The Dick Thornett book launch
MONDAY APRIL 28 – FRIDAY MAY 16 2025
I wouldn’t wish influenza A on my worst enemy. I went down with it after attending a NRL match between the Broncos and Bulldogs on April 24, and spent six nights in hospital and a few more days in a ‘virtual ward’. The illness prevented my wife Marie and I leaving when planned for our highly anticipated European trip.
Mater Pathology picked up the fact I had Influenza A on April 29. In the early hours of Saturday May 1 – the day we were supposed to fly to Amsterdam – I was taken by ambulance to Prince Charles Hospital. I have private health cover but the paramedics – who were brilliant – told me the Holy Spirit (or Holy Dollar as they call it), was full.
Nevertheless I was well looked after in Prince Charles and our youngest son, Lliam hooked me up with Kayo so I could watch the NRL’s Magic Round from Suncorp Stadium. I also met some lovely people among my fellow patients. One bloke told me his mum lived in Auburn in western Sydney and she was the only Anglo-Celtic person in the street. “But the Arabs look after her” he said.
There is a table donated by John Crane in the Cancer Patients’ Garden near my ward. John was a great friend of legendary halfback Allan Langer and did so much wonderful work for the Broncos, the Queensland Rugby League and Former Origin Greats in promotion and marketing. Sadly John passed away in 2015, from lung cancer.
I was discharged on May 6 and it felt good to feel good. The doctors from the virtual ward check on me for several days. One doctor, a Scotsman, is a Hamilton Academicals fan and was devastated they had been relegated to the third tier of Scottish football.
I missed a lot while in hospital – little things like our grandsons Ethan and Connor attending Trevor Gillmeister’s Tackle Academy at Bishop Park. When I was dis-charged I made it to a game Ethan played at Wests Mitchelton and the gutsy little chap twice tackled a much bigger rival with a rodeo throw. Not out of the textbook, but effective. One of Ethan’s teammates was sent off for punching a rival. He claimed he was retaliating after the other boy stuck his finger up his bum!!!
There was a lot happening on the rugby league front which I didn’t have the energy to record for this website at the time.
For instance: I had a lovely chat with former Test hooker John Lang who told me one of his favourite players was former Valleys’ halfback the late Ross Threlfo. John also loved Kiwi back, Dave Watson, although he said Watson had trouble fielding the sky high bombs from dual rugby star Andrew Walker.
Jett Flatley from Ballina, a nephew of former Wallaby, Elton Flatley was picked in the New South Wales Country under-18 rugby league side.
Phil ‘Gus’ Gould said South Sydney’s Campbell Graham is “Origin class”. Gus was reminded that Graham had already played for Australia. Gus just repeated himself – “He’s Origin class”. Former Broncos’ prop Petero Civoniceva says Test football is the pinnacle, not Origin. So true Pet, although I think he meant as an honour rather than the intensity of the contest.
Paul ‘Fatty’ Vautin got back to me when I reminded him it was the 30th anniversary of the ‘Neville Nobodies’ Queensland side coming into camp in Brisbane to be coached by him. “And history was made. The greatest series ever. I was happy to be part of it,” was Fatty’s reply.
The day before we were due to leave for Italy I got a call out of the blue from Will Cordwell who had sold the Ascot Pub in Rockhampton. Locals told me he was the last of the ‘old publicans’ in Rocky. Born at Eumundi, Will was raised at Kenilworth on a dairy farm. He played rugby league for Kenilworth and then represented Ipswich in the old Bulimba Cup (intercity) competition. In 1972 he played for Queensland Colts against Cronulla at Lang Park. He also played for North Queensland in a memorable win over Great Britain in 1977.
The Federal election was held while I was in hospital and Anthony Albanese was returned as PM. Our local MP, Liberal Leader Peter Dutton, lost his seat to former journalist Ali France. I don’t know her but she ‘lost me’ when she organised a ‘potato night’ fund raiser. The ‘potato’ reference was a thinly disguised reference to Peter ‘potato head’ Dutton. Imagine the uproar if the Libs had made some sort of snide reference to France’s appearance, or heaven forbid, Penny Wong, when she visited the electorate. When Wong was in the area the Libs could have had a ‘What’s Wong with Albo’ night or a Cookie party. Anyhow, the Libs now have Susan Ley as their leader and News Ltd columnist Rita Panahi called her Malcolm Turnbull in a skirt. Women can be so cruel.
Racing expert, Gerard Daffy retired and News Ltd guru, Phil ‘Buzz’ Rothfield called Gerard a legend. So true. Rugby League Immortal Mal Meninga became a patron of the Family of League Foundation. And the Dick Thornett book ‘The Natural’ – which I edited – was launched at Parramatta Leagues Club with a host of Eels’ greats there, among them Mick Cronin, Eric Grothe, Bob O’Reilly and Peter Wynn. I wish I could have been there. (And I was invited). The book is a great read and is available through Fairplay Publishing. I loved reading about Dick’s friendship with commentator Norman May. May said the first time he met Dick was after a union Test against Fiji in Melbourne when Norman hosted a party for the team back in his hotel room. “All the Australian players and some women came, and we’d pass them across the top, bodily, to get them into the room.” What could possibly go wrong.
On a sad note, former Australian cricketer Bob Cowper died on May 10 aged 88. I always remember feeling so proud to be an Aussie when he got 300 v England at the MCG in the 1965-66 Ashes series. Former Leeds, Keighley (UK) and Parramatta centre Derek Hallas died on May 12. Hallas, who grew up supporting Hunslet, played two Tests for Great Britain – in 1961. In his debut Britain defeated France in St Helens, where he marked Bernard Fabre from Albi. But in the next Test he was on the losing side – against the touring Kiwis in Leeds – and he was axed.
I had a couple of beers with my youngest brother Stewart at the Sunnybank Pub ahead of Marie and I leaving for Italy. He had just turned 60, which is so hard to believe, our little ‘Stewy”. There was no NRL on the televisions at the pub – just UFC and AFL, with quite a few old Asian guys having a punt. In other words – a very sad scene.
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