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Author Archives: SteveRicketts

DIARY UPDATE: Week 44, 2020

18/04/2021by SteveRicketts 1 Comment

DIARY OF A RETIRED RUGBY LEAGUE WRITER WEEK 44 2020 MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2 EXCLUSIVE. Wallaby Star, Andrew Slack to Switch to Rugby League. Well, it would have been a nice […]

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Diary of a retired Rugby League Journalist

VALE BOB DUNCAN

16/04/2021by SteveRicketts 1 Comment

by Steve Ricketts, Chairman, Queensland Rugby League History Committee. Bob Duncan was tipped as a future State star when he first burst onto the representative scene with Toowoomba in 1960. […]

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The Column

TOM TERRIFIC COULD NOT BE CAGED

09/04/2021by SteveRicketts 1 Comment

by Steve Ricketts. Tom Raudonikis took the wheel of his car, after a long lunch at the Breakfast Creek Hotel, and invited the passengers to help themselves to a beer, […]

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The Column

DIARY UPDATE: Week 43, 2020

08/04/2021by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

DIARY OF A RETIRED RUGBY LEAGUE WRITER. WEEK 43 2020 MONDAY, OCTOBER 26 Melbourne Storm return to their Sunshine Coast base to celebrate their NRL Grand final win, and there […]

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Diary of a retired Rugby League Journalist

FLASHBACK: April, 1971

07/04/2021by SteveRicketts 1 Comment

FLASHBACK APRIL 1971 Young Toowoomba winger, Wayne Bennett scored two tries as the Clydesdales emerged 21-19 winners over Ipswich, in a round one, Bulimba Cup (inter-city) fixture at the Athletic […]

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Flashbacks

DIARY UPDATE: Week 42, 2020

06/04/2021by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

DIARY OF A RETIRED RUGBY LEAGUE WRITER  WEEK 42 2020 MONDAY, OCTOBER 19 Men of League patron, Ron Atkins celebrates his 85th birthday at Broncos Leagues Club, and I feel […]

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Diary of a retired Rugby League Journalist

FLASHBACK: March, 1966

04/04/2021by SteveRicketts 1 Comment

FLASHBACK MARCH 1966 Huddersfield vice-president, Eric Sellers proposed a new competition, featuring the top 16 English clubs, while, at the same time, Blackpool Borough secretary-director, George Lunn pushed for a […]

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Flashbacks

FLASHBACK: March, 1981

03/04/2021by SteveRicketts 1 Comment

FLASHBACK MARCH 1981 Wynnum-Manly five eighth, Brian Walsh created something of a record when he was sent for two spells in the sin bin in one quarter of football at […]

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Flashbacks

START OF A NEW ERA

01/04/2021by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

April 1, 2021 marks the 60th anniversary of the opening of Lang Park’s new Frank Burke Stand, by the Governor of Queensland, Sir Henry Abel-Smith. The completion of the stand, […]

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The Column

DIARY UPDATE: Week 41, 2020

28/03/2021by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

DIARY OF A RETIRED RUGBY LEAGUE WRITER WEEK 41 2020 Gilgandra’s rugby league players are enjoying ‘Mad Monday’, as my good mates, Greg Grainger and Mark Conway, and their wives, […]

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Diary of a retired Rugby League Journalist

FLASHBACK: March, 1976

27/03/2021by SteveRicketts 1 Comment

FLASHBACK MARCH 1976 Darryl Brohman was compared with some of the great English forwards, after a skilful display for Norths against Brothers in a Woolies pre-season match at Lang Park. […]

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Flashbacks

DIARY UPDATE: Week 40, 2020

26/03/2021by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

DIARY OF A RETIRED RUGBY LEAGUE WRITER WEEK 40 MONDAY, OCTOBER 5 Newcastle was held in the same high regard as Brisbane, when I played rugby league on the Tweed. […]

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Diary of a retired Rugby League Journalist

DIARY UPDATE: Week 39, 2020

25/03/2021by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

DIARY OF A RETIRED RUGBY LEAGUE WRITER WEEK 39 2020. MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28 It is 50 years since the great Harry Wells played his last game of rugby league – […]

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Diary of a retired Rugby League Journalist

