ABPA - Australian Bush Poets Association

When we lived in Sydney back in the 60’s we followed The Dragons – that was in the days when Johnny Raper , brothers Norm & Peter Provan and Brian Messiter were playing along with other greats. Enjoyed many a game cheering St George on.

RIP PUFF – SAFE JOURNEY

Maureen Clifford © The Scribbly Bark Poet


Puff the magic dragon lived by the sea
he wore a coat of red and white and popular was he.
He played with other dragons and the people came from far
to see this mighty Dragon roar, and Puff is still a star.

He’s gone up to another team to play that final game
he’ll never be forgotten by his fans – we know his name
was really Reg, but to us here – we all knew him as Puff.
A mighty footy player who was made of sterner stuff.

This year your birthday celebration is on higher plains
no doubt you’ll share it with your mates up there – so many names
have passed through heavens pearly gates before you hit the road
the reminiscing will go on a long time I suppose.

So raise your glass and drink a toast to Reg – the mighty Puff
A true blue St George Dragon – who never cut up rough.
A legend in his lifetime – a Kangaroo as well
Go gently from this life old Mate and keep on raising hell.


The Team Song

"We are the St George boys,
We had a win today,
We are the boys you know of,
Who show them how to play,
No matter where you be,
The red and white you'll see,
Now aren't we a wonderful credit,
To our locality!"

Yes Reg Gasnier was a legend in the heady days of the St. George Rugby League Club.
Those were the days when we all knew every year who was going to win the Grand Final.. St George of course, they always did..
My late wife and her sister used to, back then, sit behind the opposition goal posts so they could cheer hysterically every time St.George scored.


I thought the team song was " When the Saints come Marchin' In "

That's a winner Maureen. Just like the man you wrote it about. You should email it to the St George Club. You should also send it to one of the weekend footy TV shows. I reckon they'd read it on air. What a player he was. Good on you.
Wazza

PS Just read it again. Even better second time.

Hi Maureen
Not really into rugby over this way except state of origin where I always barrack for Queensland, probably because I spent a bit of time over there as a young bloke.
But I used to sort of follow the Dragons because they wore a red & white strip,
the same colours as my Aussie rules team over here - South Fremantle.

Terry