A GPS Grand Final win at Suncorp Stadium might just be the perfect Father’s Day present for Yoku Road stalwart John Richards.
John has been involved with the Ashgrove club for over 25-years, with all six of his sons playing for the Gallopers at some stage over the last two decades.
28-year-old Michael will captain the Premier Grade side today, youngest Nick will come off the bench, while John manages the side as they look to secure another premiership for the club.
For the entire family, Jeeps is much more than a Rugby club.
“It’s our second life to be frank, I probably shouldn’t say that but it is,” John says.
“You walk into our house and the first thing you see is a photo of all six boys in their Jeeps jerseys with their two sisters at either end.
“It’s always the discussion point of get togethers at our place, and sometimes the sisters are rolling their eyes.
“It’s everything for us.”
For Michael, who skippered the side to their last premiership in 2018, his involvement in the club was inevitable.
He followed his Dad and brothers to Yoku Road and hasn’t left since, with his Dad the one who encouraged him to play Rugby.
“He’s been really big,” Michael said of his Dad.
“He got me into footy, brought me down here when I was 6 years old and he’s always been my biggest supporter.”
Like any Dad, John is immensely proud of his son and his achievements on the Rugby field.
“We’re starting to look more to the end than the future with him, but in saying that I’m immensely proud,” John said.
“The ethos of the team this year is that we want to be a champion team not a team of champions.
“In many ways he personifies that, there’s no big hits, there’s no egos, it’s just come out and do your job and enjoy it. “
Traditionally a family club, the Gallopers have reaffirmed their commitment to their culture across the entire club in 2020, and its coincided with great success through the grades.
Premier Grade, Colts 1, Premier Womens and Fourth Grade all contested Grand Finals,
“There’s been a huge focus this year on the whole of the club,” John said.
“I think the last few years we let ourselves get a bit carried away with our Premier Grade team and it’s hurt the club.
“The turnaround this year has been fantastic and it’s paid dividends right through all the club, through the ladies, lower grades and Colts.
“It’s been tremendous and hopefully it’s onwards and upwards from here.”
The Gallopers will take on arch rivals UQ in this afternoon’s Allsports Physiotherapy Hospital Challenge Cup Grand Final and another premiership would be the perfect Father’s Day gift for John and the entire Richards family.
“It’d be the best Fathers Day ever,” John said.
“If we could snag another Grand Final win within these four years that would make us the happiest people in the world.”
“We lost a couple of years ago on Fathers Day, so I owe him one this year,” Michael said.
“It’d be special to get one over the line, he loves Jeeps so it’d be awesome to get a win for him.”
