PLAYING hooker in the 1970s was not for everyone. It was a rough and tumble environment where nothing was given or taken easily.

Wayne Smith was part of the Tigers 70’s machine that won premierships and glory for Stones Corner. I poured two schooners of Brisbane Bitter and parked my Ford XB outside the Tigers Leagues Club and talked football, John Lang and Cameron Smith with Wayne Smith.

Why the Tigers?

I grew up in Carina and was only going to be a Tiger. Football in Brisbane was so tribal back then. If you said to a kid from Carina that there was another option than the Tigers he would have thought you were mad.

I played Under 18’s for Easts and John Lang came back from the Kangaroo tour and they said he needs a rest so I got my debut against Brothers.

I was 19 and playing for Easts. I remember mum was a bit worried but the older players then were very good at looking after you.

You had John Lang at Easts. What’s something you learnt from Lang?

I used to play Reserve Grade and then sit on the bench for first grade and I had a great seat to watch John Lang. We played the same position so I took an interest in everything he did. The best thing Langy taught me was how to position your body in a scrum so you don’t get hurt but also so you can win the ball. That was your job.

I saw a Tigers club photo the other day from 1978 and you’re there behind Brad Backer in the photo - First grade premiers, Reserve grade runners up, Third Grade premiers, under 23 premiers, and Under 21 runners up. It was a glorious time at Langlands Park?

It was a great time. I think that any of those players in any of those grades could have played up a grade if they’d changed clubs. If you were playing C Grade at Easts I think you could be playing Reserve Grade somewhere else. That’s how strong the Tigers were at the time.

You played with Tigers royalty. Who is your favourite?

Des Morris for sure. He was so skilful and such a big man. He’d be a superstar today but probably Wayne Lindenberg. He could do anything. He was so quick and smart, he’d take a small chance and made it something spectacular.

He could do anything. It didn’t matter if we played cricket, table tennis or golf Lindy could do it and do it well.

Did you ever consider leaving the Tigers?

I got offers from Norths and Souths but was always happy at Easts. Playing Reserve Grade behind John Lang and training with Des Morris, Rod Morris, Wayne Lindenberg and Brad Backer is a pretty good life.

It’s Langlands Park on a cold Sunday, Easts v Norths and first scrum you look across and Cameron Smith is the Devils hooker. How would you handle him?

I would head-butt him. You have to let these young blokes know what’s going on.