FLASHBACK: March, 1961

24/03/2021by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

FLASHBACK MARCH 1961 Former Tweed Heads schoolboy teammates, Lionel Morgan and Billy McDermott starred for Brisbane in an upset 21-7 win over Ipswich in an inter-city, Bulimba Cup match, under […]

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Flashbacks

FLASHBACK: March, 1951

07/03/2021by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

FLASHBACK MARCH 1951 Clubs and district Leagues in New South Wales and Queensland were primed to offer goal kicking forward, Harry Bath big money deals on his expected return to […]

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Flashbacks

DIARY UPDATE: Week 38, 2020

01/03/2021by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

DIARY OF A RETIRED RUGBY LEAGUE WRITER WEEK 38 2020 MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 Former Australian rugby league hooker, John Lang tells me of his love of biographies. John will deliver […]

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Diary of a retired Rugby League Journalist

FLASHBACK: February,

28/02/2021by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

FLASHBACK FEBRUARY 1951 THREE players from Easts in Sydney arrived in Queensland, and there were high expectations about the impact they might make on the game in the State.  Most […]

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Flashbacks

FLASHBACK: February, 1986

27/02/2021by SteveRicketts 2 Comments

FLASHBACK FEBRUARY 1986 Norths’ centre, Trevor Cook cut his former team to shreds, as the Devils swamped Easts 34-12 in a Woolies’ pre-season rugby league clash at Bishop Park, Nundah. […]

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Flashbacks

DIARY UPDATE: Week 37, 2020 no

18/02/2021by SteveRicketts 1 Comment

DIARY OF A RETIRED RUGBY LEAGUE WRITER WEEK 37 2020 MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14 Queensland State of Origin rugby league forward, Gavin Cooper announces his retirement. Murgon product, Cooper was one […]

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Diary of a retired Rugby League Journalist

FLASHBACK: February, 1996

17/02/2021by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

FLASHBACK FEBRUARY 1996 The Brisbane Broncos’ camp cried foul after rookie prop, Shane Webcke  was sickened by a front-on tackle by Penrith hooker, Danny Farrar in a Super League trial, […]

