AS I sit to write my final column of 2025, I think back to the year I’ve had personally and it’s tinged with sorrow and sadness. Fresh on my mind is the attack we’ve all just witnessed at Bondi. Words actually can’t explain my angst in the way in which terror has found its way to our doorsteps. Sunday was a real dark day in our nation’s history.
My year started with lots of uncertainty. I was told (via an email) that my services were no longer wanted at Triple M radio station after 17 years. Thankfully I got a call from the boss at 2GB radio a couple of days later and agreed to a 3 year deal with the station. One door closes another one opens.
In late March we lost our beloved Leonie Alexander. Leonie was my mother-in-law and the most beautiful person you’d ever hope to meet. Her passing was taken hard by her family and friends.
In late July I lost my great mate Toby Hughes suddenly. Tobes was only 50, with 5 wonderful kids, his passing is still being felt today.
Grief is a nasty beast that if not contained or spoken about, it can be a totally overwhelming emotion.
In a year in which I personally experienced it, I can only thank my family and friends for helping when I most needed it. The one constant glow though, in what was a tumultuous year was our little grandson River. I was told by many people that becoming a parent is the best thing ever. Which I’d have to agree. I was also told that becoming a grandparent is even better. How could it be? I thought. But ‘they’ were right, becoming a granddad or ‘Papaa’ as I’m being called, is the most precious gift I’ve ever been given. Our little granddaughter is due in mid January.
On the footy field we saw a year like no other. The Panthers battled to come back from sitting last on the ladder in round 12 to finish with a wet sail and force their way into a respectable 7th position. Alas, their dynasty came to an end but what a dynasty they created.
Elsewhere Mark Nawaqanitawase, or Marky Mark as he was affectionally known, tore up the footy field in his debut season creating endless highlights before earning himself a test jersey. Other highlights of the 2025 NRL season were the “Miracle in Mudgee’ game, the Wests Tigers 100m try at Leichhardt Oval, and the finals form of Reece Walsh. Boy, the kid was on a roll and was actually unstoppable, making him the stand-out Man of the Match in the Broncos grand final win over Melbourne.
2025 was most definitely an indifferent year on so many scales, but as we glide towards 2026 let me take this opportunity to wish every single one of you a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year.
Our first edition back is January 9. See you at the game in 2026….
MG (random Westie) OAM
