Wests captain Kel Brown and coach Ron Raper after winning the 1975 Brisbane Grand Final
Brisbane Rugby League Clubs started their preparations for the 1976 season with John Lohman taking over from former Test hooker, Brian Fitzsimmons at Brothers and scheduling the first pre-season training runs at Victoria Park Public Golf Course.
The club was reeling from the loss of their best player, Australian fullback, Wayne Bennett who had moved to Brothers in Ipswich, Bennett was the club’s leading try scorer with 14. There appeared to be two main contenders to take his place – Greg Peach and Allan Power.
Lohman, very much a ‘new age’ coach rather an old school task master like Fitzsimmons, was keen to build a pack around Test forward, David Wright; tall second rower, Bob Cock; former North Sydney hooker, Ross Franklin and young prop, Peter McNamara.
Easts announced that State forward, Des Morris would be captain-coach in his own right in 1976 after he held the role under the direction of Ted Verrenkamp in the 1975 season, Morris won the 1975 Courier-Mail Best Player award and was unlucky not to play alongside his club hooker, John Lang in the Australian team. Halfback proved a headache for the Tigers, but the signing of Wayne Lindenberg from Toowoomba was met with great excitement.
Norths’ former British Test halfback, Tommy Bishop announced his retirement as a player and was signed as non-playing coach for 1976. Former Australian skipper, John Sattler also announced his retirement after a magnificent season for the Devils.
Despite offers from Sydney clubs, Redcliffe coach, Barry Muir fronted for another season in charge of the Dolphins who expected to retain the majority of players who helped the club to the Grand Final. State honours were being tipped for fiery second rower, Forrester Grayson in 1976.
Souths appointed Englishman, Tom Berry from Wigan as coach to replace the legendary, Harry Bath, who rarely had the same team on the field two weeks running because of a long injury list. Berry coached Wynnum-Manly in 1975.
In 1975 Valleys failed to make the finals for the first time since 1963 and coach, Henry Holloway was sacked. ‘Big H’ accepted a position in Townsville and was replaced at Valleys by former State five eighth, Marty Scanlan who had announced his retirement as a player. The highlight for Valleys in 1975 was the form of halfback, Ross Strudwick, who was chosen for Australia. Find of the season was centre, Ian ‘Elke’ Sommer.
Premiers’ Wests major buy for 1976 was outstanding lock, Steve McCosker from Toowoomba, with the majority of the 1975 line-up retained, including former Test winger, Wayne Stewart who had been expected to join Penrith. Coach, Ron Raper was being hailed as Queensland’s Jack Gibson as he took the Panthers to the promised land in his first season. Raper revealed he had been in regular contact with Gibson during the season. Gibson guided the Eastern Suburbs Roosters to the Sydney Premiership.
Wynnum-Manly fans held high hopes for the 1976 season after the club’s reserve and C grade teams won their grand finals. The first grade made the five team finals set-up and eliminated Easts in the first week, before going down to Redcliffe. Test players, Johnny Rhodes and Lew Platz were the Seagulls’ 1975 stars, with former Easts’ lower grade hooker, John Dowling forcing his way into the top grade at season’s end. The club’s major loss for 1976 was fullback, Peter Inskip who had signed with Gold Coast (Southport) Tigers. Jim Lewis (father of Wally) succeeded Tom Berry as Wynnum coach.
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Thanks Steve – this is one of my favourite eras in the BRL. 1975 was the first GF that I attended without adult supervision as a 13/14 year old- just some school mates. Coke and hot chips and watched from up near the radio broadcast boxes. With my old mate Peter Hall (son of Brothers Treasurer Noel Hall) we attended almost every Brothers game from Corbett Park to the Bay for years on end being driven by Noel or my Dad and Grandfather Harry , who was a wests supporter.
The 80’s were also great culminating in the 87 premiership. My brother in law Jeff Burns played and I also played at Norths Aspley in juniors with Bailey Grogan McAlpine etc. Jeff speaks of these days very fondly. Caught up with Peter Munro recently as we went to St Columbans together and worked at CBA.
Great days – thank You
Love these BRL flashbacks Steve. I was too young to enjoy BRL in the 70’s, but realise this was the glory decade for the local comp. 71-76 seemed to be the absolute peak years from what I can gather. Such a shame there is very little footage available from these glory years. Good to know Satts had a big 1975 season for the mighty Devils. What a shame Satts and Tommy Bishop didn’t hang around for 1976. The wooden-spoon Devils could have done with those two on the field (Tommy was coach though as you mentioned).