Yeppoon’s Gavin Hiscox calls time on celebrated rugby league career

With more than 120 games for the CQ Capras and two World Cup campaigns with Italy to his name, a Central Queensland footy icon is hanging up his boots.

A jubilant Gavin Hiscox celebrates after the Yeppoon Seagulls’ A-grade grand final win at Browne Park on Sunday.

Gavin Hiscox has ended his celebrated and enduring rugby league career on a high.

The 33-year-old forward played a leading role for his beloved Yeppoon Seagulls in their Rockhampton Rugby League A-grade premiership win on Sunday.

The Seagulls ran out 20-6 winners over Rockhampton Brothers at Browne Park, completing a clean sweep of the men’s titles on offer after their under-19 and reserve grade teams were also victorious.

Reigning champions Rockhampton Brothers won the women’s grand final 22-10 against Emu Park.

Hiscox could not have asked for a better finish.

Little separated the two teams in the opening 40, with Yeppoon scoring the only try to take a 4-nil lead into the break.

The Yeppoon Seagulls and Rockhampton Brothers battled it out in the Rockhampton Rugby League A-grade grand final.

They were first on the board in the second half before Brothers crossed to make it 10-6.

Yeppoon ran in two more tries to seal the win and claim back-to-back premierships.

“It’s very special. It’s a beautiful way to go out,” he said.

“It was a big effort there; they came out firing and we stuck with it and got over the top of them.

“I think everyone was key, especially in that back half. We all turned up and went to another gear and that’s what we had to do.”

Hiscox had decided 2020 would be his last season but when Covid put paid to the competition, he decided to play on in 2021.

The Yeppoon Seagulls celebrate after their A-grade grand final win over Rockhampton Brothers at Browne Park on Sunday.

“It was a little blessing in disguise, I felt pretty fresh and came back in just really focused on the back end of the year,” he said.

“The body’s not what is used to be, it doesn’t recover as well, so I really looked after myself and it was all worth it in the end.”

Hiscox got emotional as he reflected on his stellar career, which included more than 120 games for the CQ Capras and two World Cup campaigns with Italy.

“I think this win will definitely be up there with my career highlights. I think when you’re a bit older you appreciate them a bit more and it’s good to go back-to-back,” he said.

“Obviously, these grand finals, two World Cups, my debut for the Capras – that was a big goal of mine as a young fella.

Gavin Hiscox playing with the CQ Capras.

“There were also a couple of great games I played in the Q-Cup that will stay with me for a long time.”

One of them was the Capras’ thrilling home ground win in 2017 against the PNG Hunters, who went on to win the competition that year.

“It’s been a big part of my life, rugby league,” Hiscox said.

“I would have been five or six when I started playing and I haven’t missed a season apart from 2020.

“I’m going to miss it, but it’s been a good journey.

“I’ll still be around the club but it’s time to give back to the family now.”

Originally published as Yeppoon’s Gavin Hiscox calls time on celebrated rugby league career