Broncos’ forward, Corey Parker pounces on Bulldogs’ rival, Willie Mason
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs won a dramatic round 8 NRL match against the Broncos in Sydney, after a rare blunder by Brisbane skipper, Gorden Tallis opened the door for the home side to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.
With Brisbane leading 18-12, Tallis tried to catch a Braith Anasta drop-out that was destined to go out on the full. Tallis only got a hand to the ball before it crossed the sideline, and instead of the Broncos being awarded a penalty in front, the Bulldogs gained possession from a scrum. A minute later, second rower, Andrew ‘Bobcat’ Ryan scored next to the posts with winger, Hazem El Masri converting to make it 18-18
A late field goal to Brent ‘Shifty’ Sherwin gave the Dogs a 25-18 win. Tallis had been Brisbane’s best player, so it seemed unjust that he would be painted the villain. Centre, Willie Tonga was the Bulldogs’ best, while prop, Willie Mason led the way in the forwards.
The Broncos suffered a massive blow in the 50th minute with the loss of five eighth, Darren Lockyer to a rib injury. (The injury kept Lockyer out of the first match of the State of Origin series, with Chris Flannery playing outside debutant halfback, Scott Prince).
The result kept the Bulldogs on top of the ladder on 14 points with the Broncos fourth on 10 points. (Brisbane had been deducted two premiership points for breaching inter-change rules in a match against Wests Tigers at Campbelltown in Round 3).
Bulldogs’ coach, Steve Folkes said he was proud of his players for the mental resolve they had shown, in the wake of the furore surrounding a pre-season trip to Coffs Harbour, which went pear shaped and cast a cloud over the club, resulting in potential sponsors doing U-turns; police investigating players over allegations of sexual assault and the NRL hiring a former detective to investigate on their behalf. The detective failed to find any evidence of misconduct.
I covered the Bulldogs-Broncos’ match for ‘The Courier-Mail’, staying at the Novotel at Homebush. The crowd of 17,104 include a group of Brisbane Souths’ Magpies stalwarts, Allan Bracken, John Salter, Bruce Harry and Peter Ryan. That Peter Ryan is not to be confused with the player of the same name, who played for the Broncos.
The big news of the day was the announcement by Roosters’ skipper, Brad Fittler, that he would retire at season’s end.
My cabbie to the airport the following day was Anglo-Celtic, a rarity in Sydney, even 20 years ago. A South Sydney supporter, he drove me through Lakemba, Canterbury heartland, which was, and is, a place which many Muslims call home. In Brisbane my cabbie – Ralph Epstein – worked with the Shell Oil Company at the same time as my father, Jon Ricketts.
I went to the Queensland Newspapers office at Bowen Hills, and, at around 5 p.m., rang NRL CEO, David Gallop for a comment on something or other – can’t recall the topic exactly. His voice was shaky. “Haven’t you heard?” he asked. I had no idea what he was talking about. Turns out he had been on the phone to Sydney Telegraph Chief League Writer, Peter Frilingos, when there was silence, and then the sound of panic from people nearby. Nicknamed ‘Chippy’, Frilingos had died of a heart attack, at his desk, while interviewing Gallop. Peter was 59. A week before, he had celebrated 40 years of covering rugby league
Another top journalist, Bill Mordey, had died 10 days earlier, but Bill was 67. Bill was media manager on the 1982 Kangaroo tour of Britain and France, which I covered with Frilingos. Bill was hard living – loved a drink, a smoke and a bet – whereas Peter was moderate in his habits.
I went to Peter’s funeral in Sydney on May 10.
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