Northside Rhinos
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File:Rhinos logo.jpg
Brisbane Rhinos logo
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| Full name | Brisbane Rhinos American Football Club |
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| Nickname | Rhinos |
| Sport | Gridiron (American football) |
| Founded | 2000 |
| First season | 2001 |
| League | Gridiron Queensland |
| Home ground | 20 Prospect Rd Mitchelton |
| Colours | Red / Black |
| President | Daniel Clark |
| Head coach | Daniel Clark |
| Captain | Rhys Barnes |
The Northside Rhinos are a gridiron football club competing in the Gridiron Queensland league. The club is situated in Wavell Heights in the Northern Suburbs of Brisbane, Queensland.
Contents
History
The Rhinos were founded by four dedicated players who decided a gridiron team was needed on Brisbane's north side, the Rhinos American Football Club was established in 2001, and after a few seasons made the playoffs in 2004 losing to eventual champions the Ipswich Cougars in the playoffs. The following season the Rhinos beat the Cougars in the semi final on a last minute play to make their first Sun Bowl, they went on to defeat the Daisy Hill Wildcats 12-7 to be crowned the champions. 2006 saw the Rhinos again make the Sun Bowl but were beaten by the Gold Coast Stingrays 27-13. 2008 proved to be a good season for the Rhinos becoming minor premieres and also making another apperiance in the Sun Bowl unfortunately again going down the Gold Coast Stingrays.
A number of Rhinos American Football Club players have gained selection on the state and national gridiron teams. Including 8 players in the recent Queensland state squad for the 2010 Nationals, these players were Brad Boland, Geno Gerbo, Luke Jackson, Kris Hodge, Paul Mason, John Mellifont, Matt Neil and Graham Spurr.
The Rhinos also have had a team competing in the junior division (14-18 yrs) since 2003 and made the Sun Bowl in that division in 2004 losing to the Bayside Ravens, after winning a triple overtime semi final. Also in 2008 losing to the Gold Coast Stingrays.
Rhinos take on the Kenmore Bears
2015 Season
Preparing for their latest season, the Northside Rhinos have their eyes set on taking out the Sunbowl. With a strong offense, defense and team spirit, the Rhinos are set at taking Queensland football to a new level this season.
Season Opener 22nd August: Brisbane Rhinos vs Western Cougars. Rhino victory 50-22.
Second Round 29th August: Rhinos vs Spartans. Rhino victory 20-0.
Third Round 4th September: By Round
Fourth Round 12th September: Rhinos vs Vultures.
Fifth Round 19th September: Rhinos vs Cougars
Sixth Round 26th September: Rhinos vs Wildcats
Seventh Round 3rd October: Rhinos vs Bears
Eighth Round 10th October: Rhinos vs Spartans
Ninth Round 17th October: Rhinos vs Ravens
Tenth Round 24th October: Rhinos vs Raptors
Eleventh Round 31th October: Rhinos vs Stingrays
Twelfth Round 7th November: By Round
Sun Bowl Grand Final: TBA
Queensland Sun Bowl XXI
The Rhinos won the E-Banc Trade Gridiron Queensland Sun Bowl XXI 12-7 over the Daisy Hill Wildcats on Saturday 12 November 2005, held at Usher Park, Daisy Hill.
The game was a classic hard hitting football game with the full backs and running backs on both teams earning every yard the hard way.
The Rhinos clearly dominated the 1st quarter, with the offense putting a string of plays together culminating in a touchdown. Unfortunately the offense were unable to convert the touchdown. The 2nd quarter while dominated by the Rhinos, the offense was unable to score.
The second half started the way the Rhinos knew it would, with the Wildcats giving the ball to their fullback or running back on every play. Trying to run it down the throat of the leagues best defense. Showing that great defenses will bend but never break, the Wildcats did manage a touchdown late in the 3rd quarter but that was them done for the game. The Rhinos defense seemed to be fired up and hell bent on showing that the one touchdown was not going to happen ever again for the rest of the game. The 3rd quarter was forgettable for the Rhinos Offense but they did keep their heads up and came back in the 4th quarter proving that the game isn't over till the final whistle.
In the fourth quarter the Rhinos offense started like the 3rd, with not much happening. Then with a little over 2 min remaining in the game the Rhinos Offense took over after the Rhinos Defense shut down the Wildcats running game. The Rhinos came out fired up and ready to prove that they can never be underestimated. The Offense spluttered at first but then picked up the pace and started to move the ball down the field. With 1.22mins remaining in the game the Rhinos were 4th down and 9 yards to a first down and 20+ yards needed for a touchdown the Rhinos offense dug deep and were out to prove the coaches confidence in them was justified. The Wildcats seemed to already be celebrating a win, but the Rhinos weren't done yet!
With a clean snap to QB Dan Clark, the Rhinos offensive line used their bulk and training to create a good pocket. With wide receivers Callum O'Sullivan & Matt Neale heading towards the end zone it was going to be all of nothing. O'Sullivan ran a perfect post route and crossed the goal line just in front of the goal posts, quarterback Dan Clark saw this unfolding and delivered a perfect hard & fast pass right into the arms of Callum, it was such an accurate pass that the two Wildcat defenders covering o'Sullivan had o chance of batting the pass down.
The Rhinos originally kicked the conversion but were flagged for 12 men on the field. The penalty meant the Rhinos had to try the conversion from the 20yd line. Unfortunately kicker Mark Tatnell had the leg but not the accuracy. Score 12-7 with 44 seconds remaining.
The Wildcats had to abandon their running game which they had used all game, to try & score as quickly as possible. But the cornerbacks were at their best and ready for anything the Wildcats threw at them. After several pass attempts and a few flags against the Rhinos, the Wildcats still needed to make 60yrds for a touchdown. Unable to do so The Rhinos had achieved what the rest of the league had thought was impossible, Winning a Sunbowl and becoming Queensland Sunbowl XXI Champions!
Team awards
MVP
- 2011 Luke Jackson
- 2010 Mark Fleming
- 2009 Luke Jackson
- 2008 Luke Jackson
- 2007 Nicolai Hanson
- 2006 Dan Clark
- 2005 Paul Mason
- 2004 Paul Mason
- 2003 Ewan Macleod
- 2002 Shawn Maloney
- 2001 Doug Coyle
Rhinos Players that have been selected for Queensland and Australia
2015 World Cup Team
- Eddie Kocwa
2011 World Cup Team
- Luke Jackson
- Paul Mason
2010 Senior State Team
- Paul Mason- Captain
- Luke Jackson
- John Mellifont
- Brad Boland
- Geno Gerbo
2015 Under 19 Australian Team
- Jo Rasmussen
2010 Under 19 Australian Team
- Cameron McDougall
2009 Junior State Team
- Cameron McDougall
- Devon Kitts
- Scott Lehmann
2009 Senior Australian Team
- Paul Mason
2009 Under 19 Australian Team
- Ben Stower
2008 Senior State Team
- Paul Mason
- Luke Jackson
- John Mellifont
2006 Senior State Team
- PaulMason
- Matt Neil
- Callum O'Sullivan
2005 Senior State Team
- Gerardo Cardenas
- Luis Cardenas
- Aaron Couder
- Shane Dun
- Daniel Franklin
- Matt Gundry
- Michael Jenkinson
- Dave Kirby
- Bou Leiua
- Paul Mason
- Matt Neil
- Ben Rudes- Captain
2003 Senior State Team
- Shawn Maloney
- Paul Mason
