NRL legend Gorden Tallis has revealed that his mother, Judith, once shaved her head and competed in boxing matches against boys during her childhood.
This little-known story was shared in the new Kayo Sports and Fox League documentary, "Gorden Tallis: The Raging Bull." The program explores the resilience of Judith Tallis, whom Gorden credits with laying the foundation for his own successful career.
Tallis described his mother's upbringing on the outskirts of Townsville as challenging. He explained that his maternal grandfather, Alexander Gordon McDonald, a "hard old bugger," encouraged his sons to box. When the boys couldn't make weight for a particular fight, their father reportedly shaved Judith's head and put her in the ring.
According to Gorden Tallis, his mother, Judith, took pride in her boxing experience and won the fight. His older brother, Wally Tallis, corroborated the story, highlighting their mother's fearlessness from a young age. "She was a young girl at nine years of age who shaved her head and fought in the ring and boxed men," Wally Tallis said.
Wally Tallis also described their mother as the family's rock, noting her consistent strength despite life's adversities. Former Brisbane Broncos coach Wayne Bennett, who coached Gorden Tallis during his prime, echoed this sentiment, calling Judith a "strong woman" and the "rock."
Judith Tallis herself reflected that she and her husband prioritized providing opportunities for their children over material wealth. "We didn't have any heirs and graces and we didn't have any gold hanging off us, but we enjoyed our life and enjoyed our children and gave them the best we could," she stated.
Gorden Tallis had a decorated rugby league career, winning three premierships with the Brisbane Broncos, claiming the 1998 Clive Churchill Medal, and captaining Queensland, Australia, and Brisbane before retiring in 2004.