Howzat! Kerry Packer's War

[FlyingHigh]

I really enjoyed it.
Trying to pick the fictional parts is tough.
One point I wondered about was pinning the release of the secret on Hookesy.
I'd never read that it was him who blabbed in the past, so have they pinned it on him (to help the story along) because he's dead and can't argue his case?
Interesting to see Allan Shiell portrayed in the show - a legendary journo with The News.

Also, I still can't believe someone I used to drink with is playing Greg Chappell!

Is the scruffier looking journalist Mike Coward? Can't recall him being mentioned directly in the show.

[FlyingHigh]

Interesting.

I'm betting the final scene is Kerry Packer standing, smugly in the stands at the SCG, overlooking the lit up ground.

Or signing the TV rights contract with the ACB?

Not as dramatic though as the SCG scene which I agree with you is a good bet for the final scene.

Richie Benaud described the scene with champagne toasts and someone saying "we've arrived". Might have been Richie, might have been Kerry.

Must reading on this topic if anyone is interested is Gideon Haigh's "The Cricket War".

The Cricket War is a sensational book. Whilst I enjoyed the show, Howzat is to the Cricket War what Underbelly is to Blue Murder.

[FlyingHigh]

I really enjoyed it.
Trying to pick the fictional parts is tough.
One point I wondered about was pinning the release of the secret on Hookesy.
I'd never read that it was him who blabbed in the past, so have they pinned it on him (to help the story along) because he's dead and can't argue his case?
Interesting to see Allan Shiell portrayed in the show - a legendary journo with The News.

Also, I still can't believe someone I used to drink with is playing Greg Chappell!

The first conversation he had with Ian Chappell regarding the captaincy was exactly how Ian described it in one of his books, I wondered about the Hooksey part in it all as well, wanting to pull out, mentioning it to those that hadn't been approached etc.
Did the sight screen really fall down??

Not sure about the sight screen. But Hookesy did try and pull out.

Wonder why Packer didn't want Cosier?

It was interesting that they portrayed Hookesy as the one who blabbed. Id never heard this, but have read that the 1977 Ashes party was very cliquey, with the older blokes who had signed keeping their distance from the younger ones on that tour eg Hughes, Hookes, Cozier, Serjeant(??), and of course Hookesy had a foot in both.
The well-told story of Hookesy wanting to get out of WSC actually happened in Australia. Also, not sure about the tyre-depot part, I thought he trained as a teacher?

[schimma]

I went to school with Greg Chappell

He was a year or two below me, we used to catch the same bus.

Today's claim to fame

showing ya age????

[Magpiespower]

Didn't Packer drive like a madman in his flash wheels to rush Hookesy to hospital after his jaw was shattered?

If so, that scene has to be in part 2.

Been set-up nicely...

I'm betting the final scene is Kerry Packer standing, smugly in the stands at the SCG, overlooking the lit up ground.

Definitely...

[Dogwatcher]

Didn't Packer drive like a madman in his flash wheels to rush Hookesy to hospital after his jaw was shattered?

If so, that scene has to be in part 2.

Been set-up nicely...

I'm betting the final scene is Kerry Packer standing, smugly in the stands at the SCG, overlooking the lit up ground.

Definitely...

I told Mrs DW that story last night. lol

[Dogwatcher]

I really enjoyed it.
Trying to pick the fictional parts is tough.
One point I wondered about was pinning the release of the secret on Hookesy.
I'd never read that it was him who blabbed in the past, so have they pinned it on him (to help the story along) because he's dead and can't argue his case?
Interesting to see Allan Shiell portrayed in the show - a legendary journo with The News.

Also, I still can't believe someone I used to drink with is playing Greg Chappell!

Is the scruffier looking journalist Mike Coward? Can't recall him being mentioned directly in the show.

Both names were mentioned - heard the other one but didn't recognise it. Hence, I haven't retained it.

[Dogwatcher]

Interesting.

