oh errol

It’s no secret that we Errol girls love our footy.  But there are moments when something triggers the memory – like hearing Simply the Best – and makes us wonder if things didn’t used to be just that little bit more amazing than they are now.  

If perhaps footy wasn’t that hint better before I was old enough to drive, when jerseys were cotton, shorts were high and brief, men wore shoulder pads, and a tinny was considered an acceptable halftime refreshment.

Pic: News Limited archive

I know they say everything’s better with a little bit of nostalgia, but this time, I think we’re onto something.  Some things are unchanged – like the passion of State of Origin and the joy of winning; in some ways league has totally upped its game, like giving us Gus and Rabs in the commentary box; but there are some things we just plain Miss.

Shall we take a stroll down memory lane?

SHIRTS OFF IF YOU LOVE FOOTBALL!

Pic: News Limited archive

God knows we love our biff.  We shouldn’t, we know.  We are Opposed to Violence, we swear.  But everyone has a vice (yes, just one) and we happen to just enjoy it in a disturbing primal way.  So we’re super happy that enthusiasm on the football field hasn’t gone anywhere.  But .. do you notice anything different?  Any, shall we say, sartorial difference between these pics and what you see on the weekends when your team plays?

Pic: News Limited archive

When exactly did players stop ripping their jerseys off when a fight broke out?  WHAT HAPPENED TO SHIRTLESS FIGHTING?  Is it just not possible with the new skin tight jerseys?  Because I think I miss it.  I like it.  It’s oddly formal.  Like taking your hat off indoors, or removing your shoes in someone’s house.  I like the idea that a man disrobes before fighting.

I feel like there’s a slight possibility he might also then take a sideways stance, put up his circling fists and propose a bout of fisticuffs (which is also totally what Errol would do).

More importantly – if the excuse for why the boys aren’t doing it nowadays really is the new jerseys, then I do not accept it.  No.  I don’t.  We’ve all seen Issac Luke’s jersey rip off – we know those babies come off easy.  POOR FORM, KIDS.  I would like you to pick up your game in future.

WHERE HAVE ALL THE LITTLE MEN GONE?

Pic: News Limited archive

I think Jessica has already confessed on this blog that she loves a big man, but the truth is I’m a bit wistful for the days when little men held their own on the football field.  I miss watching Terry Lamb, Geoff Toovey, Peter Sterling, and Benny Elias bounce back from huge hits from men twice their size.  Bantam-weights with low centres of gravity, wiry and tough.

I would love to see any Sonny Bill Williams withstand someone stomping on his face like Geoff Toovey did.  BAH!

I think it’s why I’m so attached to Titans pockethooker Nathan Friend. You’re all I have left, Nathan baby. Represent for the little men!

1989 – IT WAS A VERY GOOD YEAR

(I know, I know, but 1990’s close enough)

And just when we were trying to put our fingers on what else made The Past so magical, we realised some awesome person has uploaded an absolutely golden piece of television history to YouTube.  Also known as the 1989 Tina Turner ‘What you get is what you see’ Rugby League Winfield Cup promo ad. I love love LOVED this as a kid.

Bestill our hearts!  In one video you have all the missing links that could make league complete.

There’s so much talk about the lack of women in rugby league.  If we’re serious about including more: I nominate first one to be the fabulous Tina Turner.  Let’s get Teens back in the dressing room horse-playing with Cliff Lyons.  Magic!

Not to mention that I would like to also see more Cliff Lyons moustaches and luxurious curly mullets in general.  Our childhood memories of football are full of flowing hair, full beards and hearty moustaches; memories of a game peopled by the Marty Bellas, the Gary Belchers, the Peter Sterlings. The shaved heads of today’s NRL make me sad in my heart.

The North Sydney Bears, how I miss you.  Bless your hearts.  I miss you almost as much as the retro tank tops you’re wearing.

So cute! And cheeky! And vaguely inappropriate! To be honest it’s makign me crazy that I can’t put a name to this face … anyone??

Shake that arse!  See even the boys enjoy a shorter short. They hips can’t contain their delight. 

How utterly perfect that the Newcastle Knights were sponsored by Henny Penny.  It’s a Newie institution!  In fact, it’s in my top five favourite things about Newie, along with Yassy (hi poppet!), the Lolly Factory, the Old Antique Centre and the Commie in Cooks Hill.

[The Duck's Nuts is not in my top five, if you're wondering.  I went there once and it was like walking into Mad Max II.  The second person I met was a woman in a leather vest who showed my her bloody knuckles and told me about the fight in which she got them.]

More than anything … remember when Rugby League used to be joyful?   Cheerleaders wearing Cowboy hats and performing jetes, players who looked as though they actually enjoyed themselves.  When did everything become so intense and jaded and depressing?  

[Yes! Agreed! The great thing about the Tina ads is that they were so delightfully cheeky. Case in point, my favourite images from the 1989 campaign -

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That's what rugby league is missing these days. FUN! Fun, mullets and giant men jogging in speedos. - Kiki]

 I dunno if it’s just me but recent league coverage is bringing me down.  If it’s got you too, Dr. Sassy recommends you watch Tina (twice if the condition doesn’t immediately abate):

And if you’re still feeling just a little bitter, see if 1990 can cure what ails ya:

(It’s worth it for the shots of players in their tuxedos taking Ms Turner for a night on the town).