Easts hooker Andrew Ready grew up in Albion just a few long punt kicks from Crosby Park. He played his junior rugby with Norths and headed across town to play his grade rugby with Easts.
There’s another way to say it. He chose not to play for Brothers even though the club was just down the road.
That’s always the delicious part about the StoreLocal Hospital Cup finals series. The tribal feelings of clubland are always heightened.
Ready, 32, is one of those “Tiger for Life” types.
He still vividly remembers the scenes that followed the club’s 2013 premiership triumph.
It’s a tantalising goal to sip from the Hospital Cup again which is what the next few weeks is all about.
Ready and the resurgent Tigers have taken the biggest strides of 2025 from also-rans in 2024 to second spot with 13 wins from 16 starts.
A new season kicks off on Sunday, finals season, when Easts face Brothers in the major semi-final at Sunnybank Rugby Club from 3:10pm.
“It’s always a massive challenge playing Brothers but one to always enjoy against some of the best quality players in club footy,” Ready said.
“You never need music or big speeches to get up before playing against Brothers. It’s natural.
“We knocked them off early in the season. Now, we have to do it again.”
When Ready came into grade rugby in 2012, every hooker in town could wax lyrical about the one or two tries they might score in a season.
It’s a sign of the times or rather the rolling-maul-off-lineouts era that hookers like Ready can’t now remember how many tries they’ve banked. (For the record, Ready has eight in 2025).
“I’ve just got to fall over at the right time behind the hard work being done in front of me,” Ready said with a smile.
“Actually, we still have a few forwards looking at a ‘nudie run’ (for zero tries in 2025) so I might be able to sell a few tries.”
There’s a carefree enjoyment to Ready’s rugby these days and it shows on the field.
He spent most of his professional career feeling he had to prove himself to doubters. At the Queensland Reds for four seasons. At the Western Force. In France. It added up to a worthy decade as a professional rugby player.
“I’ve got nothing more to prove. It's such a good feeling just running out to play. I’m absolutely loving that at the Tigers and giving back with a little leadership,” Ready said.
With Reds squad hooker Max Craig (broken ankle) out for the finals, the call on Ready’s scrum smarts and influence in the pack has been far greater. He’s played 80 minutes against Sunnybank and GPS over the past two weekends.
Ready is proud of the way young Tigers in the ranks, like winger Gus Godwin, have stepped up in 2025 because many are the same faces who finished eighth in 2024.
“Another 12 months for these players has just added experience and being ready at this level. Gus is playing great,” Ready said.
“Credit too. (Prop) Jethro Felemi, (No.8) Nuku Swerling and (winger) BJ Oates have made a big difference since arriving at the club.”
What does Ready remember most about the 2013 Tigers premiership glow?
“I remember vividly getting the team bus back to the club after winning the grand final. There were thousands at Tiger-land and the fans made a tunnel from the road to the clubhouse. The whole Easts rugby community got into it,” Ready said.
Every club player in the 2025 finals, in every grade, is chasing a memory like that.
In the minor semi-final, Wests and Bond University will go at it from 12:35pm at Sunnybank on Sunday.
In the StoreLocal Founders Cup for women, undefeated Wests and premiers Bond University will meet at 5:15pm on Sunday while Easts and Sunnybank kick off early at 10:55am in the minor semi-final.
