The Birth of Balmain (2015)

On August 5, 1905 Balmain took on Newtown in a club Rugby Union match which, unbeknownst to anyone that day, would be the catalyst for the formation of the Balmain Rugby League Football Club.

Newtown was leading 16-0 in a rough game when a penalty against Balmain drew the ire of their forward Joe Apolony, who began remonstrating with the referee, Mr H.Nelson. Apolony claimed that the referee’s decisions were unfair towards him before he was sent off for allegedly striking the referee.

Balmain officials produced 25 pages of witness accounts of the incident in the hope that it would prevent their forward from any severe punishment; however the Metropolitan Rugby Union sided with their official, who provided only 1 page of supporting evidence.

The MRU agreed to ban Apolony from playing the game for ten years. The decision incensed Balmain players and officials alike. At the club’s next meeting they submitted a motion “That the Balmain team withdraw from the competition as a protest against the action of the Union.” The motion defeated by just one vote.

This incident was the beginning of what would become a fractious relationship between the Balmain Rugby Union club and the MRU.

In 1906 Balmain played more games outside their area than within it. This trend continued in 1907, to the extent that their home ground, Birchgrove Oval was even seeing a reduction in senior and junior level games.

On August 8, 1907, Rugby League was formed after weeks of speculation surrounding its existence. Key players from many of the Rugby Union clubs had already sided with the new code, including Balmain test player Robert Graves and State player Alf Dobbs. The committee selected a squad of 20 players to participate in the 3 games against the touring New Zealand professional side who were en-route to England. Present at the meeting were Graves, fellow player Tommy O’Donnell and official Robert Hutchison.

The games were scheduled for the latter half of August, which coincided with a Country NSW tour that Balmain were embarking upon. While the team was in Mudgee, Dobbs was reading a newspaper which named him as one of the players taking part in the matches against the Kiwi professionals.

Dobbs immediately knew that his secret alliance with the professional code was now exposed, so he immediately asked his club officials on the tour if he could have his return train ticket so that he could begin training with the Professional New South Wales side. The Balmain officials contacted the MRU who made it very clear, that if Dobbs was requiring a ticket back home to partake in a professional game, then he should buy his own ticket.

Balmain secretary Pat McQuade was so furious at this decision that he demanded Balmain forfeit their next match against Lithgow and all players return back home. The players and officials all agreed and they abandoned their remaining fixtures.

McQuade attended the next MRU meeting where he defended Dobbs, but all this did was see him accused of being a professionalism sympathiser.

Dobbs played in the second of the 3 games against the Kiwi’s, while Graves appeared in all 3 games.

Apolony began the push within the Balmain club to abandon the MRU. He organised a meeting with club players and officials but was unable to hire a venue. Undeterred, he held the meeting outside the Leichhardt Council Chambers, where he called on the club to join Rugby League.

On January 23, 1908, a meeting was held at the Balmain town hall “for the purpose of forming a Balmain club to affiliate with the NSWRL.”

Future NSW State Premier John Storey MLA presided over the meeting, where 600 players, officials and club supporters were present. Fellow Labor politician Henry Hoyle, who was the inaugural president of the Rugby League, addressed the meeting and explained the objects of the league. “His remarks were frequently applauded.”

NSWRL Secretary James Giltinan also spoke before Hutchison moved “That a Balmain club be formed to affiliate with the NSW League.” Robert Graves seconded the motion and it was carried.

Local lawn bowler and long-time Balmain Rugby official Cecil Turner was appointed the club’s inaugural President, Hutchison treasurer and Horace Davis was secretary.

One of the provisional members of the inaugural committee was Mr F Napier. Napier was a key member of the new League side, as he was also a trustee for Birchgrove Oval. He brought exclusive use of the ground with him to the League.

March 19, 1908 saw Balmain’s Rugby Union club hold a heated general meeting, where the discussions focussed almost entirely on the club’s mistreatment by the MRU. Napier attended the meeting and revealed that the trustees of Birchgrove Oval had opted to abandon the MRU and side with the NSWRL because they want to see more games being played at their ground.

Hutchison chimed in, saying he felt that he and the club hadn’t been treated with any respect by the MRU, who barely made an effort to attend Balmain meetings.

Many members at the meeting felt that the MRU was not trying to help the game grow in the area, via Balmain’s lack of games in their own area and seemingly abandoning Birchgrove Oval.

A week later, the Balmain Rugby League Club held its general meeting at Oldfellows Hall on Darling St. Hoyle was again present and was greeting with great enthusiasm.

Unlike the clubs who had already agreed to join the NSWRL, where there had been hesitations and uncertainty amongst the players whether to join the professional game or not, Balmain joined almost entirely, decimating the playing ranks within the Balmain Rugby Union side so much that the MRU announced at a meeting at the end of March, that Balmain would not be competing in the 1908 season.

On April 18, 1908, Balmain played its first Rugby League game, a trial match against, fittingly, Newtown. The match ended in a 6 all draw.

