The game’s greats were here for a special fundraiser for Nambucca’s own Bob Boland, who’s been through the wars, having recently spent 10 weeks in hospital following a hip replacement.

Bolo was tickled pink following the event and said he couldn’t believe the numbers.

“The highlight was to see so many of my old mates there, people I played against and people I wasn’t expecting to see there,” Bolo told the Guardian.

“(I) Couldn’t believe the amount of people I saw. I had my doubts – I just hoped for the organisers sake it was a success ... and what a great success it was.”

And the former Balmain captain and Penrith captain/coach was unaware it was a fundraiser for him, and said he was humbled by the sentiment.

“It’s immense really, can’t believe it,” he said. “I thought most people hated me … but some of the blokes and people there, I just couldn’t believe they all turned up.

“It really was a great day – I’m nearly recovered … by the end of the week I’ll be ready to go again.”

Organiser of the day, and close friend of Bolo’s, Pat Broderick was near speechless with the turnout.

“Wasn’t it a great day?! I honestly have had that many phone calls from that many people since,” Pat told the Guardian.

“Gus was wrapped, Johnny, Neil, Paul … all the blokes who made the trip all had a terrific time.

“It was terrific, just terrific.”