If you lived in Brisbane in the 1970s and early 1980s, chances are names like Campbell ‘Zulu’ Dews, Ian ‘Bunny’ Pearce, ‘Big Al’ McInnes and Noel ‘Chips’ Harrington might still mean something to you.
These men were real weekend warriors, working class rugby league players in the golden era of suburban, tribal, Brisbane club rugby league – a time before the Broncos.
And it isn’t just the players whose names are likely to bring back happy memories of that time. If you were ever at a Valleys game in those years, the name ‘Happy Jack’ would no doubt bring a smile to your face as you recall the antics of the Diehards’ number one supporter.
There was something special about the Brisbane competition back then. Crowds flocked to see local derbies like Norths versus Valleys and the battle of the baysiders, Wynnum and Redcliffe. Fans would get to the grounds early and watch all three grades. Kids would roam the fields at half and full-time of each match, playing intense scratch matches against all comers, often with empty coke cans if enough footballs weren’t around.
Sadly, Redcliffe’s Bunny Pearce and Brothers’ Chips Harrington are no longer with us, and nor are senior clubs like Valleys and Brothers – two that had very proud histories. Valleys were based in the unfortunately named Bogan Street, though that didn’t mean anything back then.
What was their home ground is now unrecognisable as Allan Border Field. At least sport is still being played on that hallowed turf I suppose.
Corbett Park at the Grange where Brothers thrilled their supporters for decades is now just a mass of residential townhouses, though the clubhouse did survive.
After Brothers’ financial demise it temporarily became the ill-fated South Queensland Crushers premises. It is now known as the Brothers Grange Community Sports Club, its proud rugby league history and connection probably lost on those under the age of 40.
Happy Jack is long gone too. An old man who brought a smile to many people’s faces died alone in 1999. His body lay unidentified in a Brisbane morgue for several months before being claimed by some ex-Valleys players, who organised a belated funeral and burial. Around 120 people attended Happy Jack’s funeral, including Wally Lewis.
But these are just my memories. What characters have I missed from the golden era of Brisbane rugby league?
Roger Green
Guest
Watching the Sunday evening broadcast always was a 1970s treat. Des and Rod Morris, John Lang, the ill-fated Richie Twist, Ross Strudwick, Marty Scanlon, Hugh O'Doherty, Greg Veivers, Bruce Astill, so many more. The southerners hardly know what exploits we enjoyed week after week, before there was Wally, before there was Mal. I've even almost forgiven Wayne Bennett for scoring a try in the corner and landing the conversion after the siren to knock Easts out of finals contention one year. Almost.
Brad Meredith
Guest
Were can I buy the book please
Paul
Guest
Certainly was Wayne. A character such as Happy Jack would probably be kicked out of games these days unfortunately. Not many club people that one would call characters left these days which does tend to make things a bit less entertaining for the crowd.
wayne
Guest
I remember Happy Jack well from the Gabba,I once bought him a beer at a Shield Game,He was certainly a real character.
roosters15
Guest
I fully agree with this. Would it be possible to have say Redcliffe move up to nrl level but perhaps be named moreton bay dolphins at NRL level? The national competition needs to embrace Brisbane further. A BRL linked side becomes the antithesis of the broncos and would hopefully garner a lot of support quickly. Why not have 3 sides in Brisbane metro North Brisbane Dolphins- feeders norths and Redcliffe South queensland Scorpions- feeders Ipswich, souths, Toowoomba Broncos- feeders easts and Wynnum
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Some great names you've mentioned there Paul!
Paul
Guest
What about Souths Fijian forward (prop I seem to recall) Iso Vola Vola in the 70's with his torpedo pass from a 22m tap restart in the centre of the field to his winger out wide to catch the opposition on the hop. Valley's balding hooker Hughie O'Doherty who used to go into a tackle and more often than not came up with the ball. Valleys five eighth Marty Scanlon and his receeding short V shaped hair line which is referred to even today for people who are similarly uniquely hair challenged. There are plenty more great characters of the game from the pre Broncos era. Let's resurrect these characters!!
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Thanks Marty, Chippsie was a big man, but I bet a sore toe was a small price to pay for his prized autograph! I was also a big Brothers fan, Corbett Park was a great venue. I was probably one of the kids you were competing against to fetch Ian Dauth's kicks. I miss the "toe-poke" era. Glad you enjoyed the article. John
marty mccaul
Guest
Great article John, I was a lucky to survive my own clash with Chippsie Harrington, although I was only about 11 years old at the time and Chippsie was playing A Grade for Brothers. Not really a clash - he accidentally stood on my toe when I was waiting outside the dressing sheds for an autograph. Gee Corbett Park had some good memories for me. I remember helping Ian Dauth with his goal kicking practice Things like winning the battle against your mates to catch the ball behind the goal posts and run it back to him as he practised his “toe poke” goal kicking. Or running the sand out for goal kicks during game day( no kicking tees back then ) being allowed in the sheds ….. I still have my team photo’s autographed by players of that era….. aah the memories
David Bourke
Guest
Hi John Thanks John That's very kind of you. Have been tossing an idea around for some time on this and would love to speak with you further.. Can you please phone me on 0418 742 626 when you have a moment. Thanks David
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Thanks Stan, glad you enjoyed it.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Thanks Levo, The early - mid 80s were certainly a great time for both the Magpies and for Brisbane rugby league in general.
