Mal Graham remembers the 1991 Newcastle Rugby League grand final like it was yesterday.
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Twenty-five years on and the successful Scorpions captain-coach still reckons the 21-10 victory over former club Wests, who had sacked him the year before, was one of his proudest moments in a career that included playing for Newtown, in England and representing NSW Country.
“I can replay the grand final in my mind like it was yesterday,” Graham said. “Played at Harker Oval in front of 16,000 screaming people. The full-time siren, the celebrations and the tears of joy from life-long supporters. No one gave us a real chance outside ourselves. Everything tied in to make it one of the greatest days of my rugby league career. I don’t know where the 25 years have gone, but they have gone by pretty quick.”
On Sunday afternoon members of the Scorpions one and only premiership winning squad will gather at Peacock Field for a reunion when the current first grade team battle it out once again with Wests. First place is potentially up for grabs and, further down the track, another grand final tilt.
“I thought they were terribly unlucky not to win it last year and they have done a fantastic job recruiting in the off-season,” Graham said. “They have been hindered by a couple of injuries but the experience of last year means they are a very good chance to beats Wests on Sunday and go all the way to win a second premiership for the club.”
The Scorpions have released an unchanged squad but Wests have kept Sam Keenan at fullback and named Brad Tighe, who returns from a hamstring injury, in the centres to partner Steve Gordon on the left edge.
This round 10 fixture will be part of a blockbuster double on Sunday with South Newcastle hosting title holders Lakes at Townson Oval. Only two competition points separate the top four sides on the ladder. Lakes are missing five-eighth Jack Kelly (NSW Cup) and Jay Sullivan has been named to fill the role while Kyle Kennedy shifts to the wing for returning fullback Jamie Ghoulmieh. The Lions are unchanged.
Elsewhere and Terence Seu Seu has been named at halfback for Kurri Kurri with Corey Holman moving into hooker. The Bulldogs will travel to Coronation Oval on Saturday and take on the Maitland Pickers, who are without late Newcastle Rebels inclusion Steve Waetford. On the same afternoon at Cessnock Sportsground and Cruise Wilson is on the bench for the injured Matt Baker ahead of Central’s clash against a relatively unchanged Goannas squad. Second-rower Sam Apthorpe returns for the hosts.
All games kick-off at 3pm.