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Flashbacks

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IMAGE GALLERY

Clive Churchill (centre back) in the official Easts team photo from 1965. In the centre at the front is skipper, Ben Wall.
Clive Churchill (centre back) in the official Easts team photo from 1965. In the centre at the front is skipper, Ben Wall.
DAD
Brad Backer in action for Easts
Brad Backer in action for Easts
Frank Stanton as coach of the New South Wales State of Origin side in 1984. Legendary trainer, Alf Richards is on his right and prop, Peter Tunks on his left.
Frank Stanton as coach of the New South Wales State of Origin side in 1984. Legendary trainer, Alf Richards is on his right and prop, Peter Tunks on his left.
Jon and Lola Ricketts on their wedding day, May 12, 1951, outside St Carthages Cathedral, Lismore.
Jon and Lola Ricketts on their wedding day, May 12, 1951, outside St Carthages Cathedral, Lismore.
Ken Day in his Manly-Warringah gear
Ken Day in his Manly-Warringah gear
Greg Conescu in a pensive mood
Greg Conescu in a pensive mood
Allan Ayres (second from left in the back row) could have been anything in rugby league. He is pictured here with the 1971 Tweed/Gold Coast premiership winning South Murwillumbah side. The captain-coach was Claude McDermott (third from right in the front row).
Allan Ayres (second from left in the back row) could have been anything in rugby league. He is pictured here with the 1971 Tweed/Gold Coast premiership winning South Murwillumbah side. The captain-coach was Claude McDermott (third from right in the front row).
Darren Smith in action for his first club, Brisbane Easts
Darren Smith in action for his first club, Brisbane Easts
Alex Murphy holds the Challenge Cup aloft after leading Leigh to victory over Leeds at Wembley
Alex Murphy holds the Challenge Cup aloft after leading Leigh to victory over Leeds at Wembley
Wally Lewis, pictured here during his stint with English club, Wakefield, played in five Brisbane grand finals, winning three.
Wally Lewis, pictured here during his stint with English club, Wakefield, played in five Brisbane grand finals, winning three.
Valleys coach, Henry Holloway
Valleys coach, Henry Holloway
Duncan Thompson
Duncan Thompson
Referee, Stan Scamp issues a caution to Easts, Greg Holben, one of many the fiery five eighth received in his career
Referee, Stan Scamp issues a caution to Easts, Greg Holben, one of many the fiery five eighth received in his career
Doug Muir in action for Brisbane club, Valleys
Doug Muir in action for Brisbane club, Valleys
Ben Ikin (left) with former Broncos' Test prop, Shane Webcke at a Men of League function.
Ben Ikin (left) with former Broncos’ Test prop, Shane Webcke at a Men of League function.
Canberra Raiders' winger, John Ferguson
Canberra Raiders’ winger, John Ferguson
France rugby league forward, Jean Pambrun in action for Catalans XIII
France rugby league forward, Jean Pambrun in action for Catalans XIII
Murwillumbah Brothers' captain-coach, Milton Whybrow (second from left), watches the progress of teammate, Jack Nardi in the play-off for fifth spot in the 1974 Group 18-Gold Coast finals series at Murwillumbah Oval. Prop, Paul 'Porky' Weaver is on Whybrow's left. Surfers Paradise captain-coach, John Chisholm (left knee strapped) sizes up Nardi. The Pirates won, but Tweed Heads Seagulls would go on to beat Mullumbimby in the grand final.
Murwillumbah Brothers’ captain-coach, Milton Whybrow (second from left), watches the progress of teammate, Jack Nardi in the play-off for fifth spot in the 1974 Group 18-Gold Coast finals series at Murwillumbah Oval. Prop, Paul ‘Porky’ Weaver is on Whybrow’s left. Surfers Paradise captain-coach, John Chisholm (left knee strapped) sizes up Nardi. The Pirates won, but Tweed Heads Seagulls would go on to beat Mullumbimby in the grand final.
Wayne Lindenberg in action for Easts
Wayne Lindenberg in action for Easts
David Waite (right) when he was Great Britain coach. His assistant at that time, Brian Noble, is the other man in the photo.
David Waite (right) when he was Great Britain coach. His assistant at that time, Brian Noble, is the other man in the photo.
The late, great Harold 'Mick' Crocker.
The late, great Harold ‘Mick’ Crocker.
Jack Reardon (right) with former QRL boss, Ron McAuliffe (centre) and noted Brisbane journalist, Paul Sweeney
Jack Reardon (right) with former QRL boss, Ron McAuliffe (centre) and noted Brisbane journalist, Paul Sweeney
Shane Bernardin trains with Redcliffe, the club he joined after leaving Norths
Shane Bernardin trains with Redcliffe, the club he joined after leaving Norths
Adrian Lam on the attack for Brisbane Wests with Ipswich Jets lock, Jeremy Schloss applying the pressure in defence.
Adrian Lam on the attack for Brisbane Wests with Ipswich Jets lock, Jeremy Schloss applying the pressure in defence.
Western Division coach, Johnny King holds the Amco Cup aloft after the country boys' 6-2 win over Penrith in the final of the knock-out competition's inaugural season in 1974. To King's right is cult hero, 'TV Ted' Ellery.
