Steve Ricketts in action for Murwillumbah Brothers. Rex Farrell is the closest player in support
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 20
There is a get-together of former Murwillumbah Brothers’ Rugby League teammates planned for Pottsville next Sunday, and my diary says I can go. You beaut! Credit must go to former Queensland fullback, Gary Dobrich for his efforts in ensuring these gatherings are a regular event. ‘Dobbo’ was one of Brothers’ stars of the sixties, before he moved to Brisbane, where he played for Souths and Wynnum-Manly. I can still picture him darting from the scrum base to score a try at Knox Park, which was once the home of rugby league in Murwillumbah, and even hosted a Queensland team many years ago.
I am told Sydney Morning Herald writer, Danny Weidler has penned a column bagging the leadership of Family of League Foundation. Former New South Wales rugby league forward, Graeme Hughes, who has had a long standing relationship with the foundation, has suggested that the NRL take a look at what is going on. I am the Brisbane media officer for the Foundation, a voluntary post, and I can only say that my dealings with the Queensland office have always been pleasant, and I cannot fault the efficiency of the staff here.
The ABC’s Nick Campton reaches out for action photographs of the now defunct South Queensland Crushers, because he can’t get anything from the NRL. He has come to me after seeing a number of mentions of the Crushers on my website, and from my days covering rugby league for ‘The Courier-Mail’
In a televised Super League match from England, the referee penalises a player for a voluntary tackle. How refreshing. Please change the rule book if voluntary tackles are now allowed. They are undignified and against the spirit of the game.
Cooktown born, Darryn Shonig has been named inaugural captain of the Western Clydesdales, who are back in the Queensland Cup, after a long absence. The Clydesdales won the inaugural competition in 1996.
Much travelled rugby league star, Phil Blake has been appointed defence coach at the Queensland Reds rugby union franchise. When I think of Blake, the chip kick and chase for a try comes to mind, not so much his defence. Reds’ forward, Harry Wilson says Blake is working hard with the side.
Australia were disgraceful in their cricket Test loss to India in Delhi, collapsing in the second innings to be dismissed for 113, with the last seven wickets falling for 28. Former captain, Allan Border sums things up when he comments: ‘What is wrong with a block’ – as in a defensive shot – after our men surrendered their wickets so cheaply.
Marie and I watch movie ‘The Incredible Weight of Massive Talent’, a comeback of sorts for Nicholas Cage. I love the role Pedro Pascal plays in this movie.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21
Learn of the passing of noted British rugby league writer, Ian Layburn, just three weeks after his retirement. I remember Ian as a precise, hard working journalist. He started out at the Batley News in West Yorkshire. I try to sign up, on-line, as a Sydney Roosters’ member, but surrender after there are just one too many hoops to jump through. My Auckland based, St Helens (England) friend, Steve Lingard is still on a high after Saints beat Penrith in the World Club Challenge.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22
Former Wynnum-Manly and Canterbury Bankstown premiership winning forward, Brian ‘Nobby’ Battese is the subject of an interview by Michael Nunn. Brian, a real gentleman, is the son of the original ‘Nobby’ Battese, who was a teammate of my father’s at the South Lismore Rugby League Club.
After a dinner of local whiting, Mare and I watch Australian movie, ‘Three Summers’, a pro-refugee, politically correct comedy, filmed in WA in 2017. Not bad.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23
There are lots of what might be termed ‘loose’ individuals in Brisbane’s city centre. Some examples: Three scooter riders belting down the middle of Elizabeth Street not wearing helmets; UberEats driver almost cleaning up a pedestrian; a bad tempered bloke charging into a 7/11 shop to use the ATM. My wife, Marie and I are in town ahead of the ‘Beatles Show’ at QPAC. We enjoy a swim and spa at our hotel, while chatting to an ex-jockey, 75, from Mackay, who gave up smoking 11 years ago. He and his son, who is wearing a New South Wales rugby league jersey, have an IT business. The son loves golf and can hit a ball 350 metres. The ex-jockey, born and raised in Parramatta, says he was Queensland’s lightest jockey (47kg) at one stage.
Marie and I walk through the QUT Campus and cross the river on the Goodwill Bridge, dining art Siam Thai before the theatre. The second half of the Beatles Show is the best – Sergeant Peppers, Hey Jude, Penny Lane etc.
