Rugby League Trophies

As you watch the captain of the winning Rugby League team hoist aloft the revered winner’s trophy at the end of Sunday’s grand final, take a closer look at the trophy in the light of the comments below . . .

From its beginnings:

The Royal Agricultural Society Challenge Shield was the first premiership shield of the New South Wales Rugby League, beginning from the inception of Rugby League in NSW in 1908. A black mahogany shield embossed with silver, it was won by South Sydney, Newtown and Eastern Suburbs. It was presented to star Easts captain Herbert 'Dally' Messenger in 1913, after his club won the trophy three years running.

The shield is now part of the National Museum of Australia's National Historical Collection. Its association with the genesis of rugby league in Australia, and its connection to the game's first great star, make it one of the most important rugby league treasures held in a public collection in Australia.

J J Giltinan Shield:

From 1951, following the death of Rugby League bigshot J J Giltinan in 1950, the winners of the year’s Rugby League Grand Final were awarded the J J Giltinan Shield.

Since 1997 it has been awarded to the season’s minor premiers, the points leader at the end of the rounds.

The 1963 Rugby League Grand Final:

The 1963 Grand Final between St George and Western Suburbs featured players that I was privileged to see play, back in the days when I used to attend matches every weekend . . . Johnny Raper, Reg Gasnier, Johnny King, Graeme Langlands, Eddie Lumsden, Norm Provan, Ian Walsh, Kevin Ryan, Peter Dimond, Noel Kelly, Arthur Summons, Jack Gibson . . . today just names and memories from the past. My attendance at RL games did not happen until some years later, so I didn’t see the 1963 grand final.

It was played in torrential rain and a sea of mud that so coated the players that their faces, guernseys and colours were unrecognisable.

St George won the match 8-3, their 8th consecutive grand final win, but it is a photo by John O’Gready that has kept the match in the public imagination a photo which became known as “The Gladiators”. According to Wikipedia “since it was first published (it) has been appreciated by rugby league fans as capturing an essence of the game wherein a little man can fairly compete against the bigger man, and where sporting respect and camaraderie follow epic struggle.”

From 1982 to 1995 the grand final Rugby League winners were awarded the Winfeld Cup, which was a trophy, not a cup.

(Between 1982 and 1994 the competition and governing authority was the New South Wales Rugby League, NSWRL; in 1995 it was renamed the Australian Rugby League, ARL. It is now the NRL.)

The Winfield Cup was a three dimensional bronze sculpture of The Gladiators photograph, the image being symbolic of the camaraderie and 'mateship' in rugby league.

Unfortunately for Winfield, a popular cigarette brand, the Australian Federal Government’s introduction of the Tobacco Advertising Prohibition Act 1992 outlawed tobacco advertising in sports in Australia. Accordingly Winfield was out and so was the name of the trophy.

This was also the time of Super League.

In the mid-1990s a mammoth battle was fought over pay television rights to rugby league. The Australian Rugby League, backed by media giant Kerry Packer, owned the rights until 2000. In order to bypass this, Rupert Murdoch's rival media organisation, News Limited, signed individual coaches and players to compete in a rebel competition – the Super League.

The Australian Rugby League took Super League to the Federal Court and prevented the rebel league from kicking off in 1996. A later decision, however, allowed Super League to start in 1997.

A dismayed Australian Rugby League chairman Ken Arthurson said he was 'furious, hurt and bewildered'. That season, 22 teams competed in two separate competitions. Teams aligned with the Australian Rugby League competed for the Optus Cup, while the Super League aligned teams competed for the Super League Cup. 

The Super League Cup

Optus Cup

The Optus Cup was a redesign of the Winfield Cup but, whereas the Winfield Cup-but-not-a-cup had Provan and Summons realistically embracing on a piece of earth, the Optus Cup-not-a-cup had them suspended in the air, somewhat like Jesus descending from the clouds but, in this case, from a giant football behind them.

The Optus Cup-not-a-cup lasted 2 seasons.

With two separate competitions competing for sponsorship and crowds, many clubs faced financial ruin. Peace talks in late 1997 resulted in the formation of a single competition, the National Rugby League, jointly owned by the Australian Rugby League and News Limited. 

From 1998, after the ARL and Super League kissed, made up and joined forces, a new trophy was in order, the Telstra Premiership Grand Final Trophy . . .

Those who detect a resemblance to the angelic, floating Provan and Summons in the Optus Cup and before that to the Winfield Cup will not be remiss. It is a redesign of what has gone before.

