But if the match were to take place at Albion Park, that would be a very different proposition.
The Hawks of Sandgate were the original football club in the Sunshine State to dip their toes into the harness code during last year’s Ultimate Driver Championship.
The Hawks – through a syndicate of long-time club members and supporters called the Unharnessed Hawks – finished third in the inaugural UDC with their running back Pete McMullen.
They’ll be back again in 2026 and will face some opposition in terms of footy-themed slots for the UDC.
Brisbane Lions defender Noah Answerth has teamed up with businessman Andy Colenso to secure a place in the UDC and has brought in good Sydney leader Robert Morris to their team.
They have named their slot the ‘Lion Kings’ to reflect Brisbane’s success on the big AFL stage.
The original footy-style UDC slot has welcomed the competition.
“I think they saw us taking the lead and they wanted to be part of that,” said Andrew Crisan, leader of the Unharnessed Hawks syndicate.
“They saw how much fun we had last year and wanted to be there this year. We are very happy to have the Lions there this time.”
“A lot of us know a lot of the players and we’ll no doubt be interacting with them and bantering with them.
“We had a lot of our syndicate members’ children play for the Sandgate footy club.
“Many of our syndicate members’ parents played for Sandgate footy club. It’s a big family and we’re now moving that family into harness racing and we’re all part of one big family in Unharnessed Hawks.”
Unharnessed Hawks syndicate member Neil Poppleton admits his local side couldn’t topple the Lions on the grass but believes if McMullen rides their horses on the track they have every chance.
“The bottom line is we can’t put them on the football field and have a crack,” Poppleton said
“But as long as we have Pete McMullen in our corner, it doesn’t matter who comes our way, we’ll take on anyone, including the AFL.
“There will be great camaraderie and friendly rivalry, which is great.”
Prior to the first UDC last year, Poppleton came up with the name of the slot: the Unharnessed Hawks Syndicate.
The Unharnessed Hawks team came across the money in the first edition of the UDC and they quickly found champion racer McMullen for the 2026 version.
It was an easy choice for all parties to strengthen last year’s positive result and finish third.
“It was a very easy decision for us,” Crisan said.
“He has had over 2,000 winners at Albion Park, so there is no one better than Pete to represent the Unharnessed Hawks.”
“I think Pete is world class. We’re coming to win this year.”
The Unharnessed Hawks syndicate has around 50 members ahead of this week’s event at Albion Park.
The team has welcomed back a number of different people from last year’s opening campaign and they are all aiming to go a few better this time around.
“We are very excited about last year’s performance,” said Crisan.
“Last year we came third, but this year we come to win.
“Have no doubts about it. Pete is the ultimate competitor and he will try to win every race, just as we will. Whatever we can do to help Pete, we will do it.”
Through business and sponsorship interests, Crisan attended the 2021 night of Queensland hard dragon racing and his involvement in the sport has grown since.
He has owned horses like Hammer Son, among others.
His involvement with the UDC was something of a return for Poppleton when he attended the races as a youngster, but he has been away from the code for years.
Close friend Crisan twisted his arm to get involved with the UDC through their connection at Sandgate and the rest is history.
“It was surreal,” Poppleton said last year of his involvement with the UDC.
“I used to go to Albion Park Trot often as a kid in my 20s, but I hadn’t done that for a long time.
“It was surreal. Obviously the fact that there were so many good people there made it even better. And of course you’re on the ground with all the other syndicates.
“There wasn’t a bad guy there, so it was a lot of fun. Our group in particular really seemed to embrace the evening.
“We were, we were rugged, we were loud, we were raucous, but it was fun. It was great.
“Pete did a great job, so we had plenty to cheer on and plenty to cheer home.”
The first edition of the UDC was previously a popular inclusion in the running calendar, with local rider Angus Garrard walking away with the chocolates as champion of the first series.
The second UDC will be held on Friday and Saturday evenings in Albion Park.
Through Jordan Gerrans for Racing Queensland
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