Surprise comeback almost brought ultimate reward
IT started with a hospital bed promise, evolved into a Mad Monday getaway and very nearly ended with a remarkable CDRL premiership.
Regan Verney’s return from the abyss could so easily have been the headline act of Sunday’s premiership decider, with the Kiwi playing a key part in Ivanhoes pushing Innisfail all the way.
After breaking his jaw in a horrendous head clash earlier in the season, the Northern Pride-contracted pivot (pictured right with brother Jared) headed back to New Zealand to re-evaluate his footy.
He knocked back the chance to return to the Pride in 2016 and looked lost to the Far North – until a hamstring injury to his brother Jared in the preliminary final prompted the activation of a promise.
“I was sitting in hospital with Regan (after he broke his jaw) and he said ‘if you make the grand final I’ll come back’,” coach Ben Rauter said.
“With Jezza doing his hamstring last week it was the perfect opportunity for a one-forone swap.
“It didn’t break our momentum as a team and it didn’t change anything.
“It was his first game for a while so he was outstanding.
“He’s a quality player and whatever he does next year, we wish him the best.”
Verney admits the original plan behind his trip did not involve playing.
“My brother phoned me on Sunday (after the preliminary final) and said they won and I said ‘oh, I’ll come for Mad Monday’,” Verney said.
“Once I was here Ben asked if I could play and I said ‘why not?’.
“Jared was supposed to be playing and I was just coming for the ride.
“I have been out for three months so my fitness wasn’t the best. But we did what we did and got as far as we did so they boys from the beaches have got to be proud of that.”
Verney said little errors ultimately proved telling in Innisfail’s 30-20 victory.
“It was back and forth and we couldn’t do much,” he said.
“They got the ball and won, it was that simple.” HERO OF THE WEEK CDRL officials should be applauded for another successful running of a finals series. They are the first to get bagged but their work is essential. VILLAIN OF THE WEEK After four great grand finals, this week no one qualified. QUOTE OF THE WEEK “Congrats to Ty Williams and the Innisfail Leps on (winning) their GF today. Well done boys #uptheleps.” — Good on Billy Slater for keeping tabs on his junior club, tweeting about their success on Sunday. STAT OF THE WEEK This is the third successive season that Brothers have ended a campaign empty-handed. The powerhouse club had to settle for two runnerup finishes. HOT TOPIC With the NRL moving towards a video bunker, is there a cost-effective method the CDRL could employ to better use technology in the finals? 3 THINGSWETHINGSWE LEARNED 1. Yarrabah’s footy nursery is thriving. Proof came from their twin titles on Sunday. 2. Innisfail isn’t the side of 2014 — they’re better. 3. Tully may be losing a coach and some star talent, but they have a bunch of 18s ready to make sure the Tigers stay near the top in 2016.