Narrabri resident Bob Baker said when it came to tipping, his heart couldn’t take it any longer. After leading The Courier’s NRL Tipping Competition most of the season, he was beaten in the final week. Bob missed out on the major prize - two tickets to the NRL Grand Final, something which has been on the 71-year-old’s bucket list all his life. That’s when the NRL and Brindabella Airlines stepped in.
Narrabri resident Bob Baker still can’t believe he’s off to the NRL Grand Final.
The 71-year-old has never been to rugby league’s biggest event.
For many years, Bob has been entering The Courier’s NRL Tipping Competition in an attempt to win the major prize of two tickets to the Grand Final.
This year he thought he had it in the bag. The rugby league tragic led the comp for more than half the season.
In the final week, he was beaten by one game.
He told The Courier he didn’t think his heart could go through any more tipping because it was just too stressful, particularly after coming so close.
But the NRL wasn’t about to let Bob have his dream slip away.
After reading about how passionate Bob was about rugby league and his long-held desire to go to a Grand Final, the NRL wanted to ensure Bob was able to experience the big day.
The organisation sent Bob two tickets to the sold-out event.
When The Courier surprised Bob with the news yesterday afternoon, he couldn’t believe it.
“This is better than winning the competition,” said an emotional Bob.
“I’m so grateful, I just can’t believe it, in my 71 years I’ve never been to a Grand Final.”
NRL spokesman Paul Kind said the organisation wanted to ensure Bob experienced the big day.
“We are really happy to be able to help Bob realise his Grand Final dream,” Mr Kind said.
“It won’t matter who is playing. This is the biggest game of the year and he will love every minute of it.”
For a country town like Narrabri, it can often be hard for residents to get to the Sydney and experience these type of events.
When Brindabella found out the NRL had given Bob two tickets, the airline wanted to make sure he could get to Sydney easily.
“We are always delighted to support a special cause and when I heard about Bob’s aspirations to get to the Grand Final, and that the NRL had given him two tickets to attend the big day, I wanted to ensure Bob was able to get to Sydney without having to think about the seven hour drive,” said Brindabella Airlines chief commercial officer James Blake.
“I’m so glad that Brindabella Airlines will be able to get Bob there in comfort and speed so he can enjoy the game that he is obviously so passionate about.”
Bob will attend with his wife, Joy.