Several Canberra Raiders legends - including Ken Nagas, Brett Mullins and Alan Tongue - are making their way to Queanbeyan's Seiffert Oval on Friday night for the second Pie in the Sky charity rugby league match.
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A Raiders all-star side (coached by Mal Meninga) will take on the Queanbeyan Blues (coached by Terry Campese) in the 6.30pm match, refereed by Bill Harrigan and raising money for charities Treehouse and Respite Care for Queanbeyan.
But it's the preview game at 6pm that I'm keen to duck off work a bit early for. A few former Blues players from the 1970s are heading out onto the turf, including names like Frank Cleary, Johnny Res, Angel Marina and Blinky Maxwell.
A certain moustache-clad federal politician is also pulling on the footy boots for the preview game. Member for Eden-Monaro Mike Kelly gives me the lowdown on his role at Seiffert Oval on Friday night.
Winchester: How long's it been since you pulled on a pair of footy shorts?
Kelly: I’m still good for about one game a year with the Army Rugby Old Boys, but it’s been a couple of years since my last outing.
Winchester: Are you nervous about playing at the spiritual home of the Canberra Raiders?
Kelly: No, looking forward to it, should be a good laugh - mostly at my expense.
Winchester: How have you been preparing (physically and mentally) this week?
Kelly: I exercise every day so nothing different there. As for the mental preparation, I find that thinking is the enemy of sport.
Winchester: I hear you're a union player from way back, how long have you been playing? Which clubs have you played for?
Kelly: Yes, I remember well the days when Jesus played fullback for Jerusalem! Growing up I played union and league. I was part of the North Sydney Bears Jersey Flegg team trying out for the NRL and played against a lot of guys who went on to be all-time greats like Wayne Pearce and Paul Sironen.
I played rugby in the army for 20 years; I still have a run with the old boys once a year, if I can make it, and played locally in the RMC Premiership Team in 1994. I enjoyed playing against great local teams like Yass and Cooma as well as the Canberra clubs.
More recently I’ve had a few runs with the Queanbeyan Whites 4th-grade team – but I’m more likely to be on the balcony at the White House with a quiet ale hopefully watching Queanbeyan smash Tuggeranong.
Winchester: What position are you playing on Friday night?
Kelly: Openly Embarrassing.
Winchester: What's your secret weapon on the footy field?
Kelly: My special skill was identifying someone to run into who wasn’t in my team.
Winchester: Are you miffed you didn't get selected for the main game?
Kelly: No, after looking at the list of ex-first graders having a run in the main game I’m sure I’d do a heartlidge. I’m more than happy to be part of the pregame entertainment!
Pie in the Sky charity rugby league game, Friday 28 September 2018. Gates open at 5pm, main game at 6.30pm. Tickets $10 each available at the gate, kids under 12 free.
