interview
SHANE MUSPRATT PETER JONES
DEAN SCHIFILLITI
SHAUN VALENTINE
LEIGH MCWILLIAMS COWBOYS: 1998-2005 MAIN POSITION: HOOKER Originally from Newcastle, Leigh played his entire professional career with the Cowboys and describes it as “living the dream”: “What I loved about playing footy, was playing footy,” Leigh states. “I was lucky to have the opportunity to do it because not everyone does.” Moments he’ll never forget include playing his maiden first-grade game and also the Cowboys’ first foray into the semi finals. These days Leigh works as a contract carpenter, finishing off the remaining two years of his apprenticeship when he stopped playing sport. He is married to Kylie with three kids – Taylah (9), Jake (7), and Piper (4) – and savours his weekends off to spend time with the family.
SHANE MUSPRATT COWBOYS: 1996-2003, 2005-2007 MAIN POSITION: HALFBACK A part of the Cowboys for most of his playing career, except for a year at Parramatta, Shane says the game has changed markedly since he last carried Cowboys colours. “I always loved the competitive edge of playing and being part of an 18
under-strengthed semi-finals team in 2007 is one of my greatest memories,” the 32-year-old tells. “The game is so involved now, from both the training perspective and the off-field requirements. Plus the players are a lot younger which often means they don’t get to learn from the guys who’ve spent 10 years in the game. I loved my time playing footy, but I don’t miss it and either does my body.” Shane is loving life as a member of the Gedoun Property Group (he actually works with Leigh McWilliams) and welcomed his first child Carter 16 months ago with fiancée Rochana: “He certainly keeps me busy – between work and being a father you definitely appreciate how easy we had it as footballers.”
remembers when he looks back at his four years with the Cowboys, it’s the friendships and his love of slipping-on the jersey. “The friendships you make are the best memories and you always have a laugh to this day when you catch-up with the boys for a beer,” Shaun tells. “I just loved the game and was lucky enough to play at top level.” Shaun now runs his own business, Cheaper Lawn Mowing and Gardening Services, which he loves as it allows him to spend more time with his wife Arlene and their kids Trey (8) and Gabrielle (2). He is also maintaining the links with the game he adores by coaching the Brothers’ Under 18s side and his son’s Under 8s. “I’m loving my life between work, family and football,” Shaun says.
contributions, now football operations manager at the Cowboys with a place on the honour board. “The game has become a lot faster since my time,” he reveals. “And the players can set themselves up for life after football now with the money they can potentially earn. The jerseys have also got a lot tighter.” Peter loves that he has maintained this connection to NRL, but he is also happy outside work with wife Debbie and the family they have created – Jack (12), Hayley (11) and Sophie (9). “I’m taking great delight in watching my kids grow their own personalities,” Peter tells.
SHAUN VALENTINE
PETER JONES
COWBOYS: 1999-2003 MAIN POSITION: FIRST & SECOND ROW
COWBOYS: 1995-2002 MAIN POSITION: SECOND ROW
After a broken arm at the Cowboys was followed by a knee reconstruction in 2003, George put his first-grade career on the backburner for several years until he journeyed overseas for a couple of playing stints. These days he admits that he’s more recognised for fish and chips as the owner of Simply Tops on Palmer Street. “It’s the best fish and chip shop in Australia and I offer footy tips and stories for free now,” laughs George. “But I do have a shrine of
Known for suffering several severe concussions during his football career, Shaun recently made headlines for agreeing to become the first rugby league player to donate his brain for research into concussion and its impact on professional athletes when he dies. But it’s not the health issues he
Young Tully forward Peter Jones made his professional debut with the Cowboys against Manly. “My best memory from this game was dropping the ball over the tryline,” Peter reveals, who wasn’t fazed by the large crowds that turned out to support their new team. Peter is still involved with the club since winding-up his on-field
GEORGE GATIS COWBOYS: 2001-2003, 2008 MAIN POSITION: HOOKER