Brian Gardiner could be defined by any superlative relating to speed. The hospital-painting outside back was made in Wollongong, but his speed left a lasting legacy at the Redcliffe Dolphins.
How did a player from Wollongong find himself playing for the Dolphins?
I was playing for Collegians in Wollongong and my contract was up.
Only two players got paid, and I had a clause in my contract which said I was a free agent if I played outside of New South Wales.
Someone suggested that Redcliffe could be an option, so I went to Queensland for the first time in my life, and I stayed there from 1975-1978.
Who was your favourite teammate at the Dolphins?
There was two, Terry Donnelly and Bob Jones.
They were the first two blokes I met, and we used to knock around together a lot.
How fast were you in your heyday? Would you beat the Hammer?
I’m not sure how fast I was, but my best time over 100 metres was just over 10 seconds.
I’m not sure how fast Hammer is, but he is a beautiful mover.
What do you remember from the Brisbane vs France game in 1977?
That was a violent game.
The French were doing anything they wanted – we asked the referee to stop us from getting kicked and punched, and he said I can’t blow 300 penalties, just square up.
What was it like playing for Queensland?
It was such an honour to play for Queensland, I still have my Queensland jumpers to this day – I wore mine to Game III this year.
I also have an Arthur Beetson test jumper, a mate told me that he’d give it to me if I helped to paint his house.
I downplayed how good of a deal that was, and I told him I’ll swap that jersey for a Dolphins jersey on top of helping him paint the house, and he was over the moon.
My son wants to wear that Beetson jersey sometimes, but I always tell him no.
Who was your roommate in camp?
Ian Boustead.
We got on well; he was a great roommate.
You came back on in the second half of the 1975 Grand Final against Wests, but was it too late?
We were down by so much at half time – Barry Muir was calm and was able to make us believe that everything was going to plan while we were down 19-4.
I had some doubts that it actually was going to plan, but you can’t not believe.
Tony Obst scored first in the second half, and we ended up scoring 20 points in that half, but we still fell short and lost 26-24.
Steve Williams put up a bomb in the final play, the siren went and then 10,000 kids were on the field running around.
In 1977 the Dolphins won the Presidents Cup, Scott Trophy Grand Final, were Minor Premiers and defeated the reigning premiers in the first week of finals. Which Grand Final do you think hurt more, 1975 or 1977?
1977 probably hurt more; like you said it was close to being a perfect year – but losing the Grand Final makes it hard to remember.
We beat Easts three times that year, but they beat us when it mattered, after coming last after the first 10 weeks.
It was our third Grand Final loss in five years.
I remember being very sad for guys like Bunny (Ian Pearce), it was his third loss and his career was coming to an end.
Are there any teammates you had, who would be superstars in 2025?
Tony Obst.
He was so strong, he could play in the forwards or at fullback and be effective in both positions.
What was your day job when you played for Redcliffe?
I was a painter for the council; I painted hospitals and schools.
Where did you live in Redcliffe at the time?
Not too far from the show grounds, it was about a six-minute walk to home games.
I loved that walk, bag over my shoulder and off I’d go.
Cars used to honk and wave at me during that walk.
You got to play outside Peter Leis, what was that like?
Leisy was a great centre, he had a great understanding of what a winger wanted, he’d always give the ball to you at the exact right time.
A beautifully balanced runner who could give you time because he was so organised.
He was never rushed or surprised by what was happening on the field.
Which winger did you not enjoy marking up against?
Wayne Stewart was hard work, a real handful, big and fast.
What team did you dislike playing against?
Souths.
I always seemed to cop bad knocks at Davies Park.
I remember being knocked out once and playing on, I kept telling Leisy that I couldn’t remember where I parked.
You played for Queensland and played in two Grand Finals, why did you leave in 1978?
We had a young family, one baby and another on the way.
My wife said she missed Wollongong and her family, so we went home.
You’re somewhat of an enigma. A sprinter, league player, triathlete and beach sprinter. I’ve heard it all – but what’s true and not true?
Well, the beach sprinting is true. I had strong legs so I could move well through the sand, same with the triathlons, but I couldn’t ride the bike, so I had to improve that.
You forgot Lawn Bowls there, but all that and a Dolphin who paints hospitals, is pretty much me.
