CHANGING WITH TIMES

Q

The QAFL move ended up a huge go-alone success because you won the QAFL flag first-up. How proud were you to do that?

A

I was a very proud man because it was a real triumph for the Coast. A total of 17 of the grand final 20 had played Gold Coast football in 1982. The only “outsiders” were Craig Crowley, Steven Wells and Andrew Bos.

Q

You departed the GCAFL on the back of successive grand final losses to Coolangatta. Does that still stick in your craw?

A

No, they had a very good side. Gold Coast footy was at a real high at that stage. Their president Wally McKenzie was extremely competitive and he kept producing good players. It was just a real competitive spirit between the two clubs.

Q

And with the change of competitions came a name change from Magpies to Sharks. Why?

A

We did that because we wore the black and white of Collingwood which were not at all popular with our Coast rivals.

Q

But the switch to the QAFL brought great success, particularly for Coast youngsters?

A

Yes, the Sharks then became a pathway to the AFL. Any Coast kid worth his salt went through the Coast-Southport system. It was almost like a de facto academy, I suppose, that the majority of the better players at 17 were coming over and playing at Southport, through 19s and seniors. Nick Riewoldt was a No.1 AFL draft and Marcus Ashcroft was great for the Brisbane Bears/Lions.