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FLASHBACK: February 1988

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FLASHBACK: February 1988 The changing face of the Brisbane Rugby League premiership was illustrated by the make-up of a 27 man squad chosen to prepare for the National Panasonic Cup […]

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Flashbacks

FLASHBACK: February 1978

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FLASHBACK: February 1978 Second rower, Gary Walker made an impressive Brisbane Rugby League debut – for Norths – in the Woolies pre-season competition. Walker was signed by Norths’ president, and former […]

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Flashbacks

FLASHBACK: February 1958

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FLASHBACK: FEBRUARY 1958 The Great Britain rugby league team to tour Australia was sparing no expense to retain the Ashes, and to restore pride after the Lions lost 2-1 in […]

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Flashbacks

FLASHBACK: February 1938

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FLASHBACK: FEBRUARY 1938 The English Rugby League farewelled the Australian tourists at the Griffin Hotel, Leeds. A high note was struck in a letter from Tom Reynolds, the ‘Daily Herald’ […]

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Flashbacks

DIARY UPDATE: Week 25, 2016

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WEEK 25 2016 MONDAY, JUNE 20 Walk Bunya Mountains National Park – Festoon Falls, Barker Creek, Paradise Falls. Surprising number of walkers, given the crook weather. Only one tree down. Thought […]

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Diary of a retired Rugby League Journalist

DIARY UPDATE: Week 24, 2016

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WEEK 24 2016 MONDAY, JUNE 13 ANOTHER day of exploring the delights of Carnarvon National Park, including Baloon Cave, Mickey Creek and Warrumbah Gorge, the latter the highlight. Dr Philip Crisp […]

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Diary of a retired Rugby League Journalist

DIARY UPDATE: Week 23, 2016

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MONDAY, JUNE 6 Get my haircut at Stafford today, and an almost bald guy storms off, swearing as he goes, when the barber tells him there is a half hour wait. […]

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Diary of a retired Rugby League Journalist

DIARY UPDATE: Week 22, 2016

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MONDAY, MAY 30 Watch quirky New Zealand movie, ‘Hunt for the Wilderpeople’. Very good. Love the line about the ‘Bloody Warriors’ (rugby league side). Bump into former Courier-Mail workmate, Darryl […]

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Uncategorized
Craig McAlpine (left) and Tony Jones. (Photo Stewart Ricketts).

FLASHBACK: January 1988

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The 10 Brisbane Rugby League Clubs were looking towards a season without State of Origin stars and Internationals, with all players of that calibre having signed with New South Wales […]

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Flashbacks, QRL / Intrust Super Cup, Uncategorized
John Lohman

FLASHBACK: January 1978

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Contract dramas at Brisbane Brothers saw three of the club’s highest profile players – David Wright, Ian Dauth and Bob Cock – quit the club to play for Nerang Roosters in […]

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Flashbacks, Uncategorized
Raymond Forges

FLASHBACK: January 1968

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A letter of complaint about the off-field behavior of the Kangaroos’ touring side was sent by the English Rugby League to their Australian counterparts. The Kangaroos were well into the French […]

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Flashbacks, International, Uncategorized
Max Rousie.

FLASHBACK: January 1938

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France ‘tackled furiously’, but it was not enough to stop the touring Kangaroos wraping up the two Test series with a 16-11 result at Marseilles in front of a crowd […]

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Flashbacks, International, Uncategorized
Marie Ricketts

DIARY UPDATE: Week 21, 2016

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WEDNESDAY, MAY 25 To Parliament House for State of Origin function. Farmers are protesting in George Street, asking for a fair price for milk. It is all very orderly, unlike […]

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Diary of a retired Rugby League Journalist, Uncategorized
Steve Ricketts (right) with Brent Saddler.

DIARY UPDATE: Week 20, 2016

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MONDAY, MAY 16. A minute’s silence is observed for former international centre, Rod Saddler ahead of the Titans v Roosters’ NRL match at Robina. That was my doing, I am proud […]

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Diary of a retired Rugby League Journalist, Uncategorized
Australian winger, Johnny Greaves in action against France at Marseilles on the 1967-68 Kangaroo tour.

