Julie Stott is one of the most recognised sports journalists associated with rugby league.
Having been involved in the industry for almost 30 years, the wealth of experience and knowledge she has gathered over that period is immense.
From the time of dominance of the great Wigan team of the 80s and 90s through to the initiation and growth of Super League, she has seen it all.
Dedicating so much time in the field, however, results in one inevitable outcome – a hell of a lot of games must be covered.
Tasked with the challenge of narrowing down all matches she covered to her favourite three, Stott was resolute in her selections, with her number one game some way ahead of any others she has covered…
- 1996 Challenge Cup final: Bradford 32-40 St Helens
“The reason I picked this one is because of Robbie Paul. He was 19 at the time, brilliant player, but he scored a hattrick for Bradford and won man of the match, winning £10,000 for getting a hattrick, but he ended up on the losing side
“The thing that stands out, obviously it was a brilliant game – it was to and fro, but the thing that stands out is seeing in the press conference after. A player who had just achieved most people’s dreams – he got a hattrick and man of the match – and he was devastated.
“It was just that contrast of how cruel sport can be, because you thought he’d achieved so much, but he was just absolutely devastated that they’d lost.
“I like matches that are not only good matches, but also ones that have a good story to them as well.”
- 2006, Sydney, Tri-nations 23-12 Australia
“In nine games over 14 years, we hadn’t beat any of the big hitting countries (New Zealand and Australia), so to do it in their backyard was just incredible.
“Again it was such a memorable game, because early on, Australia had this giant prop forward called Willie Mason, who in the first few minutes just takes out Stuart Fielden, and they had a real, proper stand up punching match!
“He ended up felling Fielden with one punch to the head, when these things were allowed. Then, when Fielding went down there was a massive pile-in, so it was a massive start to the game!
“Then later on Mason also elbows Shawn Long, and then Jamie Peacock the captain comes in so there were two major fights in this game.
“In terms of the match itself, with 15 minutes to go, the winger Gareth Raynor finished off a length of the field try, and we knew we’d won it then.
“It was such a great feeling, because you sit in the Australian press boxes, and there’s a real arrogance about how much better they are than us. That was my first rugby League tour, so it was just memorable to have that.
“But the interesting thing about that first incident was, in Australia you’re allowed to go to the disciplinary hearing, whereas over here you’re not.
“On the Monday after the match on the Saturday, we were allowed in and it was like a proper court hearing! It was ridiculous! They were saying things like: ‘Mr Mason, is it true that you said to Mr Fielden you F*****g C**t?’
“It was just ridiculous, asking what they had said in the heat of the battle! So, from a reporter’s point of view that aspect of it was fascinating.”
- Auckland, 2017, World Cup semi-final: England v Tonga
“This one is the best by a country-mile! The reason why is, in Auckland, there is a massive Tongan community.
“So we went to the stadium, and the capacity was 30,000. I would say 29,800 people in the crowd were Tongan supporters. They were all dressed in their colours, so it was just an absolute sea of red!
“About three Hours before, as we had to get there early, fans were outside and they were singing hymns, it was like a massive musical event was going on and everyone was so happy!
“Infront of us, there was a Tongan couple who had just got married, she was in her full white dress and they’d come straight from their wedding to the match! It was all brilliant, and just spine tingling being there.
“In the game, England went 20 – 0 ahead. There was only seven minutes to go, then Tonga got a try and you thought it was just a bit of a consolation, but then the whole crowd were lifted!
“Then they got another try, and another one, so with a minute to go it was 20-18 and the whole place was just electric.
“Then, they think they’ve scored again with Andrew Fifita in the very last second, and it gets disallowed for a knock on! Tonga were absolutely adamant it shouldn’t have been, but it got disallowed and England went through to the final.
“That was definitely my favourite game by a mile.”
Still holding the same burning passion for the game now as back then, Stott will undoubtedly witness many more historic games in the future.
(All images courtesy of Julie Stott)
