Editorial - Editorial

Wasley backs cue king
12th June 2009, 9:00 WST

Kalgoorlie's latest eightball sensation Dax Wasley has called for his idol, Goldfields-born former world No.1 Jack Halligan, to be inducted into the Goldfields Sporting Hall of Fame.

Last weekend the pair clashed in a special exhibition match in which Wasley prevailed across 21 frames, 11-7.

Although upstaging his childhood hero, Wasley – himself a three-time State representative – said Halligan maintained virtual cult-hero status in the sport.

“The Halligan name in Kalgoorlie is revered – it’s legend,” Wasley said.

“And even with blokes in Adelaide where I did my hard yards (in pool), there are some legends there and Jack Halligan is a household name.”

Halligan first made his name in Kalgoorlie playing for Victoria Tavern (now de Bernales), before embarking on an international career.

His career highlights include 14 stints as an Australian team representative, including five as captain, and 18 State caps. Halligan was twice named World Player of the Year and was an inaugural inductee into the Australian Eightball Federation Hall of Fame in 2003.

“I’d like to do even half the things Jack’s done, he’s one of the most capped players Australia’s ever had,” Wasley said.

Halligan now tours Australia performing exhibitions in pubs, clubs and mine sites displaying the skill that made him famous, a life Wasley said he would love to emulate.

“Anyone that loves their pool only dreams of doing what Jack does, he lives the pool players’ dream, he might laugh at that but it’s true,” he said.

“It’s just not that easy, you’ve got to have his stats and his reputation to do it.

“And it’s not just about being as good as he is, it’s about being a showman too and that’s the hardest bit.”

The region lays claim to producing three of the greatest cue exponents the world has ever seen. Walter Lindrum and Bob Marshall were among the inaugural 2005 Goldfields Sporting Hall of Fame inductees, while Halligan continues to wait patiently.

“Eightball is not as recognised (as billiards) but you don’t understand how big he is – it’s like a Leigh Matthews or a Gary Ablett in football,” Wasley said.

“He is that good at what he does.

“They’ll get him in there (the hall of fame), they have to.”

MARK CONWAY

http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=244&ContentID=148138

Editorial - Editorial

AFTER years of discussions and planning, the long-awaited Goldfields Sporting Hall of Fame is officially off the ground and what a great initiative it is.

Among the eight inaugural inductees, all were very worthy of the honour and I doubt there will be too many arguments regarding their formal recognition.

For mine, the induction of Walter Lindrum and Bob Marshall were no-brainers and it is remarkable that two of the world's best-ever billiards players both hail from the Goldfields.

Lindrum is without doubt the finest billiards player the world has ever seen - a reputation underlined by 57 world records.

Marshall dominated Australian and international amateur billiards in a long and brilliant career punctuated by 21 Australian and four world titles.

Hats off to the other inductees too in Pat Treby (diving), Vanessa Ward (athletics), Steve Marsh (football), Terry Walsh (hockey), William Truscott (football) and Rex Mitchell (sports administration).

But I can't help but think that selecting the inaugural inductees was the easy part.

From now on, it figures to be a damn side tougher with so many champions, past and present, putting their hand up for inclusion.

Ward and Walsh are former Olympians who rightfully earned selection, but there are others including baseballer Neville Pratt.

Yet another former local in Dale Hughes, although he did not compete at the Olympics, played for and also coached Australia in baseball.

With Lindrum and Marshall already in the hall, I wonder if there will one day also be room for another master of the cue in eightball wizard Jack Halligan, who has captained numerous All-Australian teams.

Read more...

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Well guys, she's baaaack!!!

Unfortunately I had a really crappy personal performance end to the Nationals so I just missed out on Australian Squad Selection and then to rub salt into the wounds, we lost the Semi Final to WA after a grueling 4 1/2 hour drawn match and then a 5 frame play-off at the end. :headbang:

So here is a friendly warning to any of you Western Australian players out there... I'M GUNNING FOR YOU!! :bfg:

Our men's team lost in the Grand Final to South Australia, again. Either way, after the tears had dried up and the long faces had a few drinks in front of them, we all partied last night away at the playing venue with all rivalries aside. It was a very mental and physically draining yet awesome tournament with a fitting celebratory end.

Blade, I have in fact heard of Peter Watt but I haven't had the pleasure of meeting the gentleman as NSW hasn't submitted a side into the Nationals since either 1999/2000 and last year was my first year at National level. Mind you, at the Presentation Dinner last night we were given a list of players from each state to select the top 12 to make up an All Australian Team to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the Australian Eightball Titles and I do remember seeing his name on the list for NSW. I do know that a few tables had his name as a selection (ours included) but overall he had not received enough votes to secure a spot in the All Australian team.

