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Tag Archives: Mal Meninga

FLASHBACK: June 1982

29/06/2022by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

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 […]

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Flashbacks

FLASHBACK: May 1982

28/05/2022by SteveRicketts 1 Comment

MAY 1982 The final round of Winfield State League fixtures in 1982 was full of drama, with the comeback of Test rugby league star, Rod Morris; the sin binning of […]

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Flashbacks

FLASHBACK: APRIL 1982

09/05/2022by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

APRIL 1982 Souths’ coach, Bob McCarthy labelled refereeing in the bush as ‘woeful’, in the fallout from his 1981 Brisbane premiership winning team’s shock 17-16 loss to Wide Bay, in […]

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Flashbacks

VALE DAVE HADFIELD

20/03/2022by SteveRicketts 2 Comments

You may remember him as George Dunkerley, but I remember him as Dave Hadfield from Bolton, a magnificent sports journalist and a friend, who was always entertaining company. Dave’s great […]

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The Column

FLASHBACK: February 1982

12/03/2022by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

FEBRUARY 1982 Norths Devils’ skipper, Shane Bernardin was sent off by referee, Harry Dearness just five minutes into a Woolies pre-season match against Easts at Bishop Park, after the Tigers’ […]

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Flashbacks

DIARY UPDATE: Week 19, 2021

14/01/2022by SteveRicketts 1 Comment

DIARY OF A RETIRED RUGBY LEAGUE WRITER WEEK 19 2021 MONDAY, MAY 10 My interview with Gavin Payne on EastsTV attracted 5,000 viewers, according to producer, Darryl Bogan. Brisbane Men […]

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Diary of a retired Rugby League Journalist, Uncategorized

DIARY UPDATE: Week 13, 2021

16/12/2021by SteveRicketts 2 Comments

DIARY OF A RETIRED RUGBY LEAGUE WRITER WEEK 13 2021 MONDAY, MARCH 29 The NRL is talking about introducing forward pass technology. That will just about be the last straw […]

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Diary of a retired Rugby League Journalist

VALE JIM FENWICK

02/12/2021by SteveRicketts 1 Comment

Jim Fenwick was one of Queensland’s finest news photographers, with a special feel for events on the rugby league field. He won several awards for his photographs of matches at […]

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The Column

FLASHBACK: NOVEMBER 2001

02/12/2021by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

NOVEMBER 2001 It was the Rugby League Ashes campaign which almost didn’t go ahead, because of terrorism. The 2001 Australia v Great Britain and Ireland series was played over two […]

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Flashbacks

FLASHBACK: SEPTEMBER 1981

30/09/2021by SteveRicketts 1 Comment

SEPTEMBER 1981 Redcliffe captain-coach, Arthur Beetson blasted his side for conceding cheap tries, despite the Dolphins’ convincing 21-10 win over Souths in the 1981 Brisbane Rugby League major semi-final at […]

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Flashbacks

FLASHBACK: MAY 1961

01/06/2021by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

MAY 1961 Test forward, Elton Rasmussen scored the try of the match for Wide Bay in their thrilling 22-21 loss to Ipswich in the (Queensland) State rugby league trials at […]

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Flashbacks

SOUTHS MAGPIES HALL OF FAME

02/05/2021by SteveRicketts 5 Comments

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 […]

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The Column

DIARY UPDATE: Week 36, 2020

06/02/2021by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

DIARY OF A RETIRED RUGBY LEAGUE WRITER WEEK 36 2020 MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 Instead of flying back into Brisbane today, following a six-week European adventure, my wife, Marie and I […]

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Diary of a retired Rugby League Journalist

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

DIARY UPDATE: Week 20, 2020

11/11/2020by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

DIARY OF A RETIRED RUGBY LEAGUE WRITER WEEK 20 2020 MONDAY, MAY 18 The brewery and a butcher shop on Mt Tamborine have closed. Victims of Covid? Or perhaps their […]

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Diary of a retired Rugby League Journalist

FLASHBACK: September, 2005

23/10/2020by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

FLASHBACK SEPTEMBER 2005 The Rugby League, Rugby Union and Journalistic communities were mourning the loss of Harry Jefferies, who died on September 6, 2005, aged 83. Jefferies was a long […]

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Flashbacks

VALE GEOFF McLACHLAN

19/10/2020by SteveRicketts 1 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

FLASHBACK: September, 1980

08/10/2020by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

FLASHBACK SEPTEMBER 1980 Souths’ hooker, Billy Johnstone was sent off by referee, Eddie Ward for a high, late shot on Valleys’ captain-coach, Ross Strudwick three minutes from the end of […]

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Flashbacks

DIARY UPDATE: Week 9, 2020

24/09/2020by SteveRicketts 1 Comment

DIARY OF A RETIRED RUGBY LEAGUE WRITER WEEK 9 2020 MONDAY, MARCH 2 Kenya belt Wales in Rugby Union Sevens. How can that be? The French Government limits crowds to […]

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Diary of a retired Rugby League Journalist

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IMAGE GALLERY

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