The Eye of the Storm magazine vol 23 august 2017

the

In the of the

EYE Eye of the

Vol 23: August, 2017

BLAKE TAYLOR Carrington St Warrior wit h

Garry

MORRIS INTERVIEW

Part 1

All Your Juniors & Seniors Action

The e-mag for Gosford Kariong Storm Footy Fans

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YIKES!

Contents Vol 23:August, 2017

46 17

Page 4 … Editorial 5 … Imperial Centre Notice Board 6, 40 … In The Press 7 – 14 … Interview with Townies Legend; Garry Morris

47

15 … What’ What’s With This Draw 17 – 38 … Pictorial Pages 39 … Public Transport Liaison Officer 41 - 45 … Open Grade 46 … White Cane Photography 47 – 49 … Flashback to 2012 50 … Buy A Photo (oh go on, you know you want to!)

51 … Competition Tables 52 … The Back Page (Up There Cazaly)

7 5

Rumours persist that Gosford will be fielding a Ladies Tag team in 2018. Club matriarch Renee.M. has been training the house down and its tipped that she will shortly be announced as the inaugural captain/coach of the GK-Stormettes.

Remember where you heard it first …

The semi finals have come into full view and

The Eye was horrified to learn that 8 members

The Eye is happy to announce that we have a host of teams in high contention. The 10s,12s,13s & 14s remain very much in the hunt for a dash at the silverware as we head into a hectic final two rounds of the regular season.

of the champion Kariong Primary School U10s team are playing their weekend footy with Erina (two are with us). We are also reliably informed that the Eagles table topping U11(1)s squad is chockers full of lads from Narara and Niagara Park (not to mention the trio of Kariong lads who up and left us at the end of last season to join the Erina U12s). We are clearly doing something terribly wrong if kids from within our designated junior area are choosing Karalta Rd in such high numbers.

Loyalty loyalty loyalty … the three ‘L’s remain vital to the future of our club. The Eye would like to take this opportunity to stand and applaud our junior clubs fifteen longest serving players.

Cover boy, Blake Taylor along with Preston Bierton (pictured right), head the list, with both lads currently playing their eleventh seasons at good ole Carrington Street. The top 15 list reads as follows, Years

Neni & Little Angus with a whole bunch of Eagles as members of the Kariong Primary School team.

11 … Blake Taylor, Preston Bierton

Amusing In-In-Goal Comments #319 …

10 … Jake Martin

Wyong U14(2)s trainer @ Carrington St, 2929-7-17.

9 … Ben Shepherd, Cameron Bird, Josh Stedman 7 … Blake Hodge, Daniel Fekeila, Fekeila, Liam Gleeson, Ryan Bird, Nathan Peers, Jeremy Belcher, Seth Portus, Portus, Jake Grimley, Tarren Wargent.

Wargent.

“We’ve got 3 minutes to score 6 points. I don’t care if you kick 6 field goals, but we gotta pull back 6”.

Anyone else old enough to remember Eric Simms? The great Souths fullback kicked 3 field goals in the 1970 grand final. Took him a tad longer than 3 minutes but.

Carn the Storm!

- Andrew Stark

All opinions expressed throughout this publication are derived solely from the scattered & random thoughts of the author; none of which are necessarily shared by the GKS club … nor anyone else on the planet really.

IMPERIAL CENTRE

GKS NOTICEBOARD UNVEILED IN THE HEART OF GOSFORD After seven months of intense negotiation, The Eye is pleased to announce that the township of Gosford has been re-established as a Storm stronghold.

We welcome the support of the Imperial Centre who have supplied us with our very own custom made cabinet, which is mounted on the wall just to the side of the shopping centre’s downstairs food court area.

The Imperial Centr e Proudly Supporting Gosford Rugby Lea gue

The cabinet will be filled with all manner of GKS news and information along with an enlarged photo to feature the,

Imperial Centre’s Player of the Month (to be adjudicated by our club committee, photo taken by Andrew Stark, and kindly printed by True Living Colour).

Congratulations to the inaugural winner;

Blake Taylor The Eye of the Storm MAGAZINE – AUGUST 2017

In The Press …

Gosford Thirteens Eye Remaining Semi Spot

by Andrew Stark

Coast Community News 27th July, 2017

With three rounds remaining in this season’s junior rugby league competition, the Gosford Kariong Storm Under 13(2)s find themselves locked in an intriguing four way battle for the last remaining semi final spot in their division.

