Origin stars, Sam Backo (left) and Wally Fullerton Smith
MONDAY, MAY 2
The Queensland Rugby League recruited me to write pen pictures on all 221 players to have represented the State in the annual Origin campaigns. I finish the assignment this morning. It has been enjoyable, and, at times, testing, as I was required to have a quote from, or about, every player. Naturally it meant tracking down some players for a chat on the phone, men such as Bob Kellaway, Chris Beattie, Adam Mogg and Trevor Gillmeister. If you want to have a look at the profiles, just go to the State of Origin section of the QRL website. RadioTAB’s Paul Sawtell reckons the NRL has become like Rugby Union’s Super 12, there are so many stoppages. It is hard to argue. The Bunker, captain’s challenges, players walking to scrums and general time wasting, make it a test for those at the ground, in particular. Not so bad for those at home – they can switch channels or go to the fridge.
A Newcastle mate of mine says the Knights’ rugby league players walk around ‘with their heads up their arse, thinking they are fantastic’, even though they are struggling at foot of the ladder. Former Newcastle skipper, Sam Stewart helps apprehend a knife wielding attacker on the Gold Coast.
A record number of Posties have fallen victim to dog attacks, largely because dog ownership has soared during Covid. So many people who have dogs, do not deserve the privilege.
TUESDAY, MAY 3
Wake to scenes of Fulham soccer fans on the pitch at Craven Cottage, singing ‘Fulham’, to the tune ‘Hey Jude’, by the Beatles, as they celebrate the club’s promotion to Premier League. I covered a rugby league match at Craven Cottage, in 1982, when the Kangaroos played the newly formed Fulham club, on a freezing cold, November day. Fulham had a giant pack, and put up a brave show, before losing to one of the best teams to leave these shores. England rugby star, Emma Uren looks a good player. She tried rugby league at Orleans Park School in London.
Our grandsons, Ethan and Connor contest the Eagle Junction Primary School Cross Country, and finish fourth in their categories. Ethan smiles with a mate as he runs to the finish line. I have a nice chat to Rob (ex-Sheffield, England) and his wife, Katie who are Sydney Roosters’ NRL fans. Their son plays junior league for Norths Devils. One of Marie’s fellow Pilates’ ladies says her grandson is also playing for Norths. “He scored four tries in one game, and said after, he didn’t need to train any more,” she said.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 4
Former Test wicket keeper, Ian Healy has been to a hurling match in Ireland – Kilkenny v Wexford – and loved it. I prefer hurling to Gaelic football. Former Wallaby, now politician, David Pocock attends a renewable energy conference in Sydney, where our son, Lliam’s company, Supply Partners, are participating.
Our granddaughter, Parker finishes a credible seventh in her East Ayr Primary School Cross Country.
Marie and I enjoy lunch with friends, Russell and Jannell Bryant, who are back in Australia visiting Jannell’s family. Russell is a recently retired American Naval officer, while Jannell is a childhood friend of Marie’s. Wellington Farm in Redlands Shire is our lunch destination, and the food is excellent. Jannell appreciates the fact much of the produce is grown on site, especially as she is part of Master Gardeners in Virginia.
Ron Ricketts (no relation) played for Wagga Kangaroos in 1954, and wonders whether I can help with the make-up of the Riverina team which played the touring Great Britain side the same year. Had a look, but no luck.
THURSDAY, MAY 5
RadioSEN is to take over the 4KQ band on the AM dial. That will mean the end of ’70s music. What will I do? SEN are certainly serious about making their mark, as evidenced by a big ad in today’s Courier-Mail, featuring Pat Welsh, Ian Healy, Joel Caine and Bryan Fletcher.
Former Queensland captain and later coach, Paul ‘Fatty’ Vautin has a great first-person piece on the QRL website, about what it means to play for Queensland. He says his dad, George, a former prop for Brisbane Wests Panthers, was an inspiration to him. “I love talking about Queensland. I find it uplifting,” ‘Fatty’ tells me.
