John Sattler (left) and South Sydney teammates, Eric Simms and Bob McCarthy run the streets of Redfern
MONDAY, JUNE 20
The Whitlams’ song, ‘The Day John Sattler Broke His Jaw’, brings back memories for me, of watching the 1970 Sydney Rugby League Grand Final on television, at our family home, 27 Tumbulgum Road, Murwillumbah. We didn’t realise the extent of the injury at the time, as Sattler inspired his South Sydney Rabbitohs to a 23-12 win over Manly-Warringah at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Sattler’s jaw was broken in the opening exchanges, by Manly forward, John Bucknell, in an incident that would have seen him sent from the field today. The Whitlams’ (a Sydney band) song was sent to me by our eldest son, Damien. It is the first time I have heard it. The win over Manly was Souths’ third title in four years. They also beat Manly in 1968, when one of the Sea Eagles’ wingers was Mike ‘Dolly’ McLean. Mike’s son, Trad, is media manager for the Tongan Rugby League side, and describes Tongan people as “the happiest in the world”.
One of my fellow QRL History Committee members, Paul Hayes dines with Sydney journalist/author, Andrew Webster in James Street, New Farm. Webster is writing an unauthorised biography of Wayne Bennett, with the title to be ‘The Wolf You Feed’.
The newsletter for our Samford Grove over-55 village contains profiles on residents. Merv Coombs, from Hobart, is a former compositor. His favourite books are those from C S Forester’s Horatio Hornblower series. (Hornblower was a British naval officer, with the books set primarily during the Napoleonic Wars, early in the 19th Century). Another resident, with Mullumbimby connections, tells me there were two players from the Brunswick Valley town (Northern New South Wales) involved in the Country Week, Rugby League Carnival in Sydney in June, 1922. It was a huge deal in those days to be selected for Country representative sides to play in the city carnival, and for a small town, like Mullum, to have two men there, is simply an outstanding effort.
TUESDAY, JUNE 21
Bloody Chinese Flu (aka Covid) – I have it. Undoubtedly got it at Men of League Foundation lunch at Maroochydore last week. I am forced to watch terrestrial TV, while confined to my bedroom. Channel 7 news reporters, Mark Riley and Tim Lester always sound so sarcastic, no matter what the subject.
Judy Hughes, from Melbourne’s Latrobe University, is researching the 1980, national journalists strike, of which I was part. I sold our strike paper – The Clarion – at busy Normanby Fiveways. The police moved me on, but I returned to sell the remaining papers. There was very little unleaded fuel in those days, and my throat was burning from exhaust fumes. The beer I downed at the nearby Normanby Pub, tasted divine. After that experience, I had a new respect for people who sold mainstream papers, on a daily basis. Hughes has had replies from the likes of Tony Koch, Ian Eckersley and Hilary Dunn. Some journos found other work during the 29-day strike. For example, David Bentley played the piano at French restaurant, Scaramouche and Leo’s Night Club, in Brisbane.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22
Emily Frisby is new PA for Queensland Rugby League CEO, Rohan Sawyer, while Kellie Wilson has a baby. Emily’s husband is former Wallaby, Nick Frisby, who is a nephew of former Brothers’ rugby league player, Paul Frisby, who I wrote a story about, many moons ago. ABC’s Ian McNamara (Macca) visits St George Rugby League’s ‘Red V’ Museum, and interviews former stars, Brian Graham and Ted Goodwin. A Grafton boy, Graham played for North Coast against Great Britain, in his home town (at McKittrick Park) in 1954. (Britain won 44-14). Brian worked with the Atlantic Oil Company (now Esso).
Watch an episode of Midsomer Murders – A Talent for Life (2003). Great cast, including John Nettles and Honor Blackman. I love some of the settings in Berkshire and Buckinghamshire. A comedian on the ABC bags handkerchiefs. They’re a whole lot better than tissues, I can tell you.
THURSDAY, JUNE 23
New South Wales State of Origin legend, Paul Gallen recalls being ball boy for Parramatta when Troy Pezet was the Eels’ halfback. Today Gallen is calling the under-19 Origin match – from Sydney’s Leichhardt Oval – for Channel 9, and Troy’s son, Jonah is the NSW halfback. Andrew ‘Bobcat’ Ryan coaches NSW, and they thrash Queensland 32-4, with Pezet man of the match. Ryan toured England and France with the 2004 Australian side, a tour I covered for News Ltd. My Hunter Valley spies tell me Ryan is doing a great job coaching Souths, in the Newcastle competition. In the Women’s Under-19 Origin match, Andie Robinson (a product of St Pat’s College, Sutherland) scores three tries for NSW in a 22-6 win. She is the daughter of former Balmain player, Clint Robertson. Queensland Origin Great, Paul ‘Fatty’ Vautin – another Nine commentator – recalls Wally Lewis and him playing inter-state under-18s at Leichhardt Oval – back in 1977 – and wearing Bryl Cream (in their hair).
Learn of the passing of Gold Coast swim wear icon, Paula Stafford, aged 102. Paula was a legend when I was a young bloke terrorising the Gold Coast in the early 1970s. Wally Lewis accidently introduces the Paula Stafford story on Channel 9 news, when that was supposed to be the role of the main anchors.
