I was born in the St George area but I grew up a Balmain fan.
My brother was five years older than me and a huge Wayne Pearce fan so naturally I would follow whatever he did. After back-to-back heartbreaking grand final losses for the Tigers in the late ’80s, I was in my early teens by then and decided it was time I followed my team, the St George Dragons.
Only two years later my team was in the grand final but lost consecutive grand finals to Brisbane. I was convinced I was cursed, so by the time 1994 rolled around, I wasn’t paying too much attention to my beloved Dragons, for fear I was the dreaded jinx.
I had finished school the year before and went straight into work as a wedding DJ, so my weekends were non-existent, meaning the only time I could let my hair down was during the week. Thankfully there was a place I could go.
The Roundabout Hotel, or Rounders as it was commonly referred to, was located on Forest Road in Hurstville.
On a Tuesday night they had dollar drinks, so one Tuesday in 1994 I found myself there with my best mate ready for whatever the night may bring.
As we chatted away, my mate stopped mid sentence, his jaw dropped and he struggled to get out his words before blurting out: “Oh man, that’s Gorden Tallis!”
(Photo by Getty Images)
“Who is that?” I said as I turned around to see who my friend was so enamoured with.
“What! And you call yourself a Dragons fan”.
He had a point, but as I eluded to earlier, the pain of my fandom jinxing two teams to lose consecutive grand finals within a few years of each other had me trying reverse psychology, and my support was by not paying attention.
My mate went on to explain what a damaging runner this Gorden Tallis was for St George and how he would lead the club back to the the grand final. This was long before YouTube and social media existed, so I had to imagine all my mate told me on this exciting young prospect.
A few hours passed and we were at that point of a night out where it can go either way, but hey, it was dollar drinks and it was my weekend so I wasn’t going to bail early.
My mate went and got another round while I made another trip to the bathroom. It was empty, most patrons had left hours earlier, no doubt due to having to get up and go to work early the next day. Not me, though, I was going to sleep in and get up at the crack of noon.
As I stood and let the dollars I’d spent flow, the door to the bathroom opened and then slowly closed. A figure stood next to me, but as far away as possible, almost as if they were practicing social distancing way before it became a thing.
I could see a hulking figure in my peripheral and decided to break the golden rule and turn to greet the man mountain, only to realise it was none other than Gordy himself.
I felt like I should say something, so I managed to get out “Hey mate, how’s your night going?”
Tallis turned his head and looked through me like a cane toad ready to crush the cockroach that I was. I don’t want to exaggerate, but it was almost as bad as what Gordy did to poor Brett Hodgson some years later in Origin, but with no physical contact.
The silence was deafening, to say the least. I quickly looked down and made a beeline to the sink to wash my hands and leave the bathroom before I was rag-dolled like Brett Hodgson.
Now the night had gone either way. I went and found my mate and said: “Let’s go after this one”.
TRDub
Guest
I love these little stories, they make the game. I've got a few of my own: - Played with and against Ben Hunt in juniors. Was a shy, happy-go-lucky sort of guy, had undeniable talent though, was selected as player of the rep carnival despite being a year younger than the rest of the kids that were there. He was a fullback/hooker back then. Played against Ben Barba in juniors. Absolutely carved us up. Had the most wicked step in junior rugby league at that point, however I think his older brother (Marmin?) was a little more well known back then. Played against David Taylor, I had some friends who went to school with him. They said he stayed back a year or two and he also used to wait at the end of the lunchline to bully kids for their money. Met big gordy when I was younger. He came out to our footy presentation to hand out awards. He was lovely with everyone. He kissed my younger sister on the cheek and took photos with everybody and had a chat. It was the polar opposite to our Nathan Sharpe encounter (Rocked up extremely drunk, was swearing and making inappropriate comments, didn't give two shits). - I met Petero after I had played a junior grand final. He had half of a steak sandwich hanging out of his mouth, extended one of those huge paws and said 'Ow ya going mate? Good game you played out there' and continued being the most pleasant human being alive. Was amazing. - Was lucky enough to meet Artie Beetson (RIP). Was a gentleman of course, I asked him if he still gets on with Mick Cronin. Theres many more bunched up in there, my favourite story though was meeting Darren Smith. I'm a bulldogs fan (hold the tomatoes) and have loved them ever since I was younger. I am from rural area of Queensland and to see an NRL match it meant driving about 10 hours to Brisbane or Townsville. My father decided it was time to take me to my first game, and so we took off to Townsville to see the dogs play the cowboys. The game was amazing and I loved actually seeing a game live for the first time (think the dogs lost). The next morning my dad took me to the Mercure Inn (where the dogs were staying) to see if we could get a few autographs. We got there early and sat down. No bulldogs except Darren Smith, who at the time, just happened to be my favourite player. He glanced over at us and made his way over with a smile, as I became hugely starstruck. We had a short, friendly conversation, I told him he was my favourite player and that we had driven roughly 9-10 hours to see him and the bulldogs play. He politely acknowledged the fact, thanked us and waved us goodbye. By this time a few of the other dogs had surfaced (Steve Price and Dennis Scott were legends - Braith Anasta and Willie Mason.... not so much). We were swept up in chatting to some of the other guys and taking photos, when they called for the bus to leave. The players formed a queue to get into the bus, when one player left the line and started jogging towards us with something in his hand. It was Darren Smith, and he had his signed training jersey in hand. He grabbed my hand, placed the training jersey in my hand, closed my fist and said "Any kid who comes 10 hours to see me play deserves this". Then he ruffled my head, smiled and said "Take it easy big fella" before I could blurt out a thank you. He jogged back towards the bus queue, as I stood there absolutely bewildered.
