Grafton derby under threat

Ghosts Nat Sewell (left) and Rhinos Dwayne Duke square up during the local derby at Frank McGuren Oval in Grafton.

Debrah Novak

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THE rivalry between the Grafton Ghosts and the Grafton Rhinos may not have been as fierce as the bygone days when players from the Ghosts and Rebels played like their life depended on it.

But the reality is, a bitter conflict between the two clubs still simmers below the surface each time the Ghosts and the Rhinos take the field.

Talk to any player and the game they look forward to each season is the local derby.

Brutal at times but always entertaining, the derby between the two teams on opposite sides of the river has the ability to draw large crowds and leave diehard fans salivating at the mouth.

With the Grafton Rhinos on the brink of extinction some Ghosts supporters may well be celebrating the possibility of being the "last club standing" in town but for former Rhinos captain/coach Xavier Sullivan it will be a sad day when the much anticipated local derbies are no more.

Sullivan knows all about local derbies. The intensity, looking after your mate and the transformation of a football field into a battlefield.

Sullivan was up to his eyeballs in one of best games of footy ever witnessed at a local level between the Rhinos and their more fancied opponents the Grafton Ghosts. July 27, 2009 will be remembered as the day the Rhinos ambushed the Ghosts 40-36 at Frank McGuren Field.

Six players were given their marching orders after a brawl erupted 14 minutes into the match. It was a pulsating game which saw the underdogs reign supreme.

But the game will always be remembered for Daily Examiner photographer Debrah Novak's classic image of Ghosts' hard man Nat Sewell and Rhinos' enforcer Dwayne Duke going toe-to-toe.

"I have the photo hanging up on the wall at the Great Northern," Sullivan said.

"The game could have got ugly but everyone just sat back and let Sewelly and Dukey sort each other out.

"After the brawl the next couple of sets of six were hard. You didn't want to let your mates down but there was also plenty of respect for your opponents."

On hearing the news his former club may not field a side this season Sullivan admitted he had mixed emotions.

"I know I've had my issues with the Rhinos' committee in the past but the sad thing for me is where are the young kids going to play?" Sullivan said.

"Also supporters from both sides of the river look forward to the local derby; it always brings out the best in the players.

"The committee only have themselves to blame and to hear their president Tony Stackhouse claim they (Rhinos) were not receiving any support from South Grafton businesses is appalling…it's a real kick in the guts.

"I don't think they (committee) fully understand the passion people in South Grafton have for the game."