This is so true of what I experienced over the long weekend at the NSW Aboriginal Rugby League Knockout Carnival. 

We observed some of the best Rugby League I have ever seen and we continued to learn of the football talent that exists amongst our people.

On Monday we saw the under 15’s, under 17’s, the women’s final and of course our senior men’s semi’s and grand final played out.

Congratulations to our under 15 champions the Dream Team who were up against the Moree Boomerangs. Our under 17 champions the Dolphins Nulla Sunrise were impressive over the Mulli Mulli Warriors to take the win and our sisters were doing it for themselves when Casino hung on to win only just 2 points over the Waterloo Storm.

With our 15’s and 17’s running their youth on the field, it was a deadly showcase of what is yet to come for Rugby League with these young guns. How good it must have been for them to play on the same field that some of their role models like Dean Widders, Nathan Blacklock and Timana Tahu played on!

And who said Rugby is a brother’s sport? I tell you what, I’d like to see some of our boys come up against our sisters from Waterloo or Casino - those girls are dangerous and their game was on! Both teams packed some strong forwards and their hit-ups and shoulder charges would have made Sonny-Bill Williams ask for advice! The girls looked the part on the field still keeping it feminine and diva-like with Waterloo sporting their trademark purple and gold and Casino shying away from last year’s blue jersey to glam it up this year with hot pink and orange – were our sisters stylin’ or what!

I strongly felt we all grew as a united community of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples during the first half of the first semi final between Sydney’s Waterloo Storm and Armidale’s Narwan Eels. Narwan’s number eight sadly passed away after coming off the field and as the Eels headed to the sheds at half time, I could see the pain, angst and wonder on the faces of his fellow teams mates. I knew that the Eels would now come back out and play with literal blood, sweat and tears and win what would be one of their most emotional games yet to advance in to the finals.

It was a case of one love after this game when the crowds - whether they knew the popular Narwan player and his family or not - gave support by cheering on the Eels or donating money when his friends and family and the Wollumbin Warriors worked the crowds with a collection bucket. Close to five thousand dollars was raised for his wife and children. Nathan Appo from the Wollumbin Warriors later said, on behalf of his team, he wished to thank everyone who donated and said it was very much appreciated.

Then, lookout! There was a rumble in the jungle in the second semi-final between the two deadliest mob of cats - the La Perouse Panthers and the Tingah Tigers. I had picked the Tigers who were strong all weekend in their games as a ticket to the finals, however the Panthers consistent speed and game play lead them into de ja vu taking a place in the finals yet again.

So here we were, awaiting the big final between the Panthers and the Eels. Could the Panthers take the competition back to Sydney soil this year or, would the emotions and spirits in honor of the Eels number eight press Narwan on to have us travel out to Armidale in 2009?

22 v 18 and the decision was made. They wore the blue and gold and now their brave story will be told. Your 2008 NSW Aboriginal Rugby League Knockout champions – the Narwan Eels!

Congratulations to all teams who competed. You all put in good efforts not only to play but to travel from far and wide. Your marks were left on either field. You should be proud and as I looked around at the remaining crowd - young and old, male and female, whether you played for South Sydney or Tweed All Blacks - we all came together to share yarns, meet family, make friends and watch an overflow of Rugby League talent. I was just as proud! Are our people deadly or what?

To the Wollumbin Warriors, their supporters and volunteers and to the sponsors for this year – NITV, Country Energy, Tweed Tourism, Koori Mail, KooGa, Mondo Images, North Coast Area Health Service, Indigenous Community Volunteers and H & A Home Repairs Services - we say a big deadly thank you!

To the staff and crew of NITV we also congratulate for the hard work in providing hours of coverage to air on our favourite chanel - 180 on either Austar or Foxtel and, for the deadly live streaming that was available through our website! We would love to hear your feedback, so be sure to drop us a yarn!

… “we are all visitors to this time, this place. We are just passing through. Our purpose here is to observe, to learn, to grow, to love ... and then we return home.”

I hope you all had safe travels back home. See you again next year in Armidale!