Marshall Colwell came from North Queensland to Brisbane and became a Magpie, played for Queensland Country and Queensland in a winding rugby league road from the north to southeast Queensland and then back again.
Marshall Colwell Q&A
How did you end up at Souths?
We won the Townsville grand final in 1975 and myself and Pat Phelan got approached after the grand final to come to Brisbane. We were young and keen and said 'yep'. We came down to meet with Norths at the leagues club thinking we were going to meet Bob Bax, well we got there at 9am and still there at 5pm waiting for someone to meet us. They came out of a meeting and no one wanted to talk to us, so we went to Souths and signed the next day.
Did you always want to come to Brisbane?
I played A grade in Townsville from when I was 16, so it was probably time and I wanted the challenge of Brisbane. Pat Phelan coming with me was a big for me, we were very close mates so we said 'let’s do this together'.
Can you remember your debut for Souths?
Yes, selected to play Valleys at night and they were full of stars. The McCabes - seems like there was 10 of them - O’Doherty and Marty Scanlan. They were the stars of Brisbane. That was a great experience.
The story goes that at the end of 1977 you came to Wayne at the end of his first season coaching and said 'you’ve taught me nothing, I am going home'. True?
That’s true we had a big blow up. I had a bad ankle and I was trying to get it right towards the end of the season. Wayne had signed me to a three-year deal and he said to me: 'there will be none of this sooking next year, will there?' Well I saw red and said 'what did you say?' I exploded at him and called him a few expletives and told him he can’t coach. I have gone home to Townsville, but I regret it. I should have just bit my tongue and got on with life, because I know now, I would have played in two Brisbane grand finals and I believe he could have improved me and I could have played more representative football under him. Wayne sent Pat Phelan to get me and I was packed and ready to come back, but Pat’s tragic accident happened and it wrecked me for some time. I got offers from Manly and Newtown after I played for Queensland, but by then I was 27 and my job managing a transport company was going well and we decided not to go. Bob McCarthy tried as well to get me back to Souths and I regret not going then as well.
How special was Pat Phelan?
We were great mates and a terrific player. He had enormous ability and could have played for Queensland and Australia and could have had a stellar career. He was a man of his word and worked hard. Souths were broke again and we were going to get nothing at the end of 1977. They said the best we can do is $50 a loss and $200 a win and as long as the club kept their word, Pat was happy to play.
What about Chris Phelan?
Chris is just pure guts and determination. He would just give 100 per cent effort every week. I honestly believe that what happened to Pat made Chris. Chris was just so determined to do what Pat missed out on. They loved each other but you’d never know it. Two Irish lads with stubborn egos. I saw them many times in fights and breaking them up was more dangerous than being in the fight. Chris played in grand finals for Souths in '80, '81 and then goes to Parramatta and plays in '82, '83, '84 and comes back to Souths and plays in 1985 against Wynnum. Six grand finals in a row playing front row, and he was a winger in Townsville. That’s just a determined player.
You got to play for Queensland in the front row with Arthur in 1981, how did you find him?
It was a dream come true, to play for Queensland with Arthur Beetson. He was my hero and everything I did was modelled on him and his skills. I just wanted to be play like him. Playing for Queensland, Arthur kept saying 'take another hit up, take this one'. I am getting absolutely smashed by Price, Hilditch, McCabe and Boyd. I got angry and turned around and snapped - 'how about you take one up, Artie?'. Gene Miles and Colin Scott still laugh at that today. When I played for Queensland, I had coached three guys in the team in Townsville - Chris Phelan, Colin Scott and Gene Miles. I am as proud of that as playing for Queensland.
Do you still have your Queensland jumper?
I had it framed in my pub, but then it got flood damaged and I had to get it cleaned and I haven’t put it back in a frame, but it’s still here.
What was the most money you ever earned from football?
I got about $25,000 in 1981 when I played for Mackay, Queensland and Queensland Country. I had to play about 35 games for that.
Favourite Magpie?
Where do I start? John Grant, Darryl Van De Velde, John Salter, Allan Brackin, Greg Veivers - old Oscar, what a front rower. I really respected and loved playing with Greg. Souths is just a special place, it’s a real football club, no money, but it gets to you. I go down to games, but it’s hard when you own a pub to get away on the weekend, but going to Souths games and seeing Chris Phelan or my mates is great memories.
Best coach?
I had some very good coaches, but the best I ever had was Alan Fitzgibbon at Queensland Country. Craig Fitzgibbon’s dad. He was so smart - we went to New Zealand and I have never learned so much in such a short time.
Who gave you some problems?
'Chippsy' Harrington from Brothers, I remember in one of my first games I really tried to give it to him and he got up smiling and said, nice try young fella, keep going.
If you could take any player from 2024 and put him in the Queensland side in 1981, who do you pick?
Reuben Cotter, I love watching him play, he’s mad and you need those players.
