By CASEY O’CONNOR
ON Saturday night Australian football fans were rewarded for their dedication to the Socceroos when Australia won a thrilling Asian Cup final.
Coach Ange Postecoglou showed, as he did during his time with the Roar, that he is his own man.
Postecoglou has always been the right man in the right place at the right time.
He inherited a pretty dysfunctional team 13 months ago. It was a tired, creaking team corrupted by a sense of entitlement. Under his tutelage the change has been remarkable.
The team has been transformed into a hungry, younger, group of players who understand that no player is “entitled” to his place. Names mean nothing but the jersey means a lot. It’s back to the future in terms of team culture, and the best it seems is yet to come.
There are lessons to be learned for all sporting teams in Postecoglou’s ethos.
For the Socceroos the age of entitlement is over. It is the coach in charge of the troops, not the other way round.
Queensland Heat coach Stuart Law is the latest in a long line of coaches to feel the wrath of a playing group and subsequently get the boot. Word has it there was no heads-up from Queensland Cricket of his impending sacking after he “lost the playing group.”
Law can take solace – he joins some illustrious mates including Trevor Barsby and John Buchanan.
Unfortunately Law was handed a poison chalice of sorts – a mandate from Queensland Cricket to “toughen up” the playing group.
A product of the ’80s and ’90s, Law had little in common with players who don’t know tough, but believe they are entitled. There was not much support for Law in the boardroom when he put the blowtorch on the Heat players.
Postecoglou has shown that with tough love comes success. It is a simple message really. Don’t blame the coach and his minions, the ref, the conditions, administrators, fans, the scheduling or the bus driver for your shortcomings – take a long hard look in the mirror.
I am hoping we see more of the Postecoglou way creeping into cricket, the NRL and sport in general.
– Casey
ALLORA CUP MEETING POPULAR
THIS past weekend the Warwick Turf Club hosted the Allora Cup meeting. With seven races on the card, the meeting proved popular with owners and trainers as well as punters and the public.
The main event on the program, the Railway Hotel Allora Cup was won in a blanket finish by the Dalby trained and well-travelled Galestrom.
With regular rider Brad Appo in the saddle, the seven-year-old starting at the good odds of $15 pulled out all stops to hold out second place-getter Eureka Dazzler ($13) who was momentarily held up for a run as the field entered the straight. Tailwind ($13) was a neck away third.
Jockey Brad Appo was delighted with his win on the gelding but not as pleased when he copped a painful kick in the knee while unsaddling the winner.
Appo was examined by the ambulance and on their advice was stood down for the remainder of the meeting.
For those punters who may have followed the meeting on the Queensland TAB – the trifecta on the Cup returned a handy $2047.40.
The meeting got off to a sensational start when Armidale visitor Kingston Time who was slowly out of the barriers and the Garry Schwenke trained Cuban dead heated in the 2000-metre opening event.
It proved easier to find the winner of the State Election QTIS Maiden than the actual election itself when favourite Rosco trained by Michael Nolan greeted the judge.
Ridden by Skye Bogenhuber the three-year-old beat Without Force by almost two lengths to claim his maiden win.
Skye Bogenhuber made it a double when she won the next on board the Toowoomba galloper All Troops.
The Shane Iverson trained two-year-old having its first race start went on to win impressively despite carrying the big weight of 58kgs and racing greenly in the early stages.
The Paul Grills stable was back in the winner’s circle in the fourth race, making their trip from Armidale worthwhile.
Luna Lang ridden by apprentice Jodi Worley appreciated the apprentice’s 3.0kg claim and scored a comfortable two-length win over another Garry Schwenke galloper, Never Ignore.
The final two events went the way of visiting gallopers. The Sunshine Coast trained Zeeva started $4.20 favourite in the sixth event and did not disappoint punters despite a tendency to hang throughout the race.
The last race was not without drama. Magic of Love was a late scratching after being kicked by the clerk of the course behind the barriers.
