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Category Archives: Flashbacks

A trip down memory lane…

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

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

FLASHBACK: January, 1981

31/01/2021by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

FLASHBACK JANUARY 1981 There is nothing new about the struggle to get kids to play that toughest of all team body contact sports, rugby league. When I was growing up […]

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Flashbacks

FLASHBACK: January, 1971

26/01/2021by SteveRicketts 1 Comment

JANUARY 1971 Queensland Rugby League chairman, Bruce Hatcher retains fond memories of a time when some of the state’s best footballers were effectively put into isolation for two months, living […]

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Flashbacks

FLASHBACK: January, 1951

16/01/2021by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

FLASHBACK JANUARY 1951 Renowned BBC commentator, Eddie Waring warned that France’s historic tour of Australia and New Zealand could be a huge success, or a colossal failure. Waring said if […]

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Flashbacks

FLASHBACK: December 1955

31/12/2020by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

FLASHBACK DECEMBER 1955 France’s former Basque rugby union star, Jean Dop stole the limelight from Welsh dual rugby international, Lewis Jones in France’s 17-5 win over Great Britain at Parc […]

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Flashbacks

FLASHBACK: December, 1985

31/12/2020by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

FLASHBACK DECEMBER 1985 New Zealand Rugby League coach, Graham Lowe led his team from a formal, post-Test match function in Perpignan, France, in protest at the way the Kiwis had […]

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Flashbacks

FLASHBACK: December 1995

26/12/2020by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

DECEMBER 1995 Queensland State of Origin coach, Paul Vautin made it clear Allan Langer would not have a saloon passage back into the Maroons’ squad, if Super League players were […]

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Flashbacks

FLASHBACK: DECEMBER 1965

11/12/2020by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

DECEMBER 1965 The exploits of the 1951 French rugby league side in Australia and New Zealand are the stuff of legend. But spare a thought for the generations of French […]

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Flashbacks

FLASHBACK: November, 1980

01/12/2020by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

FLASHBACK NOVEMBER 1980 English clubs scrambled to sign New Zealand rugby league players, after the Kiwi’s tour of the UK, under the captaincy of Mark Graham and the coaching of […]

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Flashbacks

FLASHBACK: November, 1975

29/11/2020by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

FLASHBACK NOVEMBER 1975 Wales finished the 1975 Rugby League World Series with a flourish, defeating New Zealand and France within six days. The 25-24 win over the Kiwis, at the […]

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Flashbacks

FLASHBACK: November 2010

21/11/2020by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

FLASHBACK NOVEMBER 2010 Australian fullback, Billy Slater described the 2010 Four Nations final at Suncorp Stadium as a ‘dogfight’, with the Kiwis walking away with bragging rights again, just two […]

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Flashbacks

FLASHBACK: November, 1995

15/11/2020by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

FLASHBACK NOVEMBER 1995 Former Wallaby, Garrick Morgan’s return to rugby union was confirmed, after he struggled in rugby league, playing for new club, the South Queensland Crushers, under novice coach, […]

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Flashbacks

FLASHBACK: October, 1955

13/11/2020by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

OCTOBER 1955 French Rugby League officials left Hilton Park, Leigh in England full of confidence about the future, despite France’s 32-19 loss to a star-studded Other Nationalities side, in a […]

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Flashbacks

FLASHBACK: November, 1965

12/11/2020by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

NOVEMBER 1965 France defeated New Zealand 14-3 in a brawling First Test at Stade Velodrome, Marseilles, watched by a vocal crowd of 30,000, at what was a double header with […]

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Flashbacks

FLASHBACK: October, 1970

10/11/2020by SteveRicketts 1 Comment

OCTOBER 1970 Referee, Fred Lindop dealt out 15 cautions in a brutal World Cup rugby league match at Headingley, Leeds with Great Britain scoring the only try of the contest, […]

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Flashbacks

FLASHBACK: October 1995

04/11/2020by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

FLASHBACK OCTOBER 1995 ENGLAND captain, Shaun Edwards was accused of taunting Australian winger, John Hopoate with racial abuse at London’s Wembley Stadium, in the opening match of the 1995 Rugby […]

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Flashbacks

FLASHBACK: October, 1960

25/10/2020by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

FLASHBACK OCTOBER 1960 Fiery forwards, Vince Karalius (Great Britain) and Jean Barthe (France) were sent from the field in a brutal rugby league World Cup match at Station Road, Swinton, […]

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Flashbacks

FLASHBACK: September, 2005

23/10/2020by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

FLASHBACK SEPTEMBER 2005 The Rugby League, Rugby Union and Journalistic communities were mourning the loss of Harry Jefferies, who died on September 6, 2005, aged 83. Jefferies was a long […]

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Flashbacks

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IMAGE GALLERY

Shane Bernardin trains with Redcliffe, the club he joined after leaving Norths
Shane Bernardin trains with Redcliffe, the club he joined after leaving Norths
DAD
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.
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.
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.
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
They love their league in the pretty French town of Limoux.
They love their league in the pretty French town of Limoux.
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.
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.
Valleys coach, Henry Holloway
Valleys coach, Henry Holloway
Rodger Kuhn in action for Easts at Lang Park
Rodger Kuhn in action for Easts at Lang Park
Darren Smith in action for his first club, Brisbane Easts
Darren Smith in action for his first club, Brisbane Easts
Wigan superstar, Ellery Hanley
Wigan superstar, Ellery Hanley
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
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
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).
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.
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.
Andrew Ettingshausen
Andrew Ettingshausen
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.
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
ARL boss, Ken Arthurson
ARL boss, Ken Arthurson
The late, great Harold 'Mick' Crocker.
The late, great Harold ‘Mick’ Crocker.
Ken Day in his Manly-Warringah gear
Ken Day in his Manly-Warringah gear
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.
'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.
'Smokin' Joe Kilroy and Brett Le Man at Brothers' training.
‘Smokin’ Joe Kilroy and Brett Le Man at Brothers’ training.
FRL
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.
Lee Crooks in action for Great Britain against Australia
Lee Crooks in action for Great Britain against Australia
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.
Brad Backer in action for Easts
Brad Backer in action for Easts
Reg Gasnier
Reg Gasnier
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
Doug Muir in action for Brisbane club, Valleys
Doug Muir in action for Brisbane club, Valleys
Greg Conescu in a pensive mood
Greg Conescu in a pensive mood
Kevin and Mary Donnelly in 1975
Kevin and Mary Donnelly in 1975
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.
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
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
Wayne Lindenberg in action for Easts
Wayne Lindenberg in action for Easts
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
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
France rugby league forward, Jean Pambrun in action for Catalans XIII
France rugby league forward, Jean Pambrun in action for Catalans XIII
Canberra Raiders' winger, John Ferguson
Canberra Raiders’ winger, John Ferguson
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 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.
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.
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.
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
Peter Leis in action for Redcliffe
Peter Leis in action for Redcliffe
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