Known for inventing contract football, Duncan Thompson stands as a legend in the game of rugby league, now others can gain insight into the great man’s thinking.
Western Clydesdales vs Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
The Galloping Clydesdales of the 1920s included a number of Queensland and Australian players and defeated all before them including touring teams from England and France and won six straight Bulimba Cup competitions against Brisbane and Ipswich.
However, it was his game changing coaching skills that made Duncan Thompson unique among his peers and those coaches of today.
He invented what was to become known as “contract football” which, in the days when the no tackle rule was the game, Mr Thompson encompassed all of team attack and defence.
His coaching techniques have stood the test of time and are as relevant today as ever, despite the fact he despised the six tackle rule.
Duncan Thompson in his Queensland jersey.
And now, more than 40 years after his death, coaches, players and lovers of rugby league can enjoy an insight into the knowledge, playing and coaching skills of the man known as “The Fox” through a book titled “Rugby League, Coaching and Contract Football” launched by Mr Thompson’s grandchildren Bronwyn Morgan and Steve Thompson at a special event at the Toowoomba Sports Club.
The manuscript was written by Mr Thompson himself 50 years ago but it remains as relevant to rugby league of today.
Mr Thompson’s granddaughter Bronwyn Morgan said her grandfather lived rugby league.
“We used to sit around the dinner table and suddenly the salt and pepper shakers would become players that he’d watched play that day and he’d move them around the table to show what they did or should have done,” she smiled.
Duncan Thompson’s grandchildren Steve Thompson and Bronwyn Morgan with a copy of their grandfather’s book. Picture: Peter Hardwick
“He was full of cheery mischief.
“Once during pudding time at the Christmas table in the days when grandchildren ate too much Christmas pudding in the hope of finding the threepence and sixpence coins hidden inside, Duncan was suddenly coughing and choking alarmingly.
“His spluttering was eye watering.
“The whole table stopped in concern.
“Finally, with a big cough into the large white handkerchief he always carried, a 10 pound note appeared.
“He just said ‘more pudding?’. ‘Yes please!’
The book’s publisher, former Clydesdale Derek Schlyder, posed the question: what other sports person would have two grandstands in two different states named in their honour as the Duncan Thompson stands at the Athletic Oval (Clive Berghofer Stadium) and North Sydney Oval?
Duncan Thompson in April 1971.
“Duncan wrote the story of his rugby league life some 50 years ago, documenting his achievements as a player, coach, selector, administrator, businessman and citizen,” Mr Schlyder said.
“The legacy that he left to the rugby league community stems from the highly successful playing style that he developed and called contract football.
“Elements of contract football still form the basis of rugby league as we know it today.”
The book sells for $20 with all proceeds shared between the Toowoomba Rugby League and the Western Clydesdales.
To obtain a copy of the book, go to westernclydesdales.com.au and click on the link Duncan Thompson book.
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