Tony Currie in action for Leeds
Queensland utility back, Tony Currie was in the sights of cashed up Sydney clubs as a result of his form for Leeds in the English Rugby League. Brisbane club, Wests were hopeful of having him back in time for the 1986 State League, but Currie was looking for more challenges after becoming a crowd favourite with Leeds.
Playing in front of packed houses at Headingley was a far cry from running out at Wests’ home ground Purtell Park in front of 500 fans, but he still had an abiding love for the Panthers and had indicated to coach, Trevor Day that he would be back once his Leeds’ commitments finished.
Leeds wanted to sign Currie long term, but he still wanted to play for Queensland and Australia, so there was no chance he would not come home.
Wests were struggling financially but new president Danny Best was working overtime to pull the club out of trouble after dedicated Panther Ron Raper had stepped down. A successful timber broker, Best had served on Brisbane Brothers’ committee but put his hand up to help Wests when his son Warren signed with the Bardon club.
Currie had played for Redcliffe before his 1985-86 off-season stint with Leeds, but it was from Wests where he had first represented Queensland in 1982. In 1985 Redcliffe finished sixth (in an 8 team BRL competition) while Wests came last, with just two wins. That was despite the presence of English imports, Andy Platt and Neil Holding from St Helens.
Wests’ most notable signings for 1986 were former State prop, Brad Rowcliffe and fellow forward James Donnelly from Brisbane Easts; Rick Weribone (Toowoomba) Paul Schuler (Bundaberg); Don Caslick, Dean Sarra (Ipswich) and Danny Mander (Brothers). Mander is a brother of Tim Mander who went on to referee NRL grand finals and is now Qld Sports Minister (2026). Impressive hooker, Tim Watson also announced he was coming out of retirement.
Despite these signings Wests and Norths Devils were rated 100-1 outsiders for the Premiership. Former Wests’ halfback, Greg Oliphant was coach at Norths.
A number of players were lost to the Brisbane competition during the off-season, including Dave Trewhella (Redcliffe to Sydney Easts) and Mal Meninga and Gary Belcher (Souths to Canberra). Trewhella had impressed so much in the off-season coach Arthur Beetson indicated he might get first crack at the hooking job ahead of stalwart, Kevin ‘Horrie’ Hastings.
About Author
