DIARY OF A RETIRED RUGBY LEAGUE WRITER
WEEK 1 2022
MONDAY, JANUARY 3
The great Bobby McCarthy tells Sydney radio that beach footy helped with his speed, allied with the fact he often trained with Commonwealth Games sprinter and South Sydney teammate, Mike Cleary. ‘Macca’ said he started to play out wide, along with Ron Coote, when the four-tackle rule was introduced to rugby league, in 1967. “My view was, that I was a footballer, and I should not be pigeon holed,” he said.
My former Brisbane ‘Telegraph’ work colleague, Paul Wicks played for Valleys’ Roosters touch footy side in Toowoomba and his captain-coach was Alan Rissman, who was a centre partner of Test star, John ‘Cracker McDonald in Toowoomba rep. sides. Alan played for Queensland in 1965. ‘Wicksy’ emails to comment on the passing of Toowoomba great, Johny Gleeson, on Christmas Day.
A horse, racing at Taree, is named ‘Buckin Ripper’.
Television news, has a report on a long line of people waiting to be tested for Covid. No-one is reading a paper or a book. The odd person looks at their phone. If you have all that time to kill, why not catch up on some reading. And people say they are time poor. Our Premier says stay home, as an Omicron wave hits.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 4
At the barber’s, there is a woman in the chair with blue hair, with a dog that has a blue tail. I mean – fair dinkum. Murwillumbah men’s barber, Tommy ‘If you want to get balder’ Alder, would roll in his grave.
My wife has a busy night at reception at Windsor International Motel. Cowboys’ halfback, Tommy Dearden is one of those to check-in.
The Richie Benaud Media Centre is opened at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Richie was a fair dinkum journalist, as well as being a former Test skipper.
On Linked-in, I wish new Featherstone Rovers’ coach, Brian McDermott all the best for the coming English Championship rugby league season, remarking what a great club it is, with wonderful traditions. “Roger that. Yes. They are very proud,” McDermott replies. I have a book on the history of the Rovers, written by Ron Bailey. The book was given to me in 2001 by Chris Beaumont, vice-chairman of the Rovers. I have been to one match at their Post Office Road Ground. Salford were the visiting side, and included St George (Sydney) forward, Geoff Selby.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 5
A former female stripper is drinking VB stubbies at the Stafford Tavern. She is a real pest, and it is quite sad really, given men would have been drooling over her when she was young, and on stage, at World by Night, or a similar establishment.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 6
Renowned American actor, Sidney Poitier has died, aged 94. When I think of Poitier, my mind goes back to the song ‘To Sir with Love’, which was the last song played at a 1968 Murwillumbah High School social, when I was partnering Robyn Muirhead. Mushy, I know. Poiter starred in the 1967 movie ‘To Sir With Love’, and Scottish lass, Lulu, sang the theme song.
My wife, Marie and I walk to the top of Eildon Hill for a view of Brisbane’s CBD, as we prepare to move from the city to Samford, in Moreton ‘Shire’, later in the year. Brisbane has been our home since November, 1975.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 7
Premier Palaszczuk, says stay home for six weeks. She’s got to be kidding. Imagine what a nightmare it must be for teachers, looking ahead to the start of the school year. Tamworth’s Country and Western Festival has been postponed.
English batsman, Johnny Bairstow is called ‘fat’ by a couple of fans in the stands at the SCG, after his brave century against Australia, and some sections of the media make a huge deal of the ‘abuse’. People are so sensitive these days. English rugby league crowds would chant stuff like – ‘Who ate all the pies. You did, you fat bastard’, pointing to any portly player who may have been under-performing. The players usually saw the humour in it.
Former Test rugby league five eighth, Johnny Gleeson’s funeral is held at his home town, Chinchilla, and, from all reports, there are no representatives from the ARL or QRL, which, if true, is disappointing to say the least. There is a big representation from Brisbane Brothers’ 1967 and ’68 premiership sides, for which Gleeson starred. I am told former Brothers’ Test prop, Dennis Manteit was particularly distraught, at the service.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 8
Enjoy morning tea with Indigenous legal aid regional manager (Charleville), Laurie Parker at Jimmy’s on the Mall in Brisbane’s CBD. Laurie played for the Southport High School’s Opens rugby league side, and came up against future Test lock, Bob Lindner, who was a student at Aquinas College. I played against Aquinas when I was a student at Murwillumbah High School, in 1970. A father and son are kicking a Sherrin in front of Suncorp Stadium as I return to my car. Is nothing sacred.
Our eldest daughter, Melanie Mariotto and her husband, Greg, enjoy John Cleese’s one man show in Singapore, where they live.
France will host the 2025 Rugby League World Cup. The last time France had the honour, was 1972. The French hosted the inaugural tournament in 1954, as it was their idea. They reached the final that year, and again in 1968, but lost both times, to Great Britain and Australia, respectively. France’s Lord Derby Cup knockout competition has been cancelled for the third year in a row, because of Covid.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 9
On ABC Radio, a bloke from Inverell says 2021 was the coolest year he could recall. Interesting stats, courtesy of the ABC – The Northern Territory produces 55 percent of our mangoes; the export of carrots is up 7 percent and most carrots exported, come from WA; goat meat exports are up 42 percent with the USA the main customer. I knew you’d love it.
At Grange, a neighbour’s dog barks all day. One of the reasons we are selling.
Dual rugby international, Israel Folau scores two tries in his Japanese Rugby Union debut. Japanese Rugby would not be any more physical than the Gold Coast Rugby League competition, where Folau briefly returned to the 13 man game last year. The skill level might (I emphasise MIGHT) be higher, but not the physicality.
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