March 23, 1997: The different world of 1997

Cracking down on racism "a load of crap" while columnist tries to guess who's gay.

Mar 23, 2022

It’s easy to look at the events of 1997 dryly - scorelines, ratings, statistics, back page headlines.

Context can be far more elusive.

But a look inside the Sun-Herald from today 25 years ago gives us a snapshot of what a different world it was from today.

There is, to contemporary eyes, a very jarring story in which players basically pile onto Newcastle’s Owen Craigie for complaining that Chris Caruana called him a ‘black cunt’ during a match.

North Sydney’s Caruana was dropped and fined. Manly’s John Hopoate, who we know is a Tongan, commented: “I think it’s a load of crap.

“I feel real sorry for Chris Caruana because I’m a firm believer that what’s said on the field should stay out there.

“I give a bit out there and if I get it back, that’s fine. Even if it’s racial stuff.

“I can understand Owen Craigie’s point of view. He’ll get used to the name-calling.”

Papuan Adrian Lam added: “I couldn’t give two hoots about the whole thing. It’s part of the game.”

And Indigenous Australian Wes Patten - given $25,000 in compensation for being called a coon by a policeman on television - commented: “If I was called what they called Craigie, I’d probably cop it and not be happy about it.”

But Anthony Mundine backed Craigie, saying “humiliation” should not be tolerated.

A couple of pages on, fictional columnist Gladys Craven led her section on new rumours about who in the twin competitions might be gay.

“This year there is a trio of gays - a coach, a captain and a regular first grader,” she mused.

We’ve come a long way.

EVERGREEN LYONS SET FOR EARLY RETURN

Sydney Morning Herald, Friday, March 21 1997

By STEVE MASCORD

VETERAN five-eighth Cliff Lyons is set to make a surprise return for Manly in tonight's clash with North Sydney.

Lyons, who missed the start of the season with a back injury, was not expected to return until next weekend at the earliest, but trained with the Sea Eagles last night If he suffers no ill-effects from the run he will sit on the bench at Brookvale Oval.

The former international is part of a three-way battle, with Geoff Toovey and Craig Field, for the No 6 and No 7 jerseys this year.

Also, prop Mark Carroll is in doubt with an ankle injury.

Meanwhile, the withdrawal of fullback Rod Maybon has forced Adelaide to pitch 18-year-old rookie Luke Williamson into tonight's Super League clash with Auckland.

Maybon was unable to make the trip to Auckland after aggravating a calf-muscle injury in last Friday's 10-8 victory over the Hunter Mariners.

Rams spokesman Rick Keegan said Queensland under-19 representative Williamson would be named in the centres, with skipper Chris Quinn switching to fullback.

The Warriors have delayed decisions on the fitness of skipper Matthew Ridge (shoulder) and hooker Syd Era (corked thigh) until today.