A scene from a Newcastle v Great Britain game in 1962. The player second from the left is John Sattler
Newcastle Rugby League officials were looking forward to hosting an inter-state match for the first time since 1926, but in Queensland there were those who feared it was the first step in relegating the importance of the annual Maroons v Blues series.
With the exception of that 1926 clash, inter-state games had been playing in the capitals – Brisbane and Sydney – although at different stadiums, including the Gabba, Exhibition Grounds and Lang Park in Brisbane; the Sports Ground, Sydney Cricket Ground and Showgrounds in the harbour city.
Newcastle secretary, Jim Hattam said Queenslanders should not have any concerns about gate takings – given the Newcastle Sports Ground held 25,000 people – “provided there were ‘name players’ and two fully representative sides”.
“If they (the two states) do the right thing with selections, people will come from near and far, just as they do for matches against international touring sides,” Hattam said.
The Bank of New South Wales (now Westpac) was one of the Brisbane Rugby League’s sponsors for 1969, with the winners receiving a cheque for $10, after the announcement of the names on 4BH’s Football Highlights Program. (Westpac are now one of the QRL’s major sponsors).
After the first weekend of football in June, Don Simpson (Norths) and Rob ‘Yogi’ Thompson (Wests) were the recipients of the $10 ‘windfall’.
One the other sponsors of the Brisbane Rugby League was Gold Top beer, the rivals of XXXX.
Brisbane Brothers’ rugby league officials were excited about the potential of young prop, Len Dittmar, who was playing reserve grade in a side which included Eddie Brosnan Jnr., Joe Gleeson (brother of Test five eighth, Johnny); Peter Skerman and Jim Batzloff. The coach was Bede Smith. Former Australian captain-coach, Brian Davies was in charge of the first grade. (Dittmar would go on to represent Queensland).
In 1969, Brisbane Junior Rugby League boasted 257 teams from under-7s to under-18s. Primary Schools rugby league was also strong, in State and Catholic schools. The Northside Catholic Schools Association was sponsored by Norths St Joseph’s’ Club from Nundah. Wooloowin, Aspley, Geebung, Nundah, Northgate and St Vincent’s Orphanage from Nudgee played on Thursday afternoons at Kalinga Park.
In New Zealand, former Wests Panthers’ winger, Barry Erickson had taken on the coaching job at Taupo, on the North Island.
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