Football – a tribute on the side
Tonight, just quickly, I will veer from bulls and bush stories, to our TV screens. The footy is on tonight – rugby league. Featuring Queensland’s own Broncos and Victoria’s Melbourne Storm. To many of you this possibly means little… if you have been reading Jeanie’s blog lately, you’ll have a clue what I am talking about and possibly be less than impressed with our ‘local’ team.
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I can totally see where my sister is coming from, but I need to add my own little addendum. I am watching this particular game, not because I am a mad Broncos fan (I like ’em well enough, but am hardly devoted) but because of their coach.
Many moons ago, in my previous life, I was a news photographer. And on occasions, I was a journo. And among my assorted chores, as a shooter on a regional newspaper, was to interview and photograph visiting footy teams. Among them were the Wallabies (Aussie rugby union team – I was definitely an energetic volunteer to cover these boys!) and the Brisbane Broncos. I was mildly intrigued by the Broncs… they had burst onto the national scene and were mixing it up with the best of them. And in charge, a poker-faced maestro who led them like the pied piper. Tall, lanky, inscrutable. Maroon cap pulled hard and low over a beaky nose, blue eyes unblinking and piercing… Wayne Bennett.
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My job was to take photos of him in action. “For Christ’s sake, get a pic of him smiling, or something!” our chief of staff had barked. Right. Sure. Wayne Bennett smiling. No worries, I muttered. I’ll just grab a shot of the Loch Ness monster while I’m at it! But off I went anyway. Battered Nikon in hand and courage wound up tight in my chest.
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He was exactly as expected. Monosyllabic. Not quite rude, but brief, to the point, no chatter. So I left him be and concentrated on his “troops” doing their drills. And I asked for his advice. Best angles for photos, who I needed to focus on. He warmed very slightly. Then thawed a little more as we discussed skills and new players who might be best featured. He was in his element, not subject anymore, but coach. I can’t recall if I actually captured the half-smile on film that day. But I caught it in my mind. It was a little victory. It was enough.
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Many years later, when I was no longer a news hound but a mum, I met him again. In a very different circumstance. I was attending a calendar launch to promote awareness of heartkids (after our own harrowing heart journey with Dash) – I was the photographer of 12 very special little battlers and the calendar was to be launched by the Broncos. Wayne Bennett was there, silently directing his players as they warmed up for a training session. He didn’t remember me (I didn’t expect him to – the man sees dozens of journos a week!) but was happy to help. He called two players aside – Petero Civonoceva and Darren Lockyer – and told me to be gentle with them. Ex-captain and star player Allan Langer was also sent our way to give us the best chance of getting some headlines for our little cause. He told me quietly he thought it might do his boys a little good too. He gave me that half-smile as he turned back to his team.
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If you dig a little deeper, you will find this man, this ex-cop and coach extraordinaire, is a whole lot more than a footy identity. He is father to two disabled kids, a strict non-drinker (he had an alcoholic father) and non-gambler. (See Wikipedia background here). He also co-wrote a wonderful, inspiring book: Don’t Die with the Music in You. That excellent TV show (a rare thing!) Australian Story did an amazing depiction of his life, showcasing the qualities and circumstances that have made him the Super Coach. He has spent 21 years as coach of one team in an age when players and coaches skip from club to club and country to country, led by a paycheck. To me, he is a man of substance in a world of saccharine ‘players’.
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So tonight I watch the Broncos, not because I think one team is any better or worth following than another. But because tonight the Broncos (even their silly, silly boys who went astray last week) play for their coach, as he prepares to stand down from the helm. 
A truly great man
Go Broncos!
Do him proud!
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Post script: The Broncos lost. In the very last minute of the game. And every Broncos players’ heart broke.
I look forward to the movie.
Adieu, Mr Bennett.
4 Comments
Jenni
Well this is the kind of thing that makes sports interesting! Otherwise, you can have them all. I’m glad I kept reading:o)
Leslie
I sold a raffle ticket once to Artie Beetson (at the Roma stadium) and I once sat opposite Mal Meninga as our kids played basketball at the local stadium. 🙂
Great post by the way! 🙂
Anonymous
I’m not Australian, nor do I have a passion for most sports; but this was a heartwarming post. What a fine tribute to a man, his life and his dedication to developing our young people. I hope he gets to read it. A great coach has special talents and insight key to shaping the lives of their young players whether they are six, sixteen or twenty-six. I’ve met a few as my boys grew up, and I valued their contribution. Love that last picture especially – OK so when do we see Nessie. 🙂
Kate
wow what a tribute, very nice. I wish there was rugby here, it’s not real big here in Utah. I love it! So I flew to Portland yesterday to spend time with some family and I sat by the cutest older gentleman from Australia. He lives in sydney and is a policeman. He talked my ear off and set me up with his son, it was great fun. If Aussies are all like you and him then it must be a great country! He invited me down, said that I had visit soon:) thought you would like to know about a countryman that made a great impression!