Kingaroy’s Joe Zgrajewski scores his first try at Suncorp Stadium
Red Ants break through the Pirates’ defence

August 23, 2012

Most Rugby League players dream at some stage in their lives of running on to Suncorp Stadium in front of massive crowd … but few ever get the chance to realise that dream.

However for a squad of Under 8s players from the Kingaroy Red Ants, the dream became a reality last Friday night when they took on the Noosa Pirates in front of a crowd of 41,467  – yep, 41,467! – on the hallowed Brisbane turf.

For most spectators at Suncorp the main game on the night was probably the NRL clash between the Brisbane Broncos and the Melbourne Storm, but for the enthusiastic Red Ants supporters who yelled themselves hoarse, the u8s match was definitely the most exciting.

And the young players have created memories that they will carry for the rest of their lives.

The Kingaroy Red Ants have produced a lot of good footy players over the years … in recent times Matt Ballin, Berrick Barnes and Chris McQueen just to name a few.

Who knows … the superstars of 2022 may well have just made their debut on Suncorp!

[Photos: Peter Ploetz]

The Under 8 squad poses in front of the bronze statue of their hero, the legendary Darren Lockyer 
Taking the tap to get the game going, Kingaroy Red Ants v Noosa Pirates
The Red Ants squad is dwarfed by the massive Suncorp Stadium before the start of the game