For those interested, last night four players were inducted into the Hall of Fame with all of them having represented Victoria at one time or another (now doesn't that say something about us mighty Vics :D).
The players were:
Jack Halligan - QLD
Mick Delahunty - SA
Joy Sullivan - VIC
Natalie Froling - VIC

I must say though that I am so glad to be back and I sincerely thank those of you that sent me their well wishes while I was away.

Well, I must be off. I'm sure there are plenty of South Australians and Western Australians in the battlefields to slaughter just waiting for Pooly. I'll see you soon. :P

Pooly
:angel:

Pooleshark

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Jack Halligan plays a pretty good game of pool. He should do. He was in the World Champion 8-Ball team rankings in 1993 and 1995. Twice World No. 1 pool player.

Visiting Nimbin to play exhibition matches, give hints and demonstrate trick-shots at the Nimbin Hotel and Backpackers, Jack was happy to take on all comers.

"I do this in pubs, clubs and mining camps all round Australia," Jack said. "I’m on the road all year round."

Patrons recalled the last time he visited, in September 2005, when the only local who could beat him was Johnny Bayles. He still keeps a signed poster from the event.

This time again there was no shortage of competitors, one of the youngest being pool enthusiast Jared Atkinson. Jack asked him, "Were you here last time I was here?" He would have been 13 at the time, well past his bedtime.

Jared was left with six balls on the table after a masterful display of accurate drops and clever cue-ball positioning by the world champion.

Jimmy Guertsen, who Jack remembered had beaten him in Bowen last year, came close to winning a game, makng a seven ball break but failing to pot the black. Max Pike got even closer, sinking all eight balls but pocketing an opposition ball after the black.

Eventually Johnny Bayles’ son-in-law Kyle Hudson broke the drought, defeating Jack and so creating something of a family tradition. His feat was soon after repeated by Matt Andriske, also in a close black-ball game.

Jack took the losses in good grace."That’s the game," he said with a shrug. "I’ve just come back from five weeks’ holiday where I didn’t touch a pool-cue."

Many posters were signed. "I’m really enjoying playing at the moment, and I love coming here," he said. Looks like he’s welcome in Nimbin anytime.
 

Editorial - Editorial

Jack Halligan plays a pretty good game of pool. He should do. He was in the World Champion 8-Ball team rankings in 1993 and 1995. Twice World No. 1 pool player.

Visiting Nimbin to play exhibition matches, give hints and demonstrate trick-shots at the Nimbin Hotel and Backpackers, Jack was happy to take on all comers. “I do this in pubs, clubs and mining camps all round Australia,” Jack said. “I’m on the road all year round.”

Patrons recalled the last time he visited, in September 2005, when the only local who could beat him was Johnny Bayles. He still keeps a signed poster from the event. This time again there was no shortage of competitors, one of the youngest being pool enthusiast Jared Atkinson. Jack asked him, “Were you here last time I was here?” He would have been 13 at the time, well past his bedtime.

Jared was left with six balls on the table after a masterful display of accurate drops and clever cue-ball positioning by the world champion.

Jimmy Guertsen, who Jack remembered had beaten him in Bowen last year, came close to winning a game, makng a seven ball break but failing to pot the black. Max Pike got even closer, sinking all eight balls but pocketing an opposition ball after the black.
Eventually Johnny Bayles’ son-in-law Kyle Hudson broke the drought, defeating Jack and so creating something of a family tradition. His feat was soon after repeated by Matt Andriske, also in a close black-ball game.
Jack took the losses in good grace.“That’s the game,” he said with a shrug. ”I’ve just come back from five weeks’ holiday where I didn’t touch a pool-cue.”

Many posters were signed. “I’m really enjoying playing at the moment, and I love coming here,” he said. Looks like he’s welcome in Nimbin anytime.

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Pool champion Jack Halligan, on tour at the Newman hotel WA.
Im not a big pool fan, but I just love the concentration, expression and the wrinkles, looks like he has spent many years playing pool in pubs.

Artist: Michael Hurren

Nikon D3, ISO 3200
80-200 2.8 AF Nikkor

http://www.redbubble.com/people/ljxtreem/art/1358408-1-jack

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Former world-number-one-ranked pool player, the 'Kalgoorlie Kid', Jack Halligan displayed his immense talent in an exhibition at the Terminus Hotel in Gawler last Wednesday night.

Originally from the Western Australian mining town of Kalgoorlie, Halligan has been taking his one-man show around the country for the last decade.

Halligan entertains crowds with trick shot exhibitions, up to 30 games against the local players and coaching during a fun-packed evening's entertainment.

