Streaker bares all again
It was the moment that shocked Gold Coast rugby six years ago. Former Alleygators captain Ross Colvin has opened up for the first time on his 2014 GCDRU grand final streak, revealing the incredible lengths rival fans went to hide him from security, how he was was caught and the consequences he faced. Nic Darveniza reports.
Q
Can you run me through your background?
A
I was an Alleygators junior and went on to play first grade at the club from 2010 to 2014. We won the premiership in 2011 and 2012. Q
How did your season end up in the year of the streak?
A
We got knocked out the week before in the third-versus-fourth playoff versus Surfers Paradise. It wasn’t that frustrating because we were just lucky to be there. It was the end of the Gators dynasty, really. Q
What inspired you to get your kit off and go for a jog on grand final day?
A
We were there watching our second grade side in the grand final, which they lost to Helensvale. We were having a few too many beers.
Our mascot, Cam, always wore the Gator suit and cheered on the club. That was floating around because he went home after the game. We were running around in the suit. Q
How did the crowd react when you got on the field?
A
It was good. There was tons of atmosphere. Everyone was going crazy, blowing horns like air horns, cheering, laughing. There were complaints from parents of juniors later. Q
So talk us through exactly what happened during the streak?
A
I ran out there as Hayden McCaa (Helensvale fullback) was kicking a penalty goal. I did a full lap but on the way back some random from the sideline, an overenthusiastic Helensvale supporter, blindsided me. Knocked me out. I was concussed from the hit. From that, the Gold Coast rugby president at the time dragged me off. All the Alleygators fans jumped over the fence and nearly started a fight.
I got off the field and some of the Helensvale boys gave me a Helensvale jersey and a bucket with eyeholes cut out – Ned Kelly style – and they hid me in their crowd. Q So after all of that how did you get caught?
A
The police only found me when people started tagging me on Facebook in (Bulletin) articles. They found me two or three days later. I was on Mad Monday and missed all these calls then the police rang me to say they were at my house in Miami and they’d had a complaint from Gold Coast Rugby. I went into the station with my old man and the police showed me a photo of me lying on the ground, knocked out. Q
What was the official punishment?
A
The police were so fine about it, they were all laughing. I was only 25 or 26 at the time. They gave me a $350 fine for public nuisance and drunk and disorderly with no court appearance. But because it was all over the paper the Gators gave me a six-month suspension. Gold Coast Rugby wanted to give me more but Palmy really helped me out.
Gold Coast Rugby were talking about suspending me for a couple of years. The Gators gave me a sixmonth suspension and I probably didn’t take it the right way so I went to Bond Pirates for a year. I went back a year later and was captain. Q So the big question is: Was it all worth it?
A
I’ve had a lot of trouble with concussions since then so I’ve retired with some serious injuries. I’m now coaching at Casuarina Beach.
I still think it was worth it. From there I got my airconditioning and refrigeration apprenticeship and I’m a director of my own company, Life Electrical and Airconditioning. Q Are your streaking days behind you?
A
I’ve turned 30 so my streaking days are over now. I apologised to Cam and bought the Gators a new mascot suit and head because Helensvale ran around the field with the bottom half of the suit on fire on their Silly Sunday.
I kept the head for myself. I’ve still got it lying around at home.