Halifax’s glory days of the 1980s. Grant Rix attacks against Widnes, with Chris Anderson in support. Widnes forwards, Phil McKenzie (underneath) and Mike O’Neill are the defenders
MONDAY, AUGUST 8
There is a ‘Spirit of ’87’ banner on the terraces at the Halifax v Batley British Championship rugby league match at the ‘The Shay’ in England, a reference to Halifax’s glory days, when the club boasted a host of overseas stars, and played in Wembley Challenge Cup finals. (They won at Wembley in ’87). Halifax account for Batley 34-18 and go third on the ladder. There is so much sport across the channels – Commonwealth Games from Birmingham; world knife throwing titles; French soccer (Marseilles v Reims).
Former Bronco, Corey Parker, says his old club is suffering an ‘overhang’ from the State of Origin series. We know what you meant to say, Corey. Parker puts up his hand to help the Gold Coast Titans, ahead of Radio SEN host, Ben Davis’s interview with Titans’ Chairman, Dennis Watt. Dennis says there were seven Titans’ lads in the winning Queensland side at the national schoolboy titles. Davis does an excellent, hard hitting interview with Watt.
A boat called ‘Old Spice’ is towed by as I walk the streets of Samford. I make the mistake of looking at the Northern Star (Lismore) website. There are articles about bong throwing; hard drugs in Nimbin; the best tattoo artists and the state of Cannabis oil supplies. Whatever happened to reports on Marist Brothers Rugby League; Norco milk supplies and Woodlawn College staff appointments?
Our daughter, Melanie Mariotto celebrates her birthday with a BBQ, on Koh Samui, where she lives with husband, Greg.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 9
Wake to the news of the death of Oliver Newton-John. Like many other Australian males, I was ‘in love’ with Olivia, back in the 1970s. First Judith Durham, now Olivia! Watch the Commonwealth Games’ closing ceremony in Birmingham, and there is a token white person among the performers. Well it is Birmingham. An Indigenous group from Australia performs a smoking ceremony, as Victoria will host the next Games. There is a bus ‘smoking’ on Samford Road, near our place and the driver reaches for the fire extinguisher.
Watch highlights of Springboks v All Blacks rugby game and New Zealand’s Beauden Barrett is fortunate not to finish with a serious neck injury after a mid-air challenge results in him hitting the deck in an awkward manner. It was such a concern, the broadcasters elected not to show a replay.
At Samford pub, a female, who had been ‘enjoying’ a beer and a smoke on the balcony, calls someone an “arsehole’ (in a friendly manner) as she breasts the bar for another beer. A little girl, with a bad cough, huddles under a table in the public bar, where she bides her time, while her dad has a few beers.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10
RadioSEN’s Pat Welsh says the difference in body shape between the Brisbane Lions (AFL) players and the Broncos (NRL) is “amazing”. “You almost have to be a long distance athlete to be an AFL player,” he says. I have been saying that for ages, quoting former Grange neighbour, Peter Skerman, who describes Aussie rules as “cross country netball”.
My North Queensland spy says former Australian Rugby League forward, Ben Kennedy now lives at El Arish, and drives a ‘mud truck’ (carrying cane fertiliser) while his wife works in a local cafe. My spy says another former Australian player, Rod Wishart, may also be moving north. Former NRL player, Craig Teitzel has an IGA store in Tully. (He is not my spy).
Three-part Catherine Cookson series, ‘The Harrogate Secret’, is the ‘movie’ on show at Samford Grove Cinema. I am the only male among the nine who turn up. I am tempted to leave early, but stick around, and it is better than I expected.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 11
Delighted to see Titans have kept cult hero winger, Anthony Don involved with the code on the Coast, with Don busy in junior development and game day, corporate stuff, as well as his work as a PE teacher, at Palm Beach-Currumbin High.