The official competition kicked off a week later, Balmain winning their opening match with an emphatic 24-0 demolition of Western Suburbs.

The club had the services of Apolony once again, along with Dobbs, Graves, Alf Latta (who scored the clubs first try and goal) and O’Donnell, won 3 games, drew 1 and lost 5.

Apolony went on to get selected as a reserve in the NSW side to face the visiting Maori side of 1909; however he didn’t take the field. He was eventually made a life member of the NSWRL and of the Balmain Club.

The Endeavour Cup (2015)

The 1970’s in Australia saw the introduction of many minor competitions. The Wills Cup which was a preseason competition running from 1962 til 1981, the mid-week, mid-season competition which ran from 1974 til 1989 and even a mid-season Challenge Cup in 1978.

But none of those had a lasting impact on the game as the short lived Endeavour Cup.

For a number of seasons, there had been some concerns from players whose club didn’t make the finals, that they were being overlooked for end-of-season Test and Tour selections, in favour of players participating in the finals.

In 1970, the Cronulla-Sutherland club put forward a proposal to the NSWRL to host an end of season competition between the teams finishing 5^th to 8^th on the ladder. They had secured Toyota-Thiess to sponsor the event. The competition would be played over the first two Sunday’s during the NSWRL finals series, to allow players to remain match fit and in contention for selection in the World Cup squad at the end of the year.

On July 27, 1970, the NSWRL board held a meeting and agreed to let the competition go ahead. It was to be held entirely at Endeavour Field.

The competition was to have a total prize pool of $10,500. First place winning $5000, Second $3000, Third $1500 and fourth $1000.

With two rounds of the main competition remaining, Cronulla were sitting ninth on the ladder and looking like they may not qualify for their own competition. But they snuck in thanks to two convincing victories. A 23-2 win against Penrith in Round 21 and a 34-6 hiding of Parramatta.

On August 30, the Endeavour Cup began with a double header at the Sharks home ground. Hosts Cronulla took on Newtown in the first game at 1.30pm and then Balmain played Eastern Suburbs in the 3.30pm game. These games were the first played under the 6 tackle rule, purely as a trial, as opposed to the 4 tackle rule that was in place.

The first game was a sloppy affair and the full merits of the new rule were not seen. Cronulla’s captain-coach Tommy Bishop copped a stray elbow to the face which resulted in him losing two teeth. With 12 minutes remaining in the game, Bishop was sent off for tripping. Newtown won the game 13-11.

The second game was much better and provided everyone with the full benefits of the 6 tackle rule. Most notably was the reduction in scrums. The first game had 38 scrums which was on par for most games played during the year, however there were only 16 scrums in the second game. There was also the extra involvement of ball playing forwards, most notably Arthur Beetson, who was getting involved 2 or 3 times per set.

Balmain defeated a bits and pieces Easts side 34-12 which saw them advance to the final against Newtown on the following Sunday, while Easts and Cronulla will play off for 3^rd.

After the match all coaches were in agreeance that the new rule looked to improve the game.

Harry Bath (Newtown and Australian Test coach): “I like it. The six tackles give a team that little extra to work with and provide more continuity to the play. The element of panic is not as prevalent and there aren’t as many dropped passes. The players have more time to settle down.”

Tommy Bishop (Cronulla captain-coach): “The rule could bring the forwards into the play a bit more but there would be no chance of going back to the old bash and barge because, after all, there are only six tackles to work with. I can see the forwards driving the ball in attack but this is good football. I would like to see another couple of matches under the rule before finally making up my mind on its merits.”

Don Furner (Easts coach): “In our game there were only 16 scrums, and this has to make the match better. I like the idea of the six tackles. The best football will come on the fourth, fifth and sixth tackles, when the defence is starting to tire a little.”

Leo Nosworthy (Balmain coach): “From our match it was obvious there was not the panic from the players that has been there at times. Nor was there as much useless kicking and this has to be better.”

The final saw Newtown beat Balmain 12-8, to claim their first title of any kind since they won the City Cup in 1945, 25 years ago. The win was more impressive given Newtown played the last 30 mins with 12 men, after forward John Oakley was sent off for a deliberate high tackle.

Despite Easts fielding a poor side and Cronulla failing to reach the final, the competition saw the Cronulla club financially “almost square.”

So successful was the trial of the 6 tackle rule that the NSWRL decided to implement it fully for the upcoming season.

Toyota-Thiess decided to continue their sponsorship for the competition in 1971, due to the Cronulla club deciding to expand the competition to include more teams, possibly from Wollongong, Newcastle and Brisbane.

The 1971 competition would see trainers being allowed to attend to injured players without stopping play, as well as each game being just 25 minute halves. Every game of the competition would also be televised live. All 8 sides not involved in the finals would be taking part.

The final of 1971 saw Cronulla pick up their first ever title, defeating Canterbury 20-13. The trial of trainers being allowed to treat players without stopping play was seen as another success from the Endeavour Cup and was introduced from the start of the 1972 season. Half of the gate takings were donated to the NSW Paraplegic Association.

