League of His Own Ch. 11

Lifting the Premiership trophy was the last thing to do and I knew that would be the picture on every back page of the newspapers the next morning. We sang the team song as fireworks erupted and confetti rained down on us. We were handed bottles of champagne to spray before we spent more time hugging each other. Then we did the usual lap of honour, greeting our fans and supporters. Plenty of autographs were signed and selfies were taken.

When I found Mum, my sisters, Kim, Wendy and Rebecca by the barriers, that's when the emotion well and truly hit me, hugging Mum tightly as I enjoyed a little cry.

It was one of the greatest days of my life. A day I will never forget.

Two weeks later, I'll admit it was just a slightly better day when I married my best friend and the woman I was always meant to marry. Kim looked absolutely gorgeous in her white dress. Kyla was her Maid of Honour. Wendy, Rebecca and Aimee were bridesmaids.

Kim's mother had walked her down the aisle as Kim was no longer speaking to her father.

It was a fantastic day as friends and extended family came together to celebrate our union. And in the privacy of our home the next day, Kyla, Aimee, Wendy, Rebecca and Mum were also given their own rings to wear. That was followed by one hell of a night where, for the first time, the seven of us had fun together at the same time.

Four weeks later, I was on a flight to the United Kingdom for the Kangaroo Tour, only the second to take place since 1994. It was the first time I'd been selected to represent my country, to wear the green and gold. Before the introduction of State of Origin, playing for Australia was considered the greatest honour in the game. There would be three test matches against Great Britain. Two more test matches against France. And a series of tour games against club and county sides during the week while we were based in the United Kingdom. An old-fashioned tour like those from half a century before.

We won each series in a whitewash and were undefeated during the tour, matching previous tours from 1982 (The Invincibles) and 1986 (The Unbeatables). I was voted Man of the Match in the Second Test, and was voted Player of the Series at the end of the tour.

It was the perfect way to end the best year of my life.

*****

A/N - For those who know their rugby league history, there were two short Kangaroo Tours in 2001 and 2003. The last full Kangaroo Tour was in 1994 (at the time of writing). The 1994 Tour included 18 games - Three Test Matches against Great Britain. A match against Great Britain Under 21's. A match against Wales (not considered a full international.) A Test Match against France. Nine matches against English club and country sides. And three matches against French representative sides. Australia lost only one match, the First Test against Great Britain.