A last ditch 28-22 victory over Blue Haven, followed by a comprehensive 30-12 win over Kincumber has seen Gosford storm into equal fifth position. Blue Haven, Woy Woy and Gosford sit level on 8 competition points with Kincumber two points behind in eighth position. The Storm’s win over the Colts was particularly meritorious as it as achieved with just 12 players following a send off just before half time. Representative prop Jake Sutherland rose to the crisis and proceeded to power his way over for a second half hattrick of tries. A blistering first half display from Soakimi ‘Dom’ Aho saw the Gosford five eighth give the final pass for two tries while proving a constant handful in both attack and defence. Sadly his game was prematurely ended when an otherwise powerful tackle went inadvertently awry.

The Gosford U16(2)s provided a huge upset during round 12 when they came from behind to defeat the second placed Eagles 12-8 at Erina Oval. Trailing by eight at the break, the Storm battled hard to stay in touch with the Erina boys before a try in the League Club corner to Marcus Gage dramatically shifted the momentum of the contest. A typically powerful charge from Suli Hakalo followed as the rampaging prop rumbled 70 metres down centre field, swatting Erina defenders aside before diving over between the sticks. The win provides a high point for the Gosford team who have almost lost more coaching combinations this season than they have games of footy. Well done to the current coach, Nathan Malcolm on overseeing his first win of the year; which was the teams third of 2017.

Please note: this is the submitted piece in it’s entirety. The editor of the Coast Community News is responsible for the changes that ultimately appear in the newspaper.

The

Fr Ru ien gb d y so Le f ag G o ue sf Se or ri d es

GARRY MORRIS The Eye catches up with

Garry Morris to recount his days starring in the famous red & blue jersey of Gosford..

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – August 2017 - Andrew Stark INTERVIEWS Garry Morris

YEARS - Part One Gosford Townies 19641964-1970

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – August, 2017 - Andrew Stark Chats With Garry Morris

The Townies kicked off the 1964 season as defending premiers having won the competition the previous winter. Gosford had claimed the premiership in 1958, 1959 and then again in 1963 under the astute coaching and captaincy of former Test forward Bernie Drew. By the start of 1964 however Drew had hung up his boots and his replacement was to be a skinny, local kid named Morris.

Eye- You just missed the Bernie Drew era?

GM- Yeah, I asked Bernie to play on. He retired and I was lock in 1964 and I said play another one comp because I reckon running off him I’d score a hundred tries. He’d come through with the ball and he’d just lower his shoulder and go, “Boomp” and keep going and then, “Boomp”. He played for Australia. He just had that technique down pat and he’d just bounce them off him. I could of just hung around to feed off his scraps. But no, that was it; he’d had enough of it.

Nineteen year old lock forward, Garry Morris would make his first grade debut for Gosford during the opening round of 1964. The lad had previously played in weight division teams at Gosford High before leaving school a month prior to his fifteenth birthday to take up an apprenticeship.

Bernie Drew.

Right: Gosford Star – 20th May, 1964.

Previous Page: Garry Morris with the Caltex Shield after Gosford had won the 1967 mid season knockout.

Above:

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – August, 2017 - Andrew Stark CHATS WITH Garry Morris

GM - Mate, when I left High School I could still play under six stone.

Above: Garry Morris (centre) aged 14, pictured in the Gosford High School’s Under 8 stone team of 1958. Future Townies team mate, Tom Ferguson stands to his immediate right.

That initial game in the top grade was a rousing success for the young man who’d been raised by his aunty and uncle in Frederick Street, East Gosford following the death of his mother when Garry was just nine. In his first grade debut, Morris cut down the bigger Bunnies forwards with a series of scything tackles while also managing to race over for two tries as the red & blues recorded a comprehensive 59-2 defeat of Umina.

Garry Morris who played C-Grade last season was the star player for Gosford, giving a superb display of defence and backing up in the lock position - The Central Coast Express of 20-4-1964 writes of Garry Morris’ first grade debut.

During the following seven seasons, Morris would proceed to etch his name into the annals of Gosford rugby league history. An unfaltering ability to mop up tearaway opponents with classic cover defending tackles, coupled with a penchant for finding the try line, led to Garry Morris being awarded the competition’s Best & Fairest Award, the prestigious Sterland Medal in 1966, having finished second in the standings during the two previous years. In 1964 he was runner up to Wyong’s legendary captain/coach Morrie Breen before falling a single point shy of claiming the prize twelve months later.

