By Tim Mosey

Unfortunately I remember July 16, 2011 for the wrong reasons.

I had finished playing 2nd Grade for the University of Queensland Red Heavies and stayed back to watch my first grade club mates play GPS at Yoku Rd.

It was a lovely, sunny winter’s day.

I remember sitting on about the 22m line maybe half a dozen rows back from the touchline. Halley had carried the ball into contact and as the ruck moved away, he remained on the ground.

Over the next 15 or so minutes the medical staff and volunteers supported him on the field. I remember leaving the ground as both sides stood in huddles at the far end of the field.

As we left and got toward the carpark the ambulance siren could be heard approaching. I didn’t even realise it was for Halley.

The following week was a harrowing one for the club and all involved. We had a player support meeting in the top room of the clubhouse following Halley’s passing.

I witnessed deep grief and an outpouring of emotion by many of my teammates that night which has etched in my memory.

The whole week the coaching and support staff made sure the players had the opportunity to be open and upfront with how they felt and everyone was given a subtle level of comfort and support from those involved at the time.

It must have been an exceptionally difficult period of time for men like coach Mick Heenen and Director of Rugby Cameron McIntosh who took much of the clubs’ burden upon themselves.

It took a long time for the club to heal.

Of course at GPS, there was a similar feeling.

“The impact of that day was devastating,” said GPS Anthony Mathison.

“Those that were at GPS that day still remember.”

Mathison had the unique position of coaching at GPS in 2011 before moving into an assistant coach role with UQ the following season. He experienced the effect the tragedy had on both clubs.

“We’ve still got guys around the (GPS) club who were playing in that match. It’s something that you don’t ever want to really experience.

“The guys didn’t know Halley personally though when the reality of it all hit it was quite difficult for a lot of the guys to come to terms with.”

As with the UQ club at the time, the following sequence of days were difficult for the Gallopers players and staff.

“The following week the players well-being was first and foremost,” said Mathison.

“We had to make sure the guys in those contact situations were travelling ok. We had a few guys who opted not play the next week. They were still pretty shaken.”

Two clubs connected in the most tragic of circumstances. Players from both sides hurting just as deeply as each other.

Different jerseys.

Just young men.

But from that tragedy, Halley’s legacy has lived on and continues to impact the Brisbane rugby community.

His name decorates a scholarship passed every year to a young tradesman or trainee at the UQ club.

This weekend GPS will take on UQ for the annual Halley Appleby Memorial trophy.

Halley’s high school Nudgee College also hold the annual Halley Appleby Memorial Round in memory of their fallen Old Boy.

Time has passed over the years. Players, coaches and supporters have come and gone, though the respect and understanding as to the enormity of the occasion has not diminished.

And that’s what is great about rugby.

“It’s been a few years now and we have had a shift in the playing roster since 2011,” Mathison said.

“As a club we feel it is important for the new members of our club to be aware of the significance of this weekend.

“The guys who were around recognise that it isn’t just significant to the club and players, but to a wide range of people, including Halley’s father Gary, mother Sue and brother Josh, who attend every year with family members.

“It’s an exceptionally important moment to mark the contribution that Halley made to Uni.”

Mathison recalled his feeling standing on the field in the huddle with the players that day.

“Both teams weren’t too sure what was happening. We didn’t really know what to make of it at all.

“Time just sort of dragged on and on and there didn’t seem to any improvements.

“It’s a difficult thing where you don’t need to go through what happened with the players who weren’t there, but they need to understand the importance of the occasion and what it actually marks.”

Since that tragic day, this clash now marks one of the great days of club rugby in the QLD Premier calendar.

“You’ve now got two clubs who traditionally go pretty hard at each other, treating the occasion with even more respect than usual – the way it’s meant to be,” said Mathison.

On Saturday both teams will take to the park. The referee will blow the whistle and start the match.

There will be no love lost and at full time both clubs will shake hands.

Gary will walk onto the field and present the trophy bearing his son’s name to the winning captain.

The players will congregate – not on opposing sides of halfway but amongst each other as one, arms around opponents, connected forever by the significance of the occasion.

Remembering a young man who lost his life playing the game he loved.