With the competition being used as a sounding board for new rule ideas, it was thought that the Endeavour Cup would continue functioning beyond 1971, especially given that it was the only post-season competition on the calendar.

However, a lack of major sponsor and the concern by the NSWRL that some clubs were not taking the competition seriously, with some clubs using the competition as an opportunity to allow suspended players to serve part of their suspension, it was decided not to continue the competition any more.

But in the space of two years and just 12 games, the Endeavour Cup provided the competition with the 6 tackle rule and no stoppages to allow injured players to be treated, making it arguably the most successfully innovative competition in the post-war era.

1970 Competition

August 30 – Newtown 13-11 Cronulla

August 30 – Balmain 34-12 Easts

September 6 – Playoff for 3^rd – Cronulla 30-2 Easts

September 6 – Final – Newtown 12-8 Balmain

1971 Competition

August 30 – Canterbury 19-15 Newtown

August 30 – Cronulla 15-3 Penrith

August 30 – Norths 7-5 Easts

August 30 – Wests 22-3 Balmain

September 5 – Semi-Final – Canterbury 17-7 Norths

September 5 – Semi-Final – Cronulla 20-19 Wests

September 12 – Playoff for 3^rd – Wests 25-21 Norths

September 12 – Final – Cronulla 20-13 Canterbury

************This article appeared in the Rugby League Review Magazine***********

Annandale – The Perennial Battlers (2015)

In 1900, the strongest Rugby Union clubs resided in Glebe, Balmain, Newtown and South Sydney. These clubs were all required to field three grades of teams which saw them drawing players from neighbouring suburbs.

Glebe were the most dominant and successful club during these early years of the 1900’s while their neighbouring suburb Annandale were a second grade feeder club for Glebe.

In 1908, when Glebe moved from the Metropolitan Rugby Union to the New South Wales Rugby League (NSWRL), soon followed by the Newtown, Balmain and South Sydney clubs, Annandale officials were optimistic that this might provide them with an opportunity to finally move into the first grade competition, however was not an option that the Metropolitan Rugby Union (MRU) were even contemplating.

The NSWRL had a reasonably successful debut season followed by a tumultuous beginning to their 1909 season, however a daring coup on the Rugby Union’s elite playing ranks, financed by entrepreneur James Joynton-Smith saw the MRU decimated for a second year.

The rebel Rugby Union players of 1909 played in 3 exhibition games billed as the Kangaroos v the Wallabies. After the third game, The NSWRL had failed to raise enough funds to repay Joynton-Smith, so a fourth match was scheduled to be played on the same day as the 1909 final between South Sydney and Balmain on September 18.

On August 28, 1909, Annandale announced that they had disbanded from the MRU and had joined with the NSWRL. On the same day five Annandale players, coupled with some Newtown Rugby Union players, participated in an exhibition game against Eastern Suburbs, in the undercard match before the Australia v Maori Test at the Royal Agricultural Ground. With some lenient officiating by the referee towards the newcomers, as they were new to the rules, they won the game 8-5.

On September 3, 1909, the MRU gathered to discuss the rebel players and decided to formally expel Jack Barnett, Alby Burge, Jack Hickey, Paddy McCue, Chris McKivat, Peter Burge, Robert Craig, Edward Mandible, Arthur McCabe and William Farnsworth for their involvement in the Wallabies exhibition games.

The following day, the MRU cited the Annandale club and the Newtown players who participated in the exhibition game against Eastern Suburbs

After these players were expelled, the MRU board then turned their attention to Annandale and ruled that a decision would be made on their fate at a later date.

On September 18, the Kangaroo’s and Wallabies played their fourth exhibition game which, despite Balmain refusing to participate in the final, still generated just enough income to fully repay Joynton-Smith.

Four days later, the MRU met again and decided to expel Newtown players R.Gavin and Viv Farnsworth, along with five Annandale players and a second grade Newtown player for their involvement in the exhibition game with Eastern Suburbs.

Two of the expelled Annandale players were Angus Lennon and Robert Gray who both spoke about the code switch. Lennon revealed that “we went over (to Rugby League) because Annandale will never have a decent show of forming a district club while we are Glebe’s district.” This sentiment was one that run deep within many at the club.

Gray revealed, “I had one night’s meeting to learn the rules. Arthur Hennessy was there; we met at the corner and went to the training room. The only reason I went over was because I thought I would like the League rules better.”

On March 14, 1910 the Annandale Rugby League Club held its first official meeting at the Collondale Hall. The meeting was presided over by Horrie Miller, Harry Flegg and Edward Larkin, officials of the game’s governing body.

It was at this meeting that the New South Wales Rugby League officially declared that Annandale would be the eighth team to join their first grade competition for the 1910 season, effectively replacing the recently departed Newcastle side, despite not having a designated home ground. They would take the field wearing maroon and gold coloured jumpers.

