Matty Johns’ guide to NRL Magic Round: Caxton, live music and a Storm v Rabbitohs blockbuster

Parties, police warnings, a Caxton cage and stitching up his brother. Matty Johns reveals why Magic Round is a must-do event on the NRL calendar.

Magic Round … It’s Magic.

The City of Brisbane does it brilliantly. As opposed to Sydney during NRL grand final week, where if you arrived from overseas, you wouldn’t even know the game was on.

Brisbane takes a verse from the songbook of the NFL’s Superbowl, and transforms the city into Disneyland for rugby league lovers.

Although, whereas, Disneyland has Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck, Magic Round characters are intoxicated grown men in football jerseys.

But the whole mood is one of celebration. At Fox League, we immerse ourselves in the fun.

In previous years we’ve driven a Winnebago all the way from Fox Sports headquarters in Sydney to Brisbane, inviting my wife Trish, with the plan to coax her into driving while Fletch, Hindy and yours truly attempted to break David Boon’s beer drinking record. The plan worked perfectly, although Boony’s record was a bridge too far.

Trish Johns behind the wheel of the Winnebago as she drives Fletch, Hindy and Matty to Magic Round.

In 2019, there was the genius plan to put Fletch and Hindy in a giant bubble for the entire three days. The whole scene resembled the gorilla enclosure at Toronga Zoo. On the Sunday morning, they were woken by a family in Cowboys’ jerseys, the father screaming in disgust, ‘We’ve come all the way from Townsville, wake up and do something.’

There was a slight oversight, the full force of the sun made the bubble an oven, with temperatures hitting the 50s, and the boys returned to Sydney 10kg lighter, with severe sunburn.

Then last year we took over the Port Office hotel in the city’s CBD. It was 14 hours to remember. From 10am the pub was jammed. Fletch, armed with tips, took $50 off every patron, formed a punter’s club and proceeded to win six races in a row.

Things did get a little loose, with Queensland police informing us that it will never happen again. A shame.

So, allow me to put together a list of things to do for those travelling up to the River City.

The bubble boys, Hindy and Fletch.

It’s a magical time of year.

1. THE CAXTON CAGE

In a return of the bubble of sorts, Fletch and Hindy will be placed in a clear plastic cage, which will sit in the carpark of the Godless Caxton Hotel.

The boys will enter the cage at kick off of the opening Bulldogs v Raiders game and stay for every match until full-time on Sunday night. Along the way, various guests will enter the cage, including Buzz Rothfield and Peter V’landys.

Feel free to call by and share your thoughts and opinions.

2. QA HOTEL FORTITUDE VALLEY

The iconic pub sits on a corner along James Street, Fortitude Valley.

It was once owned by the legendary Immortal, Arthur Beetson. A terrific place for a Saturday afternoon punt. The locals are unexpectedly friendly to we Sydney types, the beer is cold and the food is five stars.

In 2019, Fletch had the entire pub in the palm of his hand with his charm, outrageous behaviour and questionable stories.

The Storey Bridge and its view of the Brisbane city skyline. Picture: Brendan Radke

3. THE STOREY BRIDGE

Several years ago, I did Brisbane’s version of the Harbour bridge climb. It was incredibly underwhelming, had views of basically nothing, and will give Sydneysiders a sense of immense superiority.

4. BATHE IN THE GLORY THAT IS GORDEN TALLIS

If you manage to enjoy the company of Gorden Tallis, you’ll find it a real money saver.

So many times, I’ve had lunch with the Bull, and each time, I pull out my wallet, offering to pay, yet he always insists it’s on him.

Turns out, it’s not. He never pays for anything, except, as he says, “fuel and nappies.”

Given his offspring no longer require diapers, I can only assume they’re his ... He does enjoy a drink.

Queensland’s favourite son, magic man Gorden Tallis. Picture: Adam Head

Lefty's Music Hall. Picture: Darren Cartwright

5. LEFTY’S MUSIC HALL

On Caxton Street, this place is a cracker. It’s an American-style saloon bar, with world-class live music, which ranges from country to western.

Several years ago, I enjoyed a memorable night there. I was lining up to enter, when approached by Lefty’s manager. “Legends don’t line up here, in you go … drinks are on the house.”

Turns out, he thought I was brother Andrew.

It was a free pass to act like a real arse, and I added to his reputation of being a rude, obnoxious pig.

6. SATURDAY NIGHT STORM V SOUTHS

What a game this will be. The jury is out as to whether the Storm are a serious title challenger, and Craig Bellamy will have them primed to prove a point against the Bunnies, who are flying.

We could very well look back at this game in October and say it was the game of the season.

A great clash of styles.

Melbourne will look to make this match an 80-minute grind, which in the past has been the Bunnies’ kryptonite.

The Storm will need to bring their A-class defensive game to contain Cody Walker, Damien Cook, Latrell Mitchell and Cameron Murray.

Enjoy the weekend!

Originally published as Matty Johns’ guide to NRL Magic Round: Caxton, live music and a Storm v Rabbitohs blockbuster