DIARY OF A RETIRED RUGBY LEAGUE WRITER
WEEK 40 2021
MONDAY, OCTOBER 4
Former Test fullback, Frank Drake is still going strong at the ripe old age of 82, working away as an electrician. But he does need a hip operation. Frank, who lives at East Brisbane, was born in Sydney, and made his top-level debut with Balmain Tigers in 1958, before moving to Queensland, where he played for Toowoomba club All Whites (now Brothers). He went on to play 21 matches for Queensland, and represented Australia against New Zealand in 1961 and against Great Britain in 1962, as well as touring New Zealand in ’61.
Toowoomba horse, ‘Incentivive’, is rated by local scribes the best since Bernborough. It must be good, because my late father-in-law, Kevin Donnelly from Lismore, was a massive fan of Bernborough, the bay colt from Dalby. In Paris, The annual Arc de Triomphe at Longchamps in Paris, was won by German horse, Torquator, ridden by German jockey, Rene Piechulek. My wife, Marie and I attended the Arc, in 2014,0 when Frankie Dettori rode Golden Horn to victory, a double triumph for the British. The clerk of the course at Beaudesert was bitten by a snake at today’s meeting. That wouldn’t happen at the Arc. I recall having to go to Gatton Race Track back in the 1970s, to do a story on their resident carpet snake. ‘Telegraph’ Deputy Chief of Staff, Brian Harris sent me out there with a photographer, on what was obviously a quiet news day.
“The butcher bird up here is way worse (than the magpies),” says a kid, as he and his mates cycle past our place.
Melbourne is in lockdown, making it 245 days all up, a world record. Comrade Dan (Premier, Edwards) doesn’t know whether he is coming or going.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 5
Dogs either side of us start barking at 7 a.m. and a trumpeter gets stuck into things at 7.20. The joys of living in a close knit, town house estate. Just outside our estate, in a big, new residence, a dog howls all day because the owner has left it alone. One of our neighbours considers calling the RSPCA.
Former Burleigh Bears’ prop, Graham Ambrose has died. He played 170 games for the Bears; was captain-coach in 1972-73, and was twice named player of the year. Ambrose was chosen in the Bears’ best 20, (pre-Queensland Cup) in 2017. I played against him a number of times, in the Group 18 Gold Coast League, and he was a hard man to tackle, given his size and mobility.
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6
Dogs start barking, howling at 6.40 this morning. I have a haircut at Lutwyche, the barber a nice young bloke, originally from ‘The Entrance’ on the Central Coast of New South Wales.
Former Souths and Easts player, Col Foran wants to donate photos to the QRL History Committee, from his great uncle, Pat Foran’s collection. Pat was a masseur at Brisbane Brothers Rugby League Club. Col said he had a chat to me at Central Park, Wigan in 1986, ahead of the Australia v Great Britain Third Test. I was covering the Kangaroo Tour for the Brisbane ‘Telegraph’. Col has already donated some items to Souths Magpies.
‘Courier-Mail’ columnist, Peter Gleeson pays tribute to noted sub-editor, Martin Rasini, who has died, aged 77. Gleeson rates Rasini up there with Paul Wicks as the best production editor he has seen. When I joined the Telegraph Sports Department, from the general news section, in 1981, it was only because Paul elected to stay in general, to cover the television round. He had been covering league, the sport he grew to love, growing up in Toowoomba.
Another newspaper report highlights the good work of State Emergency Service (SES) volunteers. Accompanying the story is a photograph of six old, white guys, and group leader, Michelle Bowker. I don’t what will happen when the old guys fall off the perch, because I don’t know whether the spirit of volunteering is there in our younger, multi-cultural community. Hope I am wrong.
Our six-year-old grandson, Ethan says the years are going quickly.