The ‘Kid's' credentials are certainly strong – he has played in the world pool titles for eight of the last 11 years and is one of only three people, along with Mike Delahuntly and Steve Hogan, in the Australia 8-ball Hall of Fame.

He was ranked number one pool player in the world twice in the 1990s and has captained his country at the world championships on five occasions.

Halligan amassed a world record 88.89 per cent winning record when he collected his first world number one ranking in 1993.

"It started back in 1984," Halligan said. "Eddie Charlton came to Kalgoorlie and inspired me to get into the caper. We remained good friends until Eddie's death in November 2004."

While pool has a lower international sporting profile than snooker, Halligan has toured the world performing in England, Ireland, Wales, America and South Africa, along with a host of local bookings.12365

http://www.barossaherald.com.au/news/local/sport/other/jacks-a-trick-star/618006.aspx

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 Hit the road, Jack

This one's personal. When I was a young up-and-comer playing pool, I went searching for a coach, and eventually spent a lot of my time being groomed by one of the most decorated player's Australia has ever had - Jack Halligan. He took me from being yet another pub pool player to bordering on state team selection. Since that time, he has moved to Queensland, and this year is the captain of their state team. If the opportunity arises, I'd love to beat him in a match at the nationals.

Watch out Jack, I'm coming for 'ya.

Posted by marty at October 28, 2005 10:05 PM
Australian 8-Ball Championships - Grand Final (November 25, 2005)

Tonight we played against Qld in the grand final. They got out to a flying start in the first quarter and led us 5-3 with some amazing pool. Their formed continued as they beat us 6-2 in the second quarter to end with an 11-5 half time lead. The VIC's haven't played bad up to this point, and the Queenslanders have been on fire, potting everything in sight. Not a good start for us.

The third quarter is a bit more even in terms of play, but Qld still win the quarter 5-3, giving them a 16-8 lead at three quarter time. Crap! We have to win every frame in the last quarter to send the match to a tie-breaker.

We reel off 5 consecutive frames in the last quarter to give ourselves a chance before Queensland finally get their winning frame. The scoreline at least now looks a respectable 17-13, but it was too little too late for the Victorians.

Its dissapointing to get so close and not win it. I think we played our grand final yesterday when we cleaned up the SA in the preliminary. We also had two Victorians playing off in the singles final (well done Ben and Paull!). So the VIC's had a pretty full-on day yesterday while Qld was resting. That highlights to us just how important top spot on the ladder is to get straight into the grand final.

Its been a pretty good campaign overall. One of the best Victorian teams that has been put together for a while did a good job. Hopefully we can learn from our lessons and go one step further next year.

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Australian Pool champion coming to Canowindra
27/07/2005 7:34:28 AM
Pool legend Jack Halligan will share a few tips with Canowindra players as part of a tour including the Junction Hotel.

Jack has virtually achieved everything possible in the sport of 8-Ball (pool) - Australian Open Individual and Doubles Championships plus 13 state titles are testimony to his

outstanding skills as a cue-man.

Jack has also been captain of five Australian and ten State teams and was a member of our victorious Australian team in our stunning

victory against England in the final of the 1996 World Team Championships in Manchester.

Jack has travelled regularly to England to compete for Australia since 1993 and has produced some outstanding results.

At the 1993 World Titles, Jack completed the week long tournament with an amazing 88.89% winning average to win the "World player of the Year" award.

This achievement is to this day, still, a World Championships record and is widely considered as a record to most unlikely ever be broken.

Winning this award was regarded as a once in a lifetime feat as the opposition players were the very finest from throughout the world.

Amazingly however, after finishing 3rd at the 1994 Titles Jack again topped the averages (82%) in 1995 to win his second "World Player of the Year" title.

On all three occasions Jack was selected in the "World All Stars" team.

In 2000 Jack was awarded the "Australian 2000" Sports Medal, presented by the Prime Minister and Governor General, on behalf of the Queen for outstanding sporting achievement.

In 2001 Jack won the "Player of the Carnival" at the Australian National Titles in Cairns, the 2002 "Queensland Open Singles Championships" and in 2003 became the first inductee into the Australian "Hall of Fame".

Jack has appeared as a player on Australian, American and British television and has also been a guest entertainer on "Hey Hey it's Saturday."

Jack is touring your area soon, taking on all challengers, entertaining with great trick shots, educating, with helpful hints and throwing in humour, with some great jokes and yarns.

Jack Halligan will be appearing at the Junction Hotel on August 7, 2005.

http://www.canowindranews.com.au/news/local/sport/other/australian-pool-champion-coming-to-canowindra/608374.aspx