Dalby Diehards players have a new appreciation for their captain Dylan Taylor on the back of a distinguished bravery honour for his life saving heroics.
The 2023 premiership halfback (pictured above), who played centre in his side's season opener over the weekend, dived into Myall Creek near Dalby on his way home from work to rescue a driver from a submerged wreck that unfolded in front of him on April 4, 2022.
But such is his humble nature, most of his teammates didn’t even learn of his act until news broke of his Australian Bravery Decoration, received in a ceremony at Government House last month.
“I knocked off work and I was driving and following and just saw it crash into Myall Creek and pulled over, sussed it out and decided to go get in,” Taylor said.
“It was a couple of years ago now and I didn’t think much of it.
“Anyone would have done it in that situation and I just dove [sic] in and did what needed to be done really.
"I’m not the bloke to go talking up the things like that, but it happened and I’m just glad everyone came out safe and healthy after it.”
Taylor too is healthy going into this season – on the back of having various injuries in recent years – and Dalby needed every bit of his inspiration to overcome a Round 1 scare against Pittsworth Danes on Sunday.
The defending premiers won 36-32 in front of their home crowd thanks to a late try to hooker Max Brady.
Taylor expected every team to be bringing their best against the Diehards this year, and despite some impressive recruiting themselves, there are some usual suspects waiting to take the title.
“Valleys and Wattles are a quality and they’re always going be tough and from last year’s grand final (Valleys) will have a chip on their shoulder,” he said.
Valleys didn't get a chance to begin their campaign in Round 1 due to a washout at Highfields' Kuhl Oval.
Elsewhere in the TRL men's competition, Ash Taylor scored a try in his first outing for Brothers in a 36-24 win over Southern Suburbs Tigers.
QRL Central region
Toowoomba Rugby League Hutchison Builders Men’s A grade
Round 1 results
Warwick Cowboys 48 def Newtown Lions 14
Dalby Diehards 36 def Pittsworth Danes 32
Toowoomba Brothers 36 def Southern Suburbs Tigers 24
Wattles Warriors 52 def Oakey Bears 18
Highfields Eagles v Toowoomba Valleys – postponed
Gatton Hawks v Goondiwindi Boars – postponed
Ladder not available
Toowoomba Rugby League Toowoomba Sports Club Women
Round 1 results
Toowoomba Brothers 40 def Southern Suburbs Tigers 0
Highfields Eagles v Toowoomba Valleys – postponed
Byes: Dalby Diehards, Oakey Bears, Gatton Hawks, Newtown Lions
Ladder not available
Sunshine Coast Gympie Rugby League Men’s A grade
Round 1 results
Caloundra Sharks 23 def Beerwah Bulldogs 16
Nambour Crushers 18 def Maroochydore Swans 16
Coolum Colts 18 def Stanley River Wolves 12
Kawana Dolphins 42 def Caboolture Snakes 14
Bye: Noosa Pirates
Ladder
Rugby League Sunshine Coast Open Women’s
Round 3 results
Caloundra Sharks 58 def Beerwah Bulldogs 4
Maroochydore Swans 32 def Noosa Pirates 14
Kawana Dolphins 36 def Caboolture Snakes 16
Ladder
Rockhampton Rugby League Intersport Yeppoon Women's Premiership
Round 1 results
Wallaby Gladstone 20 def Norths Chargers 10
Emu Park 42 def Fitzroy-Gracemere 0
Valleys Diehards def Yeppoon Seagulls (forfeit)
Brothers Rockhampton v Tannum Sands Seagulls - postponed
Ladder
Rockhampton Rugby League Men’s A grade Premiership
Round 1 results
Norths Chargers 30 def Gladstone Brothers 16
Yeppoon Seagulls v Valleys Diehards - postponed
Brothers Rockhampton v Tannum Sands Seagulls - postponed
Ladder
Northern Districts Rugby League Men's A grade
Round 1 results
Gin Gin Hawks 26 def Agnes Water Marlins 12
Isis Devils 56 def Gladstone Wallabys 12
Miriam Vale Magpies 30 def Calliope Roosters 4
Bye: South Kolan Sharks, Avondale Tigers
Ladder
Central West Rugby League Men's Competition
Round 1 results
Barcaldine Sandgoannas 46 def Blackall Magpies 22
Longreach-Ilfracombe Tigers 36 def Alpha Brumbies 14
Bye: Winton Diamantina Devils
Ladder
Central Highlands Rugby League Men's A grade
Round 1 results
Clermont Bears 26 def Emerald Tigers 12
Dysart Bulls 18 def Middlemount Panthers 14
Bluff Rabbitohs 24 def Peak Downs Pirates 6
Springsure Mountain Men 60 def Blackwater Crushers 12
Bye: Emerald Brothers
Ladder not available
Central Highlands Rugby League Women's
Round 1 results
Dysart Bulls 60 def Middlemount Pink Panthers 0
Bye: Emerald Tigers, Bluff Rabbitohs
Ladder not available
QRL South East region
Brisbane Rugby League Premier A grade
Round 1 results
Carina Tigers 54 def Normanby Hounds 10
West Brisbane Panthers 34 def Bulimba Bulldogs 18
Valleys Diehards 26 def Brighton Roosters 18
Redcliffe Juniors 32 def Souths Juniors 14
Beenleigh Pride 26 def Wynnum Manly Juniors 10
Ladder
Rugby League Ipswich Men's A grade
Round 1 results
Redbank Plains Bears v Swifts - washed out
Jets v Fassifern Bombers - washed out
West End v Brothers Ipswich - washed out
QRL North region
Rugby League Townsville & District Men's A grade
Round 1 results
Brothers Townsville 12 def Centrals Tigers 10
Charters Towers Miners 44 def Norths Devils 12
Souths Bulls 22 def Herbert River Crushers 12
Western Lions 24 def Burdekin Roosters 22
Ladder
Rugby League Townsville & District Open Women
Round 1 results
Centrals Tigers 20 def Brothers Townsville 12
Charters Towers Miners 24 def Norths Devils 4
Western Lions 44 def Burdekin Roosters 12
Bye: Herbert River Crushers
Ladder
FNQRL Men's A grade
Round 3 results
Cairns Kangaroos 28 def Mareeba Gladiators 24
Ivanhoes Knights 42 def Southern Suburbs Cockatoos 16
Tully Tigers 24 def Atherton Roosters 22
Innisfail Leprechauns 48 def Yarrabah Seahawks 28
Cairns Brothers 42 def Mossman-Port Douglas Sharks 28
Ladder
FNQRL Open Women
Round 3 results
Edmonton Storm 32 def Ivanhoes Maidens 14
Atherton Roosters 26 def Yarrabah Seahawks 14
Ladder
Mount Isa Rugby League Men's A grade
Round 4 results
Townies 30 def Wanderers 20
Ladder
