Terrific memories of South Brisbane Under 19s premiership winning season in 1984-85

William Quinnell | June 06, 2023

In 1984/85 I was extremely blessed. Growing up and having a crack. I am writing experiences for my son who enjoys my stories of another time. I was asked if Stump to Stump could publish it. I haven't really gone into the high regard I have for the names I have recalled or stated. Only to say, I wish I had the vocabulary or grammar to do them justice. Wonderful times and dreams of higher honours. As it happens, if you do read on, or don't know who I am. That is okay. I am just another bloke who dabbled. I apologise if there is a lot of 'me' and less 'we'. I did win the toss, tails, so I'll bat.

In 1983/1984 I was the U-19 vice-captain at Souths. Craig McDermott was Captain. He vanished into the Test Team and left me to take over courtesy of coach Ian McKaskill. Best not leave this out.

Against Valleys on Norman Gray. I opened and scored 157 not out in a one day game. Against an attack that had Dave Cottee, Steve Barnard etc. I was pretty stoked. That's a lot of runs with the old style bats. The day before I played 4th Grade v Valleys. A bloke by the name of Peter McPhee was coming back from injury. Got me first ball. That's Cricket??

I worked with Peter's sister Bronwyn. I tried to emulate that the next game v Norths. I hit Goldy for six 1st ball of the game. The next over, Bennett King had me caught at 2nd. That's cricket.

As I recall, Craig McDermott only ever spoke to me once. He said, “Willie, your opening”.

For the 1984/1985 season. A great fellow by the name of Dean Reynolds was made Captain with Ken Healy vice-captain

The U-19 comp was quite a different set up this season. Instead of the one day format. It became 2 days. Souths were in a Division of 5 Teams on the Southside and the North end of town had a Division of 5 Teams. The Top Team in each would go straight through to play each other in the GF.

We were washed out against Wynnum in Round 1.

Washed out Day 2 against Easts in Round 2 – not before Easts beat us. It may have been outright. I'd have to look up Stephen Pitt or Jonesy the younger to find out. I batted at 4 this game as the wicket was a bit dodgy on Graceville No2. Ken and Dean shifted down the order under the Seib' instruction. I still managed to spoon one to mid-off for not many. I was back down the order for the latter games. Batting at 6-8 or not required. A fielding all-rounder.

Ian Seib was our Coach. The formula became simple for our last 2 games. We needed to win outright against both Wests at Graceville and Sub-Districts at Wynnum No2 if we were to be any chance of making the Grand Final.

We had an extremely talented squad. Dean Reynolds, Mark Turner, Ken Healy, Ray Smith, Craig Hickling, Warwick Oxenford, David Melenewycz, Brad Tatnell, Andrew Hammelmann, Paul Argent, Col McIntyre, Peter McGuiness and myself (8-ball). See photo. I think Michael Keddy was absent for it.

We managed to beat Wests outright on Graceville No1. We just couldn’t get Eddie Ebert out in their 2nd dig. He’d chuck that left leg down and staunchly keep the ball out. Dean threw me the ball. Left arm over - 13 steps. I finished with 1-8 off 3 with a maiden. I did get Eddie. I think the Umpire was as bored as we were with him. It pitched more than 6 inches outside leg stump. Hit him in the pad. We had already said we were going up for anything even if he hit it. I managed a run out with a flick from short leg as I recall.

We then beat Sub-Districts outright on Wynnum No2. I managed 13 not out and a couple of wickets. We scored runs quickly. Wynnum No2 had no fencing. Seiby made some of us field on the western side boundary to return the ball back quickly. We lost Andrew (most call him Jack - I always called him Andrew) after a couple of overs. Ray Smith and Dean stepped up. I can't remember if Sticks or Ox was the other used. Craig Hickling with his leggies. Only to say I managed a few overs in that company. We had set a fairly attacking field for the quicks. Fine leg, short on leg and mid-on. 4 slips and a gully nearly all day. Or 4 and 2. My job was to cover from gully to mid-on, silly mid-on or wide-ish mid-wicket where Craig Hickling was.

We couldn’t get this bloke Swadling out. He scored runs in both innings and with an 80 odd, indicating he was tough to get out. I felt he was a prancing poser - G rated version. I am assured he was a good bloke. I was fielding at between forward of point and cover point. He would hit the ball to cover and nonchalantly stride down the wicket. Owning the stage. Walk the last 3-4 strides. I’d feign to throw. Runs were at a premium, we couldn’t afford over throws. Craig was not always at a true mid-on. So not always in a position in a position to take a throw or back up. The feigning of the throw became an ongoing yet boring feature. It didn’t bother us. As Swadling took a single, he exposed batsman lesser than himself. Playing in that game were John Jeff Cavanough, Paul Childs and Brant Rainbow. I played football with the last 2 at Wests. I've recounted this with Jeff (just before Covid) and like the time I get to spend with him when it arises. With Swadling at the non-strikers end. We were taking wickets.

To cut a longer story less long. I thought stuff you mate. I got the ball and nailed virtually one and a half stumps. Running him out. Too excited to give him a send-off. Me hitting the stumps is no fluke. I would practice throwing at one stump. Keeping in indoor cricket also helped. Basil Wright did a piece about this game for the Souths weekly. His synopsis elevated myself more that I have just done.

The Grand Final. We were to play Valleys. Stuart Law. Gavin Brown. Geoff Foley. Paul Carew (I worked with his brother Kevin). To name a few. Excellent cricketers and champion blokes.

We were to be without Dean Reynolds for this one. He was off to the Sub-continent to Captain the Australian U-19’s. That team included Tom Moody and Paul Reiffel amongst others.

We batted first and scored 102. Valleys in reply were 7-80 odd at stumps. Ken Healy threw me the ball at one point on day one. Looking to see if I could sneak past Stuart Law’s guard. 3-1-5-0. No such luck. He scored 30 odd.

We had breakfast the next Sunday at Basil Wright’s place over at Wavell Heights then headed to the game.

Col McIntyre bowled a short one to Horse and he put him onto and past the Train tracks. Jesus. We didn’t use catch phrases like wresting momentum back, not back then. How the hell is this going to go? How do we win this?

Andrew Hammelmann then bowled Horse a short one. It also went miles and soared down to fine leg. Jesus. Right handed Col 'mate' stuck his left hand up and it stuck. What a catch! Andrew then bowled Paul Carew? Craig Hickling picked up a caught and bowled to finish. Valleys were all out for 94. Ken Healey was captain in Dean’s absence and batted us to victory in our 2nd dig. I contributed 4 and 8. Paul Carew was a bit sharp for me in the 1st and then I was caught by a screamer at backward square in the 2nd.

We then celebrated at Seiby’s place at MacGregor. I drive past there every weekend on my way to my in-laws. Great memories.