DIARY OF A RETIRED RUGBY LEAGUE WRITER
WEEK 3 2022
MONDAY, JANUARY 17
England should have got Novak Djokovic to open the batting in the Ashes series against Australia. Afterall, it took two weeks for Australia to get him out. So goes the latest joke on social media. England capitulated in the cricket, while the Australian Government struggled to quickly ‘dismiss’ Serbian tennis star, Djokovic from the country, over dramas surrounding his Covid status.
Evidently, the the under-sea volcanic eruption off Tonga, on January 15, was heard in Alaska! No many fatalities, from what I understand, but obviously many people were impacted, one way or another, particularly by ash.
At Stafford Tavern, a fellow drinker talks about his recent trip to a new estate in Logan City, where there are narrow streets, and cars parked everywhere on the side of the road. “What about fire engine access?” he asks. Good question.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 18
David Middleton’s Rugby League Year Book arrives in the mail, and David has sent me an extra copy, for free, bless him. As usual, the book reveals the passing of a few former players I thought were still with us – the likes of Englishmen, Jeff Grayshon and Willie Aspinall, and Kiwi, Reg Cooke, who also played for Queensland, under the residency rules of the time. I interviewed tall forward, Grayshon, when he played for Great Britain against the touring Kangaroos in 1982.
Noted league writer, Steve Mascord is writing a book called ‘Two Tribes’, about the Super League War.
The ‘For Sale’ Board has gone up in Uxbridge Street, at the entrance to our town house estate. Our residence of 13 years is officially on the market, ahead of our planned move to Samford.
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19
The funeral of former Tivoli Tigers (Ipswich) rugby league forward, Stu Pankoff is held in his home town, Ipswich. Stu played for the Ipswich representative side against Great Britain in 1950, and for Ipswich against the touring American All Stars in 1953. Several good judges said he was unlucky not to have played for Queensland. I loved speaking to him, either at his East Ipswich home, or over the phone. He was absolutely charming.
David Graham sends me a menu from a dinner hosted by the Ipswich Rugby League for the Brisbane rep. side, on July 16, 1921. The dinner was held at Berkley’s Cafe, and the meal featured roast duck; roast pork; stuffed veal; ox tongue; pineapple ham; peach Melba and Sherry Trifle. The cafe seated 250.
Watch some of the Australia v England netball match, and an English player shakes the goal post, as an Aussie shoots for goal. Is that allowed? The Aussie missed.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 20
The Australian Winter Olympics uniform looks like something the Russian army would wear. Former Queensland batsmen, Andrew Courtice reckons authorities should move the boundary ropes in, for the women, ‘because they have outgrown them.” True. Not so many years ago, women struggled to hit a six, but now they are clubbing the ball out of the ground with increasing regularity.
Open house at our Grange residence, and seven groups turn up, which they say is good, especially as it is a wet day.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 21
Taree United rugby league stalwart, Mark Hogan is inducted into the Group 3 Rugby League Hall of Fame, at a function at Wingham Leagues Club. I first saw Mark play for North Coast against Great Britain at Grafton, in 1974, a match I attended with my father, Jon; and his father, Bill, who lived at Maclean, another town on the Clarence River. Mark played opposite dual Welsh rugby international, John Bevan. Britain had to battle all the way for a win, and, as a result, Australian Rugby League chairman, Kevin Humphreys read to riot act to to the British, saying the tour would be a disaster if they didn’t pick up their act. (Britain had lost the First Test in Brisbane). Humphreys’ words stirred the Jim Challinor coached Lions, and they won the Second Test, before narrowly losing the decider, after leading at halftime. Some of Britain’s best players were plating in the Sydney competition, and could not be called on for Test duty, under the ridiculous rules of the day. I played against Mark Hogan in 1975, when I was contracted to Wingham Tigers. Mark played for Wests Panthers in the Brisbane competition in the late 1970s. Wests’ future Test lock, Paul ‘Fatty’ Vautin had a high opinion of Mark.
My good mate, Greg Grainger sends a photograph of former Sydney Roosters’ fullback, Cliff Boyd celebrating his 80th birthday. Cliff was one of my heroes, when I was a youngster, when he starred for Murwillumbah Brothers in their Tweed premiership wins in 1961 and ’62. My father was treasurer in 1961. I recall Cliff watching me play, when I was fullback for a Murwillumbah rep. side, against a Warwick (Queensland) selection at Knox Park, Murwillumbah, in the early 1970s.
A crow, in a tree near our place, has a cane toad in its mouth. Great work, crow. And the toad keeps him quiet. It’s a win win.
SATURDAY, JANUARY 22
Our daughter-in-law, Emma, is cycling with a friend in Ayr, when the friend is hit by a car. Emma phones the ambulance. Emma’s friend suffers some nasty injuries, but nothing life threatening. Burdekin Roosters’ rugby league players run up Inkerman Hill, as part of their pre-season campaign.
Eight groups inspect our town house, including an elderly Redcliffe couple, who love Grange. My wife, Marie and I brunch at Clementine, Wilston and then walk around Shaw Park, stopping to watch a Brisbane Premier Grade Cricket match. Rain falls and players rush to put the covers on the pitch.
Auckland’s Mt Smart Stadium is a collection centre for the Tonga volcano disaster, relief campaign. The stadium is the home ground of New Zealand Warriors Rugby League Club, and has been something of a home ground for Tongan rugby league sides in Test matches.
Chris Farlow song ‘Out of Time’, is played on 4KQ – I love it.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 23
Former Queensland State of Origin hooker, John Dowling says his coach at St George in Sydney, Roy Masters, has been a tower of strength for him, in his post football life. John once went on a ‘Variety Bash’ to North Queensland and said former Queensland fullback, Alan Power had sand up to the top of the bar, at his Cardwell Pub, after a cyclone. John’s father, Pat got him to Easts Tigers, through club stalwart, Jack Atkins. Pat knew Easts’ legend, Pat Ryrie, from their Army days.
Channel 7 report that Covid deaths have “powered past 100”. I think that is a bit crass – using the term ‘powered’.
ABC’s ‘Macca’ (Ian McNamara) calls former Australian of the Year, Tim Flannery an idiot, for saying dams would never be full again.’ Macca’ won’t get any argument from me. Macca plays Mike McClellan’s ‘Song and Dance Man’. Mike has such a wonderful voice, a great Aussie talent. Can’t say the same about Tim Flannery – being a talent, that is.
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