On the 3rd May 2019, Brian Rhodes shared a wonderful tale of his cricketing journey and paid a touching tribute to his lifelong and best mate Phil Kelleard.
Phil, PK to most, had passed away in February and Brian wrote of how they met as young teenagers in 1965 and went on to forge a treasured friendship over 54 years.
Both Brian and PK were fast bowlers and both opened the bowling for their beloved Western Suburbs in Sydney Grade Cricket in the 1970s.
In another of life’s little mysteries, these two great mates who shared so much together are now telling their skipper which one will be having first use of the cherry next Saturday.
Sadly, Brian, “Rhodesy” passed away on Friday night after a long battle with illness.
My personal connection to Rhodesy goes back to 1985 when he was living and playing cricket in Tamworth and he had a conversation with my dad about my desire to go to Sydney and play cricket after the HSC.
Rhodesy kindly made contact with PK who was Western Suburbs Club Coach and within hours of finishing the HSC I was on my way to Sydney to play with the Magpies. I’ve always been very grateful for Rhodesy assistance.
At the time I’d never met Rhodesy, however, he’d soon move from Tamworth to Armidale, some 100 kilometres up the New England highway. On a trip home I called into the Tattersall’s Hotel to have a beer with dad and there was this larger than life character, holding court, laughing and joking, telling stories. I remember asking dad who he was “that’s Rhodesy” was his reply.
We connected via facebook many years later where we’d exchanged messages and I’d close one eye in anticipation whenever one of Rhodesy posts appeared in my news feed. Let’s just say Brian wasn’t one for political correctness and no one or subject matter was spared.
His love and dedication for Western Suburbs Cricket Club never wavered. He’d make contact each year about the Wests “Back to Pratten day” encouraging as many past players as possible to come and watch the First Grade team, have a few drinks and share a few memories and laughs.
In February this year, Wests held a fundraising lunch where they paid tribute to their International Players throughout the clubs history. It was the first time I’d seen Brian in many years. I found him at the table of the 1971/72 Premiership team, holding court, albeit a little tempered than what I’d remembered.
We shared a few beers afterward and in conversation, he mentioned something about facebook. The next part of our conversation sums of the rogue that was Rhodesy.
Me – “Rhodesy, what's with some of your facebook posts?”
Rhodesy – “Why, what’s wrong?”
Me – “There’s no filter”
For those of you who know Rhodesy, you can picture a little grin appear as he say’s “just gotta keep em on their toes”.
When PK passed, Brian ensured there’d be a memorial for Phil at Wests Ashfield, the Leagues Club at Ashfield.
On the day he spoke of his friendship with PK and again over a few drinks he started to tell a few stories.
I said to him, “Rhodesy we need to do a podcast, you need to share some of these stories, your story”.
He sent me a text that night “yep, I’d like to do a podcast.”
I responded by asking him to send through a couple of stories so we could shape the discussion. The first story he sent via text message was very funny, but not for a podcast. I knew then a podcast was not a great idea. No filter.
We then spoke, and I’m so pleased we did.
He’d ring and excitedly say, “it’s going ok isn’t it, the story, getting some good feedback”.
As a tribute to Rhodesy, please take the time to read his story. I have the feeling he’d be quite chuffed as he tells PK, “you’re bowling uphill and into the wind young fella.”
Here’s the link to the story: PK and my road to the baggy blue.
RIP Rhodesy, well bowled.
Rhodesy was well loved by his family, friends, team mates, every club he played for and everyone he met on his journey. He told and loved a good story. If you have one of your own about Rhodesy and would like to share it, please feel free to do so in the comments.
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