The original “Bowen mango” a young Murray Schultz came from Bowen to Brothers in Brisbane and then back to Bowen and back to Brothers always maintaining an undying love of the butcher stripes and his Brethren along the way.
Murray Schultz Q&A
How did you get from Bowen to Brisbane?
I was playing Foley Shield for the Whitsundays and was offered a trial at Redcliffe, but I said I was already committed to coming down to Brisbane and playing for Brothers. so I came down to Brisbane in 1972. I recommended Rod Haley to Redcliffe and he went there and had a great Dolphins career. I came down to Brisbane and played three games for Brothers, and then got called up for national service, so then I was away for about eight months. I was always a Brothers fan. I remember we’d get a game on Sunday afternoon and I’d always hope it was Brothers.
Can you remember your debut for Brothers?
Souths at Davies Park. I played some reserve grade and then got called up to first grade against Souths.
Is it urban legend that The Courier-Mail had to track you down for a game?
I hurt myself on the Sunday and told Brothers I wasn’t going to be at training on Tuesday, so I went to the Coast for a couple of days. Greg Thomas got injured and suddenly Brothers needed me back to train and play. No mobile phones, so I am at the Coast and Brothers knew I was an avid newspaper reader, so assumed I was going to be getting a paper on my break. I have walked into my Coast newsagency and the story on the back page is Where is Murray Schultz? Brian Fitzsimmons needs you back. I thought about ignoring it and continuing my holiday, but I rang Brian and headed back to Brisbane for training that night. We beat Wynnum 17-11 and John Alroe got two tries, so all worked out.
Who is your favourite Brothers teammate?
Tony White was a great player, he came to Brothers from St. George with Paul Broughton. White was tragically killed when he went home at the end of 1974. Bob Cox was a favourite; Graham Quinn was a great centre great fun off the field. David Wright was a great forward and so consistent.
1974 grand final, you beat Souths 27-12 and Norths 12-9 but can’t get past Valleys in a tryless grand final?
No, I think it was just a great defensive grand final, it was like everyone cancelled everyone out. It was 9-2 at the end. It was very wet and I don’t think too many breaks or chances were there. I honestly thought we’d get another chance. Paul Broughton left for Balmain at the end of 1974 and then we missed finals in 1975 and then made finals again in 1976, but never got back to the grand finale.
Who gave you the most trouble?
Bunny Pearce, a few times. I thought 'I’ll put a shot on him here' and then couldn’t lay a hand on him. On the other side of the ball you’d see Pearce and think I can beat him but then you were on your back. Tony Obst was tough and Peter Leis three pretty good Dolphins. Bruce Astill was a great centre for Souths, John Grant was great. Harry Cameron was a handful for me.
What was your job while you played?
I was a fitter and turner and worked at News Limited for close to 30 years. I got to 30 years old in 1980 and I had a good job at Bowen Hills and was working night work too getting the paper printed and it’s pretty hard to play football, work night work and have a young family, so that was me done. We went back to Bowen in 1982 and I captained-coached.
What was your playing weight?
I’d say about 90kg, but I remember I played against the Roosters for Brothers and marked up on Mark Harris and Bob Fulton, they were big men.
Do you still have your 1974 grand final jumper?
No, I wanted to swap Gerry Fitzpatrick at the end of the grand final, but he said he wasn’t keen to swap this one, but give me yours and I will send you another one of mine. Well, he did send me one of his, not the grand final one, the number was falling off it was really small and I think it was his first ever Valleys jumper from under 18s.