FRIDAY, JUNE 24
Ahead of the Men’s State of Origin match in Perth, a Channel 9 reporter introduces NSW coach, Brad ‘Freddy’ Fittler, as ‘Flint’. At least she didn’t call him Freddy Flintstone. She has locals with her, including a girl who plays junior rugby league for Ellenbrook Rabbitohs. I have seen their senior side play on NITV. I chat to former Queensland fullback, Errol Stock, who calls me ‘cobber’, a delightful Australian expression of mateship, hardly ever used now.
Our youngest son, Lliam is saddened by the death of friend, Sean Ryan, in a car accident. Sean was the son of Doug Ryan, former manager of Brisbane’s Crest Hotel, also a prominent player in the birth/success of the Brisbane Bullets basketball side and the Gold Coast Seagulls Rugby League franchise. Lliam got tickets to a few Bullets’ games, and they came via, Sean. Lliam dragged me along on one occasion – to the Boondall Entertainment Centre – and I spent most of the time in the bar. I just couldn’t get into the American style hype. Also learn of the passing of Penny Carr, 67, the wife of former Australian Rugby League CEO, Geoff Carr. Penny and Geoff lived at Tamarama, in Sydney’s east.
Jennifer Brown sings the National Anthem at the Women’s State of Origin match in Canberra, and most of the players – on both sides – join in, unlike the men. NSW defeat Queensland 20-14.
Former Sydney Wests and Canterbury halfback, Jason Alchin is to coach Toowoomba in the Queensland Cup. Montpellier have won France’s Top 14 Rugby Union premiership, while Leicester are champions of England. I stayed in Montpellier, in 1989, with the Queensland Residents Rugby League side.
SATURDAY, JUNE 25
Marie now has Covid. I’m not going to say it. But I will. ‘F….Chinese’.
North Queensland Cowboys’ legend, Paul Bowman is part of the Tongan women’s team staff. Tonga lose 50-12 to New Zealand, in Auckland. Evidently there are 44 women’s rugby league teams in Rotorua, New Zealand. Lismore Marist Brothers’ product, David Mead plays his last Test for Papua New Guinea, and the Kumuls cause something of an upset, defeating Fiji 24-14 in Campbelltown, of all places.
Races at Roma, in Queensland’s south west, are named after Brisbane private schools, no doubt because so many locals boarded in Brisbane. Former school teacher and Channel 7 sideline eye, Barry Ross has written several books, including one about the centenary of his alma mater, Wollongong High. Welsh born, Keith Barnes, a former Australian Rugby League skipper, also went to Wollongong High.
Former Test referee, Don Lancashire has died, aged 89. Don covered the Grand Final in which Sattler’s jaw was broken. The incident happened behind play. I played one game in which Don officiated – an Amco Cup match for Brothers against Penrith in 1976. We won. Also learn of the passing of former ‘Look North’ (BBC) reporter, Harry Gration, MBE, aged 71. Gration, a staunch rugby league man, started his working life as a history teacher. Born in Bradford, he was president of the committee which organises the famous Scarborough Cricket Festival. There is a memorial service in Llanelli, Wales for rugby union great, Phil Bennett. One of those in attendance is Tommy David, who switched to rugby league, late in his career. I saw Tommy play rugby league for Wales against the Kangaroos, in Cardiff, in 1982. Another dual Welsh rugby international, Scott Gibbs recalls Bennett telling him to ‘get lost’, when he asked for his autograph, when Gibbs was a kid. “I got shunned by so many guys (Welsh Rugby stars), it was unbelievable,” Gibbs wrote. “I’ve met Phil many times since, and he’s a lovely guy.”
I get angry watching Border Security. People bringing in bat wings etc., cop fines of $250, when they should be locked up, or deported.
SUNDAY, JUNE 26
‘Michael’ rings the ABC’s ‘Macca’ (Ian McNamara) from Noonkanbah, in Western Australia, and boasts, in an over-excited tone, about how they love their Aussie rules “up there”. He also talks about spreading the Aussie rules gospel in Pakistan. Right. They probably express their enthusiasm for the game over there, hoping to gain entry to our country. It’s a plot, I tell you – Aussie rules people ringing Macca, to push their code, knowing Macca is a rugby league man. ‘Macca’ gets revenge, by recalling his visit to Big V museum.
Our eldest son, Damien is down from North Queensland. Damien and Lliam arrive at our place at Samford Grove at 1 p m, with groceries for the afflicted. At least there is no need for them to be going up and down the street, crying ‘Bring out your dead”. Damien plays eight-a-side cricket at Brendale.
Too many players, for my liking, don’t sing the National Anthem at the return, men’s Origin match in Perth. The solution – just get rid of the practice before these games. It is not an International, and it is surely not compulsory to play the anthem. There are lovely scenes involving NSW debutant, Matt Burton (Canterbury) and his family, after the Blues’ 44-12 win. He scored a try, while former Penrith teammate, Nathan Cleary crossed twice and kicked eight goals, to win Player of the Match award. I don’t like the stage managed media conference. A female media operative asks a few questions, before throwing things open to the floor. Bullshit really.
In the English Super League, former Newcastle Knights’ prop, Luke Yates, scores a 60 metre try for Huddersfield against Hull Kingston Rovers, standing up champion fullback, Lachlan Coote in the process. What an amazing effort.
Radio station 4KQ signs off with a huge weekend of hits, including ‘Dandelion’ by The Rolling Stones, an unlikely choice, I would have thought.
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