Alfie statue petition passes key milestone

Queensland rugby league fans have thrown their support behind the campaign to give legendary Queensland player Allan “Alfie” Langer a statue at Suncorp Stadium, with more than 5000 people signing an online petition at www.alfiestatue.com.au.
 
Marie Mortimer, Managing Director of Brisbane Broncos Premier Sponsor loans.com.au, said the campaign had struck a nerve with rugby league fans like her who had seen the “Little General” lead Queensland and the Broncos to many of their greatest victories.
 
“We have been delighted by the response from fans who want to see Alfie get the statue he deserves alongside the other greats of Queensland rugby league,” Ms Mortimer said.
 
“To get this many signatures is phenomenal and shows that there is a lot of support out there to ensure that Alfie is not forgotten at his home stadium of Lang Park.”
 
Ms Mortimer said that many of the people signing the petition at the recent Broncos vs Raiders game at Lang Park had been long-time fans who saw Alfie in his glory days when he captained the Brisbane Broncos to four premierships and played 37 State of Origin games for Queensland.
 
“Even though Alfie is still out there supporting the Broncos each week as an Assistant Coach, it is really the longtime fans who remember his amazing exploits that are backing us straight away, rather than the kids,” Ms Mortimer said.
 
“This just shows that we need to strike now, while those memories are still strong, so he doesn’t miss out on the statue he has earned over 30 years of service to Queensland rugby league.”
 
Ms Mortimer said that most people she spoke to agreed that Alfie deserved a statue and she was confident of success.
 
Rugby league legend Wally “The King” Lewis is among the 5000 who have added their name to the petition, which will be presented to Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk following her recent call for the public to tell her who should receive the next statue outside Lang Park.
 
As part of the campaign, a bronzed mascot which looks like a huge Alfie Langer Statue will continue to appear on the field at home games to remind fans to sign the petition. Fans can take selfies with the striking eight-foot tall Alfie mascot and share them on social media.
 
Ms Mortimer said that if the number of people who signed the petition continued to grow at this rate, it would be impossible to ignore.
 
The #AlfieStatue campaign follows in a tradition of Queensland rugby league players being given statues after public campaigns with corporate support.
 
Wally Lewis was the first to be immortalised in bronze in 1991, followed by Darryn Lockyer and Arthur Beetson in 2012, with Mal Meninga following in 2013. All had public and corporate backing. 
 
Ms Mortimer said Alfie had been with the Broncos since their first game 30 years ago this season, so this was the right time to honour him.
 
To sign the petition please go to www.alfiestatue.com.au