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 7
Frank de Pasquale reflects on Norths’ 1980 Brisbane Grand Final win, as we chat at Wilston Village Bar, where there is live music. Frank is there with two business partners, and talks enthusiastically about the exploits of explosive Norths’ fullback, Joe Kilroy, in that 1980 decider. Frank says I was mentioned on a podcast he listened to recently. It referred to my First Grade debut with Norths in the 1979 Woolies pre-season competition. They must have been desperate for something to talk about. Norths play Wynnum-Manly in Sunday’s Queensland Cup Grand Final.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8
Former AFL star, Richard Champion proves an entertaining guest speaker at Beer and Beef Club lunch at Morrison Hotel, South Brisbane. We were ‘sparring partners’ on Radio TAB for quite a few years. In addition to being a sports commentator and public speaker, ‘Champs’ is lead singer for ‘Filthy Animals’, and has to leave after my interview, because the band has a gig at ‘Orion’, Springfield. Another former AFL player, Dion Scott accompanies ‘Champs’ to the lunch. ‘Champs’, who has a daughter who is a teacher, delivers a number of interesting yarns, one involving former AFL bad boy, Brendan Fevola and ‘colourful’ character, Mick Gatto. Champs says one of ‘Ackers’ nicknames was Neapolitan. I think I know why. ‘Champs’ said the failed experiment of bringing rugby league star, Israel Folau to Aussie rules had many unusual elements, with opposition players even trying to help out ‘Izzy’, DURING games. ‘Champs’ also loves the International Rules concept, featuring Australia and Ireland. ‘Champs’ played golf with AFL legend, Alastair Lynch earlier in the week. I interviewed Lynch at a Beer and Beef Club lunch at The Regatta Hotel. I took the bus to the Morrison lunch, and on board had a nice chat with Mark Lynch from Rockhampton, a good friend of my former Brisbane Norths’ teammate, Dallas Bargenquast. I get a cab home. My Muslim driver lives at Springfield. Perhaps he will go to see ‘Filthy Animals’ tonight.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9
Marie and I attend Samford Valley Markets, where there is a yapping little dog, just like the one belonging to one of our next-door neighbours, and the people at the market are just as irresponsible, by not trying to shut it up. We enjoy the sausage sizzle conducted by volunteers from St Paul’s Anglican Church, plus excellent coffee from a (private enterprise) coffee cart. Afterwards, Marie and I walk the perimeter of Samford Grove Over-55 Village, our future home. Murwillumbah Showgrounds, the scene of many of my games for Brothers, has become a refuge for Queenslanders unable to return home, because of Covid border rules.
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 10
Perpignan based, Catalans Dragons are brave in a 12-10 loss to St Helens in the Super League Grand Final at Old Trafford, Manchester. The result denies former NRL star, James Maloney a fairy-tale finish to his first class career. It was Saints’ third successive Super League title. A Hunter Valley resident phones Macca (Ian McNamara) on ABC Radio, upset the Queensland Cup Grand Final is not being televised in New South Wales. ‘Macca’, a talented singer, and Australian music legend, Col Joye, played at football clubs in Brisbane in the 1970s, sometimes three clubs in a night – most probably the likes of Brothers Leagues; Brothers Union and Mayne Aussie Rules. One night a patron threw a beer glass at Col, an Army boxing champion. Col caught it and gave the patron ‘the stare’.
Fellow QRL History Committee member, Paul Hayes drives to me to Dolphin Oval for the Q Cup Grand Final between Norths and Wynnum. Wynnum beat Townsville in extra time in the under-21s, with Max Plath, son of former Bronco, John, kicking the winner. Prop, Ethan Malt, son of Wynnum stalwart, Steve, is still in his gear an hour after the win, with his premiership medal proudly hanging from his neck as he sits with family and friends in the grandstand. I know how he feels. I remember remaining in my gear and mixing with family members for ages, after captaining Murwillumbah Brothers to victory over Tweed Heads Seagulls in the 1970, Group 18 Gold Coast Under-18 Grand Final at Murwillumbah. Former Sydney Wests’ skipper and ABC television commentator, Warren Boland calls the 21s for the QRL.
Paul and I sit with his mate, Sean Hobday, and a Nundah born and bred Norths’ man, Chris (surname escapes me). I wouldn’t argue with some of the Norths’ fans sitting in front of us, if you get my drift. The can bars struggle to keep up with demand. One bloke returns to the stand with warm cans of Gold. “I was told to like it, or lump it,” he says. It is interesting seeing the different jerseys worn by fans. Thye include the French Test strip, Valleys, Broncos, Cowboys, Canterbury, Wests (Sydney), the Bushrangers (whoever they are) and of course, Wynnum, Redcliffe and Norths. Norths win 16-10, to claim their first top grade title in 23 years. Norths’ dummy half, Danny Levi’s passing game is immaculate, while halfback, Tyrone Roberts’ game management is excellent. I still think he could do the job at NRL level. Indigenous star, Selwyn Cobbo scores one of Wynnum’s two tries and looks a class above any other back on the field. Prop, Michael Molo wins the Duncan Hall Medal as Player of the Match. Kiwi players do a haka after the game, something I am not comfortable with. This is Australia and it is the QUEENSLAND Cup Grand Final.
In the Leagues Club after the match, I have a few ales with former Test halfback, Mark Murray; Redcliffe historian Jon Sloan; former ‘Sunday-Mail’ editor, Scott Thompson (who now works for a munitions company); ARL Strategy Manager, James Hinchey and Wynnum stalwart, Steve Plath, brother of John. Steve and I reminisce about foundation French Rugby League Club, Villeneuve-sur-Lot Leopards, where he played several seasons. ‘Vill’ is a town where I have stayed a number of times. During the match, a young drunk in the grandstand heard someone call Mark Murray a legend, so he got a selfie with ‘Muppet’. “I’ve got no idea who you are,” the young bloke said to Murray, who copped it sweet. Mark captained Norths to Grand Final Glory in 1980, and also played for Redcliffe. Also see former top grade footballers, Adam Starr and Craig O’Dwyer in the bar, both of them former Redcliffe players, O’Dwyer the captain in 2001. Top-line coach, Neil Henry is having a chat with Kurt Richards, who is part of the Dolphins’ NRL staff.
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