John Dowling in his Queensland jersey
MONDAY, APRIL 3
Former Queensland State of Origin rugby league hooker, John Dowling turns 70. ‘JD’, who lives on the Gold Coast these days, is as tough as an old boot, and comes from great stock, given his father, Pat was a World War II veteran and an exceptional rugby league player himself. John and I were teammates at Murwillumbah Brothers, and I closely followed his career after he left the town in 1971 to pursue his dreams, firstly with Easts and Wynnum-Manly in Brisbane, and then with St George in Sydney. It was from St George that John was selected for Queensland in 1982, and he played all three matches against New South Wales in what was the inaugural Origin series (There had been stand-alone games in 1980 and ’81).
Rugby League Week’s Tony Adams did an interview with JD not that many years ago, and John admitted he dreamt of playing for New South Wales growing up in Murwillumbah. “One night after a game for St George, we were drinking back at the Leagues Club and (Dragons’ secretary) John Fleming read out the (Origin) teams – that was the first I even knew I was a Queenslander. But when they came calling, I wasn’t about to say no.”
He was a ‘Queenslander’ because he made his senior football debut (allegedly) for Easts, as a 17-year-old. I had something to do with John being declared a Queenslander. I wrote a story in Brisbane’s Telegraph newspaper quoting John as saying he was eligible for the Maroons under the rules of the day. One of the selectors rang me and said he was unaware of John’s eligibility until he saw my story.
Marie and I leave Ayr where we have been visiting our eldest son, Damien; his wife, Emma and daughters, Parker and Evan. They accompany us to Townsville and as we enter the city a hoon in a car coming the other way, leaves the road and does a wheelie, before re-entering traffic. Behind us the female driver is gesticulating and yelling into her phone as she drives. We have family photos on top of Castle Hill before Marie and I go to Townsville Airport. Fascinating looking at people coming and going – lots of ferals as well as some cool looking lads from Fleet Street Wine Merchants. Quite a bit of turbulence on the flight, but our pilot, Emma gets us home safely.
TUESDAY, APRIL 4
Neighbour, Carmel Selwood says the Mullumbimby Rugby League club ‘hated’ Murwillumbah Brothers. “They were bitter rivals,” she said. Tell me about! I played many games for Brothers against Mullum., both home and away, and in finals. I remember after I wrote a column in the Tweed Daily News saying a Mullum side of the time was a little over-rated, I got a hot reception from fans when I next played in Mullum. I even got abused by a lady at the canteen, when I bought a drink before going to the dressing shed. Carmel is from Billinudgel, which is not far from Mullum., and her husband played first grade rugby league for Mullumbimby, before my time. Carmel said there was a rugby league side at Billinudgel, and they played on a ‘dung paddock’.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 5
Former Queensland Rugby League winger, Ian Dauth says he played for ‘Queensland Seconds’ in a match at Oaks Oval, Lismore, in the 1970s. Ian, a former clubmate of mine at Brisbane Brothers, knows I have a strong Lismore background (I was born there) and that I played at Oaks Oval (for Tweed under-18s against Richmond under-18s in 1970). ‘Dauthie’ is among a host of former top players (and a few Nevilles like me) at a Brisbane Rugby League get together at Norths Kallangur Leagues Club, a morning tea function organised by former Test forward, David Wright. Former Test halfback, Greg Oliphant says he lived at Rozelle (now a trendy suburb) when he played for Balmain in the late 70s/early 80s. I comment that the area is home to some great pubs. “I think I’m still allowed to drink in a couple of them,” Ollie says. Broncos’ foundation director, Steve Williams (a former State five eighth) is the first I chat to on arrival at Kallangur, closely followed by my former Brisbane Brothers’ teammate, Pat Hannan. Also chat to the likes of former Murwillumbah Brothers’ lads, Athol Gear and Allan Nunan; Ken Churchill and Joe Canavan.
THURSDAY, APRIL 6
A South African acquaintance says her brother, who still lives in the Republic, will not be going anywhere during Easter in her home country, given the road death toll for the period averages 2,000. Can that be right?
Brisbane Broncos extend coach, Kevin Walters’ contract. ‘The Kevvie/Alf show continues,” says FoxSports’ Greg ‘Brandy’ Alexander, in reference to the fact former teammates, Kevvie and Allan ‘Alf’ Langer are part of the club’s fabric.
FRIDAY, APRIL 7
Former Great Britain skipper, Clive Sullivan’s widow presents the Game Ball at the Hull derby – Hull FC v Hull Kingston Rovers. Clive, a Welshman lured north from Tiger Bay in Cardiff, played for Great Britain and for Wales in rugby league, all from either Hull FC or Hull KR. There is even a stretch of road named after him on entering Hull. I saw him play for Britain against Australia at Lang Park in 1970.
Neighbour, Laurie Hayes and his wife, Linda have been married 60 years, and proudly display their congratulatory message from the Queen. One of our new neighbours, Eris Platt has a thousand stories about rugby league and the XXXX Brewery, given she worked at both. Eris was my first point of call on occasions when I phoned Broncos’ CEO, Paul White, and she was always a delight as Paul’s PA. Her husband Russell played rugby league in the Public Service League.
SATURDAY, APRIL 8
At Samford Market a lady asks if I get much reaction to the Roosters’ polo I am wearing. I certainly do. Usually: ‘Go Chooks’.
A Bronco (can’t remember which one) is on report for a facial in a home match against Canberra. “Fair dinkum. We’ll be playing tiddly winks soon,” says Steve ‘Bocker’ Roach on FoxSports. A facial was par for the course when I played. I suppose it was childish, but it did sometimes rile a bloke into throwing a punch.
SUNDAY, APRIL 9
ABC Radio’s Ian ‘Macca’ McNamara calls Easter Sunday ‘surcharge Sunday’. Marie and I attend Mass at Samford’s Sacred Heart Church, where Fr Peter McDade proves something of a comedian. None of the hymns are what I would all ‘traditional’, which I think is sad.
St George Illawarra prop, Francis Molo is sent to the sin bin for a shoulder charge in a match against Gold Coast. If ever a bloke should keep the shoulder charge in his kit bag, it’s Molo. I’ll leave it at that. A bloke in the crowd at Newcastle’s home game against the Warriors is drinking a XXXX Gold. It doesn’t seem right – not in Newcastle. It should be a Tooheys – mind you, same brewery now.
Former Hull KR forward, Keith Pollard, who played for Maitland in Newcastle, and Kempsey Cowboys, is back in Australia on holidays. He catches up with the widow of former Maitland star, Merv Wright, as well as Gary Olfdield, who almost accompanied my good mate, Greg Grainger from Maitland to Murwillumbah in 1974, to play for Brothers. Greg is the brother-in-law of John Dowling, having married John’s sister, Maree.
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