Levo
Guest
I used to go to Davies Park on a regular basis in the early 80s and have some great memories of the legendary Wayne Bennett coached Magpies (incl. Meninga, Belcher, Jackson etc.) culminating in their famous GF win over the Seagulls in 1985. A great era for Brisbane football!
Stan T M
Guest
Nothing like a half-time scratch match. Nice article. Happy memories, but also a rather poignant trip back down memory lane. Stan
Maroon Blood
Guest
Hate to nit pick Harry, but Wynnum Manly won their first premiership in '82 BEFORE they bought the King. The player they bought that made the difference was Rod Morris who, even though at the tail end of his career, was massive for the Seagulls that season. So much so that, not only did he win a Premiership but was also selected for the fabled 1982 Kangaroos Invincibles and was the starting front rower in all three tests. Strangely enough I preferred the Seagulls before they became the glamour club of the mid '80's.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Thanks Dan, That's a great picof the Valleys 79 side, it really jogged my memory on some of the great players in that team. And Peter McWhirter, what a legendary moustache too. Wally playing at lock in the early days with Struddy was special too, I am sure he learned a lot from him. I also loved the mid week Amco/Panasonic Cup games, it was a chance (pre-Origin) for our blokes to prove to the big names from Sydney that we had some ability up here. I'll hopefully write a few more articles over the coming weeks.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
Norman May, what a great sporting commentator he was (and he's still alive I believe). Both Wally and Mal debuted in first grade in the BRL in 1978. Wally's Valleys team lost the grand final in 78, but won it in 79 against a Souths side that contained Mal. So although they would have both been young, they were established by 1979. It would have been hard to predict back then how far they would both go though in the game. State of Origin was still around the corner, starting in 1980. All interesting stuff, thanks for reading the article and adding this comment.
Dan Patrick
Guest
Growing up in Brissie in the 70's - the BRL was everything. My grandparents were passionate Rugby League people - proud Brothers members . From an early age I was lucky enough to follow the Brethren's games to every suburban ground - Purtell, Kougari , Bishop, Corbett, Langlands, Davies - names so much a part of the community life back in the day. The Telegraph would always publish the team photos leading into season start - from that point the A grade side was on the bedroom wall. Check out this classic shot of the 1979 Valley's side - http://www.valleysdiehards.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/1979valleysteampremiers-web.jpg. The emergence of a combined Brisbane side into the Amco / Panasonic Cup from the 1970's gritty hard fought weekend afternoon BRL battles, paved the way for Origin/Broncos and what we see now as the prominence of this state in the NRL - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1F2FYVCHso. My fondest memories of Wally are as the no. 8 for Valleys - teaming up with Struddie - weaving this uncanny brilliance and hounding refs from the beginning. Yes, I remember when he swallowed his tongue in the 1980 GF Norths V Valleys - like it was yesterday - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17KS0uOjGXM Great article John - have really tapped into a wellspring of great memories - love reading the thoughts of others. Look forward to the followup
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Interesting timing. Only this morning I was listening to Grandstand on my iPad, and they appeared to be replaying some ABC sports show from 1979 in which Norman May (I think it was) was interviewing a succession of sporting personalities, so he went through the various international sports successes of that year: golf, surfing, squash, canoeing, and then at the end he says something like: and now it's time to celebrate our popular national sports, at which time he interviews David Parkin and then Wally Lewis. Wally Lewis was clearly already a big name player in 1979, despite the fact that he would spend the next decade in the Brisbane League before the introduction of the Broncos. Norman was interviewing Wally, partly because he was the only Brisbane player in the Kangaroos team that year, which beat someone 17-2 and won the series 2-0. Norman asks Wally whether there should have been more Brisbane players in the team, and says there should have been at least two more: I forget one name, but the other was big Mel, who clearly had already carved out a name for himself by 1979, still being quite young, and would make the move to Canberra 3 or 4 years later.
John Coomer
Roar Guru
That last minute try was to Mick Reardon Harry, to get Souths the premiership in 1981 over Redcliffe. Redcliffe were a great side of the 1970s and 80s eras, but they just couldn't seem to get across the line for a premiership in those years. They lost 6 grand finals in total during that period, including some close heart-breakers like 81. Your spelling of Jeff Fyfe is correct, and the field goal he kicked was to win Easts the premiership in 1972 over Valleys. All great stuff, and you're right, thankfully there is some material on YouTube, though I couldn't find Jeff Fyfe's famous field goal unfortunately. If anyone can dig that up, I'd love to see it, I have only heard about it for years.