116 years in the making: How NRL stars, young guns helped Glebe Dirty Reds end premiership drought
The Glebe Dirty Reds have produced an immortal over their storied history, and now they’ve broken their top-grade premiership drought that has stood since inception in 1908.
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The Glebe Dirty Reds lay claim to being rugby league’s oldest club and now they have a historic title 116 years in the making.
Glebe’s top grade team secured its first ever title in the Ron Massey Cup at the weekend, downing Wentworthville 19-6 in a grand final success at Leichhardt Oval.
For some the journey has consisted of just this season, but for president Darren Flynn and others this has been eight years in the making since the famous club made a return to NSWRL competition.
“Everyone’s feeling great. It was an eight-year journey for the people involved and 116 years since the club was first formed,” he said.
“In that sense of time the club hasn’t been able to win a single top grade premiership. It’s a great sense of relief that we finally got it done.
“For a club that produced an immortal in Frank Burge and 12 internationals. For all the talent at the club there were four runner-ups between 1908 and 1929, but couldn’t win a major premiership.”
They had to do it the hard way, finishing the regular season in fourth and winning three-straight elimination games to make the final, including knocking out the competition favourites St Marys.
“The boys were determined to do it for each other and coach Aaron Zammit. He’s been there since day one,” he said.
“They made it difficult for themselves towards the back end of the year. It’s been sudden death every week of the finals. But I think it suits this team, they thrive off the pressure.
“There was a game towards the end of the regular season against Canterbury where we suffered a few injuries, were defensively all over the shop and were soundly beaten.
“There was a bit of a truth session after that. They made a commitment to each other, particularly in defence.
“To only have one try scored against them in the grand final and two in the prelim is an outstanding effort.”
Glebe was never headed in the decider, with two second half tries to former Wests Tigers winger David Nofoaluma proving the difference in the end.
His presence along with former New Zealand international Dean Whare added a class edge to the side, and Flynn praised the knowledge they passed on to the young group.
“It was really fortunate for us to secure the pair. Dean finished a stint in France and wanted to have a run with his mates,” he said.
“David went over to Salford and came back at a bit of a loose end. They’ve both been fantastic in passing their knowledge onto the younger players and have been great clubmen.
“Their attitude towards playing at a lower level has been superb. They’re two guys that have achieved a lot and they’ve been prepared to give back.
“The way he played in the grand final, I wouldn’t be surprised if someone in the NRL picked up David.”
As for the future, Flynn hopes this title is just the beginning for the Dirty Reds.
“We have great aspirations and would love to win a couple in a row. We’ll be looking to put a competitive side on the park,” he said.
“We’re keen to get a women’s team up and running again in the next few years. We want to keep growing and love being a part of the Roosters.
“We’ve had 13 players come through here and go on to make their NRL debut. It’s only the beginning.”
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Originally published as 116 years in the making: How NRL stars, young guns helped Glebe Dirty Reds end premiership drought
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