If king of the BRL coronation took place where would the crown land? Would the King of the North, Ian Massie, ascend the stairs and take his place?
Massie came to Norths and played in six grand finals, winning five premierships. He ruled the 1960s with a blue and gold fist claiming premierships like they were kingdoms.
Ian Massie Q&A
How did you get to Norths Devils?
I was born and raised in Kallangur, so under the rules of the time I could only play for Norths and to be honest I wouldn’t have played for anyone else anyway. It was very tribal at the time; I probably hadn’t been much further than Nundah in my life in 1960.
Let’s talk grand finals - 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1969, 1970 - five premierships from those six. The Massie family never went on a holiday in September, did they?
I played in a reserve grade grand final in 1967 too when I came back from my leg injury. Norths was a special place at the time and I certainly didn’t see that coming. I remember when I came to Norths in 1960, they had made the grand final in 1959 and beat Brothers 24-18 with Churchill in the team, but you don’t see six grand finals in a decade coming up.
Do you have a favourite?
1963 was my favourite team and I think best Norths team of the era. They were going for five in a row and people were starting to say we were killing football in Brisbane. Souths were very good in 1963 and the first half of the grand final were well on top. Bob Poulsen scored just before half time and from there we won 18-8.
Man of the match and two tries in the 1963 grand final would make it a favourite too?
They were both under the posts too - as a forward you take that.
You would have played in 1964, 1966, and 1967 too?
I was in a car accident in 1964 and broke my leg, they were talking about amputating it at one stage which obviously would have meant the end of my career. I had years out and never got my speed back, I came back and played reserve grade in 1967 but came back and the grand final in 1969. I missed the 1964 win over Brothers, the 1966 win over Brothers and the loss in 1967. I still walk with a bit of a limp.
You were a prolific try scorer, scored in your first game for Queensland and three grand finals - a double twice - what was the secret?
I think the key is to just keep moving, be around the ball and you never know when a pass might come. I just used to keep moving.
When you retired you went straight from that golden Norths era to coaching Norths in 1971 - how did you find coaching?
I didn’t enjoy it at all, Baxy talked me into it and I wish I never did it. We made the finals in 1971 and then missed out all together in 1972. I just hated coaching my friends, it was really hard. I moved to the Sunshine Coast after 1972 and captain-coached on the Coast, I am still on the Coast now so that worked out.
What was your job while you played?
I was a policeman in Brisbane. I liked the job.
Best Devil you played with at Norths?
Bill Pearson was a great Devil and taught me so much. He won four premierships in a row with Norths and then went to Bundaberg Brothers at the end of 1963. Henry Hegarty and John Bates are my favourites.
Who gave you some trouble in the 1960s?
Des Morris was only young at the end of my career, but he was always a great player. I played with him for Queensland and always enjoyed his company and playing against him.
Do you still have your Norths grand final jumpers?
I don’t have any grand final jumpers, but I have my Queensland jumpers.
Bob Bax, what more can be said?
I hear Craig Bellamy speak and I hear Baxy. That’s the truth. He’s so similar to Baxy and I don’t think he even knows it. If you want to know what Baxy was like, just study Craig Bellamy. Although I imagine Craig Bellamy is not involved in some of the darker things that Baxy found himself involved in.
Norths 75-year team, you’re on the bench - are you cranky?
No not at all, I think Baxy would get me on the field. I am the only forward with Inglis, Murray and Conescu so I’d think I get on pretty early.
Norths Devils 1960-70 v St George Dragons 56-66 who wins?
I am a Norths man - Lang Park on a hot day I say we get them for sure. Baxy would cook up something.
What was your playing weight?
1960 I was 76kg and 1970 at the end I was 98kg, and in the front row
