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Gold Coast playmaker Toby Sexton has credited the wisdom of injured veteran Kieran Foran for inspiring his match-winning display in the 20-18 victory over St George Illawarra that took the Titans to sixth spot on the NRL ladder.
Sexton scored the winning try with four minutes left at Robina after filling in for Foran, who has an injured calf.
The 22-year-old Sexton has been earmarked for big things in the game since he shone as a schoolboy at Palm Beach Currumbin High. Last year he played 19 NRL games but was dropped after the Titans failed to fire.
Sunday's win was his first NRL match of the year and he credited 2011 premiership winner Foran for his approach.
"Kieran has been enormous for me all pre-season," Sexton told AAP.
"That's been whether we go out to lunch or are sitting up in the video room and talking footy.
"The big thing he reinforces is keeping everything simple. He might have two or three things he concentrates on doing well and he does them well each week.
"I took his advice on board when it comes to my kicking and defence.
"I am picking his brain as much as I can. Whether I am playing reserve grade or NRL he has already been a massive influence after last year, where I didn't have that senior mentor."
Sexton's kicking game was on point throughout Sunday's match. He took the ball to the line like a prop in a run-around move with fullback Jayden Campbell that resulted in a first-half try, and threw several inch-perfect passes that set right winger Phil Sami on incisive runs.
Foran could be back to play Brisbane next Saturday night, but what Sexton has shown coach Justin Holbrook is he is capable of being a match winner in his own right.
"I don't know when Foz is coming back but all I can do when I get my opportunity is play good footy and that will give me a chance of being in the 17," Sexton said.
"I've been biting at the lip for the opportunity. I finally got it and it was a nice feeling and pretty cool to finish the way it did after last year was so difficult. We didn't win much last year but right now I am enjoying my footy.
"I was determined against the Dragons to focus on all the stuff I know I can control and one of my strengths is my kicking into corners."
Sexton is humble enough to know he has improvement to make, and praised his teammates.
"I had a poor effort in defence when (Dragons captain Ben Hunt) got over for their last try but I was fortunate enough to finish the way I did," he said.
"I think it shows the resilience of our side this year to fight back after being 18-14 down with minutes to go."
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has led Easter well-wishes as Australians come together to mark the celebration of hope.
In his official Easter message, the prime minister said Easter Sunday was a holy day marking the resurrection and a celebration of faith, hope and renewal for many.
"Our nation is home to Christians drawn from all parts of the world and from all traditions," Mr Albanese said.
"The variety of services, vigils and ceremonies across the Easter period speaks for our nation's diversity."
He thanked those Australians working through the public holidays, saying it was only possible for others to enjoy the long weekend because of their efforts.
He also urged drivers to take caution through the holiday.
"Have a safe, happy and holy Easter," Mr Albanese said.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton also wished Australians a happy Easter, saying it was a time for Christians everywhere to reflect on Jesus Christ's ultimate sacrifice and the profound impact of his teachings.
"As we enjoy these great traditions together, let us remember the true meaning of Easter and the message of hope and renewal that it brings," he said.
"The messages of Easter - atonement, forgiveness, love, and hope - have meaning for all of us."
Melbourne Archbishop Peter Comensoli issued his Easter message ahead of hundreds gathering at masses at St Patrick's Cathedral to mark Easter Sunday.
Jesus, in his resurrection, extends recognition, an invitation to peace, and "sends us out", he said.
"So, may our lives be filled with the energy, joy and youthfulness of the risen Jesus, knowing that, in him, I am recognised, I am healed, and I am sent," Archbishop Comensoli said.
Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher said the dying Christ was ready for resurrection because of the way he suffered with courage and love - not bitterness or recrimination.
"Death could not be a full-stop for Him but only a colon, a break before the Word was made Resurrected flesh and the love-song of God was sung again," the archbishop told his social media followers.
"Christ is Risen! Truly, He is Risen! Alleluia! Happy Easter!"
NSW Premier Chris Minns thanked essential workers manning essential services through the Easter holidays and said he hoped it would be a period of reflection and relaxation for families after a busy and difficult 12 months.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk wished her state a happy Easter on Twitter on Sunday, while ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr extended his well-wishes and thanked people working on Sunday.
Jeremy Rockliff marked one year as Tasmania's premier on Saturday and wished people a happy Easter.
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Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has led Easter well-wishes as many Australians come together to mark one of the most important days in the Christian calendar.
