FLASHBACK: June 1982
JUNE 1982 New South Wales’ critics reported a return to normal service after the Blues won the first match of the inaugural State of Origin series in 1982, with the […]
JUNE 1982 New South Wales’ critics reported a return to normal service after the Blues won the first match of the inaugural State of Origin series in 1982, with the […]
DIARY OF A RETIRED RUGBY LEAGUE WRITER WEEK 30 2021 MONDAY, JULY 26 Former Wynnum-Manly premiership winning halfback, Peter Dawes reckons the Seagulls would have beaten Sydney premiers, Canterbury-Bankstown in […]
MARCH 1987 QUEENSLAND lock, Paul ‘Fatty’ Vautin advocated the selection of skipper, Wally Lewis at halfback for the 1987 State of Origin Series following the career ending eye injury to […]
Super coach, Wayne Bennett describes the South Sydney Rabbitohs and Brisbane’s Souths Magpies as kindred spirits, in that they are working class clubs, with a never-say-die ethos. And the embodiment […]
DIARY OF A RETIRED RUGBY LEAGUE WRITER WEEK 40 MONDAY, OCTOBER 5 Newcastle was held in the same high regard as Brisbane, when I played rugby league on the Tweed. […]
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 […]
TRAVEL Recently a mate asked how many times I had been to Britain and or Europe, and when I answered ’20’, he said I should write a book. I’m not […]
FEBRUARY 1985 It was the moment Queensland probably lost the chance to defend its State of Origin title, and it happened at the unlikely setting of the Maclean Showgrounds, on […]
TRAVEL What could possibly go wrong? It was November, 1982, and I had chosen a pub called ‘The Old Bore’ at Cunning Corner, for lunch, on the way to the Australian Rugby League Kangaroos’ match against Bradford Northern at Odsal Stadium. Although I was not the driver, I had been tasked with planning many of […]
‘How Rugby League Explains Queensland’ It’s an interesting discussion point, and one that is explored by independent journalist and author, Joe Gorman in his latest book, ‘Heartland’. Brisbane born, but […]
FLASHBACK MARCH 1989 THE Brisbane Broncos recorded one of their finest victories when they showed amazing grit and stamina to beat Manly-Warringah 22-18 in the mud of Brookvale Oval, despite […]
AUGUST 1988 Broncos’ skipper, Wally Lewis scored two tries against Newcastle at Lang Park, taking his season tally to 15, with one round remaining of a 22 round season. He would […]
MAY 1988 Gold Coast Giants caused one of the upsets of the 1988 New South Wales Rugby League season when they defeated the Brisbane Broncos in an absorbing ‘derby’ at […]
Valleys’ rugby league coach, Ross Strudwick predicted Murgon product, Bryan Niebling would play for Australia that season, either against the touring Kiwis or on the Kangaroos’ European tour. Strudwick, who […]
Australia belted France 52-0 at Carcassonne in a Test match that also was played for World Cup points. Australian winger, Dale Shearer scored four tries and fullback, Garry Jack three, in […]
State of Origin stalwarts, Chris Close, Colin Scott and Dave Brown were axed from the Queensland side to play New South Wales in the second match of the 1986 series. […]
Redcliffe rugby league coach, the great Arthur Beetson, used the unlimited tackle rule to his side’s advantage in a 20-13 win over Brothers at Dolphin Oval, and then immediately called for […]
REFEREE, Bernie Pramberg sent five players from the field in a sensational Woolies pre-season semi-final between Redcliffe and Wests at Lang Park. The match, won 37-0 by Wests, was condemned as […]
The damage being done to the Brisbane competition by Sydney raids was graphically illustrated by The Courier-Mail’s list of Gains and Losses for the nine clubs. With the help of […]
Brilliant British halfback, Andy Gregory announced his retirement from Test football after playing all three matches against the touring Kangaroos. It proved a short term break from the international scene, […]