Inspirational Wynnum Manly Captain Brad Nairn selected to play for Combined Brisbane against Fiji along with Mark Gliddon, Dale Jensen and Ricky Taylor
Inspirational Wynnum captain Brad Nairn last night had his disappointment at Seagulls’ Knockout Semi Final loss lessened by his selection in the Combined Brisbane side to play Fiji.
Nairn one of his side’s best performers yesterday, will make his representative debut against the touring Fijians at Lang Park on August the 26th and was one of four Wynnum players selected from the seven Brisbane teams not involved in the semi-finals.
Seagulls hooker Mark Gliddon, who missed yesterday’s match through suspension, wass another to gain a boost after the club watched their first foray into the Brisbane finals since 1987, end in heartbreak.
It was a subdued Seagulls dressing room as the players and supporters such as former coach Des Morris and Bronco’s prop Gavin Allen, who restarted his career with Wynnum and whose younger brother Ray played lock yesterday, reflected on what might have been.
First Year Wynnum coach Gary Seaton, who will way up his future over the next few days, said he hoped the club would be able to keep the youthful side together for next season. “We were victims of our inexperience a bit against Norths and we probably didn’t take some options that we should have because of that,” he said.
“I’d hope the club will be able to keep most of these blokes. Their efforts during the season were 100% and they will benefit from the experience.”
Wynnum could lose some players to Sydney contracts with centre Ricky Taylor and replacement forward Jeff Wittenberg the most likely to depart. Wittenberg, an under-19 prop this season, performed strongly when he came on and has been targeted by St.George and the Broncos, with the Dragons, where his father played, expected to pursue him strongly.
Seaton confessed his own nerves had got the better of him at times during the match despite having finals experience as a player.
Brisbane fullback Paul Fisher could be a late withdrawal from the side if he elects to take up an offer from English club London Crusaders and Wynnum Fullback Justin Power would have to be the prime contender.
FOOTNOTE: Brad Nairn and Ricky Taylor went on to be selected in the Queensland Residents Team for the Tour of NZ and Fiji
1992 Queensland Residents Team
Back Row: Neil Smith, Steven Bella, Brad Pike, Eric Kennedy, Matt Clifford, John Green, Peter Hamilton, Brad Nairn.
Middle Row: Ron Emmanual (Trainer), Steele Retchless, Ricky Taylor, Ken Robertson. Brett Schultz, Darren Shaw, Dr. Keith Woodhead.
Front Row: Ross O’Reilly (Coach), Gerard Kerr, Rod McGrath, Craig Grauf (Captain), Kevin Marty, Jason Hetherington, Paul Green, Ron Wilkinson (Manager).
Story Source: The Courier Mail – August 1992.
Photo Sources: Wynnum Manly Rugby League Football Club
