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Tag Archives: brian atherton

FLASHBACK: November, 2006

30/12/2021by SteveRicketts 1 Comment

NOVEMBER 2006 This post is different from the ‘classic’ Flashbacks on my website, in that is largely an extract from my diary. It is meant to give readers a look […]

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Flashbacks

DIARY UPDATE: WEEK 8, 2021

14/09/2021by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

DIARY OF A RETIRED RUGBY LEAGUE WRITER WEEK 8 2021 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 22 The Guineas Room, Eagle Farm is the setting for a wonderful memorial service for Paul Malone, one […]

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Diary of a retired Rugby League Journalist

DIARY UPDATE: WEEK 7, 2021

12/09/2021by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

DIARY OF A RETIRED RUGBY LEAGUE WRITER WEEK 7 2021 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 15 There was no-one more competitive than Brisbane Easts’ fullback, Rodger ‘The Dodger’ Kuhn, back in 1970s Brisbane […]

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Diary of a retired Rugby League Journalist

DIARY UPDATE: Week 52, 2020

29/06/2021by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

DIARY OF A RETIRED RUGBY LEAGUE WRITER WEEK 52 2020/TRANSITION TO 2021 MONDAY, DECEMBER 28 Legendary dual rugby international, Ray Price played in the Sydney Journalists Rugby League competition, when […]

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Diary of a retired Rugby League Journalist

DIARY UPDATE: Week 13, 2020

10/10/2020by SteveRicketts 1 Comment

DIARY OF A RETIRED RUGBY LEAGUE WRITER WEEK 13 2020 MONDAY, MARCH 30 Former Balmain rugby league prop, Steve ‘Blocker’ Roach recalls his time at Warrington in England, in particular […]

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Diary of a retired Rugby League Journalist, Uncategorized

DIARY UPDATE: Week 5, 2020

08/09/2020by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

DIARY OF RETIRED RUGBY LEAGUE WRITER WEEK 5 2019 MONDAY, FEBRUARY 3 Englishman, Shaun Wane succeeds Australian, Wayne Bennett as coach of the Great Britain Rugby League side. It is […]

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Diary of a retired Rugby League Journalist

FLASHBACK: July 1975

02/08/2020by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

JULY 1975 Queensland Rugby League Chairman, Senator Ron McAuliffe called for the Maroons to be included as a separate entity, in future international tournaments, after they came within an ace […]

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Flashbacks

DIARY UPDATE: Week 35, 2019

11/06/2020by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

DIARY OF A RETIRED RUGBY LEAGUE WRITER WEEK 35 2019 MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 2 Our river cruise from Amsterdam in the Netherlands, to Budapest in Hungary, on ‘Scenic Crystal’, is into […]

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Diary of a retired Rugby League Journalist

THE MAGIC OF WEMBLEY

09/06/2020by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

For many years, it was the ‘done thing’ for Australian rugby league fans to stay up late, to watch the BBC’s live telecast of the English Challenge Cup final from […]

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Travel

DIARY UPDATE: Week 32, 2019

29/05/2020by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

DIARY OF A RETIRED RUGBY LEAGUE WRITER WEEK 32 2019 MONDAY, AUGUST 12 Australians, Craig Young and Danny Buderus, along with New Zealanders, Ruben Wiki and Stacey Jones are announced […]

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Diary of a retired Rugby League Journalist

LONDON TO A BRICK ODDS

25/04/2020by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

TRAVEL Who would have thought my friendship with Widnes’ bricklayer, Frank Kennedy in Australia in 1973 would lead to a stay in his country manor house in England, nearly 30 years […]

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Travel

VALE FRANK MYLER

04/04/2020by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

VALE FRANK MYLER Frank Myler made his first team debut for Widnes when he was just 16, in 1955. Fifteen years later he captained the Great Britain Lions rugby league […]

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The Column

DIARY UPDATE: Week 51, 2018

24/11/2019by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

DIARY OF A RETIRED RUGBY LEAGUE WRITER WEEK 51 2018 WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 19 Nate Searle, the son of former Gold Coast Titans’ rugby league chief executive, Michael Searle, almost drowns […]

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Diary of a retired Rugby League Journalist, Uncategorized

DIARY UPDATE: Week 18, 2018

25/06/2019by SteveRicketts 1 Comment

DIARY OF A RETIRED RUGBY LEAGUE WRITER WEEK 18 2018 MONDAY, APRIL 30 Two blokes in a van, try to sell me a surround sound system, as I leave bottle […]

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Diary of a retired Rugby League Journalist, Uncategorized

DIARY UPDATE: Week 48, 2017

20/04/2019by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

DIARY OF A RETIRED RUGBY LEAGUE WRITER WEEK 48 2017 TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 28 English couple, Terry and Joyce Holmes are our guests on a country drive. Terry is a contributor […]

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Diary of a retired Rugby League Journalist

RED AND WHITE PHOENIX

02/04/2019by SteveRicketts 1 Comment

The name Pannowitz is revered in the Hunter Valley district of New South Wales. So it did not come as any surprise when former Hull Kingston Rovers and Keighley (England) […]

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Flashbacks

DIARY UPDATE: Week 15, 2017

29/12/2018by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

DIARY OF A RETIRED RUGBY LEAGUE WRITER WEEK 15 2017 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12 Former Broncos, South Sydney, Roosters and Titans’ forward, Ashley Harrison is guest speaker at our Men of […]

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Diary of a retired Rugby League Journalist

DIARY UPDATE: Week 12, 2017

18/12/2018by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

DIARY OF A RETIRED RUGBY LEAGUE WRITER WEEK 12, 2017 MONDAY, MARCH 20 Attend ‘Friends of Rugby League’ function at State Parliament House, where I chat to MPs from the […]

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Diary of a retired Rugby League Journalist

BAD DAY AT SERCOMBE FIELD

22/11/2018by SteveRicketts 3 Comments

Rugby League Grand finals are always memorable, win or lose. After winning both my grand finals in the under-18 grade – in 1968 and ’70 – it was almost as […]

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The Column

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

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IMAGE GALLERY

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