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
I walked into a hamburger and sandwich bar on Pittwater Road at Brookvale. Brett Stewart was in there and had already ordered. I caught his eye then turned to the lady and said, “ Plain hamburger please. No sauce - Hot English Mustard instead.” I sat down. Snake collected his stuff and before he left he turned to me, looked me in the eye, and nodded. Who was the fan and who was the player?
Greg
Roar Pro
Cant be bothered liking every comment but have really enjoyed this thread. Keep them coming guys.
Phil
Roar Rookie
Back in the early 70's I worked at the Homebush pub for a couple of years. The publican before the one I worked for was a former Wests hooker who was responsible for the pub being a watering hole for many footballers and it continued on after he sold out. It was mostly Wests players although many others dropped in at times. One who was often there was Neville Hornery and you didn't miss him. He was a wild boy on the grog, too wild for most who stood well clear of him as Nev liked a good punch up. The only person who could control him was a lady who ran the snack bar who he called Auntie D....... .When Nev was getting wound up she would stand over him and he backed down every time. I only saw Nev get beaten once in a fight. We didn't see him for months after that. Quite a few footballers had beer trucks as their day job, the two biggest names being Langlands and Ron Coote, who delivered occasionally. It was a good couple of years there, meeting players past and present at the time.
Superspud
Roar Rookie
I was about 15 years old in the early 80s and went to the cricket at the Gabba. At the end of the days play me and my mate we're walking out and seen Tommy Raudonikis unable to walk being carried off the hill by two blokes who stopped in front of us held onto him whilst he threw up. Not the way I was expecting to run into a famous footballer.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Ran in to a Sharks fan a while back who said his favorite player years ago was Bozo. He won some sort of competition to spend a day with the Australian team and particularly Bozo and ended up staying with the team for a few days. I remember Bennett saying he was wary of working with Bozo when they teamed up together for something, most likely the Kangaroos but found him great to work with. It's ironic given his reputation but the one player I've met over the years who was keenest to talk about the footy was Bozo and I wish I had of utilised the chances I had a bit better. There was no doubt that he was always thinking about the game and even had a plan for the way my touch footy team should play, apparently, but kept it secret.
The Barry
Roar Guru
I was at the Coogee Palace, in the 90strying to get through the crowd. I was stuck behind Steve Menzies and Nik Kosef who were say “go talk to her” “no you go talk to her” “no you” I said “step aside boys, I’ll talk to her”. I was told where to go pretty quickly but noticed later on the Manly boys were talking to the group of girls. I like to think I inspired them a bit Also on girls at the Palace, I’ve never seen women swoon and follow a bloke around a room as when Wendell Sailor came to town. He was like the Pied Piper. Different sort of flute though...
The Barry
Roar Guru
My only bathroom encounter was with Craig Coleman at the Clovelly Hotel in the early 90s We were at the trough and I said “how’d you get the nickname Tugger. Actually, I don’t wanna know.” He told me where to go in a good natured way
Marky Mark
Roar Rookie
I must be cursed when it comes to St George second rowers. 15 years later in 09 I’m @ Brisbane airport flying down to Sydney for work. It’s the Sunday morning after the Dragons beat the Broncs on the Friday night. Dragons are standing around in good spirits and I happen to spot my fave player from that squad, Jeremy Smith. He caught my eye and just deadpanned stared @ me. I quickly looked down but noticed he was making his way over. He slowed down as he passed me as if to say stop staring. I was tempted to tap him on the shoulder and say “mate, I’m a Dragons fan” but I wussed out. The only positive experience was with the late and great Lance Thompson (RIP). He grew up near me and my neighbor was scared to death of him. I saw him one night @ Carmen’s and he was friendly enough so maybe 1 out of 3 ain’t bad.
