‘It was about Navar’: Nerang Bulls honour late club stalwart Navar Herbert in emotional Cup win in round 7 of GCDRU
A pre-game act brought Nerang staff and players to tears on an emotional day for a club that honoured a late Bulls stalwart who lost his battle to brain cancer with a win over Helensvale. Hear from the Nerang coach here.
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The Nerang Bulls have continued in winning form, ploughing through the Helensvale Hogs 24-0 in round 7 of GCDRU first grade competition.
Saturday’s result at Glennon Park meant more to Nerang than points toward a premiership, with the match played in honour of the late Navar Herbert.
Herbert was a Nerang first grade player for many years before losing his battle to brain cancer in 2019, leaving behind a beloved family and club legacy.
The loss hit hard, and having donned both the Bulls and Hogs jerseys in his time, the clubs have since dedicated their meetings to play for the Navar Herbert Cup.
“First and foremost it was about Navar and the Herbert family,” Bulls coach Te Ari Mahuri said.
“That’s why the score means so much to us.
“Playing Hogs, it’s just another game really, but the Navar Cup was number 1.”
The Cup was won by Nerang in 2023 and will stay at the club until at least their next meeting in round 14, July 20.
Mahuri said he was glad the Cup would be staying at home, citing it was a special moment for not only his first grade players but everyone involved behind the scenes.
“(Herbert’s) old man (Cameron ‘Bushy’ Herbert) is a stalwart of the club and has been around for ages.
“He’s the father figure for most of us boys here and a lot of us look up to him,” he said.
A mural depicting the late Herbert can be seen on Nerang’s clubhouse facing towards the field in honour of his memory.
“All week it’s been an emotional one.
“There were tears shed before the game, a few tears shed on Tuesday and Thursday,” Mahuri said.
“The Herbert family mean a lot to us throughout the whole club.”
Cameron Herbert presented the Bulls with their playing jerseys before the game and handed the Cup to Nerang in celebration of their win.
The success and emotion was not exclusive to first grade, Nerang keeping rivals Helensvale to nill in third and second grades as well.
“It was a very special day for our three teams.
“To keep a club like Helensvale to nil, it’s a special day,” Mahuri said.
“We’re playing for each other … it’s just heart out there.
After six games (seven rounds), Mahuri’s first grade roster have conceded just four tries and remain undefeated with all three sides atop the GCDRU ladders.
“The boys are fighting for positions each week and that’s what I’ve wanted from day-dot.
“It’s healthy competition that will help us push forward to our main goal of a first grade premiership.”
For reasons extending from injury and illness to personal leave, the Bulls have been forced to make weekly changes including eight in round 7 alone.
Despite the ever-changing line-up, Mahuri said his squad have never looked better.
“We’ve never been in this position before … 6 from 6 in first grade and all three grades are sitting top of the ladder.
“We’re looking to close out the first round undefeated and go from there … looking forward to the fight with (Gold Coast) Eagles.”
It’s been a dreamy start to Mahuri’s first year in charge of the Bulls, but the undefeated coach knows his job isn’t done until he has a trophy in hand.
“You don’t win premierships in round 7 or 8,” he said.
Eagles knocked off Helensvale in round 6 by one try after trailing 0-15 for most of the first half.
The winning mentality comes from Mahuri’s central belief:
“This is our outlet.
“I say to my boys when you drive through those gates, you leave everything else outside and use this as free time … a bit of a distraction from whatever else is going on,” he said.
“We’ve nailed that at the moment, everyone is enjoying their time at the club and it’s showing out on the field after good wins like today.”
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