The latest chapter in the book of feuds between Gorden Tallis and the Brisbane Broncos has emerged after ‘The Raging Bull’ was involved in a heated verbal altercation with a club official after their match against the Titans.
Tallis has set the record straight and described it as “a bit like a schoolyard” after he decided not to shake the hand of the Broncos’ Head of Football Media, Grant Williams.
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This came after Williams decided to speak to Fox Sports’ managing director, Steve Crawley, following Tallis’ on-air criticism of the Broncos – instead of speaking directly to Tallis.
“After the Broncos beat the Titans at the stadium down at Cbus (stadium), he went to shake my hand and I said no,” Tallis said on NRL 360.
“A bit like a schoolyard. If I was in a schoolyard and someone dobbed me into the schoolteacher, I wouldn’t shake their hand.
“I wouldn’t play with them the next day and that’s about it and I told him I’m not shaking his hand and that was it. Then it did hit the paper.
“Trust me it didn’t come from this team. It didn’t come from me so it hit the paper so it’s like they wanted it out there and when it got out there we had a bit of fun with it.”
Hinting that the Broncos leaked the altercation to the media, Tallis stated that he tried to squash it and had previously given handshakes to a number of individuals on the club’s staff, including CEO Dave Donaghy.
“I tried to squash it because what they didn’t talk about was I shook Dave Donaghy’s hand. Dave Donaghy’s been to my place. I’ve opened my house to him and his family,” the co-host added.
“I went and shook some board members’ hands. That’s what they don’t talk about but then, because I walked past a guy who I don’t have much respect for because of what he’s done it seems to be a problem.
“I can’t do anything right in the Broncos eyes at the moment.”
Co-host Braith Anasta added, “This is a bit of a storm in a teacup.”
Before Code Sports’ Brent Read chimed in, “It’s not that big of a deal. Obviously, they took offence and understand why Gordy didn’t shake his hand.
“I wouldn’t shake his hand either in that situation if I were Gordy but it’s become a big deal.”
Despite previously playing for the Broncos, where he became an icon of the club, Tallis declared that he’s paid for his opinion and will never shy away from commenting on the club’s on-field or off-field dramas.
“To the Broncos fans, I’m talking to you. I spoke about a guy who got injured, came off and sat on television,” he continued.
“I don’t think that’s the crime of the century and then I walked past a crisis manager because I didn’t like that he’d come to see my boss.
This saw veteran journalist Dean Ritchie pose the question, “Do you think your anti-Broncos stance will tarnish your legacy at the club.”
“They’ve already taken it off. They can never take my memories away. No one can. I’m a Bronco, I played there, I had the greatest time of my life and won comps,” to which Tallis replied.
Originally published as ‘Dobbed me in’: Tallis reveals truth behind latest act in ‘schoolyard’ Broncos feud
