The Valleys Diehards came out of the 1960s with a new fullback, Norm Clarke.
The trailblazing Gunggari man would put out fires at the back for Valleys until 1975 then went and fought real fires for 36 years.
But whenever Clarke sits at Lang Park, his mind wanders to 1970 and a historic goal kick.
Norm Clarke Q&A
How did you go from Mitchell to Valleys?
The local baker at Mitchell had some connections to Valleys and he suggested to mum and dad in 1967 that I come down and play for Valleys in 1968. Mum and Dad said: 'he’s not going anywhere unless he has somewhere to live and a job'. I was working for Queensland Rail at Mitchell station and the station master heard about my issue and said he could get me a job at Roma Street and I could live at Spring Hill in the boarding house. So I was off to Brisbane.
Your first four seasons in Brisbane were all grand finals, that’s unbelievable.
1968 I played in the reserve grade grand final on the wing, 1969 A grade against Norths, 1970 A grade, 1971 A grade - it was going pretty well.
1969 grand final - what did you learn?
Norths were a very good team, that’s the first thing. 1969 was Norths' eighth premiership in 11 years, so they weren’t mucking around. They were everything we weren’t - experienced - and it was just another grand final for them. They could deal with anything that happened that day, while it was all new to us. They got us 14-2 and I kicked our only points, so that was something.
1970 things turn around for Valleys, an extra time win over Norths and you’re right in the middle of the big day?
It was massive for me, 30,000 people at Lang Park and I just loved it there. It was the first extra time grand final in 30 years. It was locked up at about the 66th minute and just before fulltime we got a penalty and I missed the kick. We had to play 20 minutes extra time and Johnny Brown put Jimmy Adams over, but Peter Lobegeiger missed the kick. Jeff Gill put Perkins away down the sideline and then back inside to Gill and we scored and that made it 11-11 and I had to kick it. I think the thing that calmed me the most was that I didn’t know it was the winning kick. We still had 13 minutes to play. Valleys had lost their last six grand finals, so it was special. During the off-season I had asked Valleys' great fullback Norm Pope for some coaching on goal kicking and fullback and he said if it gets late in the day at Lang Park and the wind is coming from the west, start it wide on the right. I did that and it worked out.
How did you celebrate?
To be honest I just sat in the middle of Lang Park pretty happy. I loved Lang Park so much. Sometimes when I go to games now, I look at that spot I kicked the goal and it just makes me smile.
1971 and back-to-back titles for the Diehards?
I think 1970 was my favourite, but back-to-back is nice. Easts were a good side and their time would come.
Do you have your grand final jumper?
Yep, it is here in the bottom of the drawer.
1975 and you retire and move to being in the fire service.
Yeah, I had some injuries and I became a fireman and stayed there for 36 years. I was the first Indigenous Australian fireman in Queensland, in 1975. I loved being a fireman and I got to play on the night of the first State of Origin when the fire service played the police service. I still have the program signed by Arthur (Beetson) and Tommy (Raudonikis). I retired from the fire service and I started helping young Indigenous Australians get their learners' permit, so I still do that today. I visit schools all over the place. I’ve helped over 20,000 young people read the test and get their permit.
Who do you love watching now?
I love watching Reece Walsh, the way he joins the backline and moves is a joy to watch.
How did you find Henry Holloway?
Henry was a great coach of the forwards, but if you were a back, he wasn’t as much help. I got a lot of help from Norm Pope and Don Furner. Furner coached in Roma and I learnt a lot from him.
Who is your favourite ever Diehard?
Ross Threlfo for sure, he was just all effort and such a great half back. I loved playing with him. Great player and great human.
