DIARY UPDATE: Week 48, 2021

DIARY OF A RETIRED RUGBY LEAGUE WRITER

WEEK 48 2021

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 29

Documentary film maker, Darren Hutchinson interviews me about multi-code footballer, Israel Folau’s young days in rugby league. The documentary is to feature on ABC Television. There is not much I can tell Darren, despite the fact I was the first to interview Folau (as far as I know), when he was selected in a Queensland age team. Someone at Melbourne Storm told me ‘Izzy’ was going to be as good, if not better, than Greg Inglis. I did the interview over the phone, with Folau having free time, during a training run at Brisbane’s Bishop Park. He was shy, respectful and co-operative, but didn’t give me much in the way of quotes. I told Hutchinson about the media frenzy when Folau was linked with a switch to Australian rules, while he was playing at the Broncos, and representing Queensland. Folau granted me the odd interview about his plans, but most of the time, politely declined my requests. I was never really interested in the religious side of any footballer. If they started ‘preaching’ to me – not many did, Thank God – I quickly changed the subject. To this day, I’m uncomfortable with players being ‘dragged into’ prayer circles, after games. I’m sure some feel obligated, even though they would rather not be part of it. It’s a bit like not ‘taking the knee’ – you’re going to get bashed on social media.

New Zealand Warriors players perform a Haka at Dolphin Oval ahead of their summer training campaign in Redcliffe. I like the Haka, when it is done by Kiwi sides. Not so rapt when Australian club or school sides do it.

Window cleaners do their stuff at our Grange town house. My wife, Marie says, before they start, “I come from a ‘school’, that says, ‘If it’s worth doing, it’s worth doing well.” The ‘boss’ replies: “So do I.” Obviously he didn’t pass with honours, because he and his assistant do an average job, at best. Cost – $360.

Bloke at pub – first name, Matt – said he played with Port City, one of the two rugby league sides in Port Macquarie. There was just the one when I played in the area, for Wingham. Matt also played for Berowra Wallabies in one of the A Grade Men’s Rugby League competitions, in the Greater Sydney region.

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 30

Yesterday the window cleaners – today the pest inspection people. One of them – Greg – played rugby league for Morisset High School in the Hunter Valley, against the likes of Scone and the Dora Creek Swampies. My former Murwillumbah Brothers’ teammate, Greg Grainger played for Hexham against Dora Creek. He calls them ‘lunatics’, in the nicest possible way, of course. Then again – Greg recalls one match when beer glasses were being thrown on the field!

QRL’s Joe McDermott is, or has, moved to the FOGS (Former Origin Greats), I am told, but, from all reports, new Queensland State of Origin coach, Billy Slater still wants Joe as a team manager, and what Billy wants, Billy will get.

Former television commentator, Barry Ross has lunch with Peter Hadfield, (President of ‘Old Olympians’) and former Australian rugby league forward, Steve Kneen, who has been battling breast cancer. Kneen, who drove the New South Wales Origin side’s bus for a few years, is a model aeroplane enthusiast. I’m told Steve had a mishap underneath Suncorp Stadium, when the team bus got stuck, on something or other, and it couldn’t move, forward or back. Learn of the passing of legendary Wollongong radio broadcaster, Brian Surtees, who played a big role in the birth of the Illawarra Steelers.

The Broncos have signed Kaiden Learoyd-Lahrs – son of Tom – on a junior development deal. I always found Tom, who played four Tests for Australia, to be a kind, courteous person. Tom has strong family connections with Cudgen, in the Tweed Valley, my home territory.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 1

Former Murwillumbah Brothers, Redcliffe and Brisbane Norths’ hooker, Allan Nunan attended a recent reunion for Fire Fighters at the XXXX Brewery. Around 500 turned up to honour the 46 firemen – I emphasise ‘men’ – who retired in the last two years. Allan a butcher, as well as a fireman, loved playing for Redcliffe at their old home, the Showgrounds. It might have something to do with the fact Allan, and his brothers, his twin, Geoff; Peter and Mick, played all their emerging senior football at the Murwillumbah Showgrounds, Brothers’ home. Allan’s Dad, Joe, was a long-standing selector/official for Brothers, and the boys’ mother, Nola, was head of the Ladies auxiliary.

Salvation Army removal guys reject my desk and an old wardrobe, when they visit our Grange residence, as Marie and I look to unload stuff, before our move to Samford. The Salvos take a coffee table; chest of drawers and two chairs. Can’t believe they wouldn’t want my desk. It’s not as if John Brown and Jan Murray were ever in my office.

Former Souths’ halfback, Peter Nocon, walks past, as Marie and I finish dining at Marina Trattoria, Paddington, before attending an art show at our grandson, Connor’s pre-school.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 2

One of Lang Park’s original line markers has been donated to the Queensland Rugby League History committee by Ralph Davies, son of the first groundsman. Ralph, in an effort to make the line marker more presentable, has painted it grey, which, from an historical perspective, was probably not the right thing to do. But it’s the thought that counts. Things are quiet at the QRL offices, as Army historian, Nigel Cox and I place the line marker in the historical display area. Most of the staff are farewelling someone, at a restaurant in Fortitude Valley. Chat to QRL Major Competitions Manager, Dave Maiden; NRL Head of Game Deveopment, James Hinchey and ARL Manager, Troy Thompson. On way to the car, have a nice chat to Martin Unicombe, from Stadiums Queensland, a stalwart of universities rugby league.

