George Gledhill tackles Valleys’ halfback, Ross Threlfo in the 1965 Grand Final at Lang Park. That’s Henry Holloway on the left.
George Gledhill and Arthur Beetson were two of the stars of Redcliffe’s maiden Brisbane Premiership win in 1965, with the Dolphins defeating Fortitude Valley 15-2 at Lang Park, in front of a then record Grand Final crowd of 25,309.
Gledhill and fellow second rower, Beetson pounded the Valleys’ defence with crunching runs, which allowed the Dolphins’ outside backs to shine, with Kevin Yow Yeh scoring two tries and his co-centre, Trevor Harken crossing once. Redcliffe players celebrated long and hard at the Moreton Bay Hotel, an establishment which Beetson would go on to manage – in the 1980s.
Beetson and Yow Yeh were recruited by Balmain for the 1966 season, while Gledhill, a former Souths Magpies’ player, remained in Queensland.
Gledhill became a Dolphin in the most unusual of circumstances. At the end of the 1961 season, Redcliffe took on South Sydney at Lang Park, as part of an arrangement which saw a Brisbane semi-finalist take on a Sydney side that had finished its premiership commitments.
The week before, another Sydney club, Newtown, had played a game in Brisbane, and gave a dreadful display, with Brisbane Rugby League officials blasting their lack of professionalism. (Newtown were thrashed 42-14 by Wests).
The ‘spray’ fired up the Souths’ players, and from the outset, hit the Dolphins with most ferocious tackling the Dolphins had ever seen, with the Rabbioths cruising to a 43-17 win. Centre, Kevin Longbottom scored four tries.
Redcliffe fielded a guest player – State five eighth, Bobby Cook – who had his shoulder dislocated by a driving tackle. Redcliffe centre, Wally Henricks and second rower, Barry Teys were also laid out by classic tackles into the ribs by Rabbitohs’ forward, Frank Clegg, with Teys suffering a broken rib.
At half time, Redcliffe had run out of replacement players. Gledhill (Souths) was watching the match from the Frank Burke Stand, with another local first grade star, Queensland winger, Kev Lohman from Wests. They offered their services, and were promptly outfitted in Redcliffe colours, before taking the field for next 40 minutes.
That’s how Gledhill became Dolphin No, 47. He went on to play 108 first grade games for the club, playing some of his best football in the period 1963-65, under captain-coach, Henry Holloway, a former Test forward.
George was the recipient of Family of League Foundation welfare visits in his declining years. He passed away on December 22, 2023, after a long illness.
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Steve, George was the Publican at Petrie Hotel for sometime but not sure of the years mate.
Cheers
Ray Ebert