The first secretary of the Annandale club was Walter Henry Clutton, a member of the Liberal Party and a Police Sergeant. The vice-president elected at the same meeting was Alderman James Robertson, who was also the Mayor of Annandale. In mid-August 1910, Clutton resigned from role with the Annandale club to focus on his political career. Both Clutton and Robertson put forward nominations to be the Liberal candidate in the seat of Kahibah at the 1910 federal election. Clutton won the nomination, however his joy was short lived when he managed to obtain just 15% of the votes in his seat. In 1918 he served in WWI in Rabaul, before contracting malaria and being discharged.

Annandale’s first game was on April 30, 1910 against Newtown, where they were overwhelmed by eventual premiers Newtown 31-6. They then went down in a close contest to neighbouring Balmain 8-2 the following week before facing their former parent side in the MRU, Glebe. Annandale again put in another spirited display but went down 17-10. After losing to Easts 20-12 in their 4^th game, Annandale then won 5 and drew 1 of their next 9 games to finish the season respectably. One of those wins came in Round 9 against Glebe by 10-7. It would be the only time in 23 games that they achieved the feat.

1911 saw Annandale again win 5 and draw 1 of their 14 games, this time finishing 5^th. Utility forward Robert Stuart became the first man playing for Annandale to be selected to represent Australia when he was named in the Kangaroo squad to tour England in 1911-12. He played 2 games on tour but no Tests.

Despite a respectable first few seasons, it was revealed in 1912 that Annandale still had no training ground. When the team first formed they trained on a block of land known as Johnstone’s estate. In the two years after, many buildings have been erected in this area making the land smaller and inadequate. Annandale secretary W. Lennon needed a large enough venue for the 74 players from all 3 grades to train on. He approached Petersham council for use of Petersham Oval, Leichhardt council to use Leichhardt Park, the trotting association for Epping grounds and to the city council to use Camperdown Park. Each request was denied. He also applied to the city council to have Federal Park upgraded for training purposes, as it did not contain dressing sheds, no water, no lights which was also denied. Despite these difficulties, the team did not give up and made the most of what they had. The club slid backwards, winning just 2 games.

In 1913 the Annandale club elected James Giltinan as their president. Giltinan was the man who helped finance and organise Rugby League’s birth just 6 years earlier. It was also in this year that Annandale decided to withdraw from the second grade competition. The club managed just 3 wins through the year, finishing equal last with Wests.

The 1914 season was the first of a number of disastrous seasons for the club as they struggled to compete with all clubs. They had just 1 win, 1 draw and 11 losses as they approached their final game against competition leaders Souths. Newtown were second on the ladder and needed to win their game against Norths, and for Souths to lose to Annandale for them to become premiers. The Newtown players invited Annandale to train with them at the Metters ground, Newtown’s home ground, as well as offering a one pound reward if they could beat Souths.

Newtown went on to Norths 20-12. Souths however were caught by surprise at the enthusiasm of the Annandale side and at halftime, their game was locked at 3 all. But 3 second half tries to nil in Souths favour saw them win 14-5 and claim the premiership.

If the geographical disadvantage inflicted upon Annandale wasn’t enough, the First World War saw a number of players in the area enlist in the war effort. They won 3 of 14 games in 1915 and 4 of 14 games in 1916.

Their first game of 1917 against neighbouring rivals Glebe saw about the greatest controversy in the games existence at that time. Dan Davies played for Glebe in their 26-5 win, however Annandale protested as they knew that Davies was living in Annandale, not Glebe, therefore he should have played for Annandale. Glebe had their 2 competition points deducted for the win and Davies was banned for life. Davies returned and played in Newcastle. The NSWRL decided to ban almost every player, administrator and club in the Newcastle competition. The decision was eventually overturned in 1921.

Over the next 4 seasons, Annandale won just 2 of their 55 games, each season they played a rougher and more unattractive style of play. This saw crowd figures for Annandale games drop and potential local players lose interest in the game, resulting in Annandale relying at times on borrowed players from outside their region. In 1918 and 1920 they failed to win a single game.

On October 13, 1920 the NSWRL Committee decided at a meeting to axe Annandale due to their poor record, poor style of play and inability to field a team of local players. Four of the other eight clubs that voted to axe Annandale were Balmain, Glebe, Newtown and Wests, all of whom would benefit from their demise. Shortly after the decision was passed, delegates of all 4 clubs set about splitting up the Annandale region so that they would all get a share.

A motion to rescind the decision was put forward but was emphatically voted against, and with that, the existence of Annandale whimpered into non-existence.

Annandale 1910-1920

Played 163, Won 26, Drew 6, Lost 131, For 1118, Against 2756

*******This article appeared in Rugby League Review magazine*********

Hypocrisy (2015)

The NRL for a number of years now, has been working tirelessly to try and improve the image of the game to make it more appealing to women, and subsequently, families.

So much so that they now have on their calendar every year, an entire round dedicated to the women involved in the game, a women's round.

Only one round out of 26.

This Friday, the Australian Jillaroos will play against the New Zealand Ferns in the curtain raiser to the test between Australia and New Zealand.

Yet despite there now being 5 separate Fox Sports channels as well as Channel 9's main and GEM channels, it seems there is no way it is at all possible to show this game.