Noted rugby league journalist, Steve Mascord dines at Bondi Icebergs with former league heavyweights, Geoff Carr, David Gallop and Peter Jourdain along with former NSW forward, David Barnhill Jnr., whose father, David Snr., was a long standing boss of the NSW Country Rugby League.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24
My former Brisbane Brothers’ teammate, Noel Russell phones out of the blue from Charleville, where the annual (Adrian) Vowles (junior league) Cup is being held. Noel had heard about a story on this site about sledging, in which he got a mention. Matt Scott is inducted into the North Queensland Cowboys’ Hall of Fame at the club’s season launch. When the Cowboys meet Cronulla the two clubs will be playing for the Paul Green Medal, named after the now deceased star halfback who played for both clubs, and coached the Cowboys to the 2015 NRL title.
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25
My former Courier-Mail Sports Department colleague, Mike Colman is on the waiting list for a double lung transplant, at Brisbane’s Prince Charles Hospital. He was diagnosed six and a half years ago and told it was incurable, and had five years, tops. He was reasonably well until six months ago. Mike has never smoked. He points out that while there is much research into things such as Parkinson’s Disease and cancer, it is not the case with lung cancer because it is associated with smoking.
My book ‘ Bennett’s Broncos’ is on the shelves at the Ayr library in North Queensland, much to the delight of our grand daughter, Parker Ricketts, who shows the 2014 publication to a friend. Our eldest son, Damien; his wife, Emma and two girls, Parker and Evan live in Ayr. The Police Memorial (rugby League) games are held at Dolphin Oval, Redcliffe, and Queenslander’s unofficial poet laureate, Rupert McCall starts proceedings with a lovely tribute to fallen police officers. Former Australian forward, Dane Carlaw, a fireman, is among those taking the field.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 26
It’s always emotional when I get together with my former Murwillumbah Brothers’ teammates, and today is no exception, as we gather at the Pottsville Tavern. The first people I run into are my former first grade coach, Peter Smith and his beautiful wife, Colleen. Peter is also a stalwart of the Cabarita Beach Surf Life Saving Club on the Tweed Coast. Great to see former Wynnum-Manly player, Keith Kermond at the lunch. Keith was a member of Brothers’ 1969 A grade premiership side. The captain-coach was former Maitland prop, Bob Pannowitz. Darryl Gear, who turned around the financial fortunes of the Woolgoolga Rugby League Club when he ran a business in the town, takes centre stage for much of the afternoon, and we all love his stories. Mick Pike, who lives at South Arm near Mullumbimby, also played league in Bundaberg, which I’d forgotten about. Brian Farrell, a classic tackler in his day, and another member of the 1969 A grade side, says he went to Mass at Maclean in the Clarence Valley recently and there was mention of Stephen Ricketts being very unwell. He wondered whether it was me. I wonder if it is the Stephen Ricketts, from Grafton, that my family billeted during a swimming carnival at Murwillumbah in 1969 or ’70. There is spirited debate between us old footballers about the merits of age divisions as opposed to weights. There are good arguments for both.
We are joined by former Murwillumbah Old Boys’ player, Ray Singh who lives at Pottsville. He played for Old Boys in the 1968 under-18 Grand Final against Brothers, and marked Paul Rabe. I was Brothers’ fullback and we won 10-4, which was a shock result as Old Boys were minor premiers, and we had not beaten them that year. Ray’s parents had a banana farm at Nobbys Creek next to a property owned by one of my best mates at High School, Andrew Clarke. Ray loved having a beer at the Imperial Hotel, Murwillumbah, with Paul Weaver, my captain at Brothers in 1969. Rugby league attracted big crowds to Knox Park, which was also a cycle velodrome. Kel Sherry recalls the peanut shells all round the cycle track the day after games. You don’t get peanuts in their shell at the footy any more. Kel and Billy ‘Yaki’ Woodford debate where visiting teams changed for matches at the Murwillumbah Showgrounds, which was Brothers’ home ground when I played. I can’t recall. I remember we changed in the pavilion, but showered back at the Australian Hotel, and in later years, the Murwillumbah Hotel. Kel also recalls the 1969 inter-district Lascelles Trophy match between Tweed and Richmond, when I kicked a field goal for Tweed, and our former Brothers’ teammate, the late Greg Balgowan, starred in a good win over the favourites. Kel was on the bench. Kel’s brother, Marty, was captain of Brothers’ 1968 under-18 premiership winning side, of which Kel and I were also members.
Newcastle based former Brothers’ forward, Greg Grainger attends a match at Cessnock between NRL outfit, the Knights and country divisional side, Riverina. Newcastle win 42-12.
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