DIARY OF A RETIRED RUGBY LEAGUE WRITER
WEEK 2 2022
MONDAY, JANUARY 10
Former Test rugby league halfback, Barry Muir has been admitted to hospital, following a stroke. Dual Rugby International, Geoff Richardson, who played under Muir in Queensland sides, says Seagulls Leagues Club at Tweed Heads has very little, if anything, from Barry’s playing days at the club. Muir started his senior career at Seagulls, and finished his career there in 1971, after spending most of his playing days with Wests in Brisbane. I played against Barry in that 1971 season. ‘Richo’ played a trial for Wests against Seagulls at Tweed Heads back in the mid-1970s. ‘Richo’ has been to Blackbutt, donating a photo of the 1974 Queensland side to the local museum. The 1974 side included arguably the most famous Redcliffe Dolphin of them all, Ian ‘Bunny’ Pearce, a Blackbutt boy.
Former Ipswich Rugby League forward, Stu Pankoff has died, aged 93. I wrote a story about Stu for the Men of League Foundation magazine. I visited him once or twice in the years following my interview, and he was great company. Stu was unlucky not to play for Queensland, but had the honour of representing Ipswich against Great Britain and the American All Stars – in 1950 and ’53 respectively – from the now defunct Tivoli Tigers club. As they say in the classics ‘ ‘They don’t make them like him anymore.”
Our youngest grandson, Connor Stephen Ricketts, celebrates his fifth birthday.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 11
Janice Weaver, the widow of my former Murwillumbah Brothers’ teammate, Kevin ‘Porky’ Weaver, has died after a long battle with illness. She was the sister of two other teammates, Brian and Rex Farrell. Janice and ‘Porky’ tragically lost their son, Scott, in a rock fishing accident.
A fellow drinker at Stafford Tavern knows a 66-year-old woman, who worked at a 7/11 Garage, and had no shifts for a fortnight, but then landed one on Christmas Day! In Agincourt Street, Grange, there is a dog barking non-stop. I comment to a builder, on a nearby site: “Imagine living next door to that.” He replies: “You get used to it, after six months”.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 12
Serie A match between Cagliari and Bologna features some real sooky dives from players. You wouldn’t have seen anything like that from Reg Green, a former rugby league player, who chairs our Brisbane Men of League Foundation Committee meeting at Broncos Leagues Club. Even more courageous than Reg, is the bloke kicking a Sherrin on the Broncos’ number two training field! At Albion I see a bloke in Dolphins’ gear, the first person I have seen in merchandise from the club, which will enter the NRL in 2023, under the coaching of former Broncos’ boss, Wayne Bennett.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 13
My wife, Marie and I have Pfrizer injections. Chat to Peter and Maree Pyke in waiting room. Her brother is 1975 Roosters’ winger, Bruce Pickett, a Newtown junior, who lives at La Perouse. Bruce played in the Roosters’ 38-0 win over St George in the 1975 Sydney Grand Final, scoring a try on that famous day. Peter owned a construction company.
The Sydney Telegraph’s, Dean ‘Bulldog’ Ritchie has an interview with former South Sydney and Manly-Warringah halfback, Craig Field, on his release from jail, after serving eight years on a manslaughter charge. The last time I saw Field was at Kiama on the South Coast of New South Wales, when he was coaching NSW Country. Craig says he wants to speak to young people about avoiding the mistakes he made.
There is a sign on Webster Road, Stafford advertising Channel 7 presenter, Pat Welsh and former Test wicketkeeper, Ian Healy’s gig on sport Radio station, SEN.
Our youngest lad, Lliam has dinner at the New Brighton Hotel, Billinudgel in the Byron Shire of New South Wales. There is a photograph of former publican, Ma Ring, above the bar. She was still licensee when she died, aged 100. My late father-in-law, Kevin Donnelly had a number of hilarious stories surrounding the pub and Ma Ring. They will have to wait for another day.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 14
Brisbane Beer and Beef Club Committee meets over lunch at the Morrison Hotel. Hugh Raleigh from Carlton and United Breweries, says he may be able to get the likes of former Rugby League Internationals, Glenn Lazarus, Steve Renouf and Trevor Gillmeister as guest speakers. We have already had ‘Lazo’ for one lunch – at the Regatta. I am the club’s MC.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 15
The annual Challenge Cup Rugby League competition is underway in the Northern Hemisphere and Irish club, Galway Tribesman, lose to St Helens’ based Pilkington Recs. Galway led 10-8 at half time. Army beat Orrell St James in a match live streamed by the BBC.
FoxSports show highlights of two of the most gripping Grand Finals in history – Newcastle’s 1997 last second win over Manly; and the Cowboys’ 2015, extra time win over the Broncos.
SUNDAY JANUARY 16
Adam Mayes, a son of former Australian Rugby League halfback, Johnny Mayes, is a teacher at Trinity Catholic College, Lismore. Adam coached Northern Rivers’ Rugby League club, Lismore Marist Brothers. Johnny had a newsagency at Evans Head for many years, and last I heard, was caretaker at the local surf club.
African American World War II veteran, Lawrence Brooks has died aged 112. He was based in Brisbane at one stage, and said the Aussies treated him better than the whites back home.
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