HOME FOR HEROES IN TITLE SPLI T
AS you drive into Innisfail a sign proudly says “Welcome to Innisfail: home of Billy Slater and Ty Williams.”
Surely the Far North Queensland town needs to get the sign- writers back for an update should Scott Bolton win a second premiership in three years.
The town will have its loyalties divided when Slater’s Storm takes on Bolton’s Cowboys on Sunday.
Slater, the town’s golden boy, will probably still boast most of the support given his superstar status, and the romance of winning a premiership after two seasons wiped out by a shoulder injury, in possibly his last NRL game.
As for Ty Williams? A more than solid player. Eighty- five tries in 151 games, a member of the Cowboys 2005 grand final team and a part of Queensland’s miracle underdog Origin sweep in 2005.
But Bolton? Surely he deserves some love on that street sign.
There was already pressure on the 30- year- old to perform this season, elevated to the starting line- up after the departures of James Tamou ( Penrith) and Ben Hannant ( retired).
When Matt Scott suffered a seasonending knee injury in round two, it became immense.
But Bolton has relished the challenge, averaging 133 metres and 31 tackles a game.
Like Michael Morgan without Johnathan Thurston, taking on more responsibility in the absence of more illustrious teammates has agreed with him.
“It’s just been a lot of hard work and a lot of accountability. We’ve focused on not letting your teammate down and wanting to improve every week,” Bolton said.
“They ( Storm) are really clinical through the ruck and control it through the middle.
“I wouldn’t say ( we’ve got) fearlessness, but we always think we can win.”
As Ron Burgundy would say, Billy Slater is kind of a big deal in Innisfail.
After Origin II in 2004, where he scored his memorable chip and regather try, the then 21- year- old was treated to a raucous parade down the main street.
Thousands lined the street to cheer Slater, who rode in an open- topped sports car.
Bolton is no sports car, more the reliable Nissan sedan.
The type of player every grand final team needs.
“It will be a bit of a split up there,” Bolton said of his home town.
“There’s quite a big Melbourne fan base up there from when Billy started.
“He’s been huge up there with the bananas as well as rugby league, and the horse racing as well, they’re pretty dominant up there.
“He deserves every accolade he gets, especially what he’s had to go through the last couple of years.”
Bolton was part of the club’s maiden premiership in 2015, but said the adversity the Cowboys have had to handle this year could make another title on Sunday even more special.
“The way it’s happened it feels even better, I think,” Bolton said.
“I’ve really enjoyed how we’ve hung in, coming down here ( to Sydney) and winning away from home.
“We’ve overcome a lot of stuff this year. This one would be awfully special.”