Sport
26 September, 2024
50 Years of the Clifton Courier Shield
This Friday evening the iconic silverware that signifies the Wattles Warriors Rugby League Football Club’s stand out player of the past season, the prestigious Clifton Courier Shield, will celebrate 50 years since it was introduced in 1975.
It has been presented to Wattles marquee player of every season since but for Covid cancelled 2020.
The Shield was donated by Clifton Courier owners at the time, Mick and Gloria Grayson, Mick a foundation Secretary of the Allora – Clifton Club that formed with the amalgamation of the Allora and Clifton Rugby league Clubs in 1966, the club adopting the name Wattles in 1969.
The much-admired Shield has been sponsored and presented by current Clifton Courier owners Ted and Mim Rogers since they purchased the Central Downs favourite weekly in 2007.
Wattles President Amanda O’Halloran feels the fact the Shield has been Wattles top award for so long underlines the
close association the club shares with our local newspaper.
“We can’t speak more highly of the long standing support afforded our club by the Clifton Courier, fifty years is an amazing contribution recognising our most outstanding players and our club history.”
The initial Shield winner was gifted five-eighth Michael ‘Jungle’ Ryan, and the list of season top players since includes some of the more outstanding to lace on a boot in the TRL.
Sensational former Queensland Rangers halfback Matt Duggan can take some ownership of the award having won it on six occasions, with former champion five-eighth Cameron Hamblin a five-time winner.
Duggan credits his Clifton Courier Shield success to being a member of “some very good sides under good coaches that have allowed me to have some good seasons.”
Hamblin considers being awarded the Shield “an absolute honour and privilege, but also reward for hard work, effort and dedication not only from myself but the team.”
Other multiple winners include halfback Sam Achilles (3), former International back-rower Greg Platz (2), Michael Ryan (2) and Luke Baker (2).
Former Newcastle Knights debut season five-eighth and later Knights CEO Robbie Tew was Wattles player of the year in 1983, and former Brisbane Bronco Tony Duggan who tasted great success playing in the United Kingdom was honoured with the Shield in 2000.
The Shield has been hotly contested silverware over the past half century, and saw joint winners in 1978 in Barry Glass and John Bradfield, along with Aaron Scheid with Luke Baker in 2011.
The Wattles Warriors Rugby League Club will gather this Friday evening to celebrate the 2024 season with the club’s annual banquet and presentation function at Clifton’s
F. E. Logan Hall.
Amanda O’Halloran is expecting a bumper crowd given the Warriors’ success in the past Toowoomba Rugby League season.
“To have all three teams contest the finals series is an amazing accomplishment, our reserve grade line-up making the preliminary final,” she said.
Numerous awards, many synonymous with the club’s name and awarded over many years, will be presented on Friday night recognising the efforts of those who turned out in ‘green and gold’ throughout Wattles 59th season.
Featuring among the prestigious trophies awarded on Friday evening is the Peter Cavanagh ‘Colt of the Year’, the Lew Platz Cup – A Grade Best & Fairest, the Glass Family Trophy – Reserve Grade Best & Fairest and the Vince Bermingham Memorial Trophy – Under 19 Best & Fairest.
To win the Clifton Courier Shield is a much sought after honour for all Wattles players.
Who’s a front runner you might ask?
Sadly, a season ending knee injury put paid to the chances of last year’s winner and A Grade captain Ty Gardner.
Top grade players of the calibre of multiple Shield winner halfback Matt Duggan, workaholic back-rower Nick Van Der Poel, scheming five-eighth Braydon Paix, TRL team of the year member Matt Christensen, Toowoomba representatives front-row bookend Cooper Tate-Roche, three-quarter Lachlan Watt and hooker Tom Hatch along with back-rower Tyson Stevens, 2018 Clifton Courier Player of the Year fullback Jackson Green and Mr Consistency winger Mitch Bourke have all had impressive seasons, and given Wattles’ top five finish many other names are in the mix.
Classy centre Andrew Richardson not only excelled for Wattles, but was called into the Ipswich Jets Hostplus Cup State League side for two matches through the season.
The 2024 season, has thrown up many contenders but we can be sure that whoever accepts the Shield will maintain the standard of the outstanding line-up whose names decorate its face.
For those with an interest in attending Wattles Banquet, message or book on Wattles Warriors Facebook page.
- Glyn Rees
