John Dowling, all smiles after Wynnum Manly’s big win
At the beginning of last season hard-working hooker John Dowling decided he was tired of playing second fiddle so he did something about it. He left Easts to join Wynnum/Manly. Everyone knows there’s no shortage of a top A grade hooker in Tiger Territory – John Lang reminds you every time he plays – so Dowling was a Reserve grade permanent with little chance of advancement. Nevertheless he stayed with Easts for three years. “After that I felt it was time to get out and have a go by myself,” he said. John Dowling and the Seagulls both are glad he did.
Last year he played A and Reserve grades and was a member of the Wynnum/Manly Reserve grade team that won the grand final. And this year he’s been shining in A grade both with his hooking successes and with tireless tackling. “A grade’s the only place to play,” he maintains and if you can believe everything he says, Wynnum’s the only club to play for.
“We’ve been unlucky but from now on it’s all ours. Our first win had to come. It’ll be a hard track to the final but if we keep playing the way we have been for the past couple of weeks, we’ll get there”. “They’re a great bunch of fellas and Jim Lewis is a No.1 coach,” he added.
Dowling, 22, a car salesman, is one of those unruffable types who takes things as they come and has no all-important ambitions. On making the state side he says “If I get there I get there” and you know that’s exactly what he means. He doesn’t mind the odd joke either and his fellow players reckon he’s a great club man.
But Dowling’s greatest fan is his wife Lyn closely followed by their son Shannon, 18 months and already in a Seagull jersey – number 12 of course. “My wife kicks up a bit of a stink about football now and again but she’s my best supporter. She never misses a match,” he said. Lyn not only goes to the game, she also keeps a scrum’ and tackle count and gives free advice too according to John. But free advice is something he’s used to, having had plenty of it at home in Murwillumbah.
John’s father; Pat Dowling, was a former New South Wales Country second-rower. “It really was the old bloke who pushed me into coming to Brisbane because of the better opportunities,” he said. When John Dowling moved north he was accompanied by his brother Gary who also played for Easts in the forwards. Gary then moved back home before going to Gundagai to play for Riverina. `He’s done really well. He made the New South Wales Country seconds this year,’ John said.
A third league-playing Dowling (the oldest boy Robert plays union for the RAAF), is his younger brother, Paul, 17. Another hooker, he belongs to Murwillumbah Old Boys Club.
John played most of his early football with Brothers in his home town and so did a few other League names on the Brisbane scene. Among his cronies are Gary Dobrich, twins Geoff and Alan Nunan, Athol Gear and Des Lee. “Des Lee (also playing for Wynnum/Manly used to be my coach,” he pointed out.
Football takes up most of John’s time these days so he has little chance to indulge in another of his favourite sports – lifesaving. He is a former member of the Cabarita SLSC.
“But I’m used to spending a lot of time on football. It’s in my blood,” he grinned.
Story Source: Rugby League News 1976
Photo Source: Rugby League News 1976
