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Category Archives: The Column

VALE KEN MCCAFFERY

16/02/2021by SteveRicketts 4 Comments

By Greg Shannon, QRL History Committee The QRL would like to pass on sincere condolences to the family of a truly remarkable rugby league identity, former Queensland and Australian player Ken McCaffery who passed away on February 6 at 91 years of age. Ken had a long and […]

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The Column

VALE PAUL ‘SCOBIE’ MALONE

13/02/2021by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

Paul ‘Scobie’ Malone was by my side at countless rugby league matches, firstly as a rival, and then as a ‘teammate’ at ‘The Courier Mail’. We were rivals when I […]

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The Column

‘GILTINAN’S TOUR -1908’

08/02/2021by SteveRicketts 1 Comment

by Tom Mather. Available in paperback, or as an ebook, via Amazon. BOOK REVIEW Prominent Sydney sportsman, James J Giltinan is widely recognised as the driving force behind the movement, […]

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The Column

VALE DAVE BOLTON

07/02/2021by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

Dave Bolton was man of the match in Balmain’s shock 11-2 win over Souths in the 1969 Sydney grand-final, a match magnificently chronicled in Ian Heads’ book, ‘The Great Grand […]

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The Column

THE POWER OF SLEDGING

16/12/2020by SteveRicketts 1 Comment

This is an article I wrote for The Courier-Mail in October, 1995, but to my knowledge was never published, not for sinister reasons. I think it was simply a lack […]

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The Column

VALE GARY PARCELL

02/12/2020by SteveRicketts 2 Comments

By Steve Ricketts. QRL History Committee. A one club man, Gary Parcell played all of his eight Tests for Australia and 14 matches for Queensland from Ipswich Brothers. The Parcell […]

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The Column

VALE GEOFF McLACHLAN

19/10/2020by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

Geoff McLachlan was one of Queensland’s finest sports photographers, with a particular affection for the rugby league code. McLachlan, who played league for Wynnum-Manly, died in September, aged 78. It […]

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The Column

TOMATO KINGS OF TUMBULGUM

17/08/2020by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

Former Test rugby league halfback, Tom Raudonikis had the nickname ‘Tomato Tom’ during his time in Brisbane, but the tag just have easily could have been applied to former Queensland […]

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The Column

GREAT SENSE OF COMMUNITY AT GOODNA

12/08/2020by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

The first time I heard mention of the Ipswich suburb of Goodna, was when other kids told me, that’s where you finish up, if you go crazy. I was living […]

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The Column

THE GUNSYND BAR

05/08/2020by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium boasts many fine hospitality suites, but there is nothing to compare with the ‘Gunsynd Bar’ in the old Frank Burke Stand, at what was called Lang Park […]

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The Column

THE GREATEST DERBIES?

25/07/2020by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

It is one of my great regrets, and yes, there have been a few, that I never had the chance to attend a Wigan v St Helens derby match in […]

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The Column

A CHANGE OF MIND ABOUT FREDDY

24/07/2020by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

I must confess to having under-estimated Brad Fittler, when he was thrown into a leadership role during the Super League War in the 1990s. To me, he wasn’t a great […]

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The Column

‘GARY SOBERS KING CRICKET’. A PRIZE TO CHERISH.

03/07/2020by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

THE West Indies’ convincing home Test series victory over Australia in 1964-65, left me devastated, as I thought we were invincible at that time, under the captaincy of Bob Simpson. […]

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The Column

Taking It To The Streets

25/06/2020by SteveRicketts 1 Comment

The Second Life of the Newtown RLFC, by Glen Dwyer Book review. It is one of the regrets of my life in rugby league, to date, that I have never […]

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The Column

VALE NOEL KELLY OAM

15/06/2020by SteveRicketts 1 Comment

By QRL History Committee Chairman, Steve Ricketts, who was a judge for the ARL Team of the Century. Australian Rugby League ‘Team of the Century’ hooker, Noel Kelly was one […]

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The Column

ARTHUR SUMMONS – GENTLEMAN GLADIATOR

30/05/2020by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

By STEVE RICKETTS ARTHUR Summons had the dubious honour of coaching the last Australian team to lose an Ashes Rugby League series against Great Britain. He won’t be remembered for […]

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The Column

VALE BIG LEAGUE?

28/05/2020by SteveRicketts 1 Comment

Have we seen the last of ‘Big League’? I fear for the future of the official program of the NRL, after it closed shop for the rest of the 2020 […]

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The Column

‘STORMY SIXTIES’ by Roger Grime

16/05/2020by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

BOOK REVIEW Rugby League in France soared to incredible highs and plummeted to unparalleled lows in the 1960s, a decade covered by noted English rugby league author, Roger Grime, from […]

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The Column

CAPTAIN COOK BICENTENARY CELEBRATIONS 1970

04/05/2020by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

When I met ‘The Queen’ on April 30, 1970, the conversation went (exactly) like this. (It’s not something you forget). Her Majesty: What is your name? Yours truly: Stephen Ricketts. […]

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The Column

FROM TEXAS TO ALICE SPRINGS, VIA WYNNUM AND BLACKPOOL

30/04/2020by SteveRicketts 1 Comment

When rugby league fans talk about ‘what might have been’, the name Terry Saunders quickly springs to mind. Chosen for the Queensland State of Origin side in 1981, the Wynnum-Manly star’s […]

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The Column

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IMAGE GALLERY

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