By Casey OÇonnor
Six Southern Downs and Granite Belt players will run on Redcliffe Dolphins Kayo Oval on Saturday 25 February as part of a tribute to the two police officers killed in the line of duty late last year.
Members of the Queensland Police Service, other emergency service personnel and
retired NRL players will take part in the Rachel McCrow and Matthew Arnold memorial Day.
The Southern Downs representatives will include current members of the QPS and Firies
who will be pulling on a jersey and lacing up the boots – some for the
first time in a while according to Warwick Police officer Detective Senior Constable Jim Doyle.
Doyle, who plays in the front row said he has not played since a stint with the Warwick water
Rats Rugby Union side in 2020. He didn’t add that they won the premiership that year.
Doyle told me that the whole idea of the Memorial day which will include three games
followed by live performances by artists Brad Butcher; Bad Cox and Sammy White and
wrapping up with Busby Marou.
Former NRL legend Petero Civoniceva has driven the event.
“Without Petero’s drive influence and contacts this would not be happening,” he said.
He added that after the death of Brett Forte some years ago the former NRL star arranged a
similar tribute day.
The teams will include friends and colleagues of the late officers as well as police from
across Southern Region who were personally touched in some way on the fateful day in
December.
The first game kicks off at 1pm and will see a the QPSWRL Dream Team face off against the
QPSWRL All Stars.
Steph Hancock, who has been one of the pioneers of Women’s rugby
league, is no stranger to the Southern Downs and needs little introduction. A Killarney girl,
with a great football pedigree she has played Women’s Rugby league at the highest levels.
Joining Hancock on the field will be Constable Stephanie McConnell also a member of
from the Warwick station.
Rugby League is not her preferred game. She is however a
representative Touch footy player and who is expected to add plenty of zip to her side.
The second game kicks off at 2pm – the Arthur Beetson Immortals will play the QPS
Legends.
Former Stanthorpe Gremlins player now Detective Senior Constable, Matt Hendry will line
up for the QPS legends having played in numerous QPS representative sides. Alongside him
will be Jim Doyle of Warwick.
Their opposition will include some illustrious former NRL players including Petero and Dane
Carlaw.
In the final game the QPS Dream Team play the QPS All Stars.
Plain Clothes Acting Sergeant Tony Chandler- (Warwick) will also be pulling on a jersey as
will Warwick Firefighter Ben Sullivan who we are more accustomed to seeing in a Warwick
Cowboy’s jersey.
On the other side of the ledger some Matty Bowen NQ Cowboys legend is playing along with
Tyrone Roberts and a host of other familiar NRL faces.
Doyle said the day is all bout coming together and although he expects it will be a very
emotional start to the day he is hoping it will put a smile on some faces and while raising
funds for the Charity.
Channel Nine will be broadcasting the games live.
Tickets are available on line. Organisers are hoping to fill the 5.000 seat capacity stadium.