Tomorrow night, Fox Sports 1 (which tends to host nearly all the Rugby League content out of their 5 channels) will instead show between 6pm and the replay of the Test match:
*The second repeat of NRL 360 and the irrelevant Matthew Johns show in the space of 6 hours,
*90 minutes of two ageing boxers talking about themselves and their upcoming payday, err fight,
*An hour long package of the greatest UFC fights.

Channel 9 will show
*The alleged journalism of A Current Affair prior to the Test
*Over an hour of boxing hosted by the NRL Footy Show

GEM will show
*a 3 hour long Clint Eastwood movie
*the 1967 Bonnie and Clyde movie

A lot of this could be forgiven to an extent. But one thing in my mind can't.

A 75 minute slot after the Test match dedicated to an NRL program and that program isn't even doing anything remotely attached to Rugby League, it's boxing!

Why not have a replay of the Women's Rugby League Test match played then? It's got a hell of a lot more Rugby League content than the NRL Footy Show does even on it's best nights, but even moreso on Friday when it will be showing boxing, not Rugby League.

If the NRL is truly passionate about properly recognising the involvement of women in Rugby League, the most basic of first steps would be to ensure that the National Women's side is shown some level of interest.

As it stands, the Jillaroo's can't even get a link to their website (which I might add is hosted by Fox Sports Pulse, not even an official Rugby League body can be bothered to look after this task) from the NRL website.

If the National women's side can't get airtime over the NRL Footy Show boxing night and cannot even have the NRL give them web space, just how appreciated can the rest of the women involved in the game truly feel?

I believe if the game wants to recognise a group of people, then either do it properly and thoroughly, or don't do it at all. At present it looks half-arsed and somewhat patronising.

The Finals Need An Overhaul (2015)

The current finals system is quite simply designed to keep as many fans still invested in consuming right up until the last few days of the year. It makes good marketing sense, clearly.

But is it at the expense of the competition?

In the early days of the game, there was no set system for finals. Different variations of finals were used to determine the premiers. Sometimes, finals weren't even played.

It wasn't until 1938 that a dedicated finals system became mandatory, the mechanics of the system was altered a few times.

From 1938 til 1972 the top 4 teams made it to the finals. In 1973, an extra team was added to the finals system. The top 5 remained in place until 1994.

With the competition having expanded from 12 clubs in 1967 to 20 in 1995 due to expansion in 1982 (2 extra teams), 1988 (3 extra teams) and 1995 (4 extra teams).

In 1995, the game moved to a top 8 system, which remained in place the following season. When the game split in 1997, the ARL had a top 7 in a 12 team competition while the Superleague had a top 5 in a 10 team competition.

When the NRL took over it employed a top 10 system in 1998, before permanently moving to a top 8 system in 1999.

From 1908 til 1972 (4 team finals period) there were just 16 times where a team made the finals having won less than 55% of their regular season matches (over 64 seasons)

Comparatively, the NRL has had 44 occurrences where a team has made the finals with a regular season success rate under 55% (over 17 years)

Furthermore, never has a team won a Premiership with a win % in the regular season less than 57%

In fact, the teams who have won a title with a pre-finals win% of less than 60% are:

St George (1941) - Won 8 of their 14 games to finish 4th
Wests Tigers (2005) - Won 14 of their 24 games to finish 4th
Brisbane (2006) - Won 14 of their 24 games to finish 4th
Melbourne (2009) - Won 14 of their 24 games to finish 4th

There have also been 13 occasions where a team has participated in a finals campaign having won less than 50% of their regular season games. What is concerning is that this occurred 6 times prior to 1998 and 7 times during the NRL era.

Given that no team has ever won a title from 7th or lower on the ladder, it would appear that to ensure a better finals campaign, the NRL should reduce the number of finalists from 8 to 6 at the very least.

A simple finals system could look like this:

Week 1
Game A - 3 vs 4
Game B - 5 vs 6 - loser eliminated

Week 2
Game C - 1 v 2
Game D - Loser A v Winner B - loser eliminated

Week 3
Game E - Loser C v Winner D - loser eliminated

Week 4 - Grand Final
Game F - Winner C v Winner E

If the NRL wants to keep teams and fans interested, then a simple idea could be to bring back the City Cup competition.

From 1921 til 1923, the City Cup had a very intelligent and unique format. All of the return games played by clubs would also count as the City Cup fixtures, adding extra meaning to those games for the clubs who were out of the Premiership contention. Under the NRL draw, there are some teams who only play each other once in a year, so under those circumstances, that one result would be the City Cup game as well.

At season's end, a City Cup final series of just 4 sides could be played. It would essentially give the NRL two Grand Finals every year. It would mean an entire competition could be played but only 3 extra games are played to determine the winner.

Week 1
A - 1 v 4
B - 2 v 3
Week 2
C - Winner A v Winner B

These two ideas could see a stronger competition and a more closely fought premiership race that rewards the very best teams without giving out token finals appearances to a few sides.