In 2013, the 50th anniversary of the 1963 Grand Final, the trophy was officially renamed the Provan-Summons Trophy. The news was revealed when Provan and Summons visited the Sydney Cricket Ground in 2013 prior to that year’s grand final, neither knowing that such a decision had been made or that there was to be an official announcement by the NRL and Telstra of the proposed renaming.

Mr Provan and Mr Summons were surprised with the news as they went to mark the very spot where they had stood 50 years ago, not knowing of the tribute the NRL and naming rights partner Telstra had in store.

According to Provan:

“If I drop dead tomorrow I will always be happy with the life Rugby League has given me. I’ve played a lot of football and I'm sure there are a lot of other worthy recipients. I am immensely pleased with it and it will sink in later how much it means.”

Summons added: “I don't think you can put it in to words the emotions that you feel. It is probably the greatest honour old footballers can get to have the Premiership trophy named after you. I am extremely honoured and I’m sure Norm is as well. A lot of thanks should be going to the photographer. Unfortunately the great John O'Gready is not with us to share this moment with us. Without him we would have been forgotten 50 years ago.”

Telstra managing director Rick Ellis added “Norm Provan and Arthur Summons showed fans and players alike that there was something more enduring than the score-line and today their legacy reminds us that the business of sport is about great people and great champions.” 

Funny Friday

"Soccer is hooligans acting like gentlemen, Rugby Union is gentlemen acting like hooligans and Rugby League is hooligans acting like hooligans."

- Sergeant Pascoe in Dalziel and Pascoe

"Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, it's much more serious than that."

- William "Bill" Shankly (1913 – 1981), Scottish footballer and manager of Liverpool Football Club

* * * * * * * * * *

With the Rugby League Grand Final on this Sunday, what better theme for Funny Friday than football (and yes, I know that the purists refer to only soccer as “football”).

* * * * * * * * * *

A seven year old boy was at the centre of a courtroom drama yesterday when he challenged a court ruling over who should have custody of him.

The boy has a history of being beaten by his parents and the judge initially awarded custody to his aunt, in keeping with the child custody law and regulations requiring that family unity be maintained to the degree possible.

The boy surprised the court when he proclaimed that his aunt beat him more than his parents and he adamantly refused to live with her. When the judge suggested that he live with his grandparents, the boy cried out that they also beat him.

After considering the remainder of the immediate family and learning that domestic violence was apparently a way of life among them, the judge took the unprecedented step of allowing the boy to propose who should have custody of him.

After two recesses to check legal references and confer with child welfare officials, the judge granted temporary custody to the Cronulla Sharks football team, who the boy firmly believes are not capable of beating anyone.

* * * * * * * * * *

Three friends all die at the same time and end up at the pearly gates where Albert Einstein is waiting for them. The first chap approached and Alby asks him "What is your IQ, my good man?"

"250" the chap replies.

"Ah excellent. We can participate in meaningful and articulate discussions with my mates Plato and Newton about the Theory of Relativity, Chaos Theory, Astrophysics and the Theory of Everything. We will have much to discuss. You may enter."

The second fellow approached the gate and Albert asks him the same question.

"150" was the reply.

"Ah good. We can discuss the fascinating subjects of History, Philosophy, Economics and Sociology. We will have much to discuss. You may enter."

The third chap approaches the gate nervously.

"Now my good man, what is your IQ?"

"50" the third man replies sheepishly. To which Alby's response was ....

"How about those Bulldogs, hey?"

* * * * * * * * * *

A Rabbitoh fan and a Roosters fan bump into each other in the supermarket. "Sorry, mate," says the Rabbitoh’s fan, "I'm a bit nervous, I lost my wife, can't find her anywhere." The Roosters fan replies "Gee, I can't find mine either, how about we go and look for them together?" "Sure," says the Rabbitoh fan, "what does you wife look like?" "Eh well, she's blonde, long hair, tall slim body, well tanned, large breasts and she's wearing a tight fitting low cut black dress. What does your wife look like?" "Forget about my wife," says the Rabbitoh, "let's go and look for yours!"

* * * * * * * * * *

The Cronulla Sharks squad just finished their pre training pep talk from Ricky. Words like passion, respect and pride were evident. The boys were pumped, ready to train the hardest they had all season.

Finally Ricky said, "Ok boys, take your usual positions on the field."

The players then grouped up and stood in their in-goal...

* * * * * * * * * *

Training was delayed at Toyota Park yesterday after a mysterious white substance was found on the grass. After closer inspection, and forensic testing, the results came back. The substance, unfamiliar to Sharks players, was in fact the try line.

