Join us for an unforgettable afternoon of laughs, stories, and legends at the Lion’s Long Lunch 2025 as the popular annual event hits the Seagulls Club on Friday 1st August at 12:00pm.
This year’s panel features some of the game’s great personalities – Nathan Peats, Corey Norman, Keegan Hipgrave, Adrian Vowles, and Billy Johnstone – who’ll be sharing classic tales and behind-the-scenes insights you won’t want to miss.
Nathan Peats
A former professional rugby league hooker whose professional career spanned over a decade. He began his NRL journey with the South Sydney Rabbitohs in 2011, later playing for the Parramatta Eels and the Gold Coast Titans. At the Titans, Peats reached a career highlight by representing New South Wales in all three games of the 2017 State of Origin series. Internationally, he played for teams including Leigh Centurions, Toulouse Olympique, and Huddersfield Giants.
Corey Norman
A former professional rugby league footballer known for his versatility as a five-eighth, halfback, and fullback. He commenced his NRL career with the Brisbane Broncos in 2010, making 62 appearances over four seasons. In 2014, he joined the Parramatta Eels, where he played 107 games and scored 14 tries until 2018. Norman then moved to the St. George Illawarra Dragons, adding 59 appearances and nine tries between 2019 and 2021. Across his NRL tenure, he amassed a total of 228 games. At representative level, he represented the Queensland Maroons in the 2019 State of Origin series. After announcing his retirement from the NRL in December 2021, Norman briefly returned to play for Toulouse Olympique in the Super League in 2022 and later for the London Broncos in 2023. He concluded his professional rugby league career with a total of 254 first-grade appearances.
Keegan Hipgrave
A former professional rugby league forward who played in the NRL for the Gold Coast Titans and Parramatta Eels. He made his debut with the Titans in 2017 and was known for his aggressive playing style. Over his career, he made 49 NRL appearances and scored three tries. Unfortunately, repeated concussions led to his early retirement at the age of 24 in 2021. Post-retirement, Hipgrave has been active in mental health advocacy, working with the Rugby League Players Association as a Players Transition Manager and hosting a podcast to address mental health issues in sports.
Adrian Vowles
A former professional rugby league footballer during the 1990s and 2000s. He began his professional career with the Gold Coast Seagulls in 1993, earning ‘Clubman of the Year’ honors in his debut season. In 1994, he was selected as a reserve back for Queensland in the State of Origin series. Vowles joined the North Queensland Cowboys in 1995 and captained the team in 1996. He then moved to England to play for the Castleford Tigers from 1997 to 2001, where he was awarded the prestigious Man of Steel award in 1999. Vowles also represented Scotland in the 2000 Rugby League World Cup. He later had stints with Leeds Rhinos and Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, where he took on a player-coach role.
Billy Johnstone
A former Australian rugby league hooker and professional middleweight boxer. He began his rugby league career with Souths Brisbane, winning the Brisbane Rugby League premiership in 1981. In 1983, he joined the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, earning the Dally M Hooker of the Year award in his debut season and contributing to the team’s 1985 premiership victory. After a season with St. George in 1987, Johnstone became the inaugural captain of the Gold Coast-Tweed Giants, playing there until his retirement in 1990. Parallel to his rugby league career, he was an accomplished boxer, recording 21 wins in 27 bouts. Post-retirement, Johnstone transitioned into a renowned strength and conditioning coach, working with clubs like the Bulldogs, North Queensland Cowboys, and Gold Coast Titans, and was part of Australia’s coaching staff during the 2004 Tri-Nations campaign.
We’ll also proudly present the Tom Searle Scholarships to two standout young men from our Cyril Connell Cup or Mal Meninga Cup squads – players who are not only excelling on the field but also showing great character off it.
Tickets:
Single Seat – $150 per person
Table of 8 – $1100
