(Pictured: President Ben Spencer, Chris Rawlinson, Tony Worthy and Vice President Ben Boyton).
They’re back! The Binalong Brahmans RLFC are very pleased to announce that Chris Rawlinson will coach the Brahmans for the 2024 season, with Tony Worthy his assistant coach. Chris and Tony have a great history with the club which saw them lead the Brahmans to three premierships in three years across two competitions in George Tooke and Woodbridge Cup. It may be a decade since they first hit Brahman’s country, but the duo will return in 2024 after claiming premierships in 2013, 2014 and 2015.
Both Rawlinson and Worthy have said that it feels like they never left and that they are keen to be once again involved in the Brahmans which they see as a great family friendly club and community. Rawlinson said, “If Saturday’s crowd is anything to go off, then it’s clear the community missed footy.” The Times sat down with the Yass local who has continued to lead strong sides at the Yass Magpies since returning to Yass. His reserve grade side went deep in to the finals series in 2023, and the super-fit Rawlinson is excited to be back at Binalong. Rawlinson returns to the club with veteran and legend status labelled across the former Canberra Raiders junior.
He touched on his most recent year at Yass which was difficult for the club, with the First Grade side struggling to make a dent in the competition, while Rawlinson’s Reserve Grade side lost both front rowers in the finals which saw his side bow out. He joked that if he had got through and won the grand final he may have retired. Rawlinson returns with side kick Tony Worthy who he said has been playing front row and lock. He is happy to have him back alongside him after watching him slot in to five eighth on Saturday, proving his versatility yet again to the side.
Training for the Brahmans will likely start in February. Rawlinson said it can be a long season for players. “There will be a few players following me this year and it could be a large squad.” “I just want to coach again and Binalong approached me.” Rawlinson may be calling on some of the high quality players who turned out for the Brahmans 10 years ago, however, since he was last there, he has no doubt made more footballing contacts with his phone ringing hot when the Brahmans broke the news on Facebook.
He now has two children with partner Jess who is trying to get back in to Rugby League after a knee reconstruction. It was the change of scenery and the feeling that both he and Worthy got from being back in Binalong on Saturday which sealed the deal for the duo. “We went out there the other day and just had a look, we sat there and had a beer, it’s a great family culture. I didn’t say much and once we got back in the car, Tony said it felt good. It wasn’t just me feeling it, it was the same for both of us, we thought why not? After putting the feelers out for prospective players, Rawlinson was inundated with interest from players from both near and far, something that is useful in bush footy where squads of 25 to 30 players can often be whittled down to 20 due to injuries come finals time.
There is no doubt that the Brahmans will be a force to be reckoned with in 2024. Rawlinson takes his footy seriously and he will compile a very strong squad. The Brahmans inclusion in the George Tooke competition will be a wonderful boost and will certainly make things interesting for cross town rivals Harden and Boorowa and further afield, Coota. Boorowa, this year’s premiers, have a couple of old heads and a mix of very talented youthful players in their early 20s. Harden has some young players, but many of their squad members are maturing in to their mid 20s. Under Nick Hall, they will again be formidable. Under David Buttriss, Coota won’t be messing around if they stay in George Tooke with ‘DB’ an accomplished and intelligent player.
There’s an old saying, “Old age and treachery will always beat youth and exuberance.” The Brahmans will have plenty of old age or what would best be described as experience. They will have some excellent game plans to unleash on the competition.
2024 looks set to be a cracker. The Times will keep you up to date will next season’s signings and news. More to come.
