Harry turns 100 as Alfie drops in to get the party started

If anyone knows how to kick off a week of birthday festivities, it’s Queensland rugby league great Allan Langer.

So it was only fitting that the champion former Queensland Maroons and Australian halfback lit the candles to celebrate the 100th birthday of another Queensland legend and Ipswich icon, Harry Griffiths.

And as Queensland’s oldest living rugby league representative player, Harry had plenty of stories to share with the man affectionately known as 'Alfie'.

“It brings a tear to your eye seeing how proud a Queenslander he is, and his family… it’s pretty special,” Langer said.

Langer presented the former Queensland five-eighth and halfback with a 2025 Maroons State of Origin jersey, sporting ‘Harry 100’ on the back.

The presentation sparked special memories for Harry.

“The honour of playing for your state was a big thing and I really enjoyed it,” Harry said.

Surrounded by family inside the Milford Grange community hall at Eastern Heights at Ipswich, the room filled with pride as Griffiths posed for photos and reminisced about past eras with Langer.

Sensing the occasion, Harry weaved his magic to knock over an interview with Channel Nine, flanked by his son Paul and daughter Marilyn.

Harry's other son Barry was unable to attend yesterday’s presentation, but like Paul and Marilyn, he is immensely proud of his father’s achievements.

As a World War II veteran who had his rugby league journey interrupted when he enlisted as an 18-year-old, his life story is quite remarkable.  

“Before this he used to play rugby league for Booval Swifts in Ipswich on Saturday, then travel to Brisbane on Sunday to play for Wests to fill in for those players who had enlisted,” Paul said.

“When in camp for the RAAF in New South Wales, he would travel by train to Sydney to play for St George.”

After his rugby league playing days, Harry was held in such high regard that he was appointed as a Queensland selector.

Not surprisingly, the topic of conversation between Harry and Langer quickly turned to the all-Ipswich Kangaroos front row of Dud Beattie, Noel Kelly and Gary Parcell.

Langer was soon transfixed by Harry’s collection of memorabilia.

Items included Harry’s Queensland jerseys from 1949, 1950 and 1951, a Queensland blazer from a tour of that era, and a football from the Queensland versus France clash.

Scrapbooks of newspaper clippings from Harry's playing days in the 1940s and early 50s were also on display.

Along with his personalised Queensland Maroons jersey, Harry’s display cabinet will now include a commemorative Ipswich Diggers jersey, proudly donated by Rugby League Ipswich.

Harry was also presented with a personal note from Maroons head coach Billy Slater

“Your achievements are an inspiration to the next generation,” Slater wrote.

“I know our current players will be drawn to your story and the value you place on your many treasured rugby league items, including your Queensland blazer and jerseys.”