Greg Dowling was there in the 1980s for Wynnum, Norths, Queensland and Australia. The front rower found a way through and over the defence when it might have seemed impossible. He even found time to catch a kick off a cross bar and score.
Greg Dowling Q&A
How did you get to Wynnum?
I was in North Queensland and Des Morris approached me to come down to Brisbane. I had started to make a few representative teams - Des came up to bring me back. I said 'you might want to get Gene Miles in Townsville too and Colin Scott at Easts as well'. Des got all three of us. We all wanted to play together.
1982 was great for Wynnum, but not that great for you?
I broke my leg in the finals in 1981 and had all of 1982 off, which was disappointing, but I became Wynnum’s co-manager for the A grade, so I still felt part of it and was around the place. It was pretty easy to manage a team coached by Des Morris - just do whatever he says. It was a great occasion the club winning its first premiership and that night was a hell of a night back at Wynnum. It went for a few days.
The Wynnum juggernaut won grand finals in 1982, 1984 and 1986. How was it being part of the big stars of Wynnum? Do you have a favourite premiership?
It was a great atmosphere at Wynnum and a real community feel to everything we did. I think 1984, it’s 40 years ago, it was a record score against Souths and it was just special after missing out in 1982. Souths had a great team too.
Why did you go to Norths?
Just financial. Wynnum was broke and I was sick of worrying about money. Bob Bax came to me just before I went on the 1986 Kangaroo Tour and convinced me that Bishop Park was the go and I had a great year at Norths. Loved it. Played with Paul McCabe and I had a great relationship with Greg Oliphant. We got knocked out by Redcliffe but I think we should have at least made the grand final that year and played Brothers. It was a missed chance.
Four tries in 11 Origins, that’s a great strike rate. Of the 50 players named in the front row for Queensland in Origin you’re the highest try scorer.
For all of them I was just right spot to be honest, chasing through hoping something came of it.
1981 you get to play for Queensland with Arthur, how does a young forward handle that?
Arthur was everything a young front rower from North Queensland could hope for, that was the first time I met him and I just loved him from the start. He made you feel so special and wanted. Those two games for Queensland before Origin were very special to me. I was playing for Queensland and with Arthur.
Do you still have your Origin jumpers and Wynnum jumpers?
I have kept the first and last jumper of every team I played for.
Wynnum had stars, but tell me about someone that everyone underrated?
Gary Coyne was a great player - look at the teams he was part of - Ian French and Brett French fast and skilful. David Green was a great defender and could have played for Queensland.
If you had to name your favourite front row, who would you name?
Dave Brown and Arthur Beetson. That’s my dream front rowers. Brown is very much like Arthur if he was in your team - bring it on, you feel great.
What’s something you wish you knew when you played?
Unfortunately, I was a smoker and I wish I hadn’t. I would have loved to be better educated on the damage it was doing.
Who did you play with that would be a star in 2024?
Gene Miles, I’d play him in the centres until he got old and then move him into the second row. He was so skilful and he’d still be running around carrying the ball one handed and fending guys off in 2024. He’d probably be even better to be honest with weights and full-time training.
If I ran into you at the pub, do I stop and ask you about the cross bar try or Kevin Tamati?
I cop both equally, it’s always one of them. People always ask how I hung onto the ball in the mud or what Kevin said to me.
You nearly didn’t end up a Bronco?
No, I was nearly a Penrith Panther, I was going down to Sydney to sign with Penrith in January 1988 because the Broncos offer was near nothing. Paul Morgan made one last attempt, so I am in his office and about four hours later signed with the Broncos.
