Wynnum Manly captain Brendan McGuffin holds aloft the premiership trophy accompanied by Steve Sloan

The scene was set for a much anticipated clash between the Wynnum Manly and Boundary (West End) teams in the Open 4 South Grand Final held at Davies Park.

Minor premiers Wynnum Manly were favourites losing only one game throughout the regular season.  That game was lost to Boundary and they were brimming with confidence that they could knock off the much fancied Wynnum Manly side in the decider.

Wynnum Manly coach Bob Hodson had his team primed and they did not disappoint, going out to a 22 to 6 halftime lead.  There were strong performances across the park for the Seagulls.   The Wynnum defence repelled many attacking raids from the much bigger Boundary pack of forwards and started to gain the ascendancy after the halfway point in the first half.

A Boundary player was sent off two minutes before halftime, which made Wynnum Manly’s task a lot easier playing against 12 men in the second half.

Seagulls lock Lester Murphy playing his last game before retirement had a relatively quiet first half by his standards, however in his last 40 minutes of football he absolutely destroyed the Boundary side in attack and defence.

Wynnum Manly eventually ran out winners 38 to 14 in a seven try romp.  Best players for the Seagulls were Murphy, centre Kallum Trass and hooker Steve Sloan.  Special mention must also go out to Jimmy Edwards who scored a hat trick of tries in a strong performance.

Captain and five-eighth Brendan McGuffin said, “It was a total team effort and had been all year, winning this Grand Final means everything to this team and we were very proud to represent the Wynnum Manly area today.”

At the annual Wynnum Manly Awards dinner Brendan McGuffin received the award for the best back and Steve Sloan for the best forward.  The Open 4 South Player of the Year was second rower Nigel Goos.

A special mention must go out to Sloan who won his first Grand Final after seven attempts.

The Open 4’s also recognised the work of coach Bob Hodson and Manager Bruce Stephenson.  They also thanked team sponsor Jim Parker for his valuable support throughout the 1992 season.

The Wynnum Manly Open 4 South Grand Final Team:

  1. Clint Chaffey
  2. Barry James
  3. Kallum Trass
  4. Peter Thomas
  5. Tony Weaver
  6. Brendan McGuffin
  7. John McGuffin
  8. Michael Modini
  9. Steven Sloan
  10. Steven Douglas
  11. Jimmy Edwards
  12. Nigel Goos
  13. Lester Murphy

Reserves

  1. Mark Singleton
  2. Anthony Kay
  3. Malcolm Walker
  4. Gary Beattie

Scorers: Wynnum Manly 38 (Jim Edwards 3, John McGuffin, Steve Douglas, Mark Singleton, Steve Sloan tries; Brendan McGuffin 3, Peter Thomas 2 goals) defeated Boundary 14.

1992 Wynnum Manly Rugby League Football Club Open 4 South Premiers
Back Row: Lester Murphy, Glen Jones, Barry James, Peter Thomas, Kallum Trass, Clint Chaffey, Scott McClurg.
Middle Row: Jimmy Edwards, Tony Wiseman, Glen Bool, Tony Weaver, Malcolm Walker, Gary Beattie, Michael Modini, Ian Douglas, Nigel Goos.
Front Row: Bruce Stephenson (Manager), Steve Douglas, Steve Sloan (Vice-Captain), Brendan McGuffin (Captain), John McGuffin, Mark Singleton, Bob Hodson (coach).

 

 

Story Source: Paul Comber

Photo Source: Brendan McGuffin