Innisfail already victorious
Town cheers heroes on in battle of good blokes
THE battle lines are drawn through the centre of Innisfail and if there was a fence for them all to sit on, it would be full.
A town will be divided supporting two of their heroes when the Cowboys and Storm clash tomorrow night but neither will be too sad if their team doesn’t get the chocolates.
In the blue-and-yellow corner is Scott Bolton, a no-fuss workhorse and his polar opposite Billy Slater is in the purple corner ready to excite.
Ty Williams has reason to cheer for either being a former Cowboy with close ties to Slater.
The pair shared the field for Queensland in 2005 and Williams has been there for his mate through his toughest time.
“He’s worked his backside off to get back where he is and I think it’s fitting for him to be in the GF this weekend,” Williams said.
“He hasn’t lost any speed, his game sense is outstanding so he’s worked hard and it’s a reward he deserves.
“I did speak to Bill late last year about a few things and just through texts and that I’m just seeing how he’s travelling.
“He was doing it tough there for a while but mate its just a simple text to say: ‘Mate, you’re doing a good job, keep it up’.”
But the Cowboys have his heart and he expects them to keep the finals run going.
“All year I’ve stuck solid with them. I haven’t backed against them and I’ll do exactly the same on Sunday,” Williams said. “No one gave them a chance after the normal season. They were lucky to get in there through results and that’s a great thing for them to get there.”
Bolton has been a big part of that and Williams, who he’d played with at the Cowboys and Northern Pride, said the prop deserved all the accolades of his teammates.
“Boltsy’s come a long, long way. He’s such a laid-back, Innisfail-natured person and he doesn’t let things phase him,” Williams said.
“You know what you’re going to get with him. He makes minimal errors, defensively he does his job and you know you’re going to get a good 60-70 minutes out of him.”
How has Innisfail been able to produce these and other champions?
“It must be something in the water,” Williams said.
“To have both Bill and Scotty in there, it’s a fairly good patch down there at the moment. We’ve produced some pretty good footballers.
“It will be interesting on Sunday night. There will be a lot of people sitting on the fence but no matter what happens, Innisfail’s going to win so it doesn’t really matter.”
Former Cowboys and Storm player and Innisfail Leprechauns star Brett Anderson will be in Sydney to watch his former sides clash. Slater took him in when he arrived in Melbourne in 2008 after battling through his own injuries.
“I never doubted he could get back to the NRL and the way he’s done it is awesome. I hope he goes around for another year,” he said.
“Bolts is a good fella playing quality footy. He used to love his fishing a bit more than footy but he’s turned that around I think.”
One of the greatest Innisfail exports, Lionel Williamson, said it was a battle of the good blokes.
“It’s fantastic, real good. It shows there is talent in Far North Queensland. But the north has always produced good footballers,” he said.
But the former Australian winger is wary the Storm could save their best for last.
“They’re a tremendous side,” Williamson said. “I think it will be a very close game.”
THERE WILL BE A LOT OF PEOPLE SITTING ON THE FENCE BUT NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS, INNISFAIL’S GOING TO WIN SO IT DOESN’T REALLY MATTER TY WILLIAMS, INNISFAIL GREAT