A CENTURY OF PRIDE: Junee Diesels celebrate 100 years

IT was a weekend to remember in Junee as the Junee Diesels Rugby League Football Club celebrated its 100th anniversary, honouring a century of memories, mateship and blue-and-gold pride.

From emotional reunions and standing-room-only crowds to a home-ground victory and the appearance of one of rugby league’s biggest names with the coveted State of Origin shield in tow, the centenary celebrations proved a fitting tribute to one of the Riverina’s most historic sporting clubs.

Laurie Daley proudly displays the 2026 State of Origin Shield during the Junee Diesels’ centenary celebrations | Image: Junee Diesels

The milestone weekend began on Friday night with a reunion marking 40 years since the Diesels’ famous 1986 triple premiership triumph, when the club swept the Under 18s, Reserve Grade and First Grade titles in one remarkable season.

Held at Junee’s Red Cow Hotel, the reunion attracted past and present players, coaches, officials and supporters, with the venue overflowing as old teammates reunited, swapped stories and reflected on one of the greatest chapters in the club’s history.

Among those in attendance were NSW State of Origin coach and Junee favourite Laurie Daley, premiership-winning captain-coach Brian Gray and former Australian and NSW representative Brett Kenny.

The reunion celebrated a season that remains forever etched in Junee sporting folklore.

Laurie Daley (back row third from the right) pictured in his Junee school days in the 80s | Image: Laurie Daley.

In 1986, a 17-year-old Laurie Daley helped steer the Diesels to what remains the club’s most recent Group 9 first-grade premiership.

His flawless goal-kicking proved the difference in a tense 10-6 grand final victory over Young, delivering just the second first-grade premiership in the club’s history.

Only months later, Daley joined the Canberra Raiders, before rapidly climbing through the representative ranks, earning NSW Country selection in 1988 and beginning one of rugby league’s most decorated careers.

Despite his success at the highest level, Daley has never forgotten where it all began.

A young Laurie Daley representing his state | Image: Laurie Daley

The weekend’s festivities continued on Saturday with a blockbuster home round at Laurie Daley Oval, where generations of Diesels supporters packed the sidelines from junior fixtures through to the Group 9 First Grade clash.

Fresh from an impressive victory over Cootamundra the previous weekend, the Diesels delivered again when it mattered most, defeating the Young Cherrypickers 24-16 in front of hundreds of supporters, former players and club legends, including Daley himself.

The result carried extra significance, coming less than 24 hours after the reunion celebrating Junee’s famous 1986 grand final victory over the very same opponents.

Junee’s first-grade side takes the attack to Young during Saturday’s centenary clash at Laurie Daley Oval | Image: Junee Diesels

The Diesels secured a 24-16 victory over the Cherrypickers in front of a large home crowd | Image: Junee Diesels

It was the perfect lead-in to the evening’s official centenary celebration at the Junee Ex-Services Memorial Club.

Close to 250 people packed the venue, with organisers reportedly forced to turn people away after the function reached capacity.

Hosted by Junee’s Jason Ferrario, the night was filled with laughter, nostalgia and heartfelt reflection as the club honoured those who had helped shape its first century.

Master of ceremonies Jason Ferrario welcomes guests to the Junee Diesels’ centenary celebration at the Junee Ex-Services Memorial Club | Image: Junee Diesels

One of the biggest moments of the evening came when Laurie Daley entered the room carrying the 2026 State of Origin shield, fresh from leading the NSW Blues to another series victory.

The arrival sparked a standing ovation, with the crowd erupting into cheers.

More than 100 people, or about half the room, lined up throughout the evening for the opportunity to have their picture taken alongside the Blues coach and the shield.

The crowd erupts as Blues coach Laurie Daley enters carrying the 2026 State of Origin Shield at the Junee Diesels’ centenary dinner | Image: Junee Diesels

Image: Junee Diesels

Laurie Daley poses with supporters after presenting the 2026 State of Origin Shield during the Junee Diesels’ centenary celebrations | Images: Junee Diesels

Daley was joined on stage by Brian Gray and rugby league great Brett Kenny, with the trio entertaining the audience for almost two hours.

Gray and Daley shared memories from the club’s famous 1986 premiership campaign, while Kenny reflected on Parramatta’s golden era of the 1980s, grand final triumphs and Kangaroo tours that helped define one of rugby league’s greatest generations.

Brian Gray, Laurie Daley and Brett Kenny entertain the crowd with memories spanning decades of rugby league during the Junee Diesels’ centenary celebration | Image: Junee Diesels

Former Australian and NSW rugby league great Brett Kenny addresses the crowd during the Junee Diesels’ centenary celebration | Image: Junee Diesels

The evening also served as a reminder of just how rare premiership success has been throughout the club’s long history.

In 100 years, the Junee Diesels have claimed just two first-grade premierships, in 1964 and again in 1986.

The architect of that inaugural title, coach Don Furner, would later forge an illustrious career with the Canberra Raiders before going on to coach Australia.

Speaking during the celebrations, Daley reflected on what wearing the blue-and-gold jersey had meant to him.

“It was unbelievable. As a kid I grew up and all I wanted to do was play for Junee. That was my main aim was just to play for the Diesels,” he said.

“I remember as a young kid, going down to the park and trying to be a ball boy. You got a free pie and a free can of Coke. I would listen to the first-grade players talking before games, then I’d go back and play under 8s, 9s or 10s and start talking exactly like they did in their pre-match addresses.”

NSW Blues coach and Junee favourite Laurie Daley shares memories of his playing days with the Diesels during the club’s 100-year celebrations | Image: Junee Diesels

Daley said representing the Diesels had always meant more than simply playing football.

“To be able to play for Junee meant something really special. It’s a community. Rugby league means a lot to a lot of people here and [on Saturday] I think we all felt that. The players weren’t just playing for themselves, they were playing for the town, and I really connected with that.”

He said the unwavering support of the Junee community had helped shape both his football career and his life.

“I remember being selected in junior representative teams and our family couldn’t afford it. But people around the town would rally together and throw in money to help me chase those opportunities. I wouldn’t have been able to achieve those goals without the help and support of the people of Junee.”

“That’s why it means so much to me. This is the town I love. It’ll always be home. I love coming back here because the people protect you and they look after you.”

The evening also featured a ceremonial cutting of the Diesels’ centenary cake and a highly anticipated auction, with supporters enthusiastically bidding on a range of commemorative items.

The Junee Diesels’ centenary cake was cut as part of the club’s official 100-year celebrations | Image: Junee Diesels

Noel Foley (left) and Graham Guthrie cutting the centenary cake | Image: Junee Diesels

Noel Foley (left) and Graham Guthrie cutting the centenary cake | Image: Junee Diesels

Among the sought-after auction items were match-worn jerseys and specially designed centenary jerseys featuring the word “Glory”, alongside the names of generations of players, premiers, coaches, volunteers and supporters woven into the fabric as a lasting tribute to everyone who has contributed to the club’s remarkable story.

A custom-built Junee Diesels 100-year commemorative firepit was also raffled, along with signed 2026 NSW State of Origin and 2025 Queensland State of Origin jerseys.

One hundred years after the club first took the field, the weekend was about far more than football.

It was a celebration of community, lifelong friendships and generations who have proudly worn the blue and gold.

As old teammates embraced, stories were retold and new memories were made, one thing became abundantly clear – while premierships may have been rare, the pride of being a Junee Diesel has endured for a century.