Brothers’ forward David Wright celebrates a victory. Ian Dauth is on the right
Brothers’ teenage forwards, David Wright, Greg Thomas and Barry Lafferty were valiant, but ultimately outgunned by Norths’ experienced forwards in a much hyped Brisbane Rugby League match at Lang Park.
The BRL promoted the contest as a ‘Grand Final Preview’, but the game fell flat, particularly as players chosen for Queensland’s inter-state campaign were not allowed to play. Norths won 19-5 after leading 16-0 at halftime.
The Courier-Mail’s Jack Reardon said neither team looked capable of winning the premiership based on their performances in this match. Reardon described Brothers and Norths as the Brisbane competition’s biggest drawcards. But without the state players the teams could not provide a standard of football expected of the Saturday feature game. (Brisbane club crowds were up in 1970, while Sydney crowds had slumped alarmingly).
“Brothers’ mistakes were mainly through inexperience,” Reardon wrote. “They attempted flick passes which were invariably dropped, and they tried all manner of fundamental ‘don’ts’ with the inevitable results. There was, however, some excuse for Brothers. You just cannot push three members of last year’s under-18 team – Barry Lafferty, Greg Thomas and David Wright – into A grade and expect them to hold their own with that very seasoned Norths’ pack.
“The youngsters played well enough, but they were outmanoeuvred by Norths’ senior forwards, Peter Hall, Peter Stapleton, Bob Wilson and Peter Kleinhans, and found the defence of Ron Streek a bit hard to match.”
Before the game Brothers’ president, Don ‘Doc’ Alroe had boasted that ‘Our depth is in young players, fortunately, and not in over-the-hill former A graders.”.
Peter Lobegeiger was Norths’ best back, scoring a try and kicking five goals, some from long distances. (Lobegeiger had kicked a 60 metre penalty goal after the fulltime hooter to give Norths a 22-20 win over Easts at Langlands Park the previous week), Halfback, Col Smith also played well, helping to set-up a first half try. Smith had come into the team for State halfback, Johnny Brown.
Brothers’ only try was scored by prop, Steve Lean after Johnny Lewis put him in a gap with a neat pass. Lewis came into the team for former Wallaby, Peter Reilly who was dropped to reserve grade. Brothers’ biggest loss from the pack was second rower, Reg Cannon, who was on Queensland duty as was five eighth, Barry ‘Tubby’ Dowling.
Meanwhile the Queensland side warmed up for its New South Wales’ tour with a 32-5 win over Wide Bay in Maryborough with winger, Wayne Stewart scoring three tries and kicking four goals. The other try scorers for the Maroons were Max Anderson (2), Reg Cannon, Graeme Atherton and Glen Harrison. Trevor Lindeberg scored Wide Bay’s try.
Former Riverina representative hooker, Milton ‘Killer’ Whybrow led Augathella to premiership glory in the Walla Cup Grand Final against Cunnamulla in Western Queensland.
Whybrow set up both tries in the 8-5 victory with the local paper headlining the match report with: ‘Whybrow – the Toast of Augathella’. Milton previously played for Harden Murrumburrah and Wagga Kangaroos in the Riverina region as well as having played club football in the Monaro (Canberra) division for Queanbeyan Blues.
Whybrow had played A grade from the time he was 15, having to battle it out in the scrums against men sometimes more than twice his age. It was the unlimited tackle rule when Whybrow made his debut, and possession was key. There was severe punishment dished out to the youngster, especially in the scrums, and by the time I met him (in 1974) he was battle scarred. He was my captain-coach at Murwillumbah Brothers and took us to a play-off for fourth spot in the 11 team Group 18/Gold Coast competition. We were beaten by Surfers Paradise Pirates.
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