Open Training Session Forges Strong Relationship Between Roosters Players and Fans
After two long years of being separated from their beloved superstars, Roosters Members and supporters gathered en masse and were thrilled to meet up with their favourite players at the open training session in Mackay.
In what was yet another successful Club event, an excited group consisting of Mackay locals and travelling fanatics spent plenty of time grabbing autographs, taking photos and getting to know members of the NRL squad following the side's Captain's Run.
Players and Fans Come Together at Mackay Open Training Session!
For loyal Member #13434 Duncan Marshall - who travelled all the way from Bega, NSW to visit his family - the chance to see his young grandsons Marshall and Lincoln mingle with their favourite superstars made the trip all the more memorable.
"I've come up to see the grandkids, who with my son have been here for the last three years," Duncan said.
"Mackay has been beautiful. It's a great spot. Days like these are great; you get the kids to run around and enjoy themselves and the players have been fantastic.
"I've been a loyal Roosters supporter since 1972. My dad used to follow Manly but I hated their guts. I used to go to the Sports Ground all the way from Manly to watch them by myself which you could do back in those days.
"I'm a Jared Waerea-Hargreaves fan, and of course Victor Radley - The Inflictor! I like them for their toughness, they remind me of the likes of Bunny Reilly - he was as tough as they came - 'The Axe' as they used to call him.
"I used to like Alan McKean too - he was a goalkicker who had a great sidestep on him."
After spending the last three years based in Mackay, Duncan's son-in-law Keith was quick to praise the Club's decision to take a home game to the region as a major boost for both the economy and more importantly, the local community.
Mackay has been beautiful. It's a great spot. Days like these are great; you get the kids to run around and enjoy themselves and the players have been fantastic.
Duncan Marshall Roosters Member #13434
"The first thing we noticed was how close we were to the action. We're right in the thick of it with the players, it's great," Keith said.
"I think it's a great boost for the community having the Roosters here. It's also a great boost for the game, the junior teams and the kids.
"The interaction with the fans was just so genuine, in particular Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Angus Crichton.
"Mackay has come from a country town to become its own city now. It's growing and it's a really happy place here. There are great people, it's a great region and it has a great climate."
Crichton himself was thrilled with the local and travelling support for his side following the 44-16 win over the Titans in what was a successful trip for both the Club and its loyal Membership and supporter base.
"They've been great," Crichton told RoostersTV.
"We played a few games up here last year when we were staying up on the Sunshine Coast and to come back, they've welcomed us with open arms.
"To see the locals and some of our travelling fans make their way up, it's special. We've got the best fans in the comp."
