A Historic Win for Burgmann
Article by Alum Damien Hamwood (1994–1996)
Sunday, 5 May 2013. 10:30am.
It is the annual Brisbane Labour Day march. Traditionally held on a Monday and celebrated as a public holiday, this year the crowd has swelled in anger at the newly elected Queensland Government’s decision to gazette the holiday in October.
Alongside the dedicated participants representing unions across the gamut of trades and professions, a familiar face appears in the crowd. Former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd (as he then was) is causing a stir as he walks along with union members and their families.
I take the opportunity to introduce myself. We talk for a few moments, and I raise the question about climbing the mountain once again, referring to the expected Labor leadership challenge against Julia Gillard. The reply is not what was expected.
Kevin turns to me and says, “You tell me, Damien. After all, you were part of the Burgmann rugby league team that beat John XXIII in the 1996 Grand Final.”
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1996 was a year of change. John Howard entered The Lodge. So did Dr Lewis Rushbrook.
Benjamin Bradley held the reins as BRA President and was determined that the college’s academic achievements would be matched on the sporting field. Bradley’s secret weapon was an eternally youthful looking 3 Barassi Commerce and Economics student, whose passion for rugby league and actuarial tables was matched only by his disdain for the neighbouring residential college.
Elected by Burgmann residents in a landslide (some say orchestrated by Bradley), master coach Colin Bienke surveyed the talent available to him like a drover at Beef Australia. A brutal, tough squad was required, comprised of battering ram forwards and an unwavering backline. Defence would be the team mantra, denying the opposition possession and using superior skill to take advantage of any opportunity to score points.
It was a core of rugby diehards that created the creed of Burgmann’s 1996 team. With noms de guerre such as The Wing Man. Parra. Sale of the Century. Silver. The Reverend. Grizzly Adams. Steve Irwin. The Landlord. The Da Vinci Code. This battle-hardened unit, kept hungry and lean through the ministrations of Helga’s kitchen, struck fear into the hearts of teams that played against them. Their mantra, crude and simple – “No one f***s with Burg.”
After laying waste to opposition teams all season, it was fitting that the hallowed grass of the Willows Oval – in an era prior to its defacement with artificial turf - where the team had honed its skills to perfection in through rigorous late night training sessions, would host the 1996 Grand Final against their most fierce competitors on Daley Road.
Sunday, 9 June 1996. 3:00pm.
On that day Coach Bienke let loose the dogs of war. Those who heard the call did not disappoint. Tries were scored, cheers were resounding, and when the referee’s whistle signalled end of play, the Burg rugby team emerged victorious. The Supercoach received a thoroughly deserved shower of Gatorade, and the team celebrated on the field with cans of bitter ale.
The Sports Dinner that year saw former Wallaby and ACT Sport Hall of Fame entrant Geoff Didier fete the team with a rendition of “You Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet”. A grateful college marked the occasion with commemorative banners, and bestowed honours worthy of a champion team, joining the Inward Bound team as worthy victors in 1996.
It was an achievement not to be matched, until the 2016 Burgmann rugby league team sought and successfully emulated the feat from 20 years past. To our successors, we recognise and salutes your efforts.
This feat opened many doors for the supercoach, who brought his analytical talents to a multitude of professional rugby league teams. The Canberra Raiders. The Melbourne Storm. The Queensland State of Origin team during their 8-year undefeated run. And the ultimate pinnacle, the Australian Kangaroos.
But nothing would match that first taste of success one Sunday in June on the Willows Oval in 1996.
The 1996 Burgmann RUGBY LEAGUE Grand Final Team
Fullback: Daniel BROWN
Right Wing: Sean WARD
Right Centre: Chris ADAMS
Left Centre: Andrew CLUNAS
Left Wing: Damien HAMWOOD
Five-Eight: Josh MARLEY
Halfback: Nic RIDGE (c)
Prop: Andrew HUNTER
Hooker: Chris DEACON
Prop: Matt WELLS
Second Row: Arran CURLL
Second Row: Alex RETIEF
Lock: Sam LEONE
Reserves
Dale BESWICK
Chris EMERY
Michael GALLAGHER
Sam HUNT
Michael PISASALE
Stu SMITH
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