DIARY UPDATE: Week 50, 2021

DIARY OF A RETIRED RUGBY LEAGUE WRITER

WEEK 50 2021

MONDAY, DECEMBER 13

Sydney Telegraph’s Dean ‘Bulldog’ Ritchie has written a nice tribute to former Test halfback, Dennis Ward, but it largely revolves around his days with Manly-Warringah, in the late 1960s early 1970s. Dennis, who died last week, also played in Newcastle, and in Brisbane with Wynnum-Manly, and was a long serving Queensland State Director of Coaching. Former Test forward, Matt Gillett is now part of the Broncos’ Game Development Team. Gillett was forced into early retirement because of a shoulder injury. Still only 33, he would love to be still playing.

Our grandson, Connor Ricketts ‘graduates’ from Kindy, at Paddington, in Brisbane.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14

Learn of the passing of Dr Leo Keliher, one of Queensland’s top public servants, and co-manager, with older brother, Kev, of the Brisbane Brothers’ C grade side in 1976. Kev was a prominent journalist, who went on to become the Broncos’ first media manager. The Kelihers hail from Gympie. I played 50 percent of the 1976 season in C Grade, under the coaching of Col O’Gorman. The rest of the season (with the exception of an Amco Cup game, in First Grade) I was in the reserves, under the coaching of Johnny Smith.

Former Queensland police officer, Pat Fleming, who has worked most recently in the Northern Territory, says kids in the Territory love State of Origin rugby league, and plenty of them follow the Cowboys and Broncos. But Aussie rules is their passion.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 15

House painter, Davie Callan recalls going shopping at a large Sainsbury’s in Bangor, County Down, Northern Ireland, because there were bargains to be had, that were not available in the Republic. Davie, who grew up at Ardee, County Louth, knows a few rebel songs. He is a neighbour of ours, and is super impressed by Brisbane City Council’s upkeep of kids’ playgrounds. Things are not so good in Ireland, he says. Davie’s wife, Mel is from Howarth, in New Zealand.

Our youngest lad, Lliam says the Hotel Metropol in Lismore, will be almost be totally solar powered, when it re-opens this month, under the stewardship of Kerrilee and Nick Lane. My father, Jon’s favourite pub in Lismore, in the 1950s, was ‘The Winsome’, where he would enjoy an ale with great mate, Don ‘DOK’ Kaden. The Metropol was known as ‘The Hub’, prior to the 2017 floods, which swept the city. Lliam is a director of ‘Supply Partners’, which is named Australia’s Hyundai Solar Distribution Company of the Year.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 16

Learn of the passing of former school teacher; Canberra Raiders rugby league talent scout and inaugural coach of the Perth based Western Reds, Peter Mulholland. Peter ‘discovered’ North Sydney goal kicking ace, Jason Taylor. I had quite a few dealings with Peter, and we had something of a falling out during the Super League War, when I was very much ARL, and he was Super League. We both got over it. The Raiders take their Christmas break a little early, after a staff member tests positive for Covid.

At Stafford Tavern, there is talk that the Brunswick Heads Hotel has been sold for $68 million. I first went there for a beer, in 1971. The ambience at Stafford is nowhere near the quality of the Brunswick Heads pub. But the company is good. Walk home along Kedron Brook, which is heavily silted up.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17

There are reports Wynnum Leagues Club wants the football club to move out, and to play out of Kitchener Park, where the Seagulls played many years ago. The Seagulls have been at Kougari Oval for 54 years, and some of the stalwarts of the football club are bitterly opposed to any suggestions of a move. The juniors play out of Kitchener Park, but from all reports their numbers are such, they need a new home.

I walk in Grange Forest, and there are so many butterflies. A ‘lab leak’ re-emerges as a strong reason for the start Covid in China. I wish someone from the Chinese Government would leak the real reason to the western media.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 18

Marie and I attend Supply Partners’ Staff Christmas Party at Booroodabin Bowls Club (‘The Boo’), Newstead. My former Brisbane Brothers’ rugby league teammate, Ray Willey, who works for Supply Partners, has become something of a rugby union man. He wants to go to the World Cup Final in Paris in 2023.

Leeds United’s long serving staff photographer, Andrew Varley has never seen a worse injury run at the Premier League outfit – eight top liners sidelined. Former Broncos’ coach, Anthony Siebold, now part of England Rugby Union’s staff, says rugby stars, Tom Curry and Henry Slade would be sensations in league. The trouble is, league can’t afford them.

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 19

While researching information on former Queensland Rugby League winger, Les Kiss, I Google ‘Les Kiss FOGS’ – as in Former Origin Greats – up comes pics of people kissing dogs! Les is coaching London Irish (rugby union) and their match against French outfit, Brive has been postponed because of Covid travel restrictions imposed by the French Government.

St Helens men’s and women’s rugby league sides have been nominated for BBC Sports Personalities’ Teams of the Year.

A new bar has opened on Brisbane’s southside, and I am told several former rugby league players have been celebrity barmen at the establishment as its gets up and running. A drinker at the Stafford Tavern comments: “I wonder if they have had proper RSI training.” I think he means, RSA (responsible service of alcohol), not RSI (relative strength index).