After a short drive to Cedar Creek, Marie and I roam Samford’s Main Street, and the local CWA try to sign Marie up, after she buys a scone. Get home to the news top rugby league coach, and former State of Origin star, Paul Green, has died aged 49. His close friend and former Cronulla teammate, Craig Greenhill tells RadioSEN he knew Paul had his demons, but he didn’t know they were back.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 12
Ipswich Jets’ president and prominent solicitor, Steve Johnson is my interview subject at Brisbane Beer and Beef Club lunch at Morrison Hotel. Steve does an Acknowledgement of Country, when I get him up for the interview. I didn’t do one. I don’t believe I have to do one before every event I MC, particularly ones designed around fellowship, beer, wine and food. But Steve is passionate about Indigenous and Pasifika issues. He said a player of Samoan origin, who played State of Origin Rugby League, sent his $40,000 bonus back to Samoa, and then had to pay tax on it. I ask Steve about the threat from Australian rules in the Ipswich/West Moreton region, and he says there are only 450 Aussie rules players in that vast area, despite the presence of the Lions’ AFL outfit at Springfield. He says Ipswich has more rugby league players, per 1,000 people, than Brisbane or the Moreton Shire. Ipswich Jets look set to strike up a relationship with the Sydney Roosters, for 2023. Wine rep., David Weale supports Brisbane Wests Panthers rugby league club and is great mates with former Panther, Andy Dale. On my return to Samford Grove, I enjoy a game of ‘Kelly Pool’ with fellow residents, Dave Campbell, John Ashton, Laurie Hayes and Wally Young. Laurie is a Brisbane Lions’ historian, an ex-Army chap, who has followed Essendon since his youth. Wally is a devoted Melbourne Storm NRL supporter, while John Ashton is originally from the UK. John has taken four wheel drive tours all over Australia, and knows more about this country than most born and bred Aussies. Dave is heavily involved with the Samford open air museum.
Our French friend, Eloi Pelissier, scores two tries for Toulouse in their 32-18 loss to Warrington. Warrington’s Lee Briers will join the Brisbane Broncos as a development coach, in 2023. Catalan Dragons’ coach, Steve McNamara defends the presence of two French clubs in Super League. “I know some people who don’t like crossing the bridge into the next town,” he says, in a shot at the insular attitude of many league people in the North of England. There are many in England’s league heartland who say the French clubs bring little in the way of revenue, particularly through television.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 13
As Marie and I pass the Samford Vets Animal Hospital, a family arrives with an old dog, that is really struggling, but still stops to sniff a tree. We imagine, by the look of the sad faces, the beloved family pet is to be put down. Marie and I attend the monthly Samford market, and there are not many stalls. There is a bloke in a Port Adelaide (AFL) polo. (Tragic). As I enjoy my sausage sandwich, I hear a woman – who is almost in tears – tell a male friend about an assault of some kind, in which a truncheon was involved. She says the police were dubious about her version of events.
There is a nice tribute to Paul Green ahead of the Roosters v Cowboys match at the Sydney Cricket Ground, for what is Roosters’ skipper, James Tedesco’s 200th game. Green played for both clubs, and coached the Cowboys to their first Premiership. The Broncos belt Newcastle 28-10, with former Bronco, Corey Parker paying out on the Knights’ performance. Broncos’ winger, Selwyn Cobbo scores three tries. Marie says the Broncos’ Indigenous jersey looks like it is from a toy shop.
Photographer, Peter Wallis, has a nice pictorial coverage of the Mt Isa Rodeo.
SUNDAY, AUGUST 14
Lovely day in the neighbourhood – Samford. Vintage cars down town; then our son, Lliam and his sons, Ethan and Connor visit, before Marie and I close out the day by listening to live music – from a four piece group – at Little Tree Restaurant.
York rugby league forward, Pauli Pauli has had to serve three suspensions this year in the English championship, for illegal tackles. His coach, James Ford says he is often incorrectly penalised. “He is picked on, because he is big,” says Ford. “Halfbacks get away with head highs”. The Orara Valley Axeman, who are coached by former Great Britain prop, Sam Burgess, finish minor premiers in the Group 2 competition, based around Coffs Harbour and Grafton, in northern New South Wales.
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