When the race got underway Isn’t He a Beauty saluted for his Toowoomba connections beating Red Warning and Bay Trust wrapping up a very successful meeting to kick start another big year for the Warwick Turf Club.
‘THAT DAM RIDE’ THIS WEEKEND
If you had a taste of bike riding in the recent Stanthorpe Triathlon then chances are you will be one of the large group organisers expect to take to the course this Sunday for “That Dam Ride”. This year the ride will cater not only for the experienced cyclist looking for a challenge but for the whole family.
In all there are three courses which will start and finish at Storm King Dam with no worries about transport to or from the start and finish line.
The three categories include the Full Course Single Cyclist; Half Course Single Cyclist and a Beginner’s Course for children and novices.
Please be aware that children under the age of 15 years must be accompanied by an adult at all times and that children under the age of 15 are not eligible to participate in the over 100km ride.
The Stanthorpe Lions Club will operate a barbecue at Storm King Dam for family, friends and spectators.
If you are taking on the full course, registrations open at 5am and the ride commences at 6am.
Registration for the half course opens at 6am with a start time of 7am. Children and novices can register for their ride at 7am and begin at 8am.
Full details are available from the website www.thatdamride.com.au
Caption
Local rider Dan Cuthbert competed in the inaugural ride last year and will line up again this year.
TOP CONDITIONS, GREAT GOLF
GOLFERS are currently enjoying the excellent conditions at the Warwick Golf Club. The course is playing a treat and there have been some great scores.
Chad Wilson, new to the game and a new member is making great strides in his game. His handicap is sure to plummet after wins in a recent Saturday competition and last Friday in the Royal Chook Run.
Wilson finished with 21 points In Friday’s RRR. After a countback he edged out fellow “newbie” Leon Sticklen. Rundown balls went to 19.
Pins (Red Rooster hot chook vouchers) went the way of Mick Banks (11), Dylan Thrift (13), and Adam Byrne (16). Some 46 players (including three Stanthorpe visitors) signed on for Saturday’s Single Stableford.
Former PGA trainee (albeit 15 years ago) Shane McKenzie was one over after the first nine. McKenzie finished the round with 42 points to claim a win in his first game at his new club.
Results like that will draw the attention of the handicapper when he returns from electoral bliss or mire.
A countback decided the runner-up – Dion Phillips (41). Pipped at the post was Mick Payne who earned a ball in the rundown along with those to a score of 37. Pins went to Mick Payne (5), Bob Lester (7), Mal Galloway (9), Mark Thomas (11), Keith Clarke (13), and Eamon Cockram (16).
Members celebrated the opening of the new golf season on Sunday with a 4BBB event sponsored by Bell’s Butchers and Rob McConnell’s Golf Shop.
Some 22 pairs enjoyed a round in perfect conditions. Gwen and Rick Mills with 46 points were the winners.
That team of Marge and Ken Burley were runners-up with 45 points. Rundown balls went to 42. Pins went to Jay Roberts, John Creed and Don Warrener. Gwen Mills won the ladies’ approaches shot at nine and Leah Murphy on 13.
Hard to believe that it is already the February Monthly Medal competition this Saturday – and will be sponsored by Warwick Real Estate.
A reminder the greens will be tined and lightly scarified on 9-10 February.
COUNTING DOWN TO ICC ACTION
THE countdown to the ICC World Cup is on. Michael Clarke had his first hit-out last weekend in a grade match in Sydney scoring a very steady half century. Incumbent Australian captain or not Clarke took his place helping with the covers and other duties expected of West’s players before and after the game. Clarke has returned to the pitch earlier than anticipated in a bid to prove his fitness to selectors by the February 21 deadline they have set.
Following their 112-run victory over the Poms in the tri-series final, Australia heads to the World Cup in pole position according to the recently released team rankings. The Australians are well-placed although an injury to James Faulkner in the ODI final sent a ripple of unease through the camp.
