A synonym for hard work might be Tony Trent.
The Blue came to Brisbane to be a Devil and taught the Devils how to work hard on and off the field.
Whenever the Devils needed a tough carry or tackle to be made, they would look to Trent
Along the way the forward fell in love with everything Bishop Park and blue and yellow.
Tony Trent Q&A
How did you end up in Brisbane? That has to be a Bob Bax story.
It was Bob Hagan and Bob Bax. Hagan left Canterbury and was coming to Norths and suggested to Norths that Steve Calder and myself might be worth it to Bax. I didn’t know anything about Brisbane or Norths Devils. I packed the car and headed off to Norths. Been here since. I fell in love with Norths. I got some offers to move from Redcliffe and Wynnum, but could never leave. I captain-coached Grafton for two years but then came back to Norths to retire in 1981. I only played for three teams in my life. Asquith, Grafton and Norths.
1973 Devils make the finals, but beaten by Redcliffe 25-9 and 1974 beaten by Valleys 16-15 - some finals life lessons there?
I honestly thought we were building nicely and a premiership would come in the next two years. I guess that’s the lesson. Valleys went on to win the competition so that makes it feel a little better, but I think 1973 was a real turning point for Norths.
1975 you finish second to Wests, beat Dolphins in the qualifying final 15-2 then lose to Wests and Dolphins - was that the big chance?
1975 is the one that burns me deeply, we finished second and only lost seven games all year and had John Sattler. Our final against Wests was appalling conditions, it just poured, and Tommy Bishop was great for us. Even the English players thought the rain was ridiculous. Wests were a great team and they just bashed us up, The Panthers did the Dolphins a massive favour. The next week against Redcliffe we were spent and Dolphins win 25-2. Two points was all we could manage.
What did John Sattler teach you?
Sattler was great, he gave so much to Queensland in his time here. He was committed and would never phone it in. Sattler just had so many little tricks and things he could tell you about a scrum or hitting the ball up.
What was your job off the field?
I was a brickie’s labourer for all my career. It used to keep me fit. I would cart bricks all day and throw them around. I worked until I was 70 and would have kept going but my back is gone and few things have started to stop working. I never went in a gym in my life.
Do you have a favourite all-time Devil?
Tommy Bishop without doubt, he made everyone a better player. He is still one of my best mates. He’s not too healthy at the moment, but he’s the same look in his eye when you talk about footy with him.
Let's talk some Devils
Steve Calder
Great man, great player. He made a great contribution to league. Won the Rothmans Medal in 1975 and made a great contribution to Men of League. He played a role at the Broncos at the start too for a couple of years. One of those guys that’s just happy to be play his role.
Darryl Brohman
I remember his first training session he was spewing everywhere; I remember thinking someone will kill him on the weekend. Great player, he had skills you can’t coach.
Mark Murray
Really good leader, he was a great defender too. I came back in 1981 to a really classy halfback.
Who gave you some trouble on the field?
I remember my debut in 1973 we played Dolphins at the show grounds. Redcliffe always seemed tough no matter what. Rob Orchard with his massive arms. I came from second division in Asquith and then against Orchard, who had played Tests and was now at Redcliffe. Someone said he cuts his sleeves off because his arms don’t fit the jumper? I made a note not to go anywhere near those arms.
Who would be a superstar today?
Paul McCabe would be a great forward today, Tommy Bishop would be smarter than everyone, Steve Calder would still be tough and skilful. Joe Kilroy, could you imagine Joe on a Friday night, kids would love it.
What's something you wish you knew in the 1970s?
Rehab, it was just do your best. My hand hurts, you’d go to the doctor if you could get off work and say to him that’s been hurting for three weeks and he’d say it was broken. But you couldn’t have time off to go to the doctor or miss football. Nothing could get in the way of work because you needed the money up on Monday and go throw bricks around. No one cared your hand was throbbing.
If you could pick anyone to play with that you didn't play with, who is it?
Mark Graham. Our time at Norths didn’t match up, but I would have loved to play with him. I don’t think people realise what a superstar he was at Norths.
