Goal kicking Panthers great shares highlights, Ipswich links

This Panther would dominate the 1970s, playing from 1969 to 1977, and winning two premierships in 1975 and 1976.

Michael Nunn

IF you were seeking a goal kicking winger to have a beer with, Wests Panthers Winger of the Century Wayne Stewart would be worth a shout.

This Panther would dominate the 1970s, playing from 1969 to 1977, and winning two premierships in 1975 and 1976.

Stewart played over 150 games in red and black and scored a club record 1191 points.

The flying winger played a Test for Australia and nine matches for Queensland.

He prowled the sideline at Lang Park and kicked flawlessly in two grand finals with 13 goals from 13 attempts.

I called the ball boy over, put the sand down and took the two points with Wayne Stewart.

How did you end up at the Panthers in 1969?

I moved to Queensland when I was 13 and we lived at Red Hill so I had no choice but played for Wests. I moved through the grades to under 18 and then into first grade at Wests.

The only time I thought about leaving was in 1976. We got an offer from Penrith and my wife had never been on a plane so we said might as well get a flight to Sydney. We got down there and compared Red Hill to Penrith and thought we will stay in Queensland.

You played for Queensland and toured New Zealand with the Queensland team. How was your Queensland experience?

I loved playing for Queensland. My first game against NSW in 1970 was at the Ekka Grounds and we won by a point and I kicked five goals.

I remember one of the Blues came and asked to swap jumpers I said “you’re kidding mate”.

Are your 1975 and 1976 grand finals special memories?

I’d say 1975 because really in 1976 I didn’t do anything. I am thankful they didn’t keep stats because I think I made two tackles and one run.

In 1975, I was a lot more involved and kicked seven goals in a two-point win.

It was special to win premierships for Wests. We were a tight group and I loved playing with them.

Wayne Stewart’s kicking was a major strength.

You were part of the 1971 Queensland intensive training camp at Lang Park, where you lived there for two months with 19 other players. How did you get through that?

I was only 18 and wasn’t going to argue with anyone. If they said live at Lang Park on stretchers for two months then that’s what I did.

It wasn’t too bad it showed me how I had to train to get better. We would train all day and early Sunday morning to sort out who had done the wrong thing the night before.

It was hot living under the stands for two months, Wests were happy because it meant I came back fit for the start of the season.

Some of the hotels they used to put us up in you’d rather be living at Lang Park to be honest.

Your Test match against New Zealand in 1972 at Lang Park brought about a 31-7 win and five goals. Do you still have your Test jumper?

I gave my Test jumper to my son. It was great playing for Australia and to play at Lang Park in a win and kick some goals is pretty special.

You were the BRL’s leading point scorer in 1972 with 213 points. Add in another 55 points in the Woolies pre-season and you played a Test and three games for Queensland. Was that your best year?

Most Panthers won’t like talking about 1972. We should have won the premiership. It always seems like the one that got away. We were minor premiers and then out the back door in two finals.

Jeff Denman was on the opposite wing scoring two tries against us in the major semi and then John Crilly and Hugh O’Doherty finished us off the next week against Valleys.

All Ipswich players.

You were a great reader of Geoff Richardson’s kicks. How did that come about?

Richo was so good at kicking the ball and had such good hands. He would do this kick where he would run one way then kick back the other. I knew it was on so I would take off and the other winger would be looking at me thinking where is he going but I knew Richo would hit me straight on the chest.

I loved playing with Greg Oliphant too. He was so cheeky and would make me laugh. I remember once at Lang Park I was standing on the sideline and we are attacking five metres out and he throws me the ball. I got monstered by about five players. I said if you throw me a ball like that again I will throw it straight back at you.

Ian Robson was another favourite, he’s from Ipswich like you. He was so strong. He picked me up one day under the arms and walked me away from a blue. He said you don’t need to be in that.