge which cost him the Australian captaincy.
Inglis is one of the most popular players in the code and earned a host of admirers after he checked into rehab to deal with mental-health issues in May 2017.
Despite Inglis’ off-field battles, Bennett is adamant the 32-year-old has not lost his desire to fire in 2019 in his penultimate season before he retires at the end of next year.
Inglis will return to the fullback position and there are question marks as to whether his battle-weary frame can cope with the workload, but Bennett believes the Maroons ace can reprise his brilliance in the No.1 jumper.
Broncos release their Anzac Day jumper
THIS is the new jumper the Broncos will take into battle for their Anzac Day clash against the Sharks in round seven.
In a special first for the Broncos, a current serving Australian soldier has produced the artwork which will appear on Brisbane’s jumper for the Cronulla clash on April 27 at Suncorp Stadium.
The jersey, which has been released for sale yesterday, depicts two modern-day Australian and New Zealand soldiers carrying a stretcher.
On the back of the jersey are two World War One-era Australian and New Zealand soldiers. The Australian is identifiable by the slouch hat, and the New Zealander by the red band on his hat.
On the left sleeve sits the word “Grateful” – one of the Broncos’ nominated club values. The jersey is available now from the Broncos’ Team Store.
Darius puts in the hard yards
If Darius Boyd is sad about Wayne Bennett leaving Red Hill he certainly isn’t showing it on the footy field.
Boyd has blown away his teammates and Broncos staff with the shape he is in and how well he is moving this pre-season.
This is the first year Boyd will not be coached by Bennett in what will be his 14th season in the NRL.
Boyd and Bennett have a close bond which has seen the ex-Maroons and Kangaroos star follow the super coach to three different clubs.
But from all reports Boyd has flourished in life under new coach Anthony Seibold.
He has overcome a nagging hamstring injury and is primed for a big 2019.
Titans launch a new era at Frizelle house
The Gold Coast Titans launched their 2019 season with a club function at the home of owners Rebecca and Brett Frizelle.
The Frizelles hosted the entire Titans club – players and staff – at their stunning Gold Coast property which backs on to the Nerang River.
Chairman Dennis Watt, coach Garth Brennan, league legend Mal Meninga and new CEO Steve Mitchell spoke at the get-together about what lies ahead for the Titans.
Optimism is high on the Gold Coast, with many inside the club convinced the Titans will play finals football this season.
The Frizelles’ function has become an annual event, but this year’s was not as dramatic as last.
Former centre Konrad Hurrell caught a bull shark from the backyard last year in what was an entertaining night.
Kahu’s future relies on Valentine Holmes
He has just signed with the Cowboys – but Jordan Kahu’s future in Townsville largely hinges on Valentine Holmes’ boom-or-bust mission in American Football.
The Cowboys are setting aside major funds under the salary cap to bring Holmes to the club in 2020.
Should Holmes fail to crack the NFL, the Maroons ace will return to the NRL next season and will almost certainly shun former club Cronulla to sign a monster deal with the Cowboys.
But if Holmes secures his place on an NFL roster, it will open the door for Kahu to receive an upgrade on his 12-month Cowboys deal.
The 28-year-old Kahu has received interest from Super Rugby clubs and admits a return to rugby – the game he played as a child – has appeal.
“Longevity-wise, (rugby) union’s a big option,” he said.
“You see a lot of the union boys playing longer than the league boys. So it’s definitely an option but I’ve got one year to really back myself and represent my family and myself at the Cowboys as best I can.”
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