Greg ‘Slippery’ McCarthy in action for Wests in 1978. That’s Paul Vautin in the background
Wests Panthers’ fullback, Greg ‘Slippery’ McCarthy was regarded as a ‘Sydney import’ when he became one of the glamour players of the Brisbane competition in the mid-1970s.
But in an exclusive interview with The Courier-Mail’s David Falkenmire in May, 1976, McCarthy revealed he had strong connections with Brisbane and the famous old Valleys club in particular.
McCarthy’s father Max played in the same Valleys’ team as internationals Ken McCaffery and Norm Pope and represented Brisbane. Greg told ‘Falky’ he had lived the first 16 years of his life in Brisbane before the family moved to Coffs Harbour. From Coffs McCarthy went to Sydney to play for Easts Roosters, but didn’t like Sydney.
“I seem to have followed in dad’s footsteps,” McCarthy said. “He was mainly a five eighth but played in all backline positions.” (That Valleys team was coached by ‘Firpo’ Neumann).
Wests had used ‘Slippery’ at fullback, wing, centre and halfback, but his preferred position was fullback. McCarthy played fullback when Wests defeated Souths 24-11 at Lang Park in a Brisbane Rugby League premiership on May 2, 1976.
The Courier-Mail’s chief league writer Jack Reardon gave McCarthy the maximum three points in the paper’s Best and Fairest competition.
“With one of his many dashing, wriggling bursts up the middle McCarthy got right to the opposition fullback and put (second rower) Richie Twist clear for the try which clinched Wests’ win,” Reardon wrote. “Souths always found him hard to nail. But for his one miss on winger Tom Gillogly his defence was sound.”
Wests’ former Test winger, Wayne Stewart scored a strong try and kicked six goals. Henry Williamson was the other try scorer.
Reardon rated the defence of Souths’ centre John Grant as “an International performance”. (Grant had played for Australia in 1972).
Reardon gave Souths’ halfback Noel Cowell (two) and Twist (one) the other points in the Best and Fairest awards. McCarthy was named on the bench in the South Queensland side to play New South Wales Country. The other inter-change players were Ian Boustead (Wynnum-Manly); Rod Morris, John Payne (both Easts).
Footnote: McCarthy’s other sporting love was surfing and he would go home to Coffs Harbour during the summer. He also played squash which was a popular sport with footballers at the time.
About Author
