My Story

Welcome all to the project.

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I’m Anthony O'Brien, a filmmaker driven by my deep love for Brisbane’s rugby league history, on a mission to preserve and share the incredible legacy of the Brisbane Rugby League.

I grew up in a Brothers family, proudly following the Past Brothers Rugby League Club. But in 1978, I discovered a young Wally Lewis during his debut year with the Valleys Diehards. From that point, Valleys became my team too, unless they were playing Brothers of course.

My passion for the game was forged in some unforgettable rugby league moments: the drama of attending my very first Grand Final in 1978 (Wally was pushed off the ball btw), Valleys' stunning 26-0 triumph in 1979, the sheer brutality and brilliance of the 1980 decider,  Reardon's try in the corner in 1981. But my all-time favourite moment has to be Brothers' sizzling victory in 1987.  A Brothers junior’s dream fullfilled. 

In 2018, I had the honour of releasing Return of the Diehards, a documentary celebrating Valleys' rich history. Then in 2021, I brought Brothers Close and Far to life, a film dedicated to the iconic Past Brothers club. Now, my next project is The Brisbane Comp : The Story of the Brisbane Rugby League Competition —a documentary and docuseries that will dive deep into the golden years of the BRL, highlighting its iconic clubs and the players who defined a game and city.

Thank you for being part of this journey, and stay tuned for more as we celebrate Brisbane’s rugby league legacy together!

Anthony O'Brien