Australia’s oldest living Wallaby, Eric Tweedale, turns 101. Born in the rugby league stronghold of Rochdale, England, Tweedale played rugby league for Wests in Sydney during World War II, but mainly played the 15-man game, and Parramatta’s home ground is named after him.
FRIDAY, MAY 6
Former Test centre, Tony Currie accepts the Queensland Rugby League History Committee’s invitation to deliver the 2023 Ross Livermore Memorial Lecture. Tony has a successful tyre business at Morningside on Brisbane’s south side and had another former Queensland State of Origin rep – Bruce Astill – as a recent customer. Tony’s uncle, Alan, mows the lawn at the business, and always brings his blue heeler. Alan won the Rothman’s Medal as Brisbane’s Best and Fairest player in 1977 – from Easts – while Tony achieved the same honour in 1982, from Wests.
We have our wall units for sale, ahead of our move from Grange to Samford to live. Rod has a look at them today – on behalf his kids – but they don’t suit. He is a character. Ex-Commonwealth Bank, Papua New Guinea. He now mows lawns. His boys went to Ashgrove Marists and one of them played 200 games of union for GPS. Rod is from Victoria originally, and follows Australian rules.
A Wallaroos v Fiji (women’s) rugby union match is advertised as rugby league in the TV guide. I have a look, and as I do, two Wallaroos collide in Keystone Cops fashion. Happens to the best of us.
SATURDAY, MAY 7
The can bar at Gibson Park, Stafford is named after Brothers’ legendary strapper, the late Jimmy Johnson. His widow, Lorna is at the ground for the official opening. A big Polynesian lad from the visiting Aspley club, is taken away by an ambulance, as I arrive at the ground. The Brothers’ side boasts a 40-year-old, who still goes OK, and certainly has a dig. The local referees are sponsored by 7/11 stores.
There is a lack of crowd atmosphere in the NRL match in Mackay between Sydney Roosters and Gold Coast Titans. Gold Coast winger, Corey Thompson is so courageous.
In Canberra, there is a 40-year reunion for Raiders’ players, with the late Quentin Pongia inducted into the club’s Hall of Fame. His brother accepts the honour, and according to Raiders’ legend, Laurie Daley, there wasn’t a dry eye in the place. Paul Osborne is back from Sweden for the function.
SUNDAY, MAY 8
Some players from French soccer clubs, Nantes and Nice intimidate the female referee in the French Cup final, won 1-0 by Nantes, via a penalty. Those scenes would not be allowed in rugby league. Marie and I watch the running of the Kentucky Derby, which is won by ‘Rich Strike’. ABC’s Ian McNamara (Macca) recalls a visit to Ayr in North Queensland, where an Italian choir sang. There are lots of people with Italian heritage living in the Burdekin region, where our eldest lad, Damien, is a teacher. ‘Macca’ recalls going on tour with Col Joye and the Joy Boys, in 1973, as one of the Joy Boys. Marie and I have Mother’s Day Lunch at Ruggers, Crosby Park, with our youngest son, Lliam; his wife, Channelle and their two boys, Ethan and Connor. The food is excellent. I tuck into pork belly while Marie has mussels. The home side – Brothers Rugby Union – are playing away to Norths, at Shaw Park, and the match is being live streamed at Crosby Park. The television is switched to the Storm v Dragons rugby league match at 2 p.m., which seems to please a bloke wearing State of Origin rugby league gear. It is not my doing, but, boy, was I pleased. Brothers Rugby League shared Crosby Park with the union in the late 1990s, but it wasn’t a happy relationship. I’m told a Brothers League prop belted a Brothers’ union coach after one dispute. Brothers are playing Souths in an under-15 rugby union match on the number 2 field, and the game flows quite well. Remarkable win by Cronulla over New Zealand Warriors at Cronulla, after playing a man short for over an hour. No team in 14 years had won at NRL level after having a player sent off in the first half, but Cronulla defied the odds following the dismissal of fullback, Will Kennedy by referee, Todd Smith, for a high shot.
About Author