The Christmas Party (2014)

As the year winds down to its inevitable close, everyone is invited back to Uncle Dave’s place for a big Christmas party and to unwind.

Standing by the door chatting are Anthony, John, Steve, Matthew and Mick.

Price: I thought I had a safe job, I didn’t do anything.

Elliott: That was your downfall, doing nothing.

Griffin: That’s quite hypocritical coming from you Matt.

Elliott: Ah, but I’m a nice bloke you see. How else do you think I made it this far?

Potter: I’m a nice bloke too.

Cartwright: Grant doesn’t seem to like you.

Potter: Nobody does. *looks sadly to the floor*

Elliott: I like you Mick. Cheer up mate, I’ll get you another cordial.

Potter: Thanks Matty, you really are a nice bloke.

Griffin: I thought I had my job nailed down, I even made the finals. *Looks across the room at Wayne* But then HE wanted to come back!

Cartwright: I thought I had the system beat, I signed a 5 year contract. I thought it was foolproof. Turns out I was a fool and there was a clause about not having a fool as a coach. Damn!

Matthew returns with Mick’s drink

Elliott: There you go Mick.

Potter: This is a shoe. I wanted a drink.

Elliott: That’s right, now I remember. Sorry mate. I’ll fix this up. Now, who did I take that shoe off?

Peter is standing in the middle of the room, looking at his shoeless foot.

Elliott: Sorry Pete, here’s your shoe back mate.

Sharp: I don’t really want that shoe. I’m quite comfortable wearing one shoe.

Elliott: You can’t have one shoe on mate. Either put one shoe on, or take the other one off, make a choice.

Sharp: I can’t figure this out! It’s too hard!

Peter takes his remaining shoe off and leaves.

Standing by the Christmas tree are Jason, Wayne, Rick and Shane.

Taylor: Gee Wayne, how is it you always get the biggest present every year in the secret santa?

Stone: Because he takes the biggest present and swaps the names, so that he gets the one he wants.

Bennett: something inaudible

Flanagan: Open your present Wayne

Stone: Shane! Where have you been mate?

Flanagan: I had a bit of a mishap when I visited the doctor. Had to go into isolation for the year.

Stone: Crikey, that sounds bad!

Flanagan: Yeah, I was holed up in this isolation room in the basement, it was very dank. So happy to be out now though.

Wayne opens present. It’s a Doghouse, with a pet puppy inside.

Taylor: Crikey, what a great gift. But you’ve got two dogs now, the one Anthony bought for you last year and this one.

Bennett: I’ll get rid of the other one. I don’t really like it anyway. Do you want it Shane?

Flanagan: Absolutely!

Standing by himself in the middle of the room is Ricky, engrossed in a conversation with himself. No one dares interrupt him. Trent and Ivan are near the drinks, when Anthony arrives to get a refill.

Griffin: Hi Trent, how’s things?

Robinson: Yeah you know, not bad.

James jumps up behind them with a mask on

Shepherd: BOO!

Anthony, Ivan and Trent jump.

Cleary: I should’ve seen that coming

Ivan hears a booming voice from the heavens. It is Go(ul)d.

Go(ul)d: Do unto others before they do unto you.

Cleary: Yes oh wise one!

Ivan grabs a scary mask and then jumps behind the recovering Trent.

Cleary: BOO!

Robinson: ARRGH! Dammit, I’ve been got again!

The food table is circled by Des, Geoff, Craig and Michael

Maguire: Well I should get to choose what I want first, because I’m the best.

Hasler: You’re new here. You’ve got to wait your turn.

Maguire: But I got here before you!

Hasler: We’ve been here for years and deserve to be here before you, You’ve only just got here. We’ve been coming here for years now.

Bellamy: Are there any chicken wings to eat? I’m getting a bit tired of these entrée asparagus spears.

Toovey: There’s some chilli dip over there. It’s very hot though. I had a hot flush and lost my voice. I think someone tampered with it. Someone should look into that. It could hurt someone.

Standing on their own are Paul and Brad, having a little chat to one another about their first Christmas party at Uncle Dave’s.

Green: Shame this do is so far from home though. Dave probably built his house here intentionally to make it hard for me to come.

Arthur: How can you sit here and try and sympathise with me with your petty travel complaint. I lost my toy plane Christmas present!

Paul tries to console Brad, but nothing seems to work. Standing nearby, watching, are Neil, Paul and Andrew.

Paul: Gee that Brad isn’t coping well with losing his plane is he?

Andrew: It was a pretty special toy though.

Paul: I lost my toy present as well. But I bought myself a new toy earlier in the year, so I’m not really worried. Brad should’ve done the same thing.

Neil: He did, but it’s not as good as the one he lost.

There’s a knock at the door.

Sheens: Can I come in?

Everyone: NO!

Pat Walsh - The Natural (2014)

Born in Cooks Hill on May 3, 1879, Patrick Bernard Walsh attended Newcastle Superior Public School where he received medals for running and in 1895 he received a medal for the best cricket all-rounder.

