1992 was significant year in many respects: Presidents Bush (Snr) and Yeltsin called an end to the Cold War; the European Union was founded; Bill Clinton was elected as the next President of the United States; the Summer Olympics were held in Barcelona, Spain and Winter’s in Albertville, France; Shane Warne debuted for Australia; South Africa voted to end apartheid and were rewarded by the IRB with re-admission to the international rugby scene. In rugby union, several law changes were made to the lineout and breakdown and the value of a try became 5 points; the Wallabies on the back of winning the World Cup in ’91, won the Bledisloe Cup (2-1) and defeated Scotland, South Africa, Wales and Ireland; Queensland won the Super Six competition. 1992 was quite a significant year at Souths as well.
For Souths Rugby Union Football Club, 1992 was arguably the most successful year in the club’s history, winning premierships in First, Second, Third and Fourth grades as well as in Colts 1. The QRU reported to the Australian Rugby Union, “In winning the national Mutual Premierships in four Senior grades, an historic achievement in itself, Souths provided the benchmark for other clubs to aspire. Victory also in the Coca Cola Colts I Premiership further indicated the strength of the Magpies”
So what was the secret of the strength displayed that year? Certainly there was no shortage of talent. The First Grade Premiers boasted seven current Wallabies, The Magnificent Seven - Tim Horan, Jason Little, Tom Lawton, Dan Crowley, Garrick Morgan, Sam Scott-Young and Troy Coker, and six future Australian representatives Mark Connors, Damon Emtage, Barry Lea, Brett Johnstone, Adrian Skeggs and Damien Smith. Future Wallabies Michael Foley and Brett Robinson played with the Second Grade Premiers, while the Colts I team featured a young Toutai Kefu and Damien Drew, captained by Brendan Cannon.
Yet these teams played most of the season with these players absent on representative duties. The club’s performance and successes during the season to reach the finals, is testament to the coaches and remaining players. The flexibility required to deal with that shifting roster was displayed throughout all grades with some players playing for several teams across the season and some most certainly relegated during finals. The most-dominant force that drove our success that year, and all through the nineties, was club spirit.
President that year was Ian Moriarty, a Life Member since 1971. First Grade was coached by Phil White, a former ‘A’ Grade captain, inaugural Club Captain (1986-87) and Life Member (1993). The legendary Alec “Alice” Harries was co-Club Captain (1991-92 & ’95) and Third Grade Captain, while his brother John managed the side. Sharing Club Captain (1992-94) duties that year was Ian Cameron who played in two of the 1992 finals and would later become President (2002) and Life Member (2008). Playing one of his 550 games for Souths that Grand Finals day was Life Member (1983) Trevor Tesch. Craig “Rowdy” Kassulke also, who after joining Souths in 1992 and after 341 games in black and white, will this year, reportedly, strap the boots on once more.
It was these leaders with their team and club mates, family and supporters that would be in the clubhouse after every home game, sharing a drink and laugh, and many of the faces from the 1992 team photos on display in the clubhouse can be seen showing their support at The Nest in present days. It is that club spirit that makes a club a success both on and off the field and it is with that club spirit that we will see the Mighty Magpies again dominate Brisbane rugby. Maybe even another clean swoop.
The major function celebrating twenty years since the 1992 success will be held on June 2nd at The Fox.
When: June, 2nd 2012
Time: 6:30pm for 7pm
Where: The Fox Hotel
Cost: $120 per person or $220 per couple
(drinks, food & monster lucky door prizes inclusive)
Keep an eye out here, in our regular newsletters, and on Facebook and Twitter for further updates.
