WEEK 38 2021
DIARY OF A RETIRED RUGBY LEAGUE WRITER
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 20
One of the toughest forwards I had the pleasure of playing alongside was Jimmy Hayes, from Murwillumbah. In 1973 we were second rowers in the Brothers side, belted by Tweed Heads Seagulls in the Group 18-Gold Coast Grand Final at Stan Sercombe Oval, Murwillumbah. We did well to get there, in a strong, 11 club competition, beating Murwillumbah Old Boys in the knock-out semi and Tweed All Blacks in the preliminary final. I am reminded of these glory days when my former Brothers’ teammate from 1974 (and briefly in 1975), Greg Grainger sends a copy of the 1973 Grand Final program. (Greg was playing for Maitland at the time). Jimmy Hayes was great company and a real character. He represented New South Wales Country against City at the SCG, back when it really meant something to be chosen for Country, given the strength of football in the bush in those days. Grainger also sends photographs of the Australian Hotel (Murwillumbah) and the Mt Warning Hotel (Uki) burning. Wonder how many historic, wooden hotels have been destroyed by fire, across Australia.
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 21
NRL Strategy Chief, James Hinchey’s son, Angus, 17, is a good player, from all reports. James, comes from Gunnedah, a town with a proud rugby league history, with the 1973 side winning the Clayton’s Cup as the best in New South Wales Country. Another Gunnedah lad is Dolphins’ chair, Bob Jones. I am informed of Angus’s potential during a visit to QRL HQ at Milton.
Widnes mourn the loss of Halton Farnworth Hornets’ Junior, Liam Walsh 23, killed in a road accident in the Cheshire city. From all reports, he was a popular lad. It is Volunteers’ night at Villeneuve-sur-Lot Leopards, the oldest rugby league club in France.
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22
The Universities Grand Final at Davies Park, West End, brings back memories of our eldest son, Damien and his days playing for the University of Queensland Hounds in the same competition. Catch up with long serving Souths Magpies’ CEO, Jim McClelland, who has had morning tea with former Souths’ coach, Wayne Bennett and his lady, Dale. I watched the Grand Final chatting to the likes of Universities Media Officer, Trad McLean; Toowoomba and Universities league identity, Brian Gilroy; QRL G-M, Rob Moore; Ipswich Jets chair, Steve Johnson; Unis’ stalwart, Martin Unicombe and Papua New Guinea Hunters’ coach, Matt Church. I stay for the trophy presentations, with Trad McLean the MC. UQ, coached by PNG Hunters’ chief executive, Scott Barker, beat Griffith Uni Dragons in a quality match.
Learn of the passing of Jack Harrison, who played for Balmain in 1953-54. He was school captain and Dux, at Christian Brothers’ High, Lewisham.
My brother, Andrew, who lives in Vietnam these days, turns 58.
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 23
Former Test winger, Michael Hancock and I have a good yarn at QRL headquarters, ahead of the History Committee meeting, which I am to chair. He sports a Moeen Ali style beard. Mick, a development officer with the Broncos, is delighted new CEO, Dave Donaghy went out of his way to invite him into his office for a chat. The Lismore Cup is showing, as I arrive at Stafford Tavern for a few ales. I have been to races at Lismore on two or three occasions. My late father-in-law, Kevin Donnelly, loved going there.
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 24
Former Test centre, Steve Renouf and Broncos’ CEO, Dave Donaghy are my interview subjects at Men of League Foundation, Moreton Committee Lunch at Club Pine Rivers. I put my foot in it when I refer to Broncos’ new signing from South Sydney, Adam Reynolds, as Indigenous. I am quickly corrected by Renouf and Donaghy. Steve recalls the break the Broncos enjoyed in Dublin, during their World Club Challenge, Northern Hemisphere trip in 1997. “It was a blast”, he says. Steve introduces me to members of the Samford Stags’ club, who have a table at the lunch. My wife, Marie and I are moving to Samford in 2022. Sitting at my table are the likes of former Test forwards, Bryan Niebling and Wally Fullerton Smith and Queensland Times’ columnist, Michael Nunn. Dave Donaghy said he had a “pretty rough time” at the Brisbane Lions AFL Club (working in media), as it was during the time of ‘bad boy’, Brendan Fevola.
Watch Souths v Manly Preliminary Final from Suncorp Stadium. FoxSports’ commentator, Cameron Smith, the former Australian skipper, struggles in his interview with Souths’ coach, Wayne Bennett. He’s not Robinson Crusoe in that regard. Bennett becomes the first coach to take four clubs – Canberra, Brisbane, St George Illawarra and Souths – to a Grand Final, when the Rabbitohs defeat the Sea Eagles 36-16. Bennett also took Souths Magpies to two Brisbane Grand Finals, and played in a Brisbane Grand Final – for Brothers.
Today is the 60th anniversary of Murwillumbah Brothers’ first A grade Premiership win. They beat Seagulls in the Tweed Grand Final at Knox Park, Murwillumbah. My late father, Jon was Brothers’ treasurer. The coach was Englishman, Bert Holcroft. I remember the trip to Brisbane by my father, to get Bert and his wife, from their digs at Auchenflower. He took me for the ride.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 25
The Storm v Penrith Preliminary final at Suncorp Stadium is so physical, with Penrith defeating Melbourne Storm 10-6. I know I am not alone in thinking a number of the Penrith players appear arrogant. Our daughter, Melanie Mariotto texts from Singapore. ‘Go Bunnies next week. Penrith are arrogant buggers’. Stephen Chrichton is embraced by the Penrith reserves, after he scores from a Nathan Cleary kick. I don’t like that. You see it all the time in rugby union. Reserves are not allowed to enter the field of play. Radio commentator, David ‘Thirsty’ Morrow recalls some of the people he has met in his broadcasting career, among them The Queen, Sir Donald Bradman and Johnny Cash. I can match him, re. the Queen, but not ‘The Don’ or ‘The Man in Black’. Penrith coach, Ivan Cleary – at media conferences – sometimes makes Wayne Bennett sound exciting. There are questions from fans at the end of the conference. First time I have seen that. Not sure I like it. I think the media conferences should be for questions from accredited media only. Sounds elitist, I know. Storm coach, Craig Bellamy says his side got what they deserved, given their completion rate was 60 percent. It is a sad ending (at the Storm) for courageous forward, Dale Finucane, who is joining Cronulla. “He gave our club more than we gave him,” says Bellamy.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 26
Marie and I attend Chilli festival at Murphy’s Creek, followed by a brief stop at Spring Bluff Railway Station. We drive home through Toowoomba, with Queens Park a hive of activity, on the last day of the Festival of the Flowers. Listen to Triple M on car radio. Gorden Tallis says he took a sneak peak at Tina Turner performing, ahead of the 1993 NSWRL Grand Final, when he was reserve for St George – against the Broncos.
Channel 9s’ Scott Sattler says he can cheer for both sides in the NRL Grand Final, given he won a title with Penrith, and his dad, John, captained the Rabbitohs to premiership glory.
About Author
“back when it really meant something to be chosen for Country”
I know what you mean. In Roma last weekend, my mate showed me his Qld Country Cricket V Pakistan program from December 1972. It was covered with player signatures he had gathered during the day there at Bassett Park. A well focused collection of black and white photographs of individual Pakistan players as they milled outside the dressing room completed his reporting efforts as a 14year old kid. 12th man for Qld country cricket is toe kicking Wattles RL fullback, Laurie Black. Ray Higgs was his captain at Wattles. Mega effort Laurie.
That’s Laurie Blake.
Sorry. Auto spell I guess.