As part of our Massey FergusonRebels Recall series, Club Legends are asked to reflect on the games that defined their time at The Club.
Nick Stirzaker (N.S) and Jordy Reid (J.R) reflected this week on our epic 2015 win over the Blues at the Stockade.
Within the context of the season, how important was this match?
JR: We had played some pretty good rugby so far in the season. We got our first wins as a club up in Canberra and over in Christchurch and had some narrow losses against the Lions and Tahs.
We were sitting 5 and 5 and were aiming to get a run of wins together as we wanted to try break away from the middle of the table. We came off a good win against the Chiefs the week before, so we were eager to keep the momentum.
It was an important time for me as well as I was off contract and told that I wasn't required in Melbourne next year, so I was keen to make the most of the opportunity I had to try play well and get re-signed.
What was the focus going into the game?
J.R: The blues were a dangerous team who had a lot of great individual talents and game breakers.
They actually scored one of the tries of the season against us that game. We wanted to hold on to the ball for long periods and back ourselves in attack to have a crack from all parts of the field which would limit their dangerous players with ball in hand.
N.S: It's been a bit too long for me to remember that! Probably don't give them too much counterattack ball and be clinical with our own use of it.
The Blues always have some seriously talented individuals.
What was the turning point in the match?
J.R: Colby Fainga'a scored an awesome try about 10 mins into the match. He picked off an intercept and then the ball went through about 4 sets of hands and then off loaded back to Colbs at the end to score the try.
The team and the crowd were pumped after that try and we got the feeling that it was going to be one of those nights where whatever try, it was going to come off.
N.S: I remember Toby Smith scoring a hell of a try late in the first half. Something happened at the front of the line-out with Pat Leafa and then Farmer Tobes ran 40 metres, bumped a few blokes off and scored. There must be a highlight somewhere?!
Who was your man of the match and why?
J.R: Across the board the team played well.
Like I said, it was one of those games where whatever we tried in attack seemed to work for us.Man of the match though was Colby. He got the team on the front foot with that early try and just carried it on all game.
Had a couple of line breaks and a handful of turnovers at the break down. He had a great game that night
N.S: Again, it's been a while and hard to name one person, so I'll take the liberty of spreading the love. Scott Higginbotham always immense, Mike Harris couldn't miss off the tee.
I know Colby Fainga'a had a hand in a few tries and Jordy Reid was a physical beast at the breakdown. But my favourite memory is Dom Shipperley breaking a few tackles and feeding Jack Debreczeni on the inside to put the icing on the score line.
Debba was celebrating before he got to the try line which cracks me up. Not something I'd recommend but fair play to him.
What do you recall from the celebrations post game?
J.R: We were pumped after the game. We had some really good victories so far that season and that being one. There was a good feeling in the sheds after the game.
I don't remember any specific celebrations but if I was a gambling man, we probably wandered up Swan St to The Swan to knock a few on the head.
N.S: I think it was that game we went back to Sam Jeffries & Bryce Hegarty's house for a bit of a get together. We were a close team during that period so they're special memories.
I also remember, but it could have been the week before, that Todd Louden (backs coach) resigned. He'd only been with us since the start of that pre-season going into 2015 but his influence on the team becoming competitive that year was immense.
