SPORT 17
TORRES NEWS THURSDAY 25 MAY 2023
The best of our best making their NRL marks
Canberra Raiders fullback Sebastian Kris.
There is no doubt that the Torres Strait produces some of the best rugby league players in Australia, and even the world. It is evident when you see junior games and the great work by the QRL in organising recent clinics on Warraber and Kubin to ensure that form continues. There are many youngsters around the Torres Strait who have the ability to play NRL or at least Queensland Cup in the future. That includes young women who now have a pathway to competitions such as the Queensland BMD ladies premiership and the NRL Women’s comp, which will see the Cowboys make their debut when it starts in July. The efforts of seven quality male NRL players in particular are an incentive for our youngsters to strive to compete at the top levels. Our regular footy correspondent Alf Wilson offers a mid-season report on these NRL players making a name for themselves.
Dolphins fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow.
Newcastle Knights’ Dane Gagai. Seven players with connections to the remotest Torres Strait Islands have shone in the NRL and are genuine role models for the many talented young footballers living around Australia’s northern outposts. Sebastian Kris (Canberra Raiders), Alex Johnston (South Sydney), Dane Gagai (Newcastle Knights), Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and Brenko Lee (Dolphins), David Fifita and Reuben Cotter (NQ Cowboys) are integral members of their teams. Another Edrick Lee (Dolphins), has only played one NRL match this season because of injury but also showed good form then. There are more coming up through the ranks – there can be no doubt we will still be talking about players of the callibre of Ezra Mam (Broncos) and Dantoray Lui (Northern Pride) in years to come. There is also no doubt the Torres Strait has produced some of the best and most outstanding players of our era - and they are all proud of their Torres Strait heritage. Gagai played his 250th NRL match when his Newcastle Knights played Manly a few weeks ago.
During NRL Magic Round 10, Johnston played his 200th NRL match scoring two tries and coming close to scoring two others in the Rabbits 28-10 win over the Melbourne Storm. He made his NRL debut against the Brisbane Broncos on Anzac Day in 2014 and holds the title of the Rabbitohs’ all time leading try scorer. Johnston is third on the list of Souths’ most capped players behind John Sutton (336) and Adam Reynolds (231). The Dolphins Magic Round 36-16 win over hot favourites the Cronulla Sharks also had special significance, as it was the 900th premiership game as a coach by Dolphins mentor Wayne Bennett. Fullback Hammer scored one of the Dolphins six tries and was damaging in attack and rock solid in defence. At the 17th minute Hammer, who was running in support, scored his four pointer. It was his 10th try of the season and he continued to shine in the Dolphins fairytale start to the season in their debut year. Kris has been in dazzling form for the Raiders lining up at fullback, after having
From left at Mackay Indigenous carnival are Ben Barba, Cody Walker, Neil Seden, Josh Hofman & Dane Gagai. played most of his NRL matches as a centre. The 24-year-old Kris ran for an amazing 247m when his side beat the Dolphins 31-30 in golden point extra time and his rival fullback Tabuai-Fidow (Hammer) also had a great game. Fullbacks Kris and Hammer each scored a try in that round nine game before more than 10,000 spectators at Wagga Wagga. Kris kept the fullback spot in round 10 despite the return of rising star Xavier Savage, who had returned from injury in that match. Hammer has been sensational this season after switching from the Cowboys, and has figured prominently in early Dally M Medal voting. Journeyman Brenko Lee has played for the Canberra Raiders, Canterbury Bulldogs, Gold Coast Titans, Melbourne Storm (where he was part of their 2021 premiership side) and the Broncos. Kris has lined up for Mabuiag side Wagadagam Storm whilst Hammer was a member of the island team Saibai Stags at the Zenadth Kes carnival on Waiben. Brenko Lee and Edrick Lee have both played for Badu side
Kulpiyam and others at various Allblacks carnivals including the Murri Knockout. Cotter has been in great form for the struggling Cowboys making many metres as a forward. The hard running forward scored a try and was one of the best on the ground in the Cowboys 20-6 upset win over the Roosters in Magic Round 10. Barnstorming forward David Fifita led from the front for his side the Gold Coast Titans which scored an upset 26-10 win over the Manly Sea Eagles at 4 Pines Park in round nine. A week later in Magic Round Fifita made lots of ground when the Titans defeated hot favourites the Parramatta Eels 26-24. Gagai played his 250th NRL match against Manly recently and has been a regular Queensland State of Origin and Test representative. He regularly attends and sometimes plays for family team GH United at the annual Mackay Indigenous carnivals and also recruits his mate and South Sydney champion Cody Walker. Another young player making a name for himself is Brisbane Broncos five eighth Ezra Mam.
His mother Tomisina Ahwang lives on Hammond Island and said he phoned her soon after each Broncos match. “And I talk to him the following morning as well,” she said. Saibai Island Cr Conwell Tabuai said the population of the small community were proud of Hammer and Johnston. One of the most famous Torres Strait players for all-time was retired Brisbane Broncos forward Sam Thaiday. Thaiday played 304 games for the Broncos and represented Queensland Maroons 29 times and had 32 Tests for Australia. Another quality star was Ben Barba, a member of the Cronulla Sharks team who won the 2016 NRL grand final. Barba won the 2012 Dally M medal when with the Bulldogs. Still possessing a high skill level, Barba plays with Mossman Port Douglas Sharks in the Cairns and District comp and was man of the match for Cairns when they won the prestigious Foley Shield on 7 April. “Ben is still one of the best rugby league players in the world,” respected NQ coach Roy Baira said.
Star player David Fifita lining up for the Indigenous Allstars.
Dophins players Edrick Lee & Brenko Lee.
