Gary Walker went to Norths Devils in 1978. The young second rower would win a premiership with Norths in 1980 and then go back to Toowoomba to raise a family of future NRL players.
Gary Walker Q&A
How did Bob Bax get you to Norths in 1978?
I was playing at Laidley and Bob Bax approached me and made an offer, we settled it on the beer coaster and Trish and I were happy to be going to the Devils in 1978. Bax was my first coach at Norths, he came back. I remember sitting in the sheds listening to him talk about gun slingers in the west and young gun slingers and old gun slingers and thinking what the hell is he talking about.
Do you remember your debut?
I remember it was Redcliffe and I scored a try in the first half, second half I have gone a cheeky blindside run and bang tackled across my nose. I got up and thought 'who was that' and someone said Obsty. Next run same thing, blood all over my face and Obsty again. Third run I was watching for him. Then I ended up at Brothers with him in 1981.
1978 Norths come last, were you wondering what you’ve done?
Yeah, we came last and it wasn’t easy, but help was on the way. Mark Murray came to the club, Paul McCabe was young and in the second row. I think that 1978 things started to change. 1979 we moved up a bit and Graham Lowe came and made a massive change.
The golden Devils triangle of Graham Lowe, Mark Murray and Mark Graham was on the way?
Three great Devils, Mark Murray was young and I thought, captain seems early, but he was like a veteran at 21. I think being a teacher probably helped. Graham Lowe was smart, he was young and enthusiastic, he was the perfect coach for us and coming last and a new rookie coach was all perfect. Mark Graham was just great for us and Brisbane. Great man.
Who is your favourite ever Devils team mate?
Shane Bernardin was my favourite and Trish too - we named Shane after him. He was tough. I remember Rod Morris played a Test and then backed up playing for Easts and Bernardin just took it upon himself to inflict some damage every time Morris touched the ball. I think Billy Johnstone claims the brawl in the grand final in 1980 was because Shane bit his thumb a few weeks earlier.
1980, Norths aren’t supposed to win but they do, still your favourite day?
It was a great day, we came fourth with 13 wins, we beat Brothers 24-17 and then Valleys in the prelim and we weren’t supposed to get near Souths in the grand final. They had beaten us three times that year and of course had Mal. I remember it was 7-7 at half time and then Joe Kilroy made that run and unloaded to Brian Dunn to score. I can’t remember ever being comfortable. It was 17-10 when Dutton scored. Just all came together for us in the finals. Joe Kilroy was the Reece Walsh of 1980.
Why the move to Brothers?
Wayne Bennett rang up and I had known Wayne since I was 14. He used to play in Toowoomba with my brother Keith, so I had been going to training and knew him. He rang and made a good offer and Brothers had done well in 1980, so I honestly thought great I’ve won a premiership at Norths I will go to Brothers and win another one in 1981, but we came last, so that didn’t work out.
It’s a cold day at Bishop Park and the other team has Sam Walker, what would Gary Walker have done to stop him?
First, he would be too smart for me and I wouldn’t be able to catch him, but if I could get hold of him, he better watch out.
When you saw Ben, Chris or Shane preparing for games and now Sam is there things you wish you knew about preparation?
I remember we had a circuit training thing at Norths and it had cobwebs on it. I didn’t really do weights. I weighed about 89kg playing. Hydration too - I was told not to drink water because it will slow you down.
Do you still have your 1980 jumper?
No, after the game we got told that they would collect the jumpers and present them to us at the presentation night, well they didn’t and I have no idea where it is.
You finish at Brothers and go back to Toowoomba at 29?
We didn’t want to raise the boys in Brisbane, so we bought land in Toowoomba and wanted to raise the boys there. I captain-coached at All Whites in 1983 and I was terrible. I was so frustrated. I tried to bring that Brisbane attitude to Toowoomba and it wasn’t really working. Players would turn up 10 minutes late and I had come from an environment where you wouldn’t dare come late. Then I went to Valleys in Toowoomba and just played - no coaching - and retired at 29. We bought a bread run and I couldn’t afford to be injured. One of my highlights in Toowoomba was a young Dan Staines, he was terrific player.
Do you see any Norths or Brothers mates now?
Not a lot. A few weeks ago, I was watching a grandchild play football and this man about my age was at the game and watching his grandchildren we got to chatting and it was Bruce Astill. I didn’t even recognise him. I don’t see too many guys I played with or against.
How did you get on with Wally?
Dear me we had some run ins. I am not too sure why, but every time we played each other from 1978 to 1982 we had blow-ups at each other and got stuck in. I remember after I finished, I moved to Toowoomba and people would say I love Wally. I’d think I hate him but as the years went on, he was just tremendous player and I loved watching him play. Funny the things you think when you’re younger.
