MUZZA has left the building

In the  first of our  series, ‘WHERE ARE THEY NOW?’, the FUGS sent out one of our intrepid reporters, Dan Keenan, in search of 1995 A Grade premiership player, Chris Murray. The man who likes to have people think that he’s actually ‘Out of the office’, was just relaxing …  in the office, when Dan caught up with him …

                 1995 A Grade Premiers  (Muzza: Top, third from left)

The last thing you’d ever hear from 1995 premiership winning fullback ‘Chris Murray’ was, that  he became a saint thanks to the NQ Cowboys. You’d also be more likely to see a Thuringowa Hawks premiership than learn from “Muzza” himself that he was picked for Townsville and the Northern Marlins from JCU. Nor that he represented Queensland and Australian Tertiary sides. It’s hard to believe that Chris’ considerable on field talents were matched by his humility and good humour away from it.

CLUB INVOLVEMENT: Joined JCU in 1995 as a dual registered North Queensland Cowboy inaugural squad member. Was meant to be shunted to the now defunct but always illustrious ‘Gowa Hawks’ but declined this arrangement preferring the company of scholars like himself at the Saints. Came at a good time!  Played fullback in the 1995 premiership winning team. JCU Player of the YEAR 1997. Coached U19s with Danny Keenan and Jon Larrazabal for 4 years. Final season played 2002 before giving the game away as a player.

CLUB MEN STILL IN TOUCH WITH: Jon Larrazabal (perhaps too close for his own mental health), Chris Mitchell, Mark Cantoni, Luke Wilson (AKA “Captain Active”) Andy Collyer (AKA White Bison/Coolfruits/Cyborg) and Danny Keenan.

LIVES and PLAYS: Brisbane these days after 8 years working in the tepid world of international minerals and energy split between Indonesia and China. ( And no Tav, he was not actually on holidays for those 8 years despite impressions given from his frequent “out of office” automatic email replies). As an Operations Manager his days are pretty full but he finds time to be addicted to golf. In true Muzza style he says he is “no good at it.” He also likes a punt (such a draw back as a FUG) but hasn’t lost his shirt since the 1997 “pigeon race day fiasco”. (A story for another day)

BEST SAINT EVER PLAYED WITH: Without hesitation he says two time TRL medal winner and fellow Townsville and NQ Marlins rep, club captain /coach, stalwart and raconteur John Fuller. “I know that will come as a huge surprise to John, not a man known for self-confidence or edifice.”

BEST OPPOSITION PLAYER IN TVL COMP: Again, no hesitation in naming Aaron Payne but quickly added that he “never rated anyone who wasn’t a Saint.”

ESTEEMED CLUB MEN RECALLED: Dr Ward, Tav, Mario, Worthy, Herman, John Fuller and the dynamic duo of Doug Vetter and Joey Jones. “These two brought hydration to a new level during the mid-90s and beyond.”

Muzza:  Geologist and Cocktail waiter.  “I’ve got the best job in the world”