The pool games commence on 14 February. There will only be three pool games played at the Gabba during the series.
Saturday 21 February – Australia v Bangladesh
Wednesday 25 February – Ireland v United Arab Emirates
Sunday 1 March – Pakistan v Zimbabwe
FUN AND CLAYS UNDER THE SUN
IT WAS sun, sun and clays at the Inglewood SSAA range on Sunday. In the down the line clay competition, results went the way of Tom Donald with Stephanie Dudgeon and Paige Donald filling the placings.
Two new competitors hailing from Goondiwindi, Hollie Faulkner and Shontelle Barron joined the fun and games to have a shot. This Sunday Single Action is the main event so all the Hopalong Cassidy types mount your steeds and roll on up to the corral for some of six-gun action. Of course visitors are always welcome.
Shontelle Barron prepares to take on the clays.
WIN FOR WALSH BUT HANNAH’S BEST
IT WAS a great day at Sporters on Sunday. John Walsh had a good win over Aaron Simmers but it was Hannah Reeves who trumped everyone. In a first for a lady golfer at Sporters Hannah carded the best overall gross. Great game Hannah – congratulations.
The rundowns went to Paul Armstrong and Ian Anderson. The pin shot on the 12th went to Woggy who also claimed the Pro Pin. Marl Lynam was too good at the 17th and took the pin shot on that hole. Phil Zikan and Mick Speer were the lucky meat tray winners.
It could be you on Sunday – visitors are always welcome and tee off is at the usual time – between 7.30-8.30 am.
COACHING FOR THE AGES
THERE are a raft of football coaching courses currently available for parents and players designed to accommodate those at all levels of the game.
The Grass Roots certificate – Discovery Phase is designed for anyone coaching five to nine-year-olds. It encourages learning the game and developing skills while having fun. How refreshing is that.
The Skill Training Certificate – Skill Acquisition phase targets those coaching the nine to 13-year-old players with the focus on building a solid foundation of technical skill.
Stretching over 14 hours, the course is fully practical and deals with the development of the four core skills that make up 95 per cent of the actions of any outfield player.
The courses are FFA Accredited and enable club coaches to gain sufficient accreditation for the 2015 season. Registration must be completed online via Sporting Pulse.
The Grassroots Stanthorpe course is set down for 20 February. The Skill Training Course will be covered over two days on 21 and 22 February and a date and venue the level four referee course is yet to be announced.
DOWN TO WIRE FOR FLAG
THE Annual Flag event at Wallangarra went down to the wire. Steven Hampstead and Taffy Edwards both finished with two shots in the bank.
Hole nine was chosen as the play-off hole with Hampstead clinching victory by less than a foot. Chris Edwards and Denis McMeniman tied for the Captain’s Stakes. There was only one pin shot to report and that was at nine with Hampstead hitting one close.
The February Monthly Medal rolls around on Saturday. A reminder that Sunday, 15 February is the big one – the Wallangarra Open. There will be more information on the open and tee-off times in Spin next week.
STANTHORPE WILL HOST MITCHELL SHIELD FINAL
THE Stanthorpe Mitchell Shield side continued their stunning season securing a home final after defeating Central Districts last Sunday, keeping their unbeaten record this season intact.
In a bold move after winning the toss, Stanthorpe put Central Downs in to bat, backing their strong bowling attack to restrict the visiting team.
Ross Lupton has developed into the lynchpin of this successful side and he struck with only the sixth ball of the innings.
Lupton was among the wickets again in the third over as the Central Downs batsmen found his pace too hot to handle and the scoreboard showed 2/12.
Central Downs dug in before Duane Lihou broke through taking the score to 3/54. The bowlers maintained solid pressure but Central Downs were able to move the score to 74 before losing the wicket of their top scorer who was clean bowled by Damian Anderson.
