Steve Ricketts

A site covering all things rugby league

Main Menu

Skip to content
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact
  • The Column
  • Diary of a retired Rugby League writer
  • New item

Tag Archives: darren lockyer

FLASHBACK: April 1997

18/04/2022by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

APRIL 1997 Wendell Sailor was sent to the sin bin by referee, Bill Harrigan after a melee in which the Broncos’ winger hit Cowboys’ centre, Paul Bowman with a flurry […]

Read Article →
Flashbacks

FLASHBACK: March 1997

10/04/2022by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

MARCH 1997 Broncos’ Test prop, Glenn Lazarus was left battered, bruised and angry after an incident involving Auckland Warriors’ fullback, Matthew Ridge at Brisbane’s ANZ Stadium in the first round […]

Read Article →
Flashbacks

OLD TRAFFORD SALUTES THE KANGAROOS

22/09/2021by SteveRicketts 1 Comment

I wish I could say there was a great sense of anticipation across the UK, as the countdown began to the 2000 Rugby League World Cup final at Old Trafford, […]

Read Article →
Travel

WELSH BREATHE FIRE INTO CUP

15/09/2021by SteveRicketts 1 Comment

The much-maligned Welsh team restored some credibility to the 2000 Rugby League World Cup, thanks to a courageous 46-22 loss to Australia in a semi-final at Huddersfield’s McAlpine Stadium. The […]

Read Article →
Travel

SPECIAL K REVISITED

24/06/2021by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

By Steve Ricketts, former Courier-Mail chief rugby league writer. ‘Touched’, a Broncos’ fan yelled sarcastically, as Karmichael Hunt barely got a hand to rampaging South Sydney centre, Campbell Graham, in […]

Read Article →
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 […]

Read Article →
The Column

PAYING OUR RESPECTS IN FRANCE

01/02/2021by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

TRAVEL 1998 When Rod Jennings found the grave of his uncle, killed in the trench warfare of World War 1, it was hard not to become emotional, as the former […]

Read Article →
Travel

FLASHBACK: September, 1995

12/10/2020by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

FLASHBACK SEPTEMBER 1995 Brisbane Broncos and Canberra Raiders produced a match of State of Origin intensity in the first week of the 1995 Australian Rugby League finals series. The Raiders […]

Read Article →
Flashbacks

FLASHBACK: August, 2000

01/10/2020by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

FLASHBACK AUGUST 2000 The crowd at Brisbane’s ANZ Stadium at southside Nathan, sat in stunned silence when Cronulla Sharks went to the halftime break leading 20-6 against premiership favorites, the […]

Read Article →
Flashbacks

DIARY UPDATE: Week 4, 2020

07/09/2020by SteveRicketts 1 Comment

DIARY OF A RETIRED RUGBY LEAGUE WRITER WEEK 4 2020 TUESDAY, JANUARY 28 Iconic Queensland broadcaster, John McCoy thanks a myriad people for their messages of good will, following his […]

Read Article →
Diary of a retired Rugby League Journalist

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 […]

Read Article →
The Column

IN LONDON WITH THE KANGAROOS

22/06/2020by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

TRAVEL ‘Big Willie’ Mason was polite, as he declined my request for an interview, at London’s Heathrow Airport. “‘Sorry Steve. ‘Wayne’ has put me on a media ban,” he said. […]

Read Article →
Travel

END OF HOSTILITIES

16/05/2020by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

Chris Johns’ appointment as manager of the Australian team for the 2004 Trans-Tasman rugby league Test in Newcastle was viewed as a controversial one in some quarters. Johns was an […]

Read Article →
Flashbacks

FLASHBACK: November, 2004

20/11/2019by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

NOVEMBER, 2004 Big spending rugby union scouts were waiting outside Stade Ernest Wallon in Toulouse after the French rugby league side scored six tries in a gutsy 52-30 loss to […]

