Jack Jeffries must have enjoyed face slapping - a rival coach said sarcastically - given that the lightweight hooker left St George to join me at Wests and then left with me to join the Dragons.

Jack, along with Magpie captain Tom Raudonikis, was featured in the famous face-slapping scene in the dressing sheds at Lidcombe Oval in a 1979 episode of Nine’s 60 Minutes . It has seemingly been replayed more times than episodes of Seinfeld , each repeat reinforcing my reputation as Slapper in Chief.

Jack’s courage in pairing with relentless Tommy in this pre-game rev-up could only have been surpassed if he had linked with Dallas Donnelly and his wrecking-ball paws.

Tommy and Dallas are gone, as is Jack who died last Friday night, aged 68, following a stroke.