FEBRUARY 1978
The Queensland Rugby League asked for Sydney premiers, St George, to be censured for playing rising Brisbane star, Mitch Brennan in a trial match at Grafton, in northern New South Wales, without a clearance.
QRL Chairman, Senator Ron McAuliffe reminded his NSW counterpart, Kevin Humphreys there was an agreement between the two states that no player could take part in any match, without a clearance.
Brennan, who played under the name, Micky Lane, was contracted to Brisbane Souths Magpies, when he turned out in the Grafton trial. He had previously been offered a trial by South Sydney.
Souths (Brisbane) were struggling financially, dispensing with sign-on fees and telling players they would only receive match payments. The Magpies had lost clever ball playing forward, Darryl Van de Velde to Redcliffe and red haired centre, Kerry Fraser to Brothers. Halfback, Noel Cowell had retired. The Magpies gains included big forwards, Bob Kellaway (Maryborough) and Dave Brown (Kingaroy), and hooker, Russell Bates (Byron Bay).
Norths signed five eighth/centre, John Heyward from Wests in Sydney; halfback, Mark Murray (Millmerran); lock, Gary Walker (All Whites, Toowoomba) and Greg Crowe (Gympie), as well as former Australian forward, John Payne from Brisbane Easts. Heyward had played for City Seconds against Country Seconds in 1972.
Legendary coach, Bob Bax remained in charge of the First Grade with Eric Lilley appointed reserve grade coach. Fitness guru, Ray Dykes was added to Norths’ staff, after a glowing endorsement from former Test lock, Johnny Raper, who rated him the best ‘conditioner’ he had ever met.
Wests’ Panthers had a new president (Hugh Kelly); a new coach (Don Oxenham) and a lot of youngsters looking for a chance, after seven first graders had departed.
Kelly said the club had to tighten the belt, and payments would be cut. Oxenham, a former teammate of Kelly’s in the 1960s, was employed by the CSIRO, after completing a course at Gatton Agricultural College. One of the youngsters seeking a chance at Purtell Park, was Rowan Brennan, brother of Mitch.
Rugby League ‘Immortal’, Clive Churchill was appointed coach of the Gold Coast representative side, to contest the Carlton Cup competition, which also involved Toowoomba, Ipswich and Wide Bay.
About Author