Western Division coach, Johnny King holds the Amco Cup aloft after the country boys’ 6-2 win over Penrith in the final of the knock-out competition’s inaugural season in 1974. To King’s right is cult hero, ‘TV Ted’ Ellery.
Scene from a Brisbane v Toowoomba Bulimba Cup match at the Gabba in the 1950s, with Brisbane on the attack. Photo from the Melit family collection.
Scene from a Brisbane v Toowoomba Bulimba Cup match at the Gabba in the 1950s, with Brisbane on the attack. Photo from the Melit family collection.
Noel Cleal in action for NSW
Noel Cleal in action for NSW
Claude Mantoulan on the attack in a Test against Great Britain
Claude Mantoulan on the attack in a Test against Great Britain
Andrew Ettingshausen
Andrew Ettingshausen
Wigan superstar, Ellery Hanley
Wigan superstar, Ellery Hanley
Tall winger, Darren Plowman. He was one of the Crushers' best in their first top grade hit-out against Manly at Emerald
Tall winger, Darren Plowman. He was one of the Crushers’ best in their first top grade hit-out against Manly at Emerald
French captain, Puig Aubert (right) shakes hands with British counterpart, Scotsman, Dave Valentine, ahead of their World Cup clash in Toulouse. Watching on is English referee, Charlie Appleton from Warrington
French captain, Puig Aubert (right) shakes hands with British counterpart, Scotsman, Dave Valentine, ahead of their World Cup clash in Toulouse. Watching on is English referee, Charlie Appleton from Warrington
Manly skipper, Fred Jones celebrates the Sea Eagles' 1972 grand final win over the Roosters. Allan Thompson is behind him and Terry Randall on the right.
Manly skipper, Fred Jones celebrates the Sea Eagles’ 1972 grand final win over the Roosters. Allan Thompson is behind him and Terry Randall on the right.
Peter Gallagher in action for Queensland against New South Wales at the SCG.
Peter Gallagher in action for Queensland against New South Wales at the SCG.
Kiwi Test hooker, Duane Mann in action for New Zealand Residents versus Australian Residents at Lang Park in 1994, watched by rival hooker, Shane Christensen.
Kiwi Test hooker, Duane Mann in action for New Zealand Residents versus Australian Residents at Lang Park in 1994, watched by rival hooker, Shane Christensen.
Captain, Gary Freeman tries to rally Kiwi teammates after Australia score a try in the series deciding Third Test at Lang Park, Brisbane in 1991. Australia won 40-12
Captain, Gary Freeman tries to rally Kiwi teammates after Australia score a try in the series deciding Third Test at Lang Park, Brisbane in 1991. Australia won 40-12
'Sister Dorrie' and Tex Morton. Born Dorothy May Ricketts, 'Sister' Dorrie was my great Aunty.
‘Sister Dorrie’ and Tex Morton. Born Dorothy May Ricketts, ‘Sister’ Dorrie was my great Aunty.
Kevin and Mary Donnelly in 1975
Kevin and Mary Donnelly in 1975
Dean Pay in action for Canterbury-Bankstown. Pay scored a try in the 1994 Ashes decider.
Dean Pay in action for Canterbury-Bankstown. Pay scored a try in the 1994 Ashes decider.
Gene Miles in action for the Broncos. He started his senior career with Souths in Townsville.
Gene Miles in action for the Broncos. He started his senior career with Souths in Townsville.
They love their league in the pretty French town of Limoux.
They love their league in the pretty French town of Limoux.
Rodger Kuhn in action for Easts at Lang Park
Rodger Kuhn in action for Easts at Lang Park
Ross Strudwick sells raffle tickets at the Kirra Beach Hotel in the 1980s
Ross Strudwick sells raffle tickets at the Kirra Beach Hotel in the 1980s
'Smokin' Joe Kilroy and Brett Le Man at Brothers' training.
‘Smokin’ Joe Kilroy and Brett Le Man at Brothers’ training.
Lee Crooks in action for Great Britain against Australia
Lee Crooks in action for Great Britain against Australia
Don Lancashire and his wife, Carol at their Mount Warren home in Queensland
Don Lancashire and his wife, Carol at their Mount Warren home in Queensland
Peter Leis in action for Redcliffe
Peter Leis in action for Redcliffe
Reg Gasnier
Reg Gasnier
ARL boss, Ken Arthurson
ARL boss, Ken Arthurson
Don Fox scores for Featherstone with referee, Eric Clay on the spot to award the try. Australian defenders are nowhere to be seen.
Don Fox scores for Featherstone with referee, Eric Clay on the spot to award the try. Australian defenders are nowhere to be seen.
French manager, Antoine Blain receives the symbolic gift of a Kangaroo from Queensland Rugby League president, Vic Jensen during the historic 1951 tour
French manager, Antoine Blain receives the symbolic gift of a Kangaroo from Queensland Rugby League president, Vic Jensen during the historic 1951 tour
Eric Harris (centre) with Leeds' teammates, Welshman, Con Murphy (left) and John Kelly before a match in the 1938-39 English season
Eric Harris (centre) with Leeds’ teammates, Welshman, Con Murphy (left) and John Kelly before a match in the 1938-39 English season
FRL
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