Old Buffers back for a bit of footy

SOME of them wait all year for this one game to begin.

Once the game gets into its closing stages, some of them can't wait for it to be over.

But either way, the 40 blokes that line up for the annual Old Buffers rugby league challenge love being given the opportunity to come out of football retirement.

Organised by Jimmy Brown, the Old Buffers match is now into its third year and is run as a fundraiser for the Biloela Junior Rugby League Club.

The two teams, the Dinosaurs and the Fossils, will be made up of retired players aged over 30, and will play on July 28 at the Rainbow St Panthers' den.

There are a few recently retired 30 year olds and a few in their 50s like Jim Brown and Claude Goltz, coming from Rockhampton for the match.

Old Buffers spokesman Wes Hepner said there was always a lot of excitement among retired footballers when July rolls around.

"Everybody involved loves it," Hepner said.

"Last year we revised the rules that excess rough play would not be tolerated and everybody had a lot of fun.

"We would like to have about 20 players for each side and as a result we still have a few spots spare for anybody interested in playing, but they have to hurry, because spots are filling up fast.

"The guys get to play a fun game of footy and then after the match they get to keep the jerseys."

This year former Brisbane Bronco Scott Minto will be guest referee.

The game will be played in four 15-minute quarters and a monster raffle will be run on the night, along with a sports memorabilia auction.

"We are hoping for a lot of people to turn up and watch an exciting game of league," Hepner said.

Kick-off for the Old Buffer's game is 3pm.

It will be followed by the Biloela Panthers reserve and A-grade matches, with the juniors playing earlier in the afternoon.