Did it go through the posts or didn’t it?
That was the big talking point after the return inter-state match when referee, Tom McMahon upset the Queenslanders with a hesitant and controversial call as New South Wales went 2-0 up in the series with a 17-15 win at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Maroons fullback, Danny O’Connor slotted what he and teammates thought was a legitimate field goal, and even a section of the crowd behind the posts acclaimed the kick, with drop goals worth two points in those days. The Courier-Mail’s L H Kearney wrote that the kick had soared a foot inside the right hand upright. O’Connor kicked two penalty goals and a conversion to equal NSW centre, Dave Brown’s record of 45 goals in inter-state football. NSW coach, ‘Latchem’ Robinson said Qld did not deserve to lose.
The Maroons had been outplayed in Game 1 of the series, with the Blues winning 23-9 in front of a crowd of 44,267 at the SCG. Only 16,804 turned up for the return match.
In Brisbane club football there was a sensation at Davies Park with a dozen players and twice as many spectators involved in a vicious brawl 15 minutes before fulltime in the Souths – Easts derby.
Police and officials, headed by Brisbane Rugby League chairman, A. G. Welsh; Easts coach, Jack Ryrie and referee, Vic Lynagh battled manfully as peace makers before the disturbance was quelled.
Souths forward, Nev Brough was knocked cold.
“Another Souths’ player, Jarvis, received a worse face bashing than that meted out to many badly punished Stadium boxers,” wrote L H Kearney.
The Good old Days!
About Author
