Wagadagam win at Carnival

Sunday, 07 February 2010 12:36

By ALF WILSON

WINNERS: The Wagadagam Storm celebrate their 46-30 win over Storm United

Celebrations continued into Australia Day when Torres Strait islander side Wagadagam Storm took out the plate grand final of the Rockhampton Reconciliation Allblacks rugby league carnival.

The carnival went from January 23 to 25 and 16 teams competed from around Queensland.

Wagadagam Storm lost 22-16 to CQ Warriors from Woorabinda in their first round match, but then won their next three games, with the climax being the plate trophy.

Organiser Toni Bani said that the Mabuiag Island side rolled Cherbourg number two team in their second game, Yarrabah in their third, before rolling Storm United from Central Queensland in the plate final on January 25.

Dubbed as a battle of the “storms”, the Torres Strait islander side defeated Storm United 46-30 after leading 24-8 at half time.

It was a wonderful team effort and testimony was that eight players scored a try – Clifton Tildora, Stuart Jones, youngster Robert Amber, Gabriel Eseli, Harold Mosby, Darren Cobb, Harry Mooka and Francis Mosby.

Quality five/eighth Billo Mosby booted four goals and Harold Mosby potted three.

Hundreds of Torres Strait islanders traveled to Rockhampton in Central Queensland to see Wagadagam Storm in what is reportedly their first major final in a southern city.  It was a hard game with Morrison Mosby sporting yellow plaster to cover a wound to his face and nose.
“I made a tackle and got kicked in the face,” he said.

Saima TSI dancers were there and received generous applause from the crowd when they performed on the football field.

The Torres News was at the carnival and was allowed into the team dressing room before the final as the players practiced their war dance.

Before play started players did their war cry as the Storm United players looked on and the crowd cheered.

After the win inspirational player Patrick Whap led the war cry with great passion.

“This is our ‘Guuba Kuki’ war cry and the boys are really happy and we will celebrate until Australia Day tomorrow,” he said.

Toni Bani was over the moon with the plate victory at the first Allblacks carnival in Queensland for 2010.

“We stuck in their after losing that first game in which there were a few inconsistent calls but like at any carnival there are ups and downs. We showed spirit,” Bani said as the team celebrated.

Bani said every player played a role but pushed and was asked to nominatehis best five.

“I though Robert Amber, Billo Mosby, Stephen Prior, Matt Bonn and Clifton Tildora did very well. We will be back here bigger and stronger next year,” he said.

Origins of Wagadagam Storm

Bani said the origins of the Wagadagam Storm is founded on the relationships and the strong tribal connections of Wagadagam, Koey Buway, the Major Tribe of Mabuyag (Jervis Island, Torres Strait).

“On Mabuyag, The ancestral village called Wagadagam is situated on the western side. With the ancient living relic of the past, ‘Koedal’ (Crocodile), as the major totem, the tribe of  Wagadagam is known as the ‘Kuki Dagamulgal’ - The citizens of the West/Northwest Wind,” he said.

Bani said that Storm refers to the Wagadagam Tribal wind ‘Kuki’, the mighty Northwest wind. This is the monsoon/wet season, which is characterised by strong wind gusts and intense rainfall resulting in tropical storms.

“This is the very foundation of the Wagadagam Storm. This defines the very nature and character of the team, and the source of its strength and existence.  The main aim is linking families with their values and identity, through sports,” he said.

Bani said that Wagadagam Storm consists of many young local players who have taken up the challenge, and stepped forward with courage, as young warriors and custodians to be part of the battle for victory in Rugby League.