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – AUGUST, 2017 - Andrew Stark CHATS WITH Garry Morris

In a somewhat controversial finale to the 1965 count, Morris and Wyong’s Bill Scott were locked together on 15 points heading into the final round of matches. The Wyong five eighth duly picked up the three points for his performance in the Roos game, while Garry Morris, despite being the Townies best on the park against The Entrance, was only given two. The Sterland Medal was determined solely by the referees and the whistleblower who had officiated Gosford’s final round 26-7 win, decided in his wisdom that Pat McCudden, the fullback for the comprehensively defeated Seagulls (as The Entrance were known back then) was worthy of man of the match status and the three points. Despite the eyebrow raising conclusion to the 1965 Medal count, the following season would remain shenanigan free as Morris was fittingly, if not belatedly, crowned as the best & fairest footballer on the Coast.

GM – My wife wears the Sterland Medal around her neck these days.

She’s put it on a gold chain and she wears it when she goes out.

During his initial season in the top grade, 1964, 1964 Gosford would finish the home and away rounds as minor premiers having begun the year with a string of victories. By mid season, the Townies had built up a massive nine point lead on the competition ladder before a series of defeats saw them limp home to ultimately hold top spot by just the single point from Woy Woy. Erina and The Entrance made up the final four. The Bernie Drew coached Gosford team would ultimately prove no match for Woy Woy in the finals; losing 17-9 in the major semi final and 22-3 in the grand final to the George Bartlett inspired Roosters. In both these losses, Garry Morris would notch the Townies lone try. Upon his retirement from the game in 1981, Gosford’s crash tackling centre, Garry Wilkinson would nominate the Woy Woy team of 1964 as the best local side he ever played against.

Above:

Garry Wilkinson.

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – AUGUST, 2017 - Andrew Stark CHATS WITH Garry Morris

The following season saw Bernie Drew step down as coach, with the club appointing Jock Daley; a hard nosed prop forward who’d played for many seasons with Norths in the Newcastle competition before heading up to Taree.

GM – He (Jock Daly) came from the country. He was the one who didn’t have his big toe and he kept falling over. I remember thinking, this bloke’s drunk.

Despite the physically unsteady nature of their new captain coach, Gosford would again begin the season well. Wyong and Woy Woy however were the form teams heading into the 1965 Finals and the Townies would have to settle for third place on the ladder. Garry Morris was week in week out, the Townies best, while Above: Jock Daly. winger Alan Grady would equal the competition’s try scoring record of 26, set previously by Ourimbah’s Eric Sladden who had subsequently gone on to star for Souths and then Norths in the Sydney competition. Grady would surely have set a new record however his final tally was hampered by the fact that he missed four games through injury during mid season. On one remarkable afternoon he crossed for ten tries as Gosford thumped the winless Erina side 111-2 at Erina Oval during round 9.

As the semi finals loomed, a massive injury toll and a general loss of troops looked to have ended Gosford’s chances as; Trevor Andrews, Brian Mulheron, Lindsay Bailey and Kevin Annand all broke bones; while Jock Daly kept getting himself sent off for over vigorous play and replacement prop Terry Jones was away on his honeymoon.

Gosford’s lock, the youthful Garry Morris stamped himself as the district’s most outstanding prospect.

- Central Coast Express 6-9-1965.

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – AUGUST, 2017 - Andrew Stark CHATS WITH Garry Morris

The knockout semi final saw Gosford put an end to Ourimbah’s season via a comprehensive 34-8 victory. While the Townies sat back, Woy Woy and Wyong tore into to each other in one of the most remarkable major semi finals ever seen on the Coast. By the time the dust had finally settled, both sides had been reduced to just nine men. Referee Bernie Haviland sent six players off, three from each side. Star Wyong men, Morrie Breen and Bill Scott would also be forced to leave the arena on stretchers as the Roos lost both the fight and the game. The premier’s, Woy Woy went straight through to the grand final via a 25-2 thrashing.

GM – They were always very competitive those two. Wyong were the thugs in the competition when I was playing. They had a couple of blokes ******** and another big thug *******. I remember he belted Rod Urquhart in a game at Ourimbah which almost turned into an all brawl. It was an absolute bloodbath. Yeah, he was a big thug; not much football in him, but he could fight.

Gosford duly met and defeated what was left of the Roos challenge in the Preliminary Final, scoring a 13-11 win to book their place in the season’s decider against the defending premiers Woy Woy.

As the large crowd streamed out of Grahame Park, the general consensus was that Woy Woy will prove to be too strong for the Townies in the grand final.

- Central Coast Express 30-8-1965.

