Lionel Williamson (right) and Arthur Beetson in the 1974 New South Wales side
Brisbane Brothers declared they would make a bid for Test rugby league winger, Lionel Wiliamson if negotiations between Williamson’s Innisfail club and Canterbury-Bankstown broke down.
Canterbury had already refused to pay the $12,000 demanded for Brothers’ Test forward, Dennis Manteit, with Canterbury’s treasurer claiming the amounts were out of proportion. Williamson’s original transfer fee of $10,000 was reduced to $7,000 by the QRL on appeal.
Williamson had moved to Sydney and was training on his own, ahead of his wedding in Newcastle.
In Brisbane team selection news, Tony Perkins was chosen in Valleys’ First Grade side in the second row. Perkins was injured in a car accident late in 1967 and only played a small part of the 1968 season. Valleys’ selectors gave Perkins his chance after John Payne was suspended for one match following his dismissal a week before for a high tackle. Valleys boasted a number of promising young players, with halfback, Greg Oliphant top of the list.
Wests were the glamour team of 1969 with their second rowers, Richie Twist and Ian Robson special guests on Channel 0’s popular Dick McCann Show.
Frank Lind, a star Wests’ player of the 1930s, was appointed Chairman of the Brisbane Junior Rugby League. Lind was foundation president of Wests Mitchelton.
Easts were trumpeting the potential of Mareeba recruit, John Eales, who was playing in the centres alongside David Wakerley.
The BRL proudly announced that Peters Ice Cream would sponsor the club championship.
In Western Australia, the State’s rugby league body was celebrating its 21st year, with 30 teams in the junior league, and the 10 club senior competition. The code had been introduced into high schools, and the Teachers Training College also fielded a side.
The Rugby League community was mourning the passing of 1929-30 Kangaroo tourist, John Upton, from Toowoomba. Upton, a utility back, played 17 games for Queensland. He played 19 games on the tour of Britain, but did not feature in a Test.
Footnote: Manteit ultimately played for Canterbury, and then Balmain, while Williamson signed with Newtown.
About Author