Greg
Roar Pro
Ive had a few encounters with nrl players. By far the best was Jamal Idris. He walked over just as things were becoming pretty heated between a mate of mine and a mate of his (who i think but am not certain was Beau Champion). He completely diffused the situation with his good humour and friendly personality. Joined us for a couple drinks at a couple of later parts in the night. The only bathroom experience involved a couple of eels forwards nicely asking that we share the product we were consuming in a manner that suggested it was only really phrased as a question. The other person who ive encountered a few times and was always extremeley polite and was happy for a brief footy chat is Gus.
Fraser
Roar Rookie
I've had quite a few memorable footy player encounters. The only bathroom one that comes to mind is with a young Darius Boyd back in 2008, the year he debuted for State of Origin. I was at the urinals in the old Stock Exchange in Brisbane - when it was an R&B Club downstairs - and in walks Darius with a couple of his mates. I think I was washing my hands and I said something like, "Hey, that's Darius Boyd". His mates messed around a bit and then Darius walks up to me and says hi. I'm still not entirely sure how this happened, but then for whatever reason we ended up having an 'abs-off' in the mirror, with both of us lifting our shirts up and comparing abs. I was pretty fit 13 years ago, but my 2/3 gym sessions per week and a couple of nights of touch footy were no match for a young, professional footy player. Despite the homoerotic nature of the meeting, it was a good laugh. Best bloke award easily goes to Kenneath Bromwich of the Storm. He's an absolute champion. Met him and half the Storm team on the rooftop of the Stock Exchange after they destroyed the Broncos at Suncorp. Kenny was lining up next to me at the bar and I said something cheeky that cracked him up. He introduced me to the rest of the squad, and my mates and I spent the rest of the night drinking Smirnoff Double Blacks with them. Other encounters: - Josh Hoffman and his brother in Treasury Casino after the Broncos Awards night, and Josh's last official night as a Broncos player. No idea why, but he ended up shouting me drinks all night and we just hung out and talked. - Played pool with Marcus Bai and a couple of other ex-Storm players for hours at the Bourbon Bar on the Gold Coast. They were leaving for the UK in a couple of days' time. - Dance-off with Ben Hunt on the Gold Coast - Met half the Raiders team out on the Gold Coast after Jack Wighton's first game. Josh Papalii is a really nice guy. - Played KickIt touch footy against Josh McGuire. He's a real thug, and so are all his mates. We beat them in the Grand Final after getting in a punch-up with them during the regular season, so that was pretty rewarding.
Nat
Roar Guru
I wonder what is worse, having the big bloke glare from the other end of the trough or him staddle right up beside you?
Nat
Roar Guru
I was at the Casino in Brisbane on the night they announced a Qld team a few years back. Having a beer with a mate and all of them walk in. Smithy was the only one I didn't see. You've never seen a grown man reduced to a 16yo fanboy so badly. My mate, an indigenous fella, wanted a pic with JT and he happy oblidged. Problem was, 2 dark fellas in a low-light bar, I couldn't get a focus on them. JT starts getting s..tty cause I'm taking so long. I'm standing there thinking "how do I tell JT, you're too dark, get into the light"? I took the garbage pic and explained to my mate who cracked up. Fortunately JT came back to the bar plenty more times and my mate got his pic.
Alley Barber
Guest
Dollar drinks at the roundie, I almost threw up just thinking about it .
The Barry
Roar Guru
My favourite footy player encounter was Jonathan Thurston at the Casino a few years back The Cowboys had a Friday night game against the Sharks (I think) and a few players went to the casino afterwards around midnight A mate and I were well into our cups by that stage and had to do a big double take as JT sat at the end of our blackjack table We played it cool at the start, nodding and saying gday but it wasn’t long before we were fan boying and talking footy with him. He was off contract at the end of the season and there were rumours he’d been meeting a Sydney clubs. I think he’d been out to Penrith(?). We asked him about it but as you’d expect he didn’t give us a scoop. He was great, really polite and laughing with (and at) us and engaging with us when he could have just brushed us. We were happily drunk but he was just drinking water At one stage he looked like he was going to stand and decided to hit at the last second and got the card he wanted. I gave “JT scores with the show and go” in my best Rabs impersonation and he cracked up with that trademark laugh He spent about 30 minutes at the table with us. It was awesome
max power
Guest
big Gordy was a regular at Carmens during his Dragons days
Superspud
Roar Rookie
The silence was bad but it could be worse now. He could turn and say "Do you want me to tell you why I have a problem with Wayne"?
Steven Harris
Good story reminds me of the dollar nights at Parra Leagues in Kicks before the responsible service of alcohol became a thing,I had a similar incident with a young Adam Ritson who I think was still in the Sharkies.im pretty sure it was the last time IV spoken to another man in the toilet.
Madrid john
Guest
That’s funny Marky Mark. I had the total reverse experience. I bumped into Laurie Daley in the troughs up in Brisbane. Super cockroach on in awe cane toad. He was super friendly. I’m not saying we had an in depth conversation. But when I asked him about his night, he treated me like a human. I reckon he deserved a series win as coach too.