I have posted and this is nearly my last one - till next year maybe
Don't know how many players we will have - but here is my effort..not great - but will do
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Remember?
Have you ever had to do job you really didn't want to do?? Well last week I had to.
My roof was leaking and I needed to run some sealant around the roof capping. One thing I am scared of is heights, and when I put the ladder up against the side of the house I didn't really want to go up it. But up I went.
The day was fine and in the middle of winter I started to enjoy the views as I overlook the town of Yass. I then ran the sealant around the roof capping and then again sat down. Stupor must have taken over as a lot of memories come flooding back to me.
I have followed Rugby league since 1956 when I played my first game of football. My mate next door was always the one we looked up to at a young age. He was a natural sportsman. We played football together for several years and we both played possibles v probables 8 stone 7's for NSW selections. We both missed out but I think I missed out when he was killed in a car accident when he was only 21. I missed a friend forever. I named one of my sons after him.
I then started to recall some of the great football games and memories of the great sides I have seen.
The teams of Souths from 1967-71 until their side was ripped apart, due to financial problems. I had the pleasure of seeing a lot of their games as in those days I used to live in Waterloo and it was only a quick walk to Redfern Oval. I also remembered Simms kicking goals from everywhere.
The great Rooster's side of 1974-75 was also in my memory. I only saw the 1974 grand final and it was a great day and a long night and a great long day the day after.
I never got to see the 1975 grand final for some years after, but hell did you think I didn't win some money on that day. I was in the Navy then and we were in the middle of the Pacific Ocean on the day the game was played.
I started to think about the players I had played against and with in Country football. Names don't mean a thing to others but they do to me.
"Ding Doyle", my coach, and my centre partner when I made my first grade debut.
He took the punishment that was aimed at me and never have I seen someone bleeding so much after a game. I took the player of the match award. Being 17 you don't think much of this until the euphoria had died down. I gave him my award..$10.00 in those days was a lot of money and we shared the bottle together. His words to me is "you did well". I recall it was also nice to walk into the Murrumburrah Hotel and seeing him sitting in the corner, his corner, until one day when I walked in he wasn't there - Cancer had won again.
I also remember a funny incident when "Snowy" Apps playing for Harden galloped 50 yards to score a try with no shorts, they had been ripped off him by the last defender. His "you know what"was swinging in the breeze.
Les Woods - who he hell is he? you would say - he was just a front row forward - did the hard yards and would say "look after the youngen's". He'd be the first there to protect us.
I went on to playing many first grade games in the country and I always used to stress that we had to look after our young players. Your lessons, Les, were never forgotten.
The sun was shining well and the ladder was there but I didn't want to move. Again, I sat on the ridge cap and I could hear the crowd cheering my last game and premiership. Times so far removed and gone.
I now know what real pain is - its in my ankles and knees. I no longer see friends made because i can't walk far. Was it worth it??
I snapped out of the stupor when my wife called "Darling are you alright?" . "Give me 5 minutes" was my reply.
As I climbed down off the roof I looked at the ladder, and the roof and said "see you next week".