The following year he left school aged 17, to work as a railway porter. He joined the Norwoods Rugby Union club and was an integral member of their undefeated side who also avoided conceding a point during the 1896 season.

In 1897 Walsh and his team-mates were presented with medals to commemorate their previous season’s feats. While he was walking along a city wharf, the medal fell off his waistcoat chain. He returned half an hour later to find his medal had been crushed by a cart and the gold inlay was missing. Walsh kept the damaged medal remnants which remained one of his prized possessions.

In 1898 a residential system was introduced forcing players to join the team representing the district where they lived. Walsh and other players from the Norwoods and Carlton clubs formed the Newcastle Central team for the 1899 season, who won the premiership that year. Walsh would go on to win another four premierships with the club.

In 1899 he was selected to represent Northern Districts against the touring British side that contained the player Blair Swannell, whom Walsh would have several clashes with in his career.

Walsh again represented the Northern Districts in 1900 and in September of 1902, was instrumental in their 18-6 victory against the more fancied Sydney Metropolis side.

In 1903 Walsh moved to the Carlton Club where he was soon regarded as one of the premier forwards in New South Wales. He was selected in the Combined Country side that played Sydney Metropolis and the touring New Zealanders, before earning his first cap for NSW when selected to play against Queensland in the interstate series.

On July 2, 1904, Pat Walsh made his debut for the Wallabies against Great Britain. Despite his own good performance, the Wallabies went down 17-0. Joining him in the Australian team that day were future Rugby League pioneers Alec Burdon and Dinny Lutge. Walsh's opponent in the British side was Blair Swannell.

After the test, Walsh lined up for the Northern Districts against the British. During the game he had a collision with British winger Fred Jowett, causing the winger to retire from the match with concussion. The tourists went after Walsh, but he held his own.

During this game it was alleged that British player Denys Dobson swore at referee Harry Dolan. Dobson was immediately sent from the field. England's captain David Bedell-Sivwright was incensed at the decision and ordered his team to leave the field in protest, before soon returning. Walsh was one of five Northern Districts players that supported the referee's decision at an ensuing investigation into the “Dobson incident” by the NSWRU, who surprisingly sided with the English players, claiming the referee had heard wrong. This would prove to be a catastrophic decision by the NSWRU.

Walsh played in the second test at Brisbane but the British were again too strong, running out victors 17-3. Blair Swannell flattened Walsh in what appeared to be a personal vendetta.

The Wallabies lost 16-0 in the third test, where Walsh was one of the few shining lights for the Australians.

Walsh and the British squared off one last time when NSW played the tourists in their last tour match. The game was dominated by very heavy forwards clashes, most involving Walsh.

He retained his place in the state side for the first interstate game of 1905 and was considered one of the best three players in the losing NSW side on the day.

The next week Walsh played a starring role, leading NSW to victory against Queensland. The praise for his performance was great and unanimous, with commentators stating: “Walsh played grandly”, “Walsh played a brilliant game” and opinions suggesting he was one of Australia's best forwards.

However, it was oddly deemed not good enough to see him retain his place in the state side for the upcoming match against the touring New Zealanders. Walsh was replaced by Blair Swannell, the British tourist who was now playing for North Sydney.

His omission to this day is one of the most baffling made in either Rugby code in Australia. The Referee reported that “Walsh's exclusion is simply a Chinese puzzle” after state selectors suggested that Pat Walsh's form had dropped in his last two games.

After the third interstate game, the NSW squad was selected for an end-of-season tour of New Zealand. Walsh was again omitted.

He then captained the Newcastle side to a convincing 30-0 victory, putting in a best-on-field display, scoring three tries. The NSWRU still refused to select him. The Arrow reported:

“If the Australian team to visit New Zealand included Walsh, one would have no fear as to the forwards holding their own against anything in New Zealand. There is no better forward in Australia than Walsh, probably no one quite as good. In the Newcastle district, the “Dobson incident” inquiry is thought to have in some way prejudiced Walsh's chances of being selected. It is clear that the Newcastle forward has not been omitted on the ground of his ability not being good enough.”

Walsh played for Carlton in the Grand Final against Newcastle. Carlton had lost to Newcastle three times during the year, each time they were missing Walsh who was on representative duty.

Ten minutes before full-time, with Carlton holding a 2-0 lead, Walsh gathered the ball and ran twenty yards to score between the posts. Carlton won 9-0.

Pat Walsh then travelled to South Africa and participated in an expatriate Australian Rules competition in Johannesburg to maintain his fitness. He became vice-captain of the Commonwealth Football Team, who in November of 1905 won the Australian Football League Premiership.

Walsh returned to Newcastle early in 1906 where he learnt that the Northern Districts Rugby Union had lodged a protest with the NSWRU regarding his omission from the Australian touring team in 1905, however there was no resolution.

In April 1906, Walsh suddenly departed for New Zealand. Walsh admired the quality of football that the 1903 New Zealand tourists played and wanted to play among who he regarded as the best players in the world.