* * * * * * * * * *

A man had great tickets for the Grand Final.

As he sits down, another man comes down and asks if anyone is sitting in the seat next to him.

No", he says. "The seat is empty".

"This is incredible!" said the man. "Who in their right mind would have a seat like this for the Grand Final and not use it?"

He says, "Well, actually, the seat belongs to me. My wife was supposed to come with me, but she passed away. This is the first Grand Final we haven't been to together since we got married."

"Oh ... I'm sorry to hear that. That's terrible. But couldn't you find someone else, a friend or relative, or even a neighbour to take the seat?"

The man shakes his head. "No. They're all at the funeral."

* * * * * * * * * *

Two boys are playing football in a park near Manly Beach when one is attacked by a Rottweiler. Thinking quickly, the other boy rips off a board of the nearby fence, wedges it down the dog's collar and twists, breaking the dog's neck. A reporter who is strolling by sees the incident, and rushes over to interview the boy. 

"Parramatta fan saves friend from vicious animal", he starts writing in his notebook. "But I'm not a Parramatta fan," the boy replies. "Tigers fan rescues friend from horrific attack," the reporter starts again. "I'm not a Tigers fan either, " the boy says.

"Then what are you?" the reporter says. "I'm a Manly fan !!!" 

The reporter starts a new sheet in his notebook and writes, "Spoilt brat kills family pet".

* * * * * * * * * *

Two blokes from Townsville died and instead of Heaven they went to Hell. In Hell the Devil wanted the two blokes to suffer, so he turned the temperature hotter than normal. Later the Devil went to check on them and found they weren't worried by the heat. The Devil asked, "Why aren't you two hot?"

One of the blokes said, "We're from Townsville mate,we're used to heat".

So the Devil went off and thought to himself, "I can't have these 2 blokes not suffering", so he turned the heat up more and went and checked on them again, only to find them not phased at all.

The Devil was filthy that they weren't suffering by now and thought, "If I turn the temperature to freezing these Townsville blokes won't be used to the cold."   So once Hell was freezing, the Devil went to check on the 2 blokes, only to find them jumping and cheering and out loud.

The Devil asked why they were cheering when it is so cold and they were used to the heat.   The two blokes replied, "When Hell freezes over, it means one thing, the Nth Qld Cowboys have won the NRL Premiership."

* * * * * * * * * *

Corn Corner:

Q:  What does it mean when your wife wears a Cronulla Sharks guernsy to bed?

A:  It means you aren't going to score.

* * * * * * * * *

Some More Graffiti Messages

* * * * * * * * *

Last Words

Michael Jackson

“More milk.” 

Said by Michael Jackson to Dr. Conrad Murray in 2009. 

“Milk” was Jackson’s nickname for the anesthetic Propofol on which he fatally overdosed.

Humphrey Bogart

“I should never have switched from Scotch to martinis.” 

Said before dying in 1957 from cancer of the oesophagus, thought to be the result of his heavy smoking and drinking

Barry White

"Leave me alone. I'm fine." 

Said before succumbing to renal failure at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles in 2003.

John Lennon

"Yes, I am." 

Said while sitting in a police car after being shot outside his home in 1980, after officers asked him if he was John Lennon.

Joe DiMaggio

"I finally get to see Marilyn." 

According to his lawyer, DiMaggio’s final words were of his former love, Marilyn Monroe. He died in his home in 1999 following a battle with lung cancer

* * * * * * * * *

Trivia Tuesday

* * * * * * * *

The word “mistletoe” comes from the German Mist, meaning dung, and Tan, meaning branch. This is because mistletoe was believed to originate from bird droppings, the observers not equating the growth of the plant from the seeds in the bird droppings from the berries eaten by the words. Bear that in mind at Christmas when you can ask girls for a kiss under the dung on a stick.

* * * * * * * *

According to an article in the Huffington Post in November 2012, Britain has invaded nearly 90% of the world's countries during its history, with only 22 out of 193 not on the receiving end of a bit of Great British aggression, according to new research. The findings are detailed in a book, "All the Countries We've Ever Invaded: And the Few We Never Got Round To", by history author, Stuart Laycock. He examined each country in turn looking for evidence that Britain had ever established a military presence either through regular armed forces or pirates, privateers or armed explorers operating with government approval.

