More than just a game
On Saturday, August 12, the Queensland Police Rugby League Association hosted a charity rugby league game to help raise money for the Brett Forte Remembrance Fund.
At 5pm the siren sounded at Carina Football Stadium where 3,500 people came to their feet and cheered on the QPS Dream Team who were lead onto the paddock by Brett Forte’s youngest son, Samuel Forte, and the QPS All Stars Team who were lead out by older brother, Brodie Forte.
Brodie’s coin toss saw the winning call come from the Dream Team Captain, Senior Constable Hayden Lea.
The crowd remained on their feet for a minute silence with Suzie Forte joining the boys on the field.
The refs blew their whistle and the game was underway in earnest.
The Dream Team were directed around the paddock by Queensland legend Scott Prince and scored the first try.
Sunny Lockyer, son of a Rugby League legend Darren Lockyer ran out onto the field and kicked the conversation to give the Dream Team an early six point lead.
Shortly after a dominant forward pack lead by Queensland Rugby League legends Brad Thorne and Dane Carlaw got the All Stars Team on the board with their first four pointer of the day.
The crowd then erupted when Brodie Forte ran onto the field to convert the try for the All Stars Team and the scores were locked at six all.
Open the flood gates! The crowd were treated to a try fest as the Dream Team held their own to take an 18-12 lead into the much anticipated and needed break.
The second half brought on some monster hits and a resurgent from the All Stars Team. With five minutes to go Australian, Queensland and Broncos legend Petero Civoniceva called on the Dream Team to dig deep and a coaching master stoke saw Brodie Forte onto the paddock with 90 seconds to go.
Brodie received a brilliant ball from Scott Prince and he broke the line of the All Stars team, the crowd started cheering as Brodie side stepped four players to run 60 metres to score next to the posts.
With the weight of his team on his shoulders Brodie successfully converted the try to tie up the game 36 all.
It was a great night and game in honour of a true hero.
A big thank you to football legends Petero Civoniceva, Brad Thorn, Scott Prince and Dane Carlaw and to everyone who attended and showed their support and raised money for the Forte family, and the greater QPS family.
