Big_Bad_Shark_Fan
First Grade
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It was just two years ago, on a dark and stormy night at Ingleburn RSL that a young fragile man , ripped shirt through bulging biceps, named Luke Covell learned his fate, that the Wests Tigers had gone into corruption and the salary cap would force the now pin up boy of the shire out of the club in one of the bravest business decisions since the Zimbabwe Cricket Union for little reason, axed the golden child of Zimbabwe Cricket, Craig Wishart from their national team.
It was on this dark night that Luke made a vow to David Furner, the hero of Canberra’s 1994 grand final triumph over the Bulldogs that he would not give up, and would one day follow his dreams to represent NSW Country and New Zealand. Rejecting offers from Canberra , Hull , the ARU and Penrith Panthers, Luke agreed to terms with Cronulla in search of winning his first NRL Premiership. He also had a soft spot for Cronulla which swayed his decision, as they were his 4th favourite team.
Now two years down the track, Luke Covell a now NSW Country and New Zealand representitive Utility Back, returns to Campbelltown Stadium, the ground which he made his own through 2003 - 2004, winning the hearts of the local community with his cell shattering shoulder charges, fleetwing footwork, 'put it over the posts' style goalkicking and his break tackle ability and knack of standing up a player one on one which can only be mirrored to "The Perret" Steve Renouf. It is fair to say, he was the face, the image, the icon of rugby league in Campbelltown. Don’t say it’s not true, I heard the chants,
I saw the signs - Luke Covell was rugby league and life itself to many people.
But how times have changed, two years on Luke Covell will return to the ground he once combined with Benji Marshall on his debut, to put on an expedition of rugby league, which has never been matched since, scoring 16 points in the Tigers 52-12 thrashing of Newcastle. Benji Marshall may not admit it so much, but deep down he will always have a soft spot for the man who helped put him on the map.
But this time as Luke Covell runs onto Campbelltown, he could face a possible dilemma of being sledged and booed from the community who was once labelled "Covell Country". Never has their been more hype of a player returning to play at his old ground and playing against his old club since 2002 when Matt Johns returned home to Newcastle, representing the club he now refers to as his home, the Cronulla Sharks. Matthew Johns was cheered onto the ground, and clapped with every touch that
day. But Newcastle supporters generally have lots of class, coming from a rugby league mad town, holding credit to the breeding ground for some of the best talent to ever come through rugby league circles... Andrew Johns , Paul Harragon, Danny Buderus and Tony Herman, I could go on forever. But Campbelltown folk are different, rough in their roots, aggressive in their ways, they are known for their long memories , mullets and puerto rican accents. Will they remember Luke for the once prodigy that he was, or as the "apparent" money hungry , $750 000 over two seasons man who left the club for fame and fortune of a highlife, leaving behind friends and soul mates in Anthony Laffranchi, Daniel Fitzhenry and Chris Patterson.
So when Luke Covells name is read out at 2.25pm Easter Sunday, the predicted reaction is hard to get a grasp on. It would be fair to say a mixed reaction is a fair assumption. From the people who still thank him for what he did for their lives and for those who dislike of him for his betrayal and for his critical missed conversion in the Tigers heartbreaking 26-4 loss to Penrith in round 11, despite being best on ground that day.
Some would say this could be one of the biggest matches of Luke’s life. Anytime someone goes to the biggest match of the year, in front of a sold out crowd, against the defending premiers, a club in which you have so much history with, it is fair to say it almost does not get any bigger than that.
But I disagree, his Country Origin Match , cameo NSW appearance, New Zealand Rugby League Debut and his Semi Finals appearance all outrank this... reading that last paragraph its fair to say he has achieved a lot … what has that other “boom kid” Karmichael done?
One thing is for sure though, it will be a massive test for the 98 kilo hard running five eigth come winger. He is not used to all the media and hype that has surrounded his return this week. The weight of expectation which will rest on Luke’s shoulders…. A million things racing through his mind, clocks ticking, pressure boiling like a red hot iron, tension which could be cut with a knife, and as the crowd get ready to roar when Luke leads his team out Sunday, the air of expectation looming through the sunshine, will only be deafened by the hostile crowd of Campbelltown Sports Ground. Covell will run out, his second home, his battleground, his place of destruction, his home of beckoning – his cauldron. If their was a bigger event this year, it could only be the Bledisloe Cup – this is what it is all about , mate vs mate – the biggest match of 2006, Luke Covell returns to Campbelltown.
It was on this dark night that Luke made a vow to David Furner, the hero of Canberra’s 1994 grand final triumph over the Bulldogs that he would not give up, and would one day follow his dreams to represent NSW Country and New Zealand. Rejecting offers from Canberra , Hull , the ARU and Penrith Panthers, Luke agreed to terms with Cronulla in search of winning his first NRL Premiership. He also had a soft spot for Cronulla which swayed his decision, as they were his 4th favourite team.
Now two years down the track, Luke Covell a now NSW Country and New Zealand representitive Utility Back, returns to Campbelltown Stadium, the ground which he made his own through 2003 - 2004, winning the hearts of the local community with his cell shattering shoulder charges, fleetwing footwork, 'put it over the posts' style goalkicking and his break tackle ability and knack of standing up a player one on one which can only be mirrored to "The Perret" Steve Renouf. It is fair to say, he was the face, the image, the icon of rugby league in Campbelltown. Don’t say it’s not true, I heard the chants,
I saw the signs - Luke Covell was rugby league and life itself to many people.
But how times have changed, two years on Luke Covell will return to the ground he once combined with Benji Marshall on his debut, to put on an expedition of rugby league, which has never been matched since, scoring 16 points in the Tigers 52-12 thrashing of Newcastle. Benji Marshall may not admit it so much, but deep down he will always have a soft spot for the man who helped put him on the map.
But this time as Luke Covell runs onto Campbelltown, he could face a possible dilemma of being sledged and booed from the community who was once labelled "Covell Country". Never has their been more hype of a player returning to play at his old ground and playing against his old club since 2002 when Matt Johns returned home to Newcastle, representing the club he now refers to as his home, the Cronulla Sharks. Matthew Johns was cheered onto the ground, and clapped with every touch that
day. But Newcastle supporters generally have lots of class, coming from a rugby league mad town, holding credit to the breeding ground for some of the best talent to ever come through rugby league circles... Andrew Johns , Paul Harragon, Danny Buderus and Tony Herman, I could go on forever. But Campbelltown folk are different, rough in their roots, aggressive in their ways, they are known for their long memories , mullets and puerto rican accents. Will they remember Luke for the once prodigy that he was, or as the "apparent" money hungry , $750 000 over two seasons man who left the club for fame and fortune of a highlife, leaving behind friends and soul mates in Anthony Laffranchi, Daniel Fitzhenry and Chris Patterson.
So when Luke Covells name is read out at 2.25pm Easter Sunday, the predicted reaction is hard to get a grasp on. It would be fair to say a mixed reaction is a fair assumption. From the people who still thank him for what he did for their lives and for those who dislike of him for his betrayal and for his critical missed conversion in the Tigers heartbreaking 26-4 loss to Penrith in round 11, despite being best on ground that day.
Some would say this could be one of the biggest matches of Luke’s life. Anytime someone goes to the biggest match of the year, in front of a sold out crowd, against the defending premiers, a club in which you have so much history with, it is fair to say it almost does not get any bigger than that.
But I disagree, his Country Origin Match , cameo NSW appearance, New Zealand Rugby League Debut and his Semi Finals appearance all outrank this... reading that last paragraph its fair to say he has achieved a lot … what has that other “boom kid” Karmichael done?
One thing is for sure though, it will be a massive test for the 98 kilo hard running five eigth come winger. He is not used to all the media and hype that has surrounded his return this week. The weight of expectation which will rest on Luke’s shoulders…. A million things racing through his mind, clocks ticking, pressure boiling like a red hot iron, tension which could be cut with a knife, and as the crowd get ready to roar when Luke leads his team out Sunday, the air of expectation looming through the sunshine, will only be deafened by the hostile crowd of Campbelltown Sports Ground. Covell will run out, his second home, his battleground, his place of destruction, his home of beckoning – his cauldron. If their was a bigger event this year, it could only be the Bledisloe Cup – this is what it is all about , mate vs mate – the biggest match of 2006, Luke Covell returns to Campbelltown.
