Australian Football in Queensland made massive strides in 1974-75. Attendance, media coverage and facility development increased a pace. There were many factors, but many pundits consider the most powerful driving force was the combined effort of the State side over this period. It began in Sydney in June 1974 at the AFC Section Two Championships. The Maroons were rank outsiders to win their first ever championship in its 24-year history but win it they did as thousands of Queenslanders listened to the final carnival game via radio.
It was a triumph for those connected with the effort – coach third-year coach Terry Moule, selectors Ron Spalding, Alan Farry and Ron Albury, and League President, Norm Crimmins. On the Monday afternoon immediately following the game unprecedented scenes of emotion from Queensland officials were a sure sign that the expense and effort had all been worthwhile.
The Queensland side against NSW on Saturday, 15 June was:-
Warren Lloyd, Peter Stephens, Darcy Robinson, John Bangle, Rod Diprose, Don Smith, Lindsay Jacob (v/c),
Denis Pelly, Nev Weller, John Turnbull, Bill Farrelly, Bruce Rohde, Gary Wagner, Barry
Roberts-Thomson, Warren Roper, Bill Ryan (c), Paul Meakin, Syd Guildford, John Stackpoole, Gary Jones.
The side against Canberra on Monday 17 June was: Warren Lloyd, Dennis Junker, Peter
Stephens, Darcy Robinson, Howie Nielsen, John Bangle, Rod Diprose, Don Smith, Lindsay
Jacob (v/c), Denis Pelly, John Turnbull, Barry Denny, Bruce Rohde, Gary Wagner, Barry
Roberts-Thomson, Warren Roper, Bill Ryan (c), Paul Meakin, Syd Guildford, John Stackpoole.
Team Officials: Coach: Terry Moule, Manager: Harry Connelly, Head Trainer: “Bluey” Wiltshire, Assistant Manager: Wally Wilson, Assistant Trainer: Ken Fisher, Timekeeper: Charlie Tweedale. Umpire: Kev Symmons.
In 1975 the State side played three matches – against Northern Territory, Tasmania and South Australian Youth. The highlight was the historic win over Tasmania at the Gabba on 18 May. Earlier, Queensland opened its account for 1975 with a convincing win over the Territory at the Gardens Oval, Darwin, where centreman Col Kimmorley was best a field. The Maroons won Queensland 18-10–118 to the NT’s 10-11-71, with Garry Jones kicking seven goals, Jeff Ebert four and Owen Backwell three.
The Queensland side was:
B: Darcy Robinson, Barry Roberts-Thomson, Dennis Junker
HB.: Bruce Rohde (v/c), Barry Denny, Bill Farrelly
C: Danny Brennan, Colin Kimmorley, Gary Wagner
HF: Jeff Ebert, Bill Ryan (c), Hedley Thompson
F: Warren Roper, Gary Jones, Shane O’Sullivan
FOLL: Paul Meakin, Nev Weller, Owen Backwell
Res: John Stackpoole, Brian Fegan,
Emerg: Ken Hayes
After 10 years of waiting for the Apple Islanders to accept the challenge Queensland finally played Tasmania at the Gabba on Sunday 18 May 1975 in front a huge crowd. In an inspiring performance the headlines the next day told the story best. There was “Rules Finest Hour” and “Queensland Whips Tasmania”. Also, “Queensland’s Great Win in Exciting Rules Game” and “Look out Victoria in 10 Years”. All Brisbane buzzed that night and for days after. Queensland football had arrived via the 16-29-125 to Tasmania 16-7-103 victory. Bill Ryan topped the goal tally with five, while Gary Jones and Hedley Thompson booted four apiece as ruckman Darryl Dunlop was judged best afield from John Stackpoole, Ryan, Gary Wagner, Ron Thomas, Thompson, Don Smith and Nev Weller.
Queensland umpire was Nev Sandford.
The Queensland side was:
B: Bill Farrelly, Barry Roberts-Thomson, Nev Weller
HB.: Barry Denny, Don Smith, Bruce Rohde (v/c)
C: John Stackpoole, Colin Kimmorley, Syd Guildford
HF: Jeff Ebert, Hedley Thompson, Ron Thomas
F: Owen Backwell, Gary Jones, Bill Ryan (c)
FOLL: Darryl Dunlop, Dennis Junker, Gary Wagner
Res: Danny Brennan, Shane O’Sullivan
The third game against a SA Youth side was played at Football Park, Adelaide, on Saturday 14 June. The Maroons, perhaps suffering a post-Tasmanian letdown, lost 18-17-125 to 22-17-149. Thompson, Jones and Backwell kicked three goals apiece while Wagner, Backwell, Thompson, Stackpoole and Roberts-Thomson were judged the Maroons best. A disappointment but still a part of a wonderful era.
The Queensland side was:-
B: Bill Farrelly, Barry Roberts-Thomson, Warren Roper
HB: Barry Denny, Don Smith, Bruce Rohde (v/c)
C: John Stackpoole, Colin Kimmorley, Syd Guildford
HF: Hedley Thompson, Bill Ryan (c), Danny Brennan
F: Jeff Ebert, Gary Jones, Owen Backwell
FOLL: Darry Dunlop, Nev Weller, Gary Wagner
Res: Denis Pelly, Paul Meakin.
EMERG: Shane O’Sullivan.
Team Officials: Coach: Terry Moule, Manager: Harry Connelly, Doctor: Dr Bob Green. Head Trainer: “Bluey” Wiltshire, Assistant Manager: Wally Wilson, Assistant Trainer: Ken Fisher, Timekeeper: Charlie Tweedale. Umpire: Kev Symmons.
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