I'm betting the final scene is Kerry Packer standing, smugly in the stands at the SCG, overlooking the lit up ground.

Or signing the TV rights contract with the ACB?

Not as dramatic though as the SCG scene which I agree with you is a good bet for the final scene.

Richie Benaud described the scene with champagne toasts and someone saying "we've arrived". Might have been Richie, might have been Kerry.

Must reading on this topic if anyone is interested is Gideon Haigh's "The Cricket War".

We've arrived is Rod Marsh or Dennis Lillee, I reckon. In the middle of the field.

[Dogwatcher]

Really well done from a detail angle in terms of the 70's EXCEPT Sniff and The Tears "Drivers Seat" didn't come out until late 1978 (it was played over 1977) and Hawthorn didn't train at VFL park in the 70s, and their jumpers had an all gold back in 1977 (not white with black numbers).

I didn't pick Driver's Seat
But did notice the Hawthorn thing. Obviously is was just a mechanism to show what the hole was used for.

[Interceptor]

Missed it so far, might have to obtain it by other means if they don't repeat it.

Meanwhile, Billy Birmingham (12th Man) has been tweeting his thoughts

* I'm f'in lovin this. Kerry f'in Packer is f'in great. F'in Richie is not f'in bad in the f'in looks dept. but the f'in voice?

* Wheres the f'n scrotometer and the f'in crackcam?

* Wheres Tony? Sitting on his big orse instead of going in hord and forst. Kerry corn't do it all on his own.

* F me. I feel like a f'in burger and a f'in coke watching this. Rose! Get me a f'in burger. And make it f'in snappy f ya.

* This is shooper shtuff. Marvellous. Not much dialogue from Richie though. What the f's going on here?

* F. I'm barring up hearing that lovely music.

* Remembering the time Tony Greig told me he played my album to Kerry in the car and I said " Kerry who"! I thought he meant some chick. F!

* BTW. When I asked Tony what Kerry thought of the album, he said "He lorfed his orse orf. Thought it was morvellous!"

* Good night all. As Richie would say "a shooper effort that. We'll come back here in a few days and we look forward to your company then"

* Far out. Just flicked over to fox sports after howzat and f me if it wasn't a World Series game from 1982. Surreal!

https://twitter.com/12thmanbillyb

[Hondo]

We've arrived is Rod Marsh or Dennis Lillee, I reckon. In the middle of the field.

Yeah, now you say it I think that's right.

[RustyCage]

Think it's going to be repeated Saturday night

[RustyCage]

Channel 9 never miss a marketing opportunity!

[Footy Chick]

I went to school with Greg Chappell

He was a year or two below me, we used to catch the same bus.

Today's claim to fame

showing ya age????

Not the REAL Greg Chappell ya goon

Besides, I don't think I went to PAC (at least I think the CHappells went there)

[Brad]

From a cricket documentry I watched on ABC, the night they played the first game underlights at the SCG Rod Marsh said "we're back, the bastards love us" and after the game Kerry Packer, Richie and Daphne sipped a drink and didn't say anything but just smiled.

[Brad]

After Hookes had his jaw broken Packer made it compulsary for all players to wear helmets, Hookes came back and batted that day and the first ball back he faced he hooked for a six the exact same shot his misjudged that broke his jaw in the first place.

[The Dark Knight]

I thought it was funny when Packer said to one of the players (Mallett?) he'd buy the tyre store (the player's employer) in Adelaide so he wouldn't have any issues with having the time off work to play.

I'm pretty sure that was Hookes.

[Strawb]

both sides lost millions of dollars during the war. But Kerry ended up winning in the end.

[southee]

Loved Packer throwing the chicken sandwich Rose (his secertary) gave him at the wall and demanding "I just want some F..ing Pies!!"

Laughed at that as it made me think of Barge Arze !!

[Strawb]

Loved Packer throwing the chicken sandwich Rose (his secertary) gave him at the wall and demanding "I just want some F..ing Pies!!"

Laughed at that as it made me think of Barge Arze !!