Read Article →
Flashbacks

ORIGIN FOOTBALL AT CROSSROADS

07/11/2019by SteveRicketts 1 Comment

COMMENT by Steve Ricketts, former Chief Rugby League Writer, The Courier-Mail Good luck to rugby league administrators next year, as they try to promote State of Origin as ‘The Best […]

Read Article →
The Column

FLASHBACK: June 2009

02/07/2019by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

JUNE 2009 ‘We’ll get through this mate,” Nate Myles said to Dallas Johnson, as they caught the lift to the foyer of the Parramatta hotel, where the Queensland team was […]

Read Article →
Flashbacks

DIARY UPDATE: Week 3, 2016

21/11/2017by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

TUESDAY, JANUARY 19 To the movies at Palace Centro in the Valley to see ‘The Big Short’. A bad time to watch it, with the stock market in the red. […]

Read Article →
Diary of a retired Rugby League Journalist, Uncategorized

FLASHBACK: February 1997

04/10/2017by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

St George signings, Gorden Tallis and Anthony Mundine sounded an ominous warning  to rival Super League clubs with a smooth transition into the Broncos free flowing style of football in […]

Read Article →
Flashbacks, Uncategorized
Neil Wharton in his Brisbane Wests' days

DIARY ENTRY: Week 7, 2015

08/03/2016by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 9 Meet with former Brisbane representative rugby league back, Neil Wharton, who is a new addition to the staff at QRL headquarters. Neil, wants me to write prose […]

Read Article →
Diary of a retired Rugby League Journalist, Uncategorized

Post navigation

  • Flashbacks
  • The Column
  • Diary of a retired Rugby League writer
  • The TOUR Diary: France in Australia, 1955
  • All articles (inc Flashbacks)

Connect

  • View steve-ricketts-a15b3765’s profile on LinkedIn

Enter your email address to follow this website and receive notifications of new stories by email.

Join 240 other followers

IMAGE GALLERY

'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.
Canberra Raiders' winger, John Ferguson
Canberra Raiders’ winger, John Ferguson
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.
Reg Gasnier
Reg Gasnier
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.
Claude Mantoulan on the attack in a Test against Great Britain
Claude Mantoulan on the attack in a Test against Great Britain
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).
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.
Andrew Ettingshausen
Andrew Ettingshausen
The late, great Harold 'Mick' Crocker.
The late, great Harold ‘Mick’ Crocker.
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
Kevin and Mary Donnelly in 1975
Kevin and Mary Donnelly in 1975
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.
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
Duncan Thompson
Duncan Thompson
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
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.
Peter Leis in action for Redcliffe
Peter Leis in action for Redcliffe
Valleys coach, Henry Holloway
Valleys coach, Henry Holloway
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.
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.
DAD
Wayne Lindenberg in action for Easts
Wayne Lindenberg in action for Easts
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.
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.
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.
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.
FRL
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
Shane Bernardin trains with Redcliffe, the club he joined after leaving Norths
Shane Bernardin trains with Redcliffe, the club he joined after leaving Norths
ARL boss, Ken Arthurson
ARL boss, Ken Arthurson
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
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.
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
Noel Cleal in action for NSW
Noel Cleal in action for NSW
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
Greg Conescu in a pensive mood
Greg Conescu in a pensive mood
They love their league in the pretty French town of Limoux.
They love their league in the pretty French town of Limoux.
'Smokin' Joe Kilroy and Brett Le Man at Brothers' training.
‘Smokin’ Joe Kilroy and Brett Le Man at Brothers’ training.
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 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
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
Ken Day in his Manly-Warringah gear
Ken Day in his Manly-Warringah gear
Brad Backer in action for Easts
Brad Backer in action for Easts
France rugby league forward, Jean Pambrun in action for Catalans XIII
France rugby league forward, Jean Pambrun in action for Catalans XIII
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.
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
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
Doug Muir in action for Brisbane club, Valleys
Doug Muir in action for Brisbane club, Valleys
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.
Blog at WordPress.com.
  • Follow Following
    • Steve Ricketts
    • Join 240 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • Steve Ricketts
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...