BRL match of the rounds at Lang Park circa 1986.
Not so much the footy but drunks at the ground chanting 'Wynnum Wynnum Wynnum'!
Those were the days when my old man would go to every Wynnum game, home and away. Some blokes still do.
I disappointed him by growing up an Easts fan as that is who I played for.
I love stories like this. I imagine it would have been great living in Brisbane in the days before the Broncos, when the BRL was the main event in town. I imagine the games being higher caliber with bigger crowds and a greater resemblance of the Sydney suburban/ district "tribalism".
I hope that sooner or later at least one QRL team from the pre-Broncos days makes the step up to the NRL. The NRL in Qld would be stronger for it.
My first memories of Rugby League would be my Mum's side of the family supporting Parramatta, knowing that 'Simply the Best' was "the football song" and being aware of the Bears in the early 90's (as a result of living in Cammeray and frequently going past NSO and going to Norths Leagues occasionally with friends). First game I watched was the '94 Grand Final with Roy and HG's commentary. It was Meninga's last club game and the Raiders thrashed Canterbury.
First game I went to was Round 1, 2000 when the Northern Eagles beat the Knights 24-14 at the brand new NorthPower Stadium. It was a night time game, a sellout, the atmosphere was more lively and passionate than I'd imagined and I knew I wanted to go to another Knights game soon (I was already a fan by this time but never been to a game). The rest is history...