FLASHBACK: November 1967

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Brisbane Brothers’ legend, Peter Gallagher captained Australia to a memorable 17-11 win over Great Britain at London’s White City Stadium, to keep alive the Ashes series, after the home side won […]

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Flashbacks, International, Uncategorized
Upton Park.

DIARY UPDATE: Week 19, 2016

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MONDAY, MAY 9 To Anne Hession’s funeral. So sad. First person I bump into is my former strapper at Murwillumbah Brothers, Dave Stuart and his wife, Jo (nee Hession). Anne’s brother, […]

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Diary of a retired Rugby League Journalist, Uncategorized
Anne Hession (nee McDonald).

DIARY UPDATE: Week 18, 2016

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MONDAY, MAY 2 Learn of the passing of Anne Maree Hession (nee McDonald), after a long battle with illness. She was only 62, the wife of one my former schoolmates and […]

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Diary of a retired Rugby League Journalist, Uncategorized
Mark Hohn.

FLASHBACK: December 1987

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Queensland rugby league forward, Mark Hohn vowed to give the Brisbane Broncos full value, despite having suffered his second broken leg in three months – while playing for English club, […]

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Flashbacks, Uncategorized
Action from the 1967 tour.

FLASHBACK: December 1967

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Snow blasted the Australians as they confronted the old enemy, Great Britain in the Ashes deciding Third Rugby League Test, but the lads from down under handled the conditions better than the […]

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Flashbacks, International, Uncategorized
Joseph Maso

FLASHBACK: December 1947

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The first ever Test between France and New Zealand resulted in disappointment for a courageous home side, three days after Christmas, 1947. The Kiwis had been meant to play France […]

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Flashbacks, International, Uncategorized
Barrow (white jerseys) play Featherstone at Wembley in 1967.

FLASHBACK: December 1937

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Australia’s touring Kangaroos played an extraodinary three matches in four days on their tour of Britain, and not surprisingly finished on the wrong end of the scoreline in two encounters. […]

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Flashbacks, International, Uncategorized
George Piggins

FLASHBACK: November 1997

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THAT most vitriolic of Super League opponents, George Piggins, the South Sydney chairman, said he was willing to sit down with Melbourne Storm counterpart, John Ribot in the interests of […]

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Flashbacks, NRL, Uncategorized
A union line-out

FLASHBACK: November 1947

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The Rugby Football League announced it would trial a ‘throw-in’, instead of a scrum, during the New Zealand Kiwi’s French leg of their northern hemisphere tour. Noted Australian journalist, Tom […]

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Flashbacks, Uncategorized
Eamon de Valera

FLASHBACK: November 1937

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ENGLAND retained the rugby league Ashes Trophy with a 13-3 win over a gallant Australian side at Swinton in Lancashire. The home side dominated possession and backs, Emlyn Jenkins (Salford) and Sam Brogden […]

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Flashbacks, Uncategorized
Dud Beattie interviewed by Steve Ricketts

DIARY UPDATE: Week 16, 2016

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MONDAY, APRIL 18 Mario Romeo Rigo, former personal chef to Australian Prime Minister, Harold Holt, dies at the age of 70. My wife and I dined at ‘Romeo’s’ in Brisbane a […]

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Diary of a retired Rugby League Journalist, Uncategorized
John Donnelly

DIARY UPDATE: Week 15, 2016

Featuredby SteveRicketts 1 Comment

TUESDAY, APRIL 12 Marie’s younger brother, John Donnelly turns 60, and celebrates with wife, Jan at Tweed Heads Bowls Club. Learn that the man they call ‘Mr Murwillumbah’, Phil Taylor, […]

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Diary of a retired Rugby League Journalist, Uncategorized
Danny Peacock

FLASHBACK: October 1997

Featuredby SteveRicketts 2 Comments

Any faint hopes that Britain’s top clubs would redeem themselves in the quarter finals of Super League’s Visa World Club Challenge were dashed when all four English clubs were knocked out […]

