Bob McCarthy – "I Did It My Way" & The Great Escape
Steve 'Chimes' Gillis sits down with South Sydney Hall Of Famer Bob McCarthy to reflect on a career that defined an era. From his pioneering "wide-running" style to the harrowing details of his survival during the 2020 bushfires, McCarthy delivers a raw and news-heavy account of a life lived at the centre of Australian sporting folklore.
The 1969 "Unlosable" Final and Tigers' Tactics
One of the most controversial chapters in Rugby League history is the 1969 Grand Final, where the underdog Balmain Tigers upset the star-studded Rabbitohs. McCarthy provided a candid look at the frustration on the pitch as the Tigers utilised infamous "go-slow" tactics to disrupt Souths' rhythm.
"Whenever we had the ball, they laid on the ground. They were laying down before we even got the ball. BS like Davy Bolton and Terry Parker... they finished up coming off with suntans. It was a good tactic; it just frustrated us."
Sattler’s Grit: The Bathhouse Surgery
McCarthy offered new insight into the legendary 1970 Grand Final, where John Sattler played 77 minutes with a shattered jaw. The toughness didn't end at the siren; McCarthy recalled finding Sattler in a bath in the dressing room, trying to hide the extent of the injury from the press to protect his Australian captaincy.
"He went into the bath... I saw Sats when he come back from the hospital and said 'What was you doing in the bath?' He said 'I was trying to push it all back in again.' So I get picked for the Australian side then make out I fell down the stairs when I got over there."
A Life on the Line: The 2020 Bushfire Escape
The interview took a sobering turn as McCarthy recounted the 2020 New Year’s Eve bushfires at Lake Conjola. Holidaying with Ron Coote, the families were trapped as a firestorm "leapt" over houses. McCarthy described a desperate survival attempt on a concrete pontoon as embers rained down.
"Judy's hair was on fire... and I kept wetting her hair, and then my hair was on fire and I kept wetting hers. The roar was unbelievable; it was like an aeroplane. If the jet ski doesn't come along, we're still there."
The Broncos "Sliding Door" Moment
In a revelation for league historians, McCarthy detailed how he was originally promised the head coaching role for the inaugural Brisbane Broncos in 1988. A chance meeting at an airport changed the course of NRL history.
"Porky [Morgan] bumped into Jack Gibson at the airport. He said 'Who is better, McCarthy or Bennett?' Jack said 'Oh, Macka’s... could be [undisciplined].' So they pulled the rug. Bennett was already coaching in Canberra and he got it."
Cleary’s "Top of the World" Call
Providing some levity, McCarthy shared a classic tale regarding dual-international Mike Cleary. Known for his pace and his career as a male model, Cleary once famously skipped training after a chance encounter with a Miss Universe contestant.
"The phone's gone and Bernie Purcell's picked it up. On the other end of the phone was 'I'm on top of the world!' Bernie said 'I don't give a stuff where you are... if you're not here in an hour, you're playing Second Grade.'"
Legacy and Modern Reflections
Despite his status as an international captain and MBE, McCarthy’s first contract was worth just $500. Looking at the modern game, he notes the loss of tactical variety, lamenting that "everyone plays the same game now." However, his pride in the South Sydney "assembly line" of the 60s remains undiminished, cementing his place as one of the game's greatest thinkers.
Watch the full episode on Fanatics TV.
