By Michael Atkinson

Before GPS’ 2018 premiership, it had been 22 long years since G.P.S. Old Boys Rugby Club hoisted the Hospital Cup high above their heads.

The year was 1996, the game had not long turned professional, and the ‘Gallopers’ faced a Souths side in black and white, but with more than a tinge of (Queensland) red and (Wallaby) gold.

Names like Mark Connors, Tim Horan, Jason Little, Garrick Morgan, Toutai Kefu, Nick Stiles and Michael Foley littered the Magpies line-up, as the powerhouse club of the 1990’s ran out intent on claiming their sixth straight premiership.

Standing in their way was a ‘Jeeps’ side not quite as glittering with representative talent, but certainly no slouches.

At outside centre was a 22-year-old Daniel Herbert, at the beginning of his international career, but still chasing first grade glory.

“It was a few years in the making,” Herbert told Rugby News.

“We had a pretty good nucleus and it meant a fair bit to that team.”

“Souths had probably one of the best club sides in memory at that time; more Reds and Wallabies in their line-up than any other team.”

“I had played a few tests, Ryan Constable had played one, I think, Ben Tune might have been close; but really, by comparison, we were no-names next to those guys playing for Souths.”

They were young and hungry.

But, mostly, they were thirsty.

It had been 24 years since the blue and green had claimed the ultimate prize in Brisbane club rugby.

“It was well known,” said Herbert.

“The ‘Old Boy Brigade’ came down to talk to us about the length of time and what it would mean for us to win it.”

“But (coach Tony D’Arcy) did a good job of keeping our minds on the job and not thinking about (ending the drought).”

After bowing out in a preliminary final the previous year, D’Arcy and assistant coach, Lance Hayward, mapped out a strategy to avoid a similar fate in 1996.

What ultimately ended in a premiership, was the result of months of hard work, both on the park and in the coach’s office.

When the final whistle sounded, and the score read 12-6 in ‘Jeeps’ favour, understandably, it was the beginning of long and wild celebrations.

“It went on for a few days,” Herbert recalled.

“We ended up at The Gap Tavern, and it wasn’t just players and coaches, I think pretty much all of the suburb of Ashgrove was there.”

“I think I had to go into Wallabies camp a couple of days after, but I know the celebrations went long after I was gone.”

Herbert went on to win a few other things in his career: a Rugby World Cup, Bledisloe Cup, British and Irish Lions series.

But even with the prestige that comes with those titles, the Premier Rugby crown holds a special place in Herbert’s heart.

“A lot of effort went into that.”

“It meant a lot and it’s right up there.”

Just as it will mean a lot for the current herd of Gallopers if they can hoist the Hospital Cup again later this year.