TIERNEY IS THE BEST
Neil Tierney Presented the 1989 Rothmans Medal by Rugby League Immortal Johnny Raper
Wynnum-Manly rugby league player Neil Tierney is the toast of the bayside after winning the prestigious Rothmans Medal.
A surprised Tierney, appropriately attired in red and green cummerbund and bow tie, was presented with the medal by former rugby league great Johnny Raper at the Mayfair Crest International Hotel. Tierney became the fourth Wynnum-Manly player to win the medal in the 22-year history of the event, following the triumphs of Len Brunner (1971), Ian French (1985) and Gene Miles (1987).
The 21-year-old policeman defeated 107 other players who were allocated referees votes on a 3-2-1 basis over 17 premiership rounds. What makes the win remarkable is that Tierney had not polled any votes until the sixth game and only six votes after 10. A phenomenal surge of form late in the season provided the bustling prop forward with six man-of-the-match performances and swept him to a narrow victory. Ipswich utility Andrew Walters finished one point adrift, while 1988 winner, Wests Kevin Langer, failed by two votes to become the first player to win the coveted medal twice.
Other Seagulls to poll well were retiring lock Brian Naylor and second-rower Gavin Allen, who received nine and seven points respectively.
Tierney admits he never rated himself a chance because of his poor start to the season and was attending the function merely for entertainment. His only other individual award was as a Police Academy player when he was runner-up in the sub-districts Player of the Year.
Wynnum Manly’s Neil Tierney shows off the Rothmans Medal
Earlier this year, he was chosen in a combined Brisbane side to play a southern country combination in selection trials for the Queensland Residents team to tour Papua New Guinea. But the game was washed out and, like the rain, his chances of representing Queensland in 1989 went down the drain.
Tierney attended Wynnum High from 1980-84 and led the open rugby league side in 1984 to its first bayside zone premiership in many years. A talented sportsman, he also represented the school in swimming, athletics, touch football and cricket. He once scored a massive 168 runs, including 22 sixes, in a limited overs inter-school cricket fixture against Capalaba at Kianawah Park. Besides a brief stint with the academy in 1985 and Rockhampton Brothers two years later, Tierney has played all of his football with Wynnum-Manly.
His older brother Noel, a regular first-grader, has been a big influence in his game. “We both help each other during a game because we both know what fires the other up,” Tierney said. Although his game has improved over the past year, he confesses he still has a long way to go to fulfil his ultimate aim of representing Australia.
Story Source: The Wynnum Herald 1989
Photo Source: Tierney Family Collection
