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By MICHAEL PARRIS
Oct. 26, 2014, 9:03 p.m.
HE is rarely mentioned when South Sydney legends are listed, but Dudley's John Dougherty left an indelible mark on arguably the greatest Rabbitoh of them all.
SMASHING: John Dougherty at Whitebridge tennis courts last week. Picture: Marina Neil
HE is rarely mentioned when South Sydney legends are listed, but Dudley's John Dougherty left an indelible mark on arguably the greatest Rabbitoh of them all.
"Clive Churchill once described John as one of the greatest players never to play for Australia," 83-year-old Dougherty's friend and tennis partner Kevin Leary said.
A former schoolmate of Churchill's at Hamilton Marist Brothers, Dougherty played alongside "The Little Master" at Souths between 1953 and 1956 and won three premierships.
Dougherty was their five-eighth in three straight deciders from 1953 to 1955, scoring a try and kicking four goals against St George in 1953 and scoring a try against Newtown in 1954.
Though injury prevented him from representing Australia, the retired high school social sciences teacher played for City and NSW in 1954.
"I'm still a Souths man through and through. I support the Knights, too, but when they're playing Souths, I'm a Souths fan," Dougherty said.
As for his first memories of Churchill, Dougherty said: "He was a few years ahead of me at school, but he always stood out as an exceptional person.
"He was so strong and fearless, and such an enterprising bloke."
Dougherty sat in the crowd of 83,333 at ANZ Stadium three weeks ago to see Souths end their 43-year drought by beating the Bulldogs 30-6.
"I was surprised when I watched the grand final how many people came out of the woodwork and spoke to me after it about how good a game it was and how pleased they were," he said.
"It was good to be there and I enjoy the game, but in my mind the modern style takes away a lot of the skill from the game, and the show that can be produced when they pass the ball around. We used to love to build up and create opportunities for the wingers to score tries.
"I like to see the ball moved across the field more, but the pattern these days is to pass the ball from dummy-half to somebody who barges it up."
A long time retired from league, Dougherty plays tennis twice a week at Whitebridge and golf when he can with some of his friends he has known since school.
http://www.theherald.com.au/story/2651612/sidelines-john-relives-rabbitohs-premiership-glory/?cs=308
Oct. 26, 2014, 9:03 p.m.
HE is rarely mentioned when South Sydney legends are listed, but Dudley's John Dougherty left an indelible mark on arguably the greatest Rabbitoh of them all.
HE is rarely mentioned when South Sydney legends are listed, but Dudley's John Dougherty left an indelible mark on arguably the greatest Rabbitoh of them all.
"Clive Churchill once described John as one of the greatest players never to play for Australia," 83-year-old Dougherty's friend and tennis partner Kevin Leary said.
A former schoolmate of Churchill's at Hamilton Marist Brothers, Dougherty played alongside "The Little Master" at Souths between 1953 and 1956 and won three premierships.
Dougherty was their five-eighth in three straight deciders from 1953 to 1955, scoring a try and kicking four goals against St George in 1953 and scoring a try against Newtown in 1954.
Though injury prevented him from representing Australia, the retired high school social sciences teacher played for City and NSW in 1954.
"I'm still a Souths man through and through. I support the Knights, too, but when they're playing Souths, I'm a Souths fan," Dougherty said.
As for his first memories of Churchill, Dougherty said: "He was a few years ahead of me at school, but he always stood out as an exceptional person.
"He was so strong and fearless, and such an enterprising bloke."
Dougherty sat in the crowd of 83,333 at ANZ Stadium three weeks ago to see Souths end their 43-year drought by beating the Bulldogs 30-6.
"I was surprised when I watched the grand final how many people came out of the woodwork and spoke to me after it about how good a game it was and how pleased they were," he said.
"It was good to be there and I enjoy the game, but in my mind the modern style takes away a lot of the skill from the game, and the show that can be produced when they pass the ball around. We used to love to build up and create opportunities for the wingers to score tries.
"I like to see the ball moved across the field more, but the pattern these days is to pass the ball from dummy-half to somebody who barges it up."
A long time retired from league, Dougherty plays tennis twice a week at Whitebridge and golf when he can with some of his friends he has known since school.
http://www.theherald.com.au/story/2651612/sidelines-john-relives-rabbitohs-premiership-glory/?cs=308
