The recipe for success in the 1970’s required a fullback that was safe and dependable as a crucial ingredient, and luckily for Souths, they had Graham Baird.
The Magpies fullback came from Mareeba originally but found a new home at West End.
How did you go from Mareeba to South Brisbane?
I came down with the intention of playing for Brothers, but they had Wayne Bennett at fullback, so I went for a trial at Souths and survived the cut there. You used to just be able to turn up to pre-season and try to impress. You’d be in third grade but could work your way up. They used to start you with a road run and if you didn’t get back in 30 minutes it was see you next summer.
I played for Mareeba, and Cairns Brothers up north and came down to Souths in 1975, but I broke my ankle so didn’t play at all that season.
Who is your favourite ever Magpie?
Greg Veivers. He captained Australia and played 19 games for Queensland, and I don’t think he gets nearly enough attention as he deserves. He was Souths’ version of Arthur Beetson. Just a great man and a great player. If you got belted Greg would stick up for you. I loved his loyalty to his mates and Souths.
I have great mates like John Salter, Allan Brackin, Peter Ryan, Marshall Colwell and Pat Phelan, I loved playing with all of them.
I am only 46, so what did I miss out on in Brisbane during the 1970’s?
Two things I think you missed out on is a packed Lang Park, particularly if Wests were playing in that 1975-1976 era, they were great to watch and Davies Park on a Sunday night, a great disco after the football. If you weren’t upstairs by 7pm you didn’t get in.
Souths also had Rocky boxing at Davies Park, and it used to be on TV on channel 10. Players from all different codes would turn up and box on. I think Mitch Brennan had a fight one night and I am sure Billy Johnstone came from Brothers to have a fight before he joined Souths. They used to put the ring on the field, and you’d have an AFL player or rugby player fighting a League player. Great night.
Tell me your favourite Malcolm Meninga story
I remember in 1979 Wayne Bennett had said he’s going to give him a game against Brothers, because Brothers don’t really knuckle players so he thought he’d be alright.
The young police recruit is going to play Brothers, and he gets two tries and kicks five goals.
Then the paper spells his name wrong, and the headline is Magic Man Maninga.
Bruce Astill put me through a hole, and I have run 50 metres to pass to Mal and he has his first try in A grade. I remind him of that when I see him. Rugby League Week spelt my name wrong too, so my big moment was ruined.
Which Magpie would be a star in 2026?
Mitch Brennan with that swerve and pace he had. Every kid in Brisbane would have a Brennan number two jumper and would be swerving around the back yard like Mitch if he played in 2025.
At fullback sometimes you can come across some fearsome sights, who didn’t you want coming at you?
I always used to attack the runner, I came to them to try and rush them. We played Redcliffe one day and Tony Obst has come through, so I have attacked him and he’s planted his big, massive legs and I’ve just bounced off him. Obst was so strong. You wouldn’t know it now last time I saw him he was much lighter.
Who was the best team you played against in the 1970’s?
Easts Tigers 1977 and 1978 were a very good team. They won back-to-back premierships for a reason and Easts just always had the ability to regenerate themselves, they were never down too long and that’s the sign a strong club.
John Lang was a great player, no one was out hooking him in a scrum, he won so much ball for Easts.
Wayne Bennett comes to Souths as captain and coach in 1977. How did you find him?
I came to Souths to avoid him and then he ends up captain coach and fullback, so I was in reserve grade.
When he gave away playing in 1977 and just coached, I got to play A grade. Wayne was ahead of his time.
I remember he introduced a dietician and got the wives in to talk to her about what we should and shouldn’t be eating.
We started training one night a week with an AFL club, they would help us with kicking and we would help them with tackling.
Mitch Brennan and I were showing the AFL boys how to tackle front on and had a head clash. We were trying to show we weren’t hurt.
What was your biggest contract at Souths?
$200 a win which was great because I wasn’t making $200 a week at the bank so if I could earn an extra $200 on Sunday then life was pretty good.
I remember Greg Veivers telling me the most money in ever earned in a year was $33,000. That was football and his job and a sponsorship with George Symonds suits which got him some extra money.
What’s the Dr Rossberg pen story?
I broke my nose and couldn’t breathe. Our Doctor at Souths, Dr Rossberg, said he could fix it and took a biro out of his pocket and shoved it up one side of my nose and pushed on the other side with his thumb. He then shoved the pen up the side and pushed it with his thumb to mould it back into shape.
Not too long ago I saw Dr Rossberg, and he was writing a cheque. I said to the person behind the counter that I wouldn’t use that pen if I were them.