In his official Easter message, the prime minister said Easter Sunday was a holy day marking the resurrection of Jesus Christ and a celebration of faith, hope and renewal for many.
"Our nation is home to Christians drawn from all parts of the world and from all traditions," Mr Albanese said.
"The variety of services, vigils and ceremonies across the Easter period speaks for our nation's diversity."
He thanked those Australians working through the public holidays, saying it was only possible for others to enjoy the long weekend because of their efforts.
He also urged drivers to take care on the roads.
"Have a safe, happy and holy Easter," Mr Albanese said.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton also wished Australians a happy Easter, saying it was a time for Christians everywhere to reflect on Jesus' ultimate sacrifice and the profound impact of his teachings.
"As we enjoy these great traditions together, let us remember the true meaning of Easter and the message of hope and renewal that it brings," he said.
"The messages of Easter - atonement, forgiveness, love, and hope - have meaning for all of us."
Catholic Archbishop of Melbourne Peter Comensoli issued his Easter message ahead of hundreds gathering at masses at St Patrick's Cathedral to mark Easter Sunday.
Jesus, in his resurrection, extends recognition, an invitation to peace, and "sends us out", he said.
"So, may our lives be filled with the energy, joy and youthfulness of the risen Jesus, knowing that, in him, I am recognised, I am healed, and I am sent," Archbishop Comensoli said.
Sydney Archbishop Anthony Fisher said Jesus had suffered death with courage and love - not bitterness or recrimination.
"Death could not be a full-stop for Him but only a colon, a break before the Word was made Resurrected flesh and the love-song of God was sung again," the archbishop told his social media followers.
"Christ is Risen! Truly, He is Risen! Alleluia! Happy Easter!"
© AAP 2023
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Australian amateur Harrison Crowe and his entourage have relived the terrifying moment a falling tree sent spectators scurrying for their lives during the second round of the Masters.
Crowe was playing the nearby 16th hole with fellow countryman Min Woo Lee when the towering Georgia pine crashed across the 17th tee box and sent two more cascading at Augusta National on Friday.
Crowe's parents Tony and Shaunaugh were among the spectators who escaped amid the dramatic scenes as flash lightning caused havoc and the suspension of play.
"They were on the other side so that was lucky," Crowe told AAP.
"I was on the 16 green (about 30 metres away). We heard it. We watched the whole thing.
"It just started crackling and then it came down. It was scary - it was."
The frightening incident left Shaunaugh Crowe shaken.
"My heart was up in my throat," she told AAP.
"First you heard this almighty crack. I looked over and saw this big tree toppling, then you see it falling on to another tree, then another and my first comment was, 'F**k'.
"Because people were sitting there and I didn't know where everyone else was - and Tony and the boys were 10 metres away from where it happened.
"So they didn't actually see it - they heard it.
"Everyone is just screaming, because it's just like, 'This hasn't happened'.
"Everything just stopped."
Crowe's coach and caddie John Serhan said it was a miracle no one was killed.
"Tony was 20 metres from it. I s**t myself. You could feel it down there. This little tornado whipped up. It didn't last long but it caught those trees," he said.
"You could see them start to sway. They were lucky no one got killed. Very, very lucky."
Crowe's father said he watched the tree fall "in slow motion".
"The worst part about it was all the security guards after the fact said you need to get off the course because more trees are going to fall down," he said.
Serhan's son Joseph said the frightening ordeal started when Crowe's group was approaching the 16th green.
"We got this huge gust up in our faces of sand and dirt," he said.
"We thought 'here we go'. As soon as we got out into the open, it was blowing harder and we could literally hear this crack.
"We all put our hands on our head and heard a bunch of people screaming. There was about 50 people sitting down and it was literally falling where people were sitting in their chairs.
"People were falling out of their chairs on the ground and crawling to get away. From where we were, we thought for sure they were going to get hit. You had zero chance.
"There was a lady that froze completely. The trees fell perfectly between her - there was about a metre gap either side of her."
Crowe's mother commended Masters officials for their swift response.
"You just saw green coats. Everyone turned up within two seconds," she said.
"Then the security guard called out and said 'no one has been hurt' because, to see that, we were thinking someone has just been killed up there.
"No joke, I looked at Harrison and he was standing on the green and he put his hand on his mouth as if to say, 'Oh no'.
"I needed to get up to just ask Harrison is he OK.
"By the time I got up to the clubhouse, I was in tears.
"I ended up having my asthma spray because, like seriously, I couldn't cope."
© AAP 2023
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