Garry Morris chops down Ourimbah’s Keith Robson during 1964. Dennis ‘Pud’ Smith watches on.

Right:

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – AUGUST, 2017 - Andrew Stark CHATS WITH Garry Morris

Jock Daly would be forced to sit out the decider with a rib injury while Woy Woy also had their problems, losing their hooker Brad Berry and the former South Sydney first grader Bill Bennett who’d both failed to recover from the bruising major semi final. The loss of Berry would be especially telling as Gosford’s impressive hooker Tom Ferguson proceeded to rake the Roosters off Sohier Park; winning the scrums by a whooping margin of 23-9. This was a huge advantage given that the game was played under the unlimited tackle rule back in those days and scrums were a genuine and vital contest for prized possession.

Woy Woy led the game 2-0 early however a couple of penalty goals kicked by the Townies second rower Pat Bell saw the underdogs take a narrow 4-2 lead into the break. The second half provided a dour struggle as Woy Woy tackled like Trojans in an attempt to repel wave after wave of Gosford attack. Both sides had their

Gosford Star 8-9-1965.

chances toward the finish however the premiership was ultimately decided with just two minutes remaining on the clock. Gosford skipper Ted Kell worked the blindside from 10 metres out, feeding Allan Grady who scampered over in the corner for the only try of the grand final. The Townies had prevailed 7-2 in front of a record crowd with prop Kell featuring in his fourth premiership win for Gosford, having previously played in the clubs successful teams of 1958, 1959 and 1963.

When the final whistle rang out, hundreds of spectators milled onto the ground to chair off Gosford’s captain Ted Kell and team-mate Garry Morris. Gosford’s dressing shed was thronged with wellwishers as they slapped their heroes on the back.

Wyong News 8-9-1965.

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – AUGUST, 2017 - Andrew Stark CHATS WITH Garry Morris

- 1965 -

Above: Gosford’s Premiership winning team of 1965 photographed

before the grand final. Back row – Jock Daly (Coach), Harry Pomfret, Garry Wilkinson, Kevin Annand, Ted Kell, Allan Grady, Ian Jones, Trevor Andrews, Tom Ferguson, Bob Picton (Manager), Bill Mulheron. Front row – Pat Bell, Ron Payer, Kevin Brand, John McMahon, Brian Gregory, Garry Morris, Dennis O’Toole.

The Garry Morris Years – Part Two – will appear in our next edition --------- TO BE CONTINUED ---------

What’s With This Draw? v

by Andrew Stark

Warning: Article M ay Cause D

Bloody

rowsiness

A fair degree of angst has been generated by this season’s junior draw. Sadly, we’ve experienced a few home game rounds at Carrington Street during 2017 that have featured less than a handful of Storm teams. The club’s most recent committee meeting revealed that this disturbing phenomena has negatively impacted our canteen sales as foreign teams tend to play and leave without pausing to sample any of our culinary delights. It is also affecting our volunteer capacity, as well as making it more difficult for players to back up in the older age divisions.

At the very pointy end of this problem sits the Storm’s battling U15(2)s team who played their final home game of the season way back on the first Saturday in June. Taking all these facts on board, The Eye decided to delve into this fixture madness with a forensic thoroughness and we were fairly certain it would end up as an award winning Four Corners styled expose that would quite simply rock the rugby league establishment to within a left footed grubber kick of it’s core.

Sadly, it must be reported; The Eye was mistaken.

Let’s look a little more closely at the U15(2)s division by way of an example. It is an eight team competition, played over 15 rounds. Our team was granted only four home games for the season which our investigative crew initially reasoned, must have meant that some of those big, powerful clubs were getting eight, nine or even ten home games at our expense. ‘Bastards!’ was the cry, as objects were hurled about the office in frustration. But wait, no, The Eye had fallen for the sucker punch (yet again). For upon closer inspection we can reveal that; Terrigal, Ourimbah, Toukley, Kincumber & Blue Haven all received five home games, while Gosford, Erina & The Entrance were granted four. How could that be you ask?

Well, the crux of the problem lies in the number of games played throughout the season at grounds foreign to both teams. All up there were 60 games scheduled to have been played in this years U15(2)s regular season (i.e. before the semi finals).

Of those 60, a whopping 23 are games played at grounds that neither side calls home. That’s 38% of the entire competition. The reason for this is that while we might have a home game round, so to might the club we are due to play.

