The 1970 QAFL grand final is remembered for the intervention of police and trainers to quell a series of wild brawls, a withering Sandgate comeback that delivered a drought-ending premiership, and Warren Lloyd.
The then 19-year-old ruck/forward starred at full forward as the Hawks, 22 points down at halftime, beat Coorparoo by 39 points to claim their first flag since 1957.
It was the beginning of a rich and proud era for the Hawks, and the arrival of Lloyd as a star of Queensland football after a masterstroke from Sandgate coach Terry Moule.
Looking to combat Coorparoo veteran Wayne Stewart, Moule stationed Lloyd, a local junior, in the goalsquare and instructed his players to put the ball in the air. While fully expecting his young gun to come in for some ‘treatment’ from the Roos star, Moule promised the goals would come – and come they did.
With Gary Wagner moved into the centre and Dave Christie swung onto the ball, Lloyd provided a focal point and a contest that turned the game. Sandgate led by two points at three-quarter time and held Coorparoo scoreless in the final term to win 14-12 (96) to 8-9 (57).
It was the start of an era in which Lloyd was a critical figure as Sandgate went on to play in six grand finals through the 1970s for premierships in 1970-71-74-79.
Known to all and sundry in local circles as ‘Lloydie’, he was a touch short against the League’s top ruckmen but never shirked the issue. As tough and competitive as anyone, he was a standout through a career of 244 senior games in the green and red, and five games for Queensland from 1972-74.
More than one Sandgate supporter was known to avoid travelling from the north side – except when the Hawks played Coorparoo at Giffin Park and Lloyd at centre half forward was booked to once again do battle with Stewart at centre half back.
After piloting Sandgate to the 1979 premiership as playing coach Lloyd went on to have five seasons as senior coach, confirming his standing as one of the club’s all-time greats.