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Flashbacks, Uncategorized
Paul Bartier

FLASHBACK: October 1987

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Chris Johns, the first of the Brisbane Broncos New South Wales’ signings, took up residency in Brisbane after a four year first grade career with St George. Johns and his father, Bill […]

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Flashbacks, Uncategorized
Pat Devery

FLASHBACK: October 1947

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St George’s superior speed proved the difference as the Sydney club defeated Combined Brisbane 22-17 in an end-of-season floodlit match at the Brisbane Exhibition Grounds. The crowd was 14,000, but they […]

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Flashbacks, Uncategorized
The 'Narkunda'

FLASHBACK: October 1937

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The Kangaroos suffered the second defeat of their tour of Britain and France, when Yorkshire side, Halifax produced brilliant attacking football in front of an ecstatic home crowd of 14,500. […]

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Flashbacks, Uncategorized
Billy Boston

FLASHBACK: September 1957

Featuredby SteveRicketts 1 Comment

MUCH was made of the fact Great Britain could have two colored wingers in their touring party to Australia and New Zealand in 1958. Eddie Waring reported in the British and […]

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Flashbacks, Uncategorized
Peter Dimond (right) as coach of Group 18 (Tweed) rugby league in 1973

FLASHBACK: September 1967

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Brothers won their first premiership in nine years when they beat Norths 6-2 in a gripping, tryless match at Lang Park, played in front of a record crowd of 37,000. Fans […]

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Flashbacks, Uncategorized
Rene Duffort (France) fends an English rival in Leeds in 1947.

FLASHBACK: September 1947

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Winger, Len Kenny scored four tries in Brisbane’s 45-7 win over Bundaberg in a floodlit match at the Brisbane Exhibition Grounds, despite having left his favorite football boots at home. […]

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Flashbacks, Uncategorized
Ernie Norman

FLASHBACK: September 1937

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‘THOUGH just off the boat’, to quote the AAP report of the day, Australia’s Kangaroos  defeated Lancashire side, Leigh 11-9 at Hilton Park, before a crowd of just over 5,000. […]

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Flashbacks, Uncategorized
Frank Clancy

DIARY UPDATE: Week 14, 2016

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TUESDAY, APRIL 5 Drinks with my former Murwillumbah High classmate, Tom  Tartan, who is dressed a bit like Robin Hood! He had been to New Zealand, including Stewart Island, where […]

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Diary of a retired Rugby League Journalist, Uncategorized
Ken Stirling

DIARY UPDATE: Week 13, 2016

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Paul Neale comments favorably on my website rugby league Flashbacks. Says he was at Carlaw Park, Auckland in 1971 when the Kiwis thrashed Australia 24-3. Paul is a great fan of […]

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Diary of a retired Rugby League Journalist, Uncategorized
Jason Death

FLASHBACK: August 1997

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North Queensland Cowboys’ hooker, Jason Death (nicknamed ‘sudden’) was stood down from the side to meet his old club, Canberra Raiders, pending further investigations into an incident in a bar during […]

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Flashbacks
Greg Dowling

FLASHBACK: August 1987

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Norths’ Test prop, Greg Dowling hit back at criticism of his club form with a barnstorming display, as the Devils beat his old cub, Wynnum-Manly 22-12 in the Brisbane Woolworths Trophy final at […]

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Flashbacks, Uncategorized
David Topliss

FLASHBACK: August 1977

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British international, David Topliss scored five tries for Balmain in their 43-12 demolition of Newtown at Henson Park in Sydney. Topliss, born and bred at Wakefield in West Yorkshire, joined Sid […]

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Flashbacks, Uncategorized
Abe Weimers

FLASHBACK: August 1967

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Queensland rugby league halfback, Abe Weimers was seriously injured in an Ipswich club match, with his condition listed as ‘dangerous’ at one stage, as family and friends maintained a vigil […]

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Flashbacks
Rival captains, Brad Fittler (Australia) (left) and Adrian Lam (Rest of the World)

