Xavier Willison is not just excited to be running onto the field for the Brisbane Broncos in the upcoming NRL grand final. This is not long after a powerful ruling from the NRL judiciary. Willison came under fire for his controversial cannonball tackle on Luke Garner in Melbourne’s preliminary final against Penrith. While a ban has been dodged, he can still recreate his boyhood dream of making it to the grand final.
The Broncos secured an unforgettable one-point-16–14 win over the Panthers in semi-final showdown. Willison was huge off the bench and his performance helped close out the victory. He not only contributed to the team’s success by scoring a try, but he showcased his resilience by playing with an arm guard to protect his forearm, which he broke in Round 22.
The same for the incident that killed Garner, which gained national attention. Willison stormed in as the third man into the tackle, leveling Garner below the arm. The judiciary took a courageous stand. Instead of suspending him, they handed down a fine, so he did not lose his ability to continue competing on the very top stage. Over the moon by the decision to choose Willison was Broncos legend Shane Webcke, who lauded Willison’s performance.
“It was unbelievable really and I am glad he got off,” – Shane Webcke
Webcke went even further towards canonizing Willison, saying he played like a “John Deere tractor.” Though Willison, as one individual, might not have been the game changer, equal parts ambassador and educator, he definitely played his position.
“You saw what he did against Penrith. He was a tractor. I’m not saying he changed the game, but he did the job that was required,” – Shane Webcke
Willison said advancing to the grand final was truly an exciting opportunity. We talked about his journey and how it brought him to this exciting turning point in his career.
“It’s just great to be playing in my first grand final. It is what I have dreamed about since I was a kid,” – Xavier Willison
As the Broncos train for the grand final, Willison’s return to the field is a huge boost to his team’s hopes. His return is momentous, not only in terms of his personal odyssey but their championship aspiration. His struggle during the preliminary final made way for his redemption story and demonstrated he was firmly set on making a significant impact when it mattered most.
