Dally Started League in 'Reggies'

Sean Fagan of RL1908.com

It's a remarkable tale - of how the code's biggest ever signing, began his Aussie league career in 1908 in second grade!

Messenger had agreed to play two farewell matches for the “All Golds” in Newcastle – with the first on April 22, Dally sensibly opted to stand down from Easts’ premiership debut.

Still keen to support his club on the big day, Dally sauntered from his boatshed over to Double Bay Oval, watching the Tri-colours’ lower grade teams play Newtown.

Unsurprisingly, he was “spied” by Easts officials. With second grade kick-off looming, the team was “suddenly” found to be a man short.

“Can yer help us out, mate?”

They didn’t have to ask him twice.

“Togs” and boots were quickly acquired, and “The Master” was ready to enter the fray.

The poor Bluebags were oblivious to their impending doom!

According to the Australian Star, within minutes “Messenger got the ball and went right through Newtown’s men and scored. He also converted.”

“I was simply running through Newtown,” recalled Dally in an interview years later. “It was so very easy – I didn’t exert myself at all!”

“The Newtown boys, when they woke up to who it was they were playing, got the shock of their lives!”

Once unmasked, the Newtown captain insisted Messenger stay in his own territory – it made little difference. “I didn’t go any further than half-way, but the boys continued to score.”

The final “butcher’s bill” stood at 11 tries to one, 47 points to 5.

“They were a fine lot of youngsters, didn’t mind the drubbing a bit,” Dally reckoned.

Messenger’s first eight matches were all rep games (playing for the Kiwis, Metropolis, NSW, Queensland, Australia), finally making his Easts first grade debut on June 20 against Norths.

This article was first published in Big League magazine 20 April 2008