FLASHBACK: July 1997

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In 1997, the Australian Rugby League was effectively isolated from international football, with every other nation affiliated with the ‘rebel’ Super League competition. The ARL still conducted a State of […]

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Flashbacks, Uncategorized
David Watkins

FLASHBACK: July 1977

Featuredby SteveRicketts 1 Comment

North Queensland recorded a momentous 17-14 win over Great Britain in front of 6,000 delirious fans at the Townsville Sports Reserve. The British team embarked on a mini-tour after the […]

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Diary of a retired Rugby League Journalist, Uncategorized
Dennis Flannery

FLASHBACK: July 1947

Featuredby SteveRicketts 1 Comment

This makes for horrific reading in the context of what we know about the long term damage sports people can suffer from severe concussion. On July 4, 1947, Ipswich beat Toowoomba […]

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Flashbacks, Uncategorized

FLASHBACK: July 1937

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Fiery international forward, Mick Madsen missed Toowoomba’s inter-city Bulimba Cup match against Brisbane after his car broke down on the trip from Stanthorpe, where he worked, to Toowoomba. Without Madsen, a veteran […]

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Flashbacks, Uncategorized

DIARY UPDATE: Week 10, 2016

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MONDAY, MARCH 7. Former New South Wales forward, Des O’Reilly passed away today, aged 61, finally succumbing to the stomach cancer which had made his life a misery. He leaves […]

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Diary of a retired Rugby League Journalist

DIARY UPDATE: Week 9, 2016

Featuredby SteveRicketts 1 Comment

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 29 Interview former New South Wales State of Origin forward, Des O’Reilly for Men of League magazine. Des is in Greenslopes Hospital, and may only have days to live, […]

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Diary of a retired Rugby League Journalist, Uncategorized

FLASHBACK: June 1967

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The touring New Zealand Rugby League side scored a memorable 15-14 win over New South Wales at the Sydney Cricket Ground. NSW, with legendary centre, Reg Gasnier as captain-coach, were […]

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Flashbacks, Uncategorized

FLASHBACK: June 1957

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Former Test centre, Jack Reardon described it as the most humiliating defeat in Queensland Rugby League history as the Maroons trudged off the Sydney Cricket Ground, having been beaten 69-5 by […]

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Flashbacks, Uncategorized

FLASHBACK: 1947

Featuredby SteveRicketts 1 Comment

‘As a spectacle, it was where specs usually are – on the nose.” So said ‘The Truth’ newspaper account of the Queensland v The Rest State Rugby League trial at […]

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Flashbacks, Uncategorized

FLASHBACK: January, 1951

16/01/2021by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

FLASHBACK JANUARY 1951 Renowned BBC commentator, Eddie Waring warned that France’s historic tour of Australia and New Zealand could be a huge success, or a colossal failure. Waring said if […]

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Flashbacks

DIARY UPDATE: Week 31, 2020

15/01/2021by SteveRicketts 1 Comment

DIARY OF A RETIRED RUGBY LEAGUE WRITER WEEK 31 2020 MONDAY, AUGUST 3 My beautiful, patient, largely understanding wife, Marie (nee Donnelly) turns 70. We enjoy a lovely night at […]

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Diary of a retired Rugby League Journalist

DIARY UPDATE: Week 28, 2020

11/01/2021by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

DIARY OF A RETIRED RUGBY LEAGUE WRITER WEEK 28 2020 TUESDAY, JULY 14 Legendary sports sponsor, Ron McConnell is feted at a lunch at Brisbane’s Pineapple Hotel, with most of […]

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Diary of a retired Rugby League Journalist

DIARY UPDATE: Week 29, 2020

11/01/2021by SteveRicketts 1 Comment

DIARY OF A RETIRED RUGBY LEAGUE WRITER WEEK 29 2020 MONDAY, JULY 20 North Queensland Cowboys’ coach, Paul Green, stands down from his post, effective immediately, with Josh Hannay to […]

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Diary of a retired Rugby League Journalist

