Veteran halfback produces another game to remember

RETIRING with a premiership has become a habit for Brothers halfback Roy Baira.

Baira turned back the clock at Townsville Sports Reserve yesterday as Brothers clinched a stunning grand final victory over archrivals Herbert River.

It was the Brethren’s first A- grade title since 2014 — a game which Baira also thought would be his rugby league farewell.

The 37- year- old was coaching the Townsville Blackhawks under- 18 side when this season kicked off before the desire to pull on a jersey again got the better of him.

Baira has been in sensational touch since returning to the field in May, but the now eight- time TDRL premiership winner said he never expected he’d play in another grand final.

“It wasn’t even in my thoughts that I’d be standing here and winning another premiership,” Baira said.

“It’s just an unreal feeling with the boys. It’s been good to jump in with the young fel- las and have some fun and make memories like today.”

Baira’s experience proved crucial in the dying moments of yesterday’s grand final when Crushers five- eighth Aaron Solari put a stabbing kick through the line looking for a repeat.

The wily veteran read it perfectly and plucked the ball off his toes to defuse Herbert River’s attacking raid, but Baira was just as quick to talk down the crucial play.

“It was just an in- the- moment thing,” he said. “I read Solari and I knew he was going to kick through the line to get a repeat set so I stayed out, left a gap, and then I obviously got the ball. It was just lucky, but the reflexes were not too bad for an old fella.”