In this week's Forever Green we catch up with local junior and former Club Captain Terry Campese.
Terry Campese
Canberra Raider #242
Appearances 139
What do you do for work now?
A few things. I do some work for the NRL by doing some coaching clinics. I do some odd MC'ing events at some of the country games and some of the NRL games and just jump into boxes and talk to fans. I call some games down on the sideline which I enjoy jumping up and down at the Raiders games.
I also work for the Queanbeyan Palerang Regional Council as coordinator of community. I look after a range of things from community development officers to family day care, indigenous to disability and youth.
What's your favourite memory as a Raider?
There's plenty but it would have to be that semi-final against Penrith having your first born which is the best day of your life sitting there watching this miracle happen of birth. I thought I wouldn't even make it to the game after watching the traumatising experience but beautiful at the same time. Then travelling up as underdogs to face a very good Penrith team and I think I got man of the match that game so I could say g'day to the wife and the little one. We were then walking around the ground after the game and the fence collapsed and my whole family was in the front row.
What did it mean to you to wear the Raiders jersey?
Everything. I grew up watching the Raiders and here we are, and I still love watching them play. The proudest thing you can ever do for a footy team is lead them out and I was lucky enough to captain the club that I loved. It's something that I will cherish forever being a one club man never played against the Canberra Raiders. Never wanted to play against them, never thought I ever would so I'm proud of what I achieved and in the end the body just couldn't handle it anymore.
Who was your favourite teammate?
Joel Monaghan. He was a great mate and when I first came into that scene as a young bloke I was too scared to talk. He grabbed me under his arm and introduced me to the boys and really made me a part of the group and took me to things with the boys outside of training to mingle so I put it down to him for getting me the confidence around the group. Great mates ever since and he's the godfather of my little girl so we catch up often and only live about an hour away from each other in England. He'll be the first one there when you need him and the last one to leave.
What was your funniest moment as a Raider?
One that sticks out for me but not so much Tilsey (Dane Tilse) was the pink shirt and I wanted to get a record out of this pink shirt. I nominated Tilsey for four weeks in a row and it was coming up to the record and the third week in he came up to me and said, "you better not nominate me again this week or you're in strife." That was what made me want to nominate him again and the team then voted for him once again and as soon as we walk outside he's pushing me and trying to fight me.
Do you have advice for any younger players?
Enjoy your footy. It's short lived and goes very quick. Really enjoy your highs because it's a funny old game and you never know when it could turn.
