Norm Clarke and his wife Betty with one of Norm’s Brisbane rep jerseys
MONDAY, FEBRUARY 24
The Tweed Weekly has a story about former Murwillumbah Brothers’ centre, Ron Saddler being made a Life Member of the Sydney Roosters. The Roosters had to change their constitution to allow it to happen. Previously to be eligible for Life Membership one had to have contributed to the club after retiring as a player, which automatically ruled out some of the club’s biggest stars. That aspect of the constitution was changed 30 years ago, but it still ruled out those who had passed away. So recently the club opened Life Membership to those now departed, so the likes of Saddler, Dan Frawley, Sandy Pearce, Des O’Reilly and even the great Dally Messenger, finally were given that honour. Saddler was twice named Roosters Player of the Year during his eight years with the club after joining from Murwillumbah Brothers in 1963. Ron was only the fourth Rooster to captain New South Wales, an honour bestowed on him in 1967, the year he toured Britain and France with the Kangaroos. Ron was my hero as a kid growing up in Murwillumbah, and he married our next-door neighbour, Carole Blewett. I played against Ron in 1973 when he turned out for Murwillumbah Old Boys, and then had the honour of playing under him when he coached Brothers in 1975, even though it was only for the pre-season as I left town in March and played for Wingham Tigers in the Group 3 competition.
Also honoured with Roosters’ Life Membership this month were the likes of the club’s former Test halfback, Johnny Mayes, who was present at the ceremony; and current Queensland Rugby League Chairman, Brian Canavan who was a long serving administrator with the Chooks.
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25
Former Rugby League Week editor, Tony Durkin alerts me to the fact former Australian centre, Bob Hagan has died, aged 85. Bob, the older brother of former Queensland halfback, Michael Hagan, has been in aged care for five years. Tony will write an obituary for Family of League magazine, given he has had a lot to do with Bob on the Foundation ‘s Sunshine Coast Committee. I let Sydney Telegraph journalist, Dean Ritchie know of Bob’s passing, so he can put something together for the News Ltd press.
Respected UK rugby league commentator, Stuart Pike is delighted that around 10,000 English fans have made their way to Las Vegas for the festival of football. Pike says Super League in the UK needs the financial backing of the NRL. Channel 7’s Sunrise program leads their news bulletin with a story about a couple of Canberra Raiders’ players being involved in a minor incident in Las Vegas. With all that is going on in the world, THAT is the lead item? I suppose it’s a compliment to rugby league because, if, is was a lesser sport, it wouldn’t rate a mention. Now that our national women’s soccer team, the Matildas are so ‘big’, they can expect similar treatment from the media, one would expect.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26
Former Brisbane representative fullback, Norm Clarke is my interview subject at his home at Cleveland in Redlands City. He and his wife, Betty are a delight, and Betty has gone to a lot of trouble to prepare morning tea for my visit. It’s just as well I am on time because they cannot hang around as they have a lawn bowls afternoon to attend. I didn’t see Norm play in his hay day, as I was living in northern New South Wales. But these facts speak for themselves. He kicked a pressure sideline conversion in extra time to give Valleys a win in the 1970 Grand Final, and then in 1971 won a Best and Fairest award in Valleys’ win over Easts in the Grand Final, with the award (a transistor radio) presented by then Opposition Leader, Gough Whitlam, who went on to become Prime Minister the following year. Norm, who hails from Mitchell in South West Queensland, was the first Indigenous full time fire officer in this State. He does a lot of amazing work in the Indigenous community.
Radio TripleM’s Marty Sheargold quits over comments he made about the Matildas. There’s no doubt he went over the top, but if he said the same thing about the Kangaroos or Wallabies, he’d probably still have a job. I wouldn’t walk across the road to watch women’s AFL. Mind you, I wouldn’t walk too far to watch a men’s Aussie rules game. I like women’s rugby league and cricket, and have been to matches in both disciplines. I have also watched female soccer – when our eldest grand daughter has been playing.
American actor, Gene Hackman has died. I loved him in the 1971 movie, The French Connection.
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 27
The Queensland Rugby League’s official season launch at riverside Officer’s Mess at New Farm is a low key affair with former Australian Test prop, James Tamou the highest profile player in attendance. Tamou, 36, plays for Townsville Blackhawks. Papua New Guinea CEO, Scott Barker says six of his side have never been out of the country before. QRL director, Matt O’Hanlon introduces me to Southport Tigers’ board member, James Madden, a solicitor. James come from Dungay, just outside Murwillumbah. His mum was a year behind me at Murwillumbah High. As I am leaving I have a nice chat with Souths’ Magpies chairman, Bob Hudson about his time playing for Halifax in England.
Colombia beat the Matildas 2-1.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28
Former radio commentator, Ross Lawson is my interview subject today at his home near Scarborough State School in Redcliffe. Ross’s son, Scott and daughter Meagan are also there. Scott, a former Junior Kangaroo, played for the Crushers and North Sydney and was one of the fastest footballers of his time. Ross represented Toowoomba and Wide Bay during his playing career, but is best remembered for his radio calls of rugby league in the 1970s, and his time as licensee of the Weeroona Hotel in Ipswich. Ross covered the 1978 Kangaroo tour of Britain and France with former inter-state referee, Bernie Pramberg as his side-kick.
At Happy Hour at Samford Grove, fellow resident, Keith Hall talks of his love for Wiltshire in England. “It is the real England,” he says. “London no longer looks like England to me.”
SATURDAY, MARCH 1
Marie and I attend a junior cricket match at Kalinga, involving our grandson, Ethan’s Wilston Norths’ under-10 side. The fields here at Kalinga, in Brisbane’s inner north, were once home to the Public Service Rugby League.
Ex-Burleigh Bears’ player, Ethan O’Neill scores a try for Leigh against Catalans in English Super League. It is Catalans’ skipper, Ben Garcia’s 250th game for the French club. Leigh winger, Keenan Brand from Ormskirk in Lancashire, is very quick.
Nathan Hindmarsh asks Hudson Young who will blow your horn in Vegas and who will give you the clap. Canberra are noted for the Viking clap from their fans before the game, and the blowing of a Nordic horn to signify the team’s entry to the field of play. Fellow Fox commentator, Gorden Tallis says he is happy there are no major oval shaped grounds in the USA, otherwise AFL might have beaten the NRL to the punch in promoting their game in the USA. Skysports (UK) commentator, Irishman, Brian Carney says South Sydney’s import from St Helens, Lewis Dodd, is not up to leading a NRL side. Sydney Roosters’ chairman, Nick Politis plugs the Newport Roosters rugby league side in California. The Roosters are the official partners of rugby league in the USA.
SUNDAY, MARCH 2
It’s a rugby league festival from Las Vegas, and I watch most of the action from the four games. I choose to have a shower during the women’s International between Australia and England, but only because it is so one-sided. The 90-4 win by our Jillaroos will set the English game back 10 years. FoxSports commentator, Braith Anasta asks sidekick, Matty Johns is there anywhere he would rather be. “Cessnock Leagues” says Matt. I thought the Wigan v Warrington game was more entertaining than the two NRL games. Wigan played Warrington in Milwaukee in 1989 in an exhibition game, a contest which featured lots of brawling.
Our former next-door neighbour at Grange, Len O’Brien has lunch at the Breakfast Creek Hotel, and there are no bread rolls with the meals. Len tells a waiter it is the first time that has happened in 45 years of him going to the iconic pub. Quick as flash the waiter replies “It was 41 years for the table over there.”
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