The countries not invaded:

Andorra

Belarus

Bolivia

Burundi

Central African Republic

Chad

Congo, Republic of

Guatemala

Ivory Coast

Kyrgyzstan

Liechtenstein

Luxembourg

Mali

Marshall Islands

Monaco

Mongolia

Paraguay

Sao Tome and Principe

Sweden

Tajikistan

Uzbekistan

Vatican City

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/11/04/britain-invaded-countries-france-united-states_n_2072727.html

* * * * * * * *

Napoleon killed over a thousand people with a cough. In 1799 he was deciding whether to release 1,200 Turkish prisoners of war when he coughed and said, "Ma sacré toux!" (my darned cough) which sounded to officers like "Massacrez tous!" (Kill them all!). So they did.

* * * * * * * * *

Monday Miscellany: Some Odds, Ends and Personals

* * * * * * * *

Email from son Thomas in response to the Bertrand Russell quotes about religion:

Love it! 

It might be of interest to you, something which the Late Christopher Hitchens went to great pains to emphasise, but “Religion is the opiate of the masses” is somewhat of a misquote when looked at in the context of the passage (found in Marx’ introduction to his critique of Hegel’s Philosophy of Right): “Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, just as it is the spirit of the spiritless circumstance. It is the opium of the people.”  

He further said that the abolition of religion as illusory happiness is the demand of the people for real happiness. A couple of paragraphs down he said, and this is where I think it really gets quite profound and beautiful, “The criticism of religion has plucked the flowers from the chain, not so that man may continue to wear the chain without fantasy and consolation, but so that he may break the chain and cull the living flower”.

Here's a couple more, Thomas . . .

* * * * * * * *

From Kerrie in respect of the Lady Marmalade post:

Hi Otto, 

Bob Crew died about 3 weeks ago – he was a great song writer. 

e e cummings will haunt you for using capital letters in his name. 

Kerrie

* * * *

Some of the hits of Bob Crew (November 12, 1930 – September 11, 2014):

· 1957: "Silhouettes"

· 1957: "Daddy Cool"

· 1958: "La Dee Dah"

· 1959: "Lucky Ladybug"

· 1962: "Sherry"

· 1962: "Big Girls Don't Cry"

· 1963: "Walk Like a Man"

· 1964: "Dawn (Go Away)"

· 1964: "Ronnie"

· 1964: "Navy Blue"

· 1964: "Rag Doll"

· 1964: "Save It For Me"

· 1964: "Big Man in Town"

· 1965: "Bye, Bye, Baby (Baby, Goodbye)"

· 1965: "Let's Hang On!"

· 1965: "A Lover's Concerto”

· 1965: "Silhouettes” 1965: "Girl Come Running”

· 1965: "Jenny Take A Ride”

· 1966: "Devil With A Blue Dress On”

· 1966: "The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine”

· 1967: "Sock It To Me, Baby”

· 1967: "Music To Watch Girls By”

· 1967: "Silence Is Golden” 

· 1967: "Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You”

· 1967: "I Make a Fool of Myself”

· 1967: "To Give (The Reason I Live)”

· 1969: "Jean”

· 1969: "Good Morning, Starshine”

· 1974: "Lady Marmalade”

· 1974: "Get Dancin'”

· 1975: "Swearin' To God"

· 1975: "My Eyes Adored You”

· 1975: "I Wanna Dance Wit' Choo”

· 1975: "The Proud One” 

· 2001: "Lady Marmalade” 

* * * *

As regards Mr Cummings and his initials, from Wikipedia:

Cummings's publishers and others have sometimes echoed the unconventional orthography in his poetry by writing his name in lowercase and without periods (full stops), but normal orthography (uppercase and full stops) is supported by scholarship and preferred by publishers today. Cummings himself used both the lowercase and capitalized versions, though he most often signed his name with capitals. 

The use of lowercase for his initials was popularized in part by the title of some books, particularly in the 1960s, printing his name in lower case on the cover and spine. In the preface to E. E. Cummings: The Growth of a Writer by Norman Friedman, critic Harry T. Moore notes, "He [Cummings] had his name put legally into lower case, and in his later books the titles and his name were always in lower case." According to Cummings's widow, however, this is incorrect. She wrote to Friedman: "you should not have allowed H. Moore to make such a stupid & childish statement about Cummings & his signature." On February 27, 1951, Cummings wrote to his French translator D. Jon Grossman that he preferred the use of upper case for the particular edition they were working on. One Cummings scholar believes that on the rare occasions Cummings signed his name in all lowercase, he may have intended it as a gesture of humility, not as an indication that it was the preferred orthography for others to use. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E._E._Cummings

Some e e cummings quotes . . .

* * * * * * * * *