(Front from left) Alfie Langer, Leslie Dietrich, Allan Robinson, Adam Newman and Sebastian Lees joined plenty of locals at the Kooty Hotel on Saturday before the junior footy fundraiser. Photo: Rob Chappel 010912GRCE03
TWO LITTLE blokes with big personalities did their bit on Saturday to help a small town keep its junior footballers on the field.
One of Queensland’s favourite footy heroes, Alfie Langer, and larger than life – but not a lot else – former jockey and TV personality Allan Robinson were the special guests at Kootingal for a fundraiser for the local club.
They stopped in at the Kooty Hotel for a spot of punting in the afternoon before telling a few stories at a dinner at the Kooty Bowlo.
The money raised will help next year’s Kootingal-Moonbi Roosters juniors compete in the Tamworth Minor League.
“It’s supporting junior footy, which is good,” Langer said.
“From talking to some of the blokes here they have a team in every age group up to under 14s.
“That’s pretty good for Kootingal.
“I grew up in Ipswich and we always had plenty of junior teams and it’s still strong there.
“It’s good to see that it’s going well all over.”
Langer played more than 250 games for the Brisbane Broncos, 37 times for Queensland and 23 for Australia.
The Broncos had to battle to beat lowly Penrith on Friday night to qualify for the NRL finals in eighth place.
They face the Cowboys on Saturday night in an elimination final but their former star playmaker reckons they can still win the title.
“I think they can,” he said.
“If you’re in the finals you’re a chance.
“You just have to be in it.”
The Roosters have been competing in a few finals of their own in the past two weeks.
Locals Adam Newman and Ty Taggart organised the fundraiser and about 240 people turned up to the dinner.
The club is hoping it will become an annual event.