Brian Walsh
THE shock loss of international fullback, Wayne Bennett to the Ipswich competition had Brisbane Brothers’ fans worried about the club’s prospects under new coach, John Lohman.
But chairman of selectors, Eddie Brosnan, Bennett’s uncle, tipped Surfers Paradise Pirates’ signing, Alan ‘Seaweed’ Power to be a more than capable replacement.
Brosnan, a retired policeman who toured Britain and France with the 1948-49 Kangaroos, proved a good judge, with Power going on to represent Queensland.
Other notable signings for Brothers were Ipswich prop, Greg Jackwitz, son of former State hooker, Dennis Jackwitz; Vince Raleigh (Townsville) and Brian Walsh (Murwillumbah Brothers).
Raleigh would go on to become one of Australia’s top swim coaches, while Walsh would prove one of the best utility players ever to play in the Brisbane competition – from the Wynnum-Manly club.
Walsh, who was given accommodation in a dodgy boarding house at Spring Hill, got homesick, and never took the field for Brothers. He returned to Murwillumbah, before once again giving the BRL a go, with Wynnum.
In 1976, Wynnum were coached by Jim lewis, father of future Queensland great, Wally Lewis.
The Seagulls major off-season gain was classy centre, Ian Boustead from Innisfail.
in other pre-season news:
– Former Test prop, John Sattler was named on the selection panel at Norths after hanging up his boots at the end of 1975.
– Easts signed brilliant young Toowoomba halfback, Wayne Lindenberg, and exciting forward, John McLeod, who had won a trip to England as the best defensive forward in the Townsville competition.
– Redcliffe signed former New South Wales’ prop, John Barber from Manly; former Cronulla utility, Chris Wellman and Gunnedah’s Terry Donnelly, a brother of international forward, John ‘Dallas’ Donnelly;
– Souths signed fullback, Chris Skelton, an understudy to Garry Dowling at Canterbury-Bankstown. Goal kicking winger, Tom Gillogoly, a product of the Wingham Tigers’ club, was another signing from Canterbury. Local signings included Doug Drew, Peter Clarke (Norths) and Alan Nunan (Redcliffe).
About Author
In 1983 at a State League match in Proserpine, Easts (Brisbane) coach, John Lang told interested onlookers that Wayne Lindenberg was as good as Wally Lewis. Wally was State of Origin Captain at the time, but it was before his 1984 standout year where his club won the Premiership, Brisbane won the Panasonic Cup (a mid week competition against Sydney Club teams and others) and Queensland won the State of Origin Series. Wayne, who played a big part in Easts 1983 Grand Final win was restricted by not playing on Saturdays because of his religion. He retired after a Qld tour of Great Britain at the end of 1983.
Terry Donnelly, really good player, was a cousin, not brother, of john donnelly; both from gunnedah
Terry himself had brothers who were really good too, Brian donnelly being one.
Terri Donnelly, really good player as a teenager, was a cousin not brother of John Donnelly; both grew up in gunnedah nsw
Terri did have at least one really good league playing brother, Brian Donnelly.