Western Downs police will honour Rachel McCrow and Matthew Arnold in epic football showdown at Kayo Stadium

Emotions will be running high when Western Downs’ police and former NRL greats take to the field this weekend in memorial of fallen comrades, including Constables Rachel McCrow and Matthew Arnold.

The QPS Rugby League will host a memorial game for Constables Rachel McCrow and Matthew Arnold at Kayo Stadium. Picture: contributed

Colleagues and friends of Constables Rachel McCrow and Matthew Arnold have spoken candidly of the heartache their horrific deaths brought the police community, and shared how they will honour their fallen comrades this weekend in an epic footy showdown.

On Saturday February 25, officers, former NRL stars and supportive residents will come together in memorial of the constables that lost their lives at the hands of three gunmen in Wieambilla last year.

All proceeds raised from the event will go towards the remembrance fund established in their honour.

Officer in Charge at Tara Police Station, Sergeant Matthew Minz will captain the Dream Team in the third game of the day, and said he can attest to the feelings of “heartache” and “loss” from their police family.

“When an incident like what (occurred) on December 12 last year happens we all hurt, we share the pain and pull together to make it through together,” he said.

QPS Rugby League will host a memorial game for Constables McCrow and Arnold at Kayo Stadium, all proceeds going to their remembrance fund.

The sergeant opened up about his friendship with Constables Arnold and McCrow after meeting them for the first time as training officers at Dalby Station, then working with them again in Tara as a relieving officer.

“I fondly remember lads trips away to the coast and playing drinking games and skirmish with Matty and board game nights with the Dalby team at Rachel’s,” he said.

“I wish to celebrate that friendship and pay tribute to the beautiful people that they were and their families.”

Senior Constable Justin Drier and captain of the All Stars team was a relieving Officer in Charge at Chinchilla Police Station at the time of the shootings, and said he was more than happy to be part of the tribute, even if it meant going up against his long-time friend and future groomsman, Sergeant Minz.

“I have been playing QPS rugby league since 2013 and all for the Southern Boars, so when they called me with the concept of the game I had to, especially with Acting Sergeant Minz being the other captain who is a great mate of mine for many years,” he said.

“The impact the loss has had on the Western Downs police community is just devastating.

“Both Rach and Matt were FYC’s at Dalby before heading to Tara and the Western Downs District is a very close team, especially social wise so we didn’t just lose some great colleagues and police officers, we lost our good mates.”

Senior Constable Justin Drier (left) and Officer in Charge at Tara Station Sergeant Matt Minz (right) will captain opposing teams for the QPS Rugby League memorial match. Picture: contributed

The epic football showdown will take place at the Redcliffe Dolphins hom ground Kayo Stadium and comprise of three games, with the QPS Women’s Rugby League round kicking off at 1pm, followed by the Arthur Beetson Foundation, Immortals versus QPS Legends at 2pm.

The last game of the day is at 3.30pm where officers from the Southern Region and Greater Brisbane area will be joined by former NRL stars like Matt Bowen and Petero Civonceva, along with friends of Constables McCrow and Arnold.

Footy will be followed by performances from Brad Butcher, Brad Cox and Sammy White and Busby Marou.

Tickets are available now.

Originally published as Western Downs police will honour Rachel McCrow and Matthew Arnold in epic football showdown at Kayo Stadium