David Willicombe in action for Wigan
MONDAY, MARCH 27
Veteran Canberra Raiders’ forward, Josh Papali’i, who wants to be a pastor, post football, says he is off the drink. Former Bronco and Wallaby, Berrick Barnes has been appointed kick consultant at Newcastle Knights. I interviewed Berrick when he first joined the Broncos as ‘the next big thing’, but that didn’t prove to be the case. In England, Cornwall’s rugby league side, have their first win of the League One season – at home, against London Skolars.
A home invasion at Cashmere is a point of discussion at my wife, Marie’s exercise class at Samford. Evidently the alleged culprits, are (allegedly) males of African descent, at least one armed with an axe. Just like Victoria, we have no problems with African gangs here in Queensland.
TUESDAY, MARCH 28
Former Australian Test prop, Steve Price’s son, Riley is in the North Queensland Cowboys’ 17. “He’s more aggressive than me,” says Steve, who was indeed a nice guy prop, but still tough as they come.
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29
Former Great Britain and Wales rugby league centre, David Willicombe has died, aged 72. I saw Willicombe play for Britain against North Coast at Grafton in 1974, a match I attended with my father, Jon William, and my grandfather, Bill, who lived at Maclean on the Clarence River, downstream from Grafton. I recall that Willicombe, a product of Cardiff rugby union, had gone prematurely grey.
Some students at Ipswich High have been threatened with suspension for performing a haka. I’m not fussed with a Haka being performed, unless it is part of an official cultural ceremony. Afterall, this is Australia, not New Zealand.
THURSDAY, MARCH 30
New Zealand Rugby League Test forward, Griffin Neame is a proud West Coaster – as in West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island. Neame, who is contracted to North Queensland Cowboys, is interviewed on Radio SEN by Pat Welsh and former dual international, Mat Rogers, neither of whom had any idea about the West Coast’s long rugby league history. I think a lot of Australians believe Auckland is the only place where league is played across the ditch. Neame played for Greymouth club, Suburbs, but needed to travel across the Alps to Christchurch to further his career when West Coast footy went into decline.
Marie and I get cab to Brisbane airport and our driver is an old guy, who listens to Ray Hadley. One of our neighbours, Heather McKenzie, is a Brisbane Airport volunteer, and has had to deal with 101 people this morning, including a Brazilian guy who lost his back pack containing lamb chops! Two rough looking sheilas in an airport cafe drink alcohol and yell for Karen. A bloke in a pro-Donald Trump t-shirt passes by. On the flight to Townsville, cabin manager, Juan describes female flight attendant, Aisla as lovely, and he is correct. We get hire car in Townsville and drive south to Ayr in the Burdekin Valley to catch up with our eldest son, Damien; his wife, Emma and daughters, Parker and Evan. We book into Travellers’ Motel, which was once a squash centre.
FRIDAY, MARCH 31
Former Australian Rugby League skipper, John Sattler’s funeral is held on the Gold Coast. Two of his great South Sydney teammates, Ron Coote and Bob McCarthy are among the pall bearers. The congregations also includes Wally Lewis, Gary Belcher, Johnny Lang, English brothers, Sam and George Burgess and former Australian Rugby League chairman, Ken Arthurson.
As I suspected our Ayr motel proprietor is a Kiwi. I drew that conclusion because he has Stan, instead of Fox, streamed into rooms. Stan has the rugger. This chap, from Napier, says rugby in Australia is too reliant on private schools. Australia’s population went up 563,260 in the last year, a record. Archie Muntz, a follower of this site, sends a photo of fabled rugby league ‘hit man’, Charlie Frith and a few others. One bloke, Gary Ladbroke, played with Clifton Allora Wattles and represented Toowoomba in the centres. His dad was a 10 pound Pom.
East Ayr State School’s rugby league side is beaten by Cranbrook in a Townsville carnival. Bonnett Day at East Ayr Primary is well done.
Tonight we enjoy pizza and beers at Iron Works Brewery, in the village of Brandon, near Ayr. An IPA is called ‘Black Snow’, a reference to the trash which floats from the skies when the sugar cane is burned.
SATURDAY, APRIL 1
Burdekin Roosters defeat Townsville club, Western Lions 30-16 in a Townsville and District Rugby League match at Rugby Park, Ayr, in front of a big crowd. I watch the game with Damien and his mate, Ben Kavanagh, also a teacher at East Ayr. Damien and Ben played for the Roosters. Burdekin stalwart, Brian Carnes is on the PA. Burdekin Roosters are a ‘good news’ bush league story, among all the negative ones. For instance, the Orara Valley Axeman side which won the Group 2 Premiership in NSW last year, will not field a first-grade team this year. Mullumbimby, a power house in Tweed League when I played there, also might not field a first grade side.
SUNDAY, APRIL 2
Former Australian prop, Sam Backo had been admitted to hospital in a critical condition following a heart attack. Sam is such a character and I wish him well. For a big man, he was quick, smart on his feet, and capable of a sublime off-load. I remember once in the Queensland dressing rooms after an epic State of Origin game in Sydney, Sam emerged from the showers naked – as you do – just as Brisbane Mayor, Sallyanne Atkinson turned around to look in that direction. Sam didn’t blink am eyelid. I don’t think Sallyanne did either.
A Family of League Foundation ‘South Brisbane Committee’ has been formed, with Ken Brown inaugural president and the likes of former players, Richie Somers and Richo Hill on the committee.
At Groper Creek, south of Ayr, there is a memorial to Justin Ray Scott, who drowned here in the 2019 floods. Marie and I are there with Damien and his crew, doing a spot of fishing.
Last drinks today at ‘Tiny Mountain Brewery’ in Townsville. Very sad. Evidently patronage levels are high, but there isn’t enough take-up of their kegs by licensed establishments. A man near us catches a cat fish – we have no luck.
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