With this being State of Origin time, what could be better than a story of a man who was there right from the very start. His name is Chris ‘Choppy’ Close, and he went on to became one of the most respected players and administrators, Queensland has produced: and who would be better to tell the story than two life- long friends, Noosa Surf Club Old Boys, Liam and Tommy Duggan.
According to Liam, “Choppy would be the first person to deny it, but he was instrumental in making State of Origin the compulsive TV viewing that the game has become.” Choppy was born in Rockhampton February 5, 1959 and when his parents, his father was Police Sergeant, were posted to Proston the two families, the Close and the Duggans (who were in the cattle business) became good friends. It was only a short time before Chris began sharing his school holidays on their property.
Choppy started showing exceptional football skills even as a junior, and after progressing quickly to the senior ranks, he accepted an offer to Valleys in Brisbane. Prior to this, while playing for Cunnamulla in 1978, he scored 52 tries. The rest is now history: played Amco Cup and for Queensland in 1979. Then in 1980 the big one: chosen in the Australian team to tour New Zealand.
‘’Most of us,’’ said Liam, ‘’That prior to 1980 the selection process for NSW and Qld was based on residency. In other words, players played for the state in which they lived, and as NSW lured many of our best players to Sydney, with their poker money, Queenslanders found themselves playing three interstate games against Queensland teams, liberally sprinkled with the best of our Queenslanders players.
Senator Ron McAuliffe recognised the inequity in this arrangement and battled tirelessly for selection to be based state of origin not regency. In 1980 and despite a very negative and virulent Sydney press he got his wish so it was agreed that the last game of that series would be based on state of origin not residency. The reaction in Sydney was predictable. Bob Fulton stated, “As far as I am concerned it is strictly a non-event, and will achieve absolutely nothing. “ The inaccuracy of this statement was mirrored in most of the Sydney press. But Sydney was not done yet.
In the Queensland dressing room before the game, Ron McAuliffe told the team, “The future of the game is in your hands. If we are beaten tonight we cannot retreat to any other position, we must win!!!” We hadn’t won a game in the past five years. Lose and the idea of games based on origin selection would be lost too. Queensland would continue to be the whipping boy, year after year for NSW teams: that could be in theory, be made up entirely of Queensland players.
It was time for Qld to stand up and following in the footsteps of their Man of the Match, Choppy Close, they belted NSW into submission. They outplayed, outfoxed and outfought them, for the entire 80 minutes, winning 20 to 10. It was the night that QLD rugby league was born. That night, I was at Lang Park and cheered as loud as anyone. Little did I realise, that the little 15-year-old kid we had to lead around on a pony at Japara (cattle property), was the totally fearless juggernaut who repeatably trampled NSW opponents into the Lang Park turf.
Choppy Close was the outstanding player of two teams of champions. But most important he gave 33,000, mostly Queenslanders, something we’d rarely had before – the chance to play NSW off an even break. It was a night to remember and for Queensland and Choppy to back up the following year, with a repeat performance of 22 to 15 proved that Qld was not just a one trick pony, but an adversary that would never say die. NSW was to learn that disdain, bad sportsmanship and stacking the deck, has long lasting repercussions
But who could have guessed that this new concept called State of Origin, was destined to become the most important, most talked about and the must win of the Rugby League calendar.
Following a distinguished playing career (3 tests 14 State of Origin, 2 successive years, 1980-81 Man of the Match) Choppy took on the role of Queensland Team Manager under a number of different coaches such as Mark Murray, Wayne Bennett and Paul Vautin: and his motivational speeches became legendary. He took his desire to win, his ferocity, his belief in his teammates and his never beaten attitude from the playing to the dressing room. It was here that his self-doubt was dispelled, displaced with an iron clad will to win and a heightened sense of both themselves and their team mates.
It was his continued involvement in the code, after his retirement that saw him awarded The Australian Sports Medal in the year 2000.
The game went 80 minutes and Queensland played every one of them, particularly the last 10. ‘It was here,’ that according to TV commentator, Ray Warren, ‘Queensland scored miracles not tries.’ Through all this success and adulation, Choppy has never lost his humility, his basic values instilled in him by his parents, and a strong love and belief in his beloved Queensland. In effect he is still the cheeky stirring pain in the butt he was as a 15- year- old!! However, we consider it a privilege to call him our friend.
And remember, meet the man himself at the next Noosa Old Boys gathering: Noosa Surf Club Saturday 3 August 3 at 12 noon.
Rugby League
Another good weekend of Rugby League for the Noosa Pirates. Third Grade saw Noosa defeat Palmwoods 46 to 0. Consistency is what the third grade is now chasing after the big win against Palmwoods. “We controlled the game from the kick off,” said coach Michael Duff. Halfback Lachy Gladman steered the team around the field leading to a number of tries. Front rower Keegan McKinnon scored a double and hooker Carson Lawrence crossing for a hat trick.
The dominant performance keeps the side fighting in the hunt for a top spot on the ladder when they play Caloundra next Saturday. Unfortunately, there was no game for the reserve grade side as Stanley Rivers were forced to forfeit due to lack of players. Reserves will also play Caloundra next Saturday also for a top spot on the ladder.
In the A Grade Noosa defeated Stanley Rivers 38 to 12. This was another big crowd at Pirates Park to celebrate the sponsors round. We started the game fast scoring in our first set by Rohan Masser running over his opposite centre to score. For the next 20 minutes we struggled with compounding errors and penalties allowing Stanley Rivers to score twice. Our halfback Corey Herdegen then cut through the Stanley defence to put Jai Ballinger over for his first try in the game.
We went into half time down 12-10. The boys knew where they had to do better in the second half and they really pulled their socks up. Stanley couldn’t stay with us for the next forty minutes as we piled on a number of tries, Ballinger scoring his second for the afternoon, and debutante Ashar Buckman crossing the line for a hat trick in his first A grade game. Replacement centre Alden Stafford -Johns scored a great try from backing up five-eight Matt Craven.
I was really happy with our second half performance: again, our fitness and execution was too strong for Stanley Rivers. We now turn our focus on playing Caloundra at home next Saturday. This will be a tough game as they are finding form, so we really have to turn up from the get go.
Next week we talk to Woogie Marsh coach of the Noosa Barbell Club, who made their mark at the recent AWS Oceanic Weightlifting League Event.