England’s cricket team plays a practice match at Ian Healy Oval, Kalinga. Back in Yorkshire, Bradford and Leeds Rugby League Clubs, have partnered to promote rugby league and netball in the region, no doubt trying to tap into the large Asian community. Good luck.

I watched some of the Hibs v Rangers soccer match from Scotland, and it was a fiery affair, with the referee happy to let a lot of things go. Scottish soccer always looks more physical than the Premier League, and a lot less sophisticated, I suppose.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 3

Ben Ikin and Terry Reader, front office heavies from the Broncos and Dolphins respectively, are my interview subjects, at Men of League Foundation lunch at Maroochydore RSL. The doorman at the club says he has my books. (I have written three). Ikin and Reader tell a stack of yarns. Ikin recalls dropping Jason Smith’s crystal, best and fairest trophy after a match in the 1998 State of Origin series, in which both men played a key role in the Maroons’ win. Ben says Broncos’ coach, Kevin Walters is excited about what he has seen of halfback, Adam Reynolds impact at training, in the short time he has been at the club, since leaving South Sydney. One of those in attendance at the lunch is former Brisbane Norths’ prop, Campbell ‘Zulu’ Dews, a crowd favourite in the Brisbane competition in the early 1980s. Ex-Easts’ player, Greg Carson reminds me of a story I wrote about him and fellow Tiger, Brad Price. Papua New Guinea Hunters’ chairman, Stan Joyce is at my table. He once sold Twisties in PNG. I’m sure that was easier than selling ice to the Eskimos. A paying guest, Keith O’Connor says his brother scored five tries against Queensland, at Casino, in 1971. I would be surprised if that is true. I know Queensland played a Far North Coast side, en-route to Sydney, by train, back in the late 60s and/or early 70s. Keith said he ear bashed legendary North Coast official, Harry Grew to select Casino halfback, Brian Smith, in a local rep. side. That’s the same Brian Smith who would go on to become one of the most successful coaches in the game. The auctioneer at Maroochydore, Andrew Adcock, was great mates with the late Jeff Tuite, both of them Charleville boys. I knew Jeff from my days working out at Lane’s gym, Chermside. Ex-Courier-Mail writer, Les Moriarty also says hello. Les wrote the odd league story, especially in the Winfield State League days.

The ‘after party’ is held at John Calcino’s nearby Post Office Bar. The Sunshine Coast Committee give my wife, Marie and I two nights at Landmark, Mooloolaba as a thank you for MC duties. It’s nice to be appreciated.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 4

Former Great Britain halfback, Andy Gregory is to coach Wigan St Pats., one of England’s finest amateur sides. England Rugby Union skipper, Owen Farrell came through St Pats.

My wife and I watch the races from Navan in Ireland, and there is a horse called ‘Bob the Builder’. We were meant to go to a meeting at Navan, in 1977, but got lost.

It is a sad anniversary for rugby league – 80 years since the Nazi Puppet Government in Vichy, France, outlawed rugby league (The Vichy Decree) and seized all its possessions, all with the enthusiastic support of rugby union officials, who had seen league surpass their game, in terms of public acceptance, and the number of clubs, before the outbreak of World War II in 1939.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 5

Rugby League historian, Geoff Armstrong says the great Australian forward, Arthur Clues reckoned ‘Immortal’, Clive Churchill would not have played for Australia, if legendary fast bowler, Ray Lindwall had stuck with rugby league. I interviewed Ray, in 1992, prior to the Broncos’ historic Grand Final against St George. Ray played for St George in the 1946 Grand Final against Balmain, a match won 13-12 by Balmain, with Lindwall missing all five of his shots at goal, on a day when winds of 75 km an hour blew across the field. Lindwall played league at Marist Brothers, Kogarah, and played first grade, while still at school. At the end of the 1946 season, he had the chance to play rugby league professionally for Bradford Northern in England, and to play cricket in Yorkshire, in the summer. Ray had represented City against Country in 1946, and had hopes of playing for Australia against Welshman, Gus Risman’s touring Great Britain side. But cricket was his first love. “Cricket was always the priority, and I switched to fullback (from five eighth) because I did not want to get hurt. It would be no good now, because some of the fullbacks, like Garry Jack, do as much running and tackling as the forwards.” Geoff Armstrong has written a book about St George called ‘The Spirit of the Big Red V’. Geoff is a guest on Macca’s (Ian McNamara) show on ABC Radio. ‘Macca’ is a devoted St George fan. Geoff mentions Indigenous/South Sea Islander footballers from the Tweed, such as Walter and John Mussing, and Walter Slockee, who played with St George, along with former Woodlawn College (Lismore) student, Vince Soorley. Geoff says the Mussings had a banana farm in the Tweed Valley.

Steve Haddan is to write another book, his second about ‘Sydney Grand Finals’, but this time, it will be more of a social history.

Learn of the passing of former Brisbane referee and Army Chaplain, Rev. Fr. Lyall Cowell, aged 72. I interviewed Lyall back in the 1980s, when I worked for the Telegraph.