DIARY UPDATE: Week 30, 2020

05/01/2021by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

DIARY OF A RETIRED RUGBY LEAGUE WRITER WEEK 30 2020 MONDAY, JULY 27 The Courier-Mail’s chief sports writer, Robert Craddock speculates on whether the Broncos will drop young forward, Andrew […]

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Diary of a retired Rugby League Journalist

FLASHBACK: December 1955

31/12/2020by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

FLASHBACK DECEMBER 1955 France’s former Basque rugby union star, Jean Dop stole the limelight from Welsh dual rugby international, Lewis Jones in France’s 17-5 win over Great Britain at Parc […]

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Flashbacks

ROOSTERS CROW AGAIN

31/12/2020by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

TRAVEL “What a great spectacle,” commented a young Irish chap, as my wife, Marie and I made our way back to our Coogee Bay hotel, after the 2013 NRL grand […]

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Travel

FLASHBACK: December, 1985

31/12/2020by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

FLASHBACK DECEMBER 1985 New Zealand Rugby League coach, Graham Lowe led his team from a formal, post-Test match function in Perpignan, France, in protest at the way the Kiwis had […]

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Flashbacks

FLASHBACK: December 1995

26/12/2020by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

DECEMBER 1995 Queensland State of Origin coach, Paul Vautin made it clear Allan Langer would not have a saloon passage back into the Maroons’ squad, if Super League players were […]

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Flashbacks

DIARY UPDATE: Week 27, 2020

24/12/2020by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

DIARY OF A RETIRED RUGBY LEAGUE WRITER WEEK 27 2020 MONDAY, JULY 6 Former Brisbane Souths’ rugby league forward, Eric Pappas doesn’t like the new look rugby league. “It is […]

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Diary of a retired Rugby League Journalist

THE HOME OF JOGGING

18/12/2020by SteveRicketts 1 Comment

TRAVEL “Is there a Lion on the Loose?’ English cricket commentator, David Lloyd was heard to say, as he walked around Wellington’s impressive harbour, a few years back, his comment […]

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Travel

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

DIARY UPDATE: Week 26, 2020

14/12/2020by SteveRicketts 1 Comment

DIARY OF A RETIRED RUGBY LEAGUE WRITER WEEK 26 2019 WEDNESDAY, JULY 1 Places in 17-man Amco Cup rugby league squads, back in the mid-1970s, were much sought after, given the […]

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Diary of a retired Rugby League Journalist

FLASHBACK: DECEMBER 1965

11/12/2020by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

DECEMBER 1965 The exploits of the 1951 French rugby league side in Australia and New Zealand are the stuff of legend. But spare a thought for the generations of French […]

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Flashbacks

PROUD EMMYLOU ON THE MURRAY

10/12/2020by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

TRAVEL SONNY Bill Williams’ signing by the Roosters made headlines in areas where the two rugby codes are popular, but the news hardly even rated a mention in Echuca, Victoria, […]

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Travel

DIARY UPDATE: Week 25, 2020

08/12/2020by SteveRicketts 1 Comment

DIARY OF A RETIRED RUGBY LEAGUE WRITER WEEK 25 2020 MONDAY, JUNE 22 TOM SEARLE, one of rugby league’s good guys, has died, aged 73. I played against Tom in […]

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Diary of a retired Rugby League Journalist

RUGBY LEAGUE IN THE GIRONDE

05/12/2020by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

TRAVEL Agricultural studies and rugby league were strange bedfellows at La Reole, in the Gironde-Aquitaine region of France, when my wife, Marie and I visited the riverside town in October, […]

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Travel

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 24, 2020

02/12/2020by SteveRicketts 1 Comment

DIARY OF A RETIRED RUGBY LEAGUE WRITER WEEK 24 2020 MONDAY, JUNE 15 It is disappointing to see the small amount of space which ‘The Courier-Mail’ devotes to the passing […]

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Diary of a retired Rugby League Journalist

FLASHBACK: November, 1980

01/12/2020by SteveRicketts Leave a comment

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 […]

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Flashbacks

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IMAGE GALLERY

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