Upon arriving in Auckland, he was signed by the Parnell club and quickly earned selection in the Auckland Province representative team that toured New Zealand's South Island, a feat he repeated in 1907.

Many believed he should have been selected in the New Zealand All Golds squad that was to tour Australia and England, with one commentator stating “Walsh stood out as being the best player in the senior grade competition.”

In 1908, the Auckland press proclaimed Walsh was the best forward in New Zealand. He was expected to be named in a representative side to face the touring British side; however he was again oddly omitted.

Around this time, Walsh received a cable from James Giltinan in Sydney, who asked Walsh to join the newly formed Rugby League competition, where he could be selected in an end-of-season tour to England. He accepted the offer as he saw it as his last chance to visit England.

He was greeted at Sydney wharf on the Saturday morning of July 18 by NSWRL secretary Henry Hoyle, who took Walsh to the Royal Agricultural Showground. Walsh was given an hour to learn the new game before lining up for Queensland against NSW. Queensland lost 12-3 in Walsh's first game of Rugby League.

He played the last two games of the season for Newcastle, who wore the red and white striped jumpers of the Carlton club, as a tribute to Walsh. 

Walsh was a late inclusion in Giltinan's squad to tour England but was unable to get a ticket with the rest of the squad, so he had to board the SS Salamis instead. It was revealed he had brought a kangaroo with him as a mascot, which he hoped but failed to train to lead the team out carrying the ball. The kangaroo died after the tours completion, on the day before the players left England to return home.

Once in England, Walsh was selected in the Kangaroo's side to play Salford. He started the game very strongly but was moved to the backs later in the game which met with little success.

The 11^th game of the tour saw Australia face Northern Union champions Hunslet, whose forward pack contained the formidable “terrible six” and was led by champion Albert Goldthorpe. Walsh was a star performer, helping Australia to an impressive 12-11 victory.

Walsh played in all three of Australia's test matches against England. The first test was a 22 all draw, the second, a 15-5 victory to the English who also won the third test 6-5. Walsh played in 29 of the exhausting 45 game tour, including an impressive performance in an exhibition match in Glasgow where he scored “a skilful dribbling try.”

While on tour, he became the first Australian player approached by an English club and accepted an offer from Huddersfield, whom he would play 6 games for at the end of their 1908-09 season, after the Kangaroo tour concluded.

Kangaroo tour manager James Giltinan stated at the time that Walsh was “the finest forward in the Northern Union.”

In the 1909-10 season, Walsh suffered a knee injury in a game against Hull on a frozen field at Craven Park. Huddersfield paid for him to travel to London to have an innovative and rarely performed operation on his knee.

His first game back was against Hull Kingston Rovers at Fartown where he managed to get through the first half, displaying his trademark unrelenting defence, but just before full time he re-injured the knee.

Walsh then travelled to Liverpool where he had the damaged cartilage successfully removed. He revealed years later “The club regarded me as something of a guinea pig. When my operation proved successful, they sent three other players along to have their cartilages removed. They'd been on the crock list and weren't game to have the operation. I had it only because I knew that if I didn't take the risk with a surgeon in England, there was no one in Australia who could help me.”

He played 7 games for Huddersfield in the 1910-11 season before returning to Australia with his future wife Rebecca Eve, a lady he met while she was playing piano at post-match functions during the Kangaroo tour. Upon his arrival in 1911, Pat Walsh joined the Newcastle Central team and three weeks later captained the Northern Districts team on their tour to Queensland, winning all three of their games.

Walsh moved to Queensland, first working in a Brisbane Post Office, then with the railways at Townsville where he briefly coached a local side.

Early in 1915, Pat and Rebecca married before the outbreak of war. Walsh enlisted with the 12^th Light Horse Regiment and was promoted to Corporal two months later before being transferred to a railway construction unit. His younger brother Clem, also enlisted for service and was promoted to Major and later earned a Military Cross.

Pat suffered a number of illnesses while on duty; one caused paralysis in his legs which saw him require metal callipers on his legs and crutches to get around.

During the great depression, Pat would sit on his front veranda and talk to passers-by, offering them into the house for meals if they were hungry, much to the dismay of his wife. Pat's brother Clem would often take him sailing around Newcastle.

In 1922, his son John Patrick Walsh was born. John became a Rugby Union player for the Newcastle Wanderers, earning selection in a Newcastle representative side, but his career was unable to reach the lofty heights of his father. John later became secretary of the club.

Pat Walsh passed away on May 22, 1953, 3 weeks after his 74^th birthday.

While at Huddersfield he was described as “a grim, gaunt forward, with a deadly embrace, tackles with scrupulous fairness and proportionate effectiveness.”

James Giltinan succinctly described Walsh as “a generous-hearted, able forward and a sterling character.”

His mistreatment fuelled a simmering groundswell of animosity by some players against the Rugby Union which eventually led to the birth of Rugby League in Australia. Despite this mistreatment, he never complained. He became a successful player in three football codes across three different countries.

A true legend.

********This article appeared in Rugby League Review Magazine************