Conversely, both clubs may have away rounds. Digging into the eight clubs in this division reveals that when the Storm are playing a home round at Carrington Street, so to are Kincumber, The Entrance, Blue Haven & Ourimbah. This of course means that if any of these teams are drawn to play each other during a home game week, then one of the team’s has to miss out and be forced to play away; while if they are down to play on an away week, there is no option but to play the game on a neutral ground.

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – August, 2017

What’s With This Draw?

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – August, 2017

by Andrew Stark Unfortunately the plight of our U15(2)s has been further accentuated by all of their home games having been exhausted inside the first seven rounds. And whilst most of the teams in the competition have their home games scattered more evenly throughout the season; The Entrance did have to wait until round seven to receive their first game at home (just as we were playing our fourth).

And this is just the Under 15(2)s division. One then needs to factor in all the other competitions, from the myriad of Under 6 groupings right up to the Under 17(1)s. Divisions to be played concurrently, or not concurrently as the case may be … and there you have it. What on the surface appears to be nothing more than a dogs breakfast, created by officials who dead set have it in for our club … is on closer inspection, a fairly well conceived schedule that does attempt to be as fair to everyone as is humanly possible.

On can only assume that this problem has been heightened in 2017 due to us inadvertently finding ourselves playing in more competitions with teams that share our home day schedule. Of course this too is a part of the draw equation and should have been taken into account before the home and away schedules were allocated to each club. Last season for instance, our away weekends coincided with St Edwards home games, while this year they match up … so this element is flexible at the start of every new season however can easily be mucked around when teams are re-graded after the opening month of competition.

You know, putting a footy draw together must be an absolute bugger of a job. I imagine it to be somewhat akin to trying to solve a bucket full of Rubiks Cubes using only your elbows. Hopefully there’s a computer program or an app or something that spits out the draw these days, as just thinking about the endless series of permeations and pitfalls involved in doing it manually has The Eye reaching urgently for a stiff glass of Visine. (that’s just a very silly joke kiddies, you should never drink eye drops).

What on the surface appears to be nothing more than a dogs breakfast, created by officials who dead set have it in for our club … is on closer inspection, a fairly well conceived schedule that does attempt to be as fair to everyone as is humanly possible.

t he

Pictorial

Pages

Photos – Andrew Stark

Annabel LeMaistre U10(3)s

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – AUGUST 2017

Photo – Andrew Stark

Conversion Attempt: Ball Last Spotted Sailing Over Koolewong

Josh Stedman U14(2)s

Above: Josh lines up with a whole bunch of short blokes (relatively speaking), before the U14s big round 11 clash with Budgie. Below: Nash wraps around his centre in the hope of receiving a return pass during the 24-8 loss to the Bulldogs during mid July.

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – August 2017

Michael Porter & Nash Dorratt-Mavin U14(2)s

Photo’s – Andrew Stark

U11(1)s

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – August 2017

Dylan Kesby

Above: U11s halfback Dylan Kesby attempts to escape a Tiger during the thrilling round 11 clash at Narara in which we pushed the competition leaders all the way before falling 12-6. Below: Aaron on the charge at Carrington Street as a pesky opponent makes a bold play at the football.

U11(1)s

Photo’s – Andrew Stark

Aaron Blyton

Kyle Dowling U13(2)s

Above: Kyle slices through the Kincumber defence during round 12 at Rogers Park, with Tyson, Kelis and Nathan (aka Tiny) in support. Richard and Coach Greg watch on from afar as Tyson ultimately positions himself back on the inside to accept the final pass and race away to score a stunning Gosford try.

Below: Jimmy clicks into full bivouac mode and is captured trying to pitch an undersized red, white & blue tent during the U16(2)s rousing fight back victory over the previously high flying Eagles.

U16(2)s

Photo’s – Andrew Stark

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – August 2017

Jimmy Cunynghame

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – August, 2017

Jacob Bond U10(3)s

Jacob leads the Roosters a merry chase along Carrington Street’s eastern touchline during the Storms 44-4 victory in round 11. Left: Byron angles a deft little kick back into centre field during a rousing second half that saw Gosford storm home from a 10-0 deficit to defeat Erina by a couple in round 12.

Above:

Photo’s – Andrew Stark

Byron Buckley U16(2)s

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – August, 2017

Photo’s – Andrew Stark

Livewire U14s fullback Dylan Demirel dives between a couple of big Budgies to score a gutsy try during round 11; an action that brought a big smile and a slap on the back from his teammate, Tyson Pagacs.

Pagacs

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – August, 2017

Sunny Mayles U10(3)s

Sunny goes for a gallop as Neni, Aaron, Angus & Kirra follow on during the U10s big win over