Lyndon McGrath joined the attack and took three wickets in a six over spell. Lupton and Lihou cleaned up the remaining wickets and in a fine bowling display Stanthorpe had restricted Central Downs to 134.
When the Stanthorpe openers came to the wicket Hayden Lanza made his intentions clear from the outset. Lanza opened his shoulders and dispatched the bowling to all points on the ground in an innings that netted him a century.
Batting with Stanthorpe Captain Ben Staley the pair put on an opening partnership of 97. Lanza was finally dismissed for 102. His innings included 11 boundaries and a pair of sixes. Staley played a patient role as the partnership anchor scoring 18 valuable runs. Stanthorpe cruised to an easy victory with five wickets in hand.
The win puts Stanthorpe at the top of table with four wins and no losses. In a successful rep season Stanthorpe has managed to bowl out each of their opposing teams in the competition, which augers well for the final later in the month.
Which team Stanthorpe will play in the final on 21 February remains undecided.
Stanthorpe is certainly in the box seat and will start favourite in the final no matter who they play.
After a break for the Australia Day Super Eights and the Stanthorpe Show, regular fixtures return this weekend.
WIN FOR BOEKHOLT
STANTHORPE Golf club hosted a Stableford event last Saturday sponsored by Len Leigh. Darryl Boekholt returned a score of 43 to take out the event, relegating Santo Cavallaro (41) to second place.
The result of the ladies’ event was also a close encounter. After a countback Margie Locke snatched the first spot from Hannah Reeves, after both returned a score of 37 points.
Collecting the ladies pin at 3/12 and then the approach at 17 provided some consolation for the promising youngster.
Keith Allen took the men’s pin at 3/12 and Mark Hendry tasted success at 17. Tom Fittock picked up the birdies nest with a fine performance at the third hole.
In the rundown, Stephen Hooper (40), Mark Hendry (39), Tom Page (38) and Linda Kelly (36) each collected a ball.
Play this weekend will be for the February monthly medal and putting competition. The time sheet is currently on the board and tee-off from 11.30am.
SUCCESS IN DISTRICT FOURS
THE 2015 SDMDBA Fours were decided last weekend. Teams from Warwick, Tannymorel, Texas, Goondiwindi and Stanthorpe joined three teams from the Summit Bowls club in two days of very robust competition.
Knockout rounds were held on Saturday at The Summit Club and the greens were running very slick thanks to the hard work of the greenkeeping crew of Ray, Phil, Dale and Eliseo.
Play moved to the Stanthorpe club for the finals on Sunday and in a tough battle, the Summit combination of Rob Capelli, Peter Parker, President Darren Stanley and Eliseo Zamprogno downed the Mick Mills’ Stanthorpe team to claim the Shield
After last weekend’s competition bowls at the Summit this Saturday is a trophy day – an opportunity for one team to win a cash trophy. Play will get underway at 1pm.
WARWICK HOPES TAKE A HIT
WARWICK’S hopes of a third consecutive Mitchell Shield win took a hit last weekend when they were defeated by Lockyer. Despite some fine performances by the Warwick team on the good batting wicket at Rope Hill, Lockyer got away with the win, putting a finals appearance out of the reach of Warwick.
With first use of the wicket, Warwick scored 222 for the loss of only four wickets from their 50 overs. Brendan Malone top scored with 89 runs.
Lockyer had little difficulty chasing down the total with five overs to spare and still seven wickets in the shed dashing Warwick’s hope of a finals appearance.
There was little joy for the Davis Shield side as they took on Lockyer at Cahill Park. Lockyer were restricted to 190 after some fine bowing from Kris McLennan, who finished the game with a five-wicket haul.
The required runs looked to be a gettable target but Warwick fell well short – all out for 150. Best batting performances came from Luke Cullen (32) and Carter Bilbrough (29).
Warwick’s Davis Shield chances are still alive. They will play Downlands in what will be a must win game if they are to make the finals which will be hosted by Lockyer.
Normal cricket fixtures return this weekend.
