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Tag Archives: alex murphy

JOHNNY RAPER – ‘PRINCE OF LOCKS’

10/02/2022by SteveRicketts 1 Comment

Everyone had a Johnny Raper story at the pub, on the day the legendary rugby league lock passed away – February 9, 2022. Jim Gannon remembered his dad driving him […]

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The Column

FLASHBACK: May 1981

01/06/2021by SteveRicketts 1 Comment

MAY 1981 Great Britain Test forward, Brian Lockwood equalled legendary halfback, Alex Murphy’s record of winning at Wembley with three different clubs, when he played a key role in Widnes’ […]

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Flashbacks

FLASHBACK: April, 1966

25/04/2021by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

Great Britain’s 1966 Rugby League Touring Squad was given little chance of reclaiming the Ashes in Australia, with only one player in the 26-man outfit having previously been to the […]

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Flashbacks

VALE DAVE BOLTON

07/02/2021by SteveRicketts 1 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

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

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

FLASHBACK: June, 1975

16/06/2020by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

JUNE 1975 ‘Bloodbath’. ‘Toughest Game Ever’. ‘Killer Game’ These were some of the headlines, the day after Wales beat England 12-7 in a World Series rugby league Test at Brisbane’s […]

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Flashbacks

THE MEN IN BLACK

22/04/2020by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

‘The mighty All Blacks’ The first time I took substantial notice of New Zealand’s legendary national rugby union team was 1967, when they were touring the UK and France at […]

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The Column

FLASHBACK: November, 1989

29/11/2019by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

NOVEMBER 1989 English club, Barrow sacked Australian coach, Rod Reddy, just eight matches into the 1989-90 English season. Reddy, a veteran of 17 Tests for Australia and a member of […]

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Flashbacks

FLASHBACK: October 1989

26/10/2019by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

OCTOBER 1989 New Zealand were set a monumental task at the start of their tour of Britain and France, with two matches in three days, the first against St Helens […]

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Flashbacks

WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS

17/06/2019by SteveRicketts 2 Comments

IT’S a photograph which has always fascinated me. Australian skipper, Arthur Beetson is holding a trophy aloft, as his teammates gather round. The photograph obviously was taken before a match, […]

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Flashbacks

FLASHBACK: May 1974

02/06/2019by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

MAY 1974 Brisbane Brothers’ forward, David Wright tasted success at the iconic Wembley Stadium in London as part of Warrington’s Challenge Cup side, in a 24-9 win over Featherstone Rovers. […]

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Flashbacks

FLASHBACK: April, 1959

02/05/2019by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

APRIL 1959 On a hot spring day, in the French city of Grenoble, France extracted revenge against Great Britain, in one of the great turnarounds of international rugby league history. […]

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Flashbacks

FLASHBACK: November 1963

30/11/2018by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

FLASHBACK NOVEMBER 1963 Less than 18 months after winning the Ashes series in Australia, Great Britain fell to its greatest humiliation at the hands of the Kangaroos when the Arthur […]

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Flashbacks

FALSE ECONOMICS

17/11/2018by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

by Steve Ricketts, former Chief Rugby League Writer, The Courier-Mail. It seemed to make sense, in terms of the newspaper’s budget, when I was asked to return to Brisbane, from […]

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The Column

FLASHBACK: November 1986

21/07/2017by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

Australian skipper, Wally Lewis was heavily targeted by St Helens’ players in the seventh match of the 1986 Kangaroo tour of Britain and France. Three times Lewis was hit in back […]

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Flashbacks, Uncategorized

FLASHBACK: July 1986

24/05/2017by SteveRicketts 2 Comments

Alex Murphy, one of the greats of British rugby league, took a pot shot at the egos of Australian players during a talent scouting trip ‘down under’ for the St […]

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Flashbacks

FLASHBACK: MAy 1966

05/04/2017by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

British Test centre, Eric Ashton named a controversial World Team as he launched his biography, ‘Glory in the Centre Spot’. Missing from Ashton’s side were Queensland greats, Duncan Hall and […]

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Flashbacks, Uncategorized

FLASHBACK: October 1959

02/01/2015by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

A field goal by Brian Fallon gave Leigh a memorable 18-17 win over the touring Kangaroos, with the captaincy of Australia’s Harry Wells criticised in the press. Australia scored three […]

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Flashbacks

Lions Tour Diary Part 5

21/06/2013by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

THE 1958 Great Britain Lions Rugby League tour travels the length of Queensland leading up to the return Test match against Australia. We continue our tour diary as it might […]

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Flashbacks, International

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IMAGE GALLERY

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