Wests Panthers at Lang Park is spoken about in revered Brisbane Rugby League terms – like a weekend dreamworld of the 1970s – and Des Lea was there, getting his Panther forwards to move the piano around the field so he could play a sweet backline song for the Panther faithful.
How did you go from Bowen to the Panthers?
I was 16 in 1966, and my brother Buddy was living in Brisbane. I told him I wanted to move to Brisbane and live with him, so once I finished Year 10, I came down and started playing lower grades at Wests.
My brother fought at Long Tan and was shot three times, so he was constantly undergoing rehabilitation.
Based on where we lived, I should have played for Valleys, but I gave them the coach’s address so I could play for Wests.
That was all I intended to do - play lower grades. I just loved playing football and had never been paid in Bowen.
What was your biggest contract at Wests?
Wests told me I had to sign a contract. I had no idea what they were talking about, and then they said they were going to pay me. I didn’t know you could be paid to play football.
Five hundred dollars for the year sounded ridiculous to me. It was more than I was earning at my job.
Can you remember when Kev Lingard gave you your debut in 1969?
I was playing reserve grade and went to training. They said Col Wills was injured and I would be playing halfback for the second half of the season. I was terrified.
Buddy and I used to go to Lang Park to watch Brothers play, and I loved Wayne Abdy. Then, my debut ended up being against Brothers at Lang Park.
Richie Twist scored two tries, Ian Robson got the winner, and we won 18–16.
Brothers were a great side - Barry Dowling, Joe Gleeson, Denis Manteit, and David Wright. They were the premiers and had my favourite player, and here we were facing off. I was 67kg, 19 years old, and thought I’d be playing D-grade that year.
Panthers finished second-last in 1968, but in 1969 you made the finals—what was the turnaround?
We just loved playing for Wests and loved each other. I loved playing in that team. I just wanted to be a player who gave it a real go and was accepted.
I was looked after by great men like Ian Robson and Arty Connell. I was small, and to be honest, I was worried out there, but Wests always looked after me.
Even sometimes when someone would say something on the field the Wests guys would always defend me.
I received offers from Wynnum and Redcliffe to leave, but I could never leave Wests. I always wanted to go home to Bowen, but I loved being at Wests.
Finals 1969: you beat Easts Tigers 23-13 and scored a try, but the preliminary final against Valleys didn’t go to plan?
We were going well against the Tigers – up 21–4 just after half-time. Terry Haggett and Yogi Thompson scored, and then I even got a try just after the break.
Ian Robson was sensational and won man of the match. Wayne Stewart, playing only his second game, kicked five goals at just 18 years old.
Then against Valleys, we were again ahead - up 14–5 – and thinking, “How good is this?” Then Valleys scored 12 points, and we were out. Valleys went through to face Norths, and Bax made it to yet another grand final – something like 13 in 15 years.
Which halfback gave you some problems?
John Brown was behind those great Norths sides. I always liked John, but his forwards were nasty men.
Mick Retchless was a gentleman and a great player. He lived in my street.
Gary Dobrich from Wynnum was a tough man, and Johnny Smith from Brothers as well.
Who is your favourite ever Panther?
My favourite teammate was Peter Luppi. He was from Cairns, and we lived together. There was me, Peter, and Wayne Douglas in the house.
Big Max Williamson lived a few houses up and would come over at dinner time and eat everything.
You retired young at 25 in 1975 - why so young?
I tore my Achilles playing for Brisbane in the Trades and Labour Cup. A young man named Oliphant took over, and I never got my spot back.
He was just too good for me.
Great days were coming for the Panthers. Did you sense it?
I was there until the end of 1975 and went to both Grand Finals. It would have been nice to play in one, but I was just happy for the boys.
I’ll name some Panthers – you tell me what you think.
Richie Twist – damaging runner, but you couldn’t shut him up.
Johnny White – loved playing with him, just a good Ipswich boy.
Ian Robson – kind and brilliant. He was great to me.
Geoff Richardson – just skilful and very smart on and off the field.
Arty Connell – looked after me. The wise and tough old man of the Panthers pack.
Erroll Stock – he was mad.
1972 – the one that got away?
Yes, I think so. We won 17 games and finished first, and then lost two finals to Easts and Valleys. It was hard to take.
Coach Norm Pope and fitness guy Col O’Brien had us super fit. We won our first 10 games and had the minor premiership sewn up with a month to go.
Pope even made a comeback. He played against Wynnum at 40 years old just to get a feel for the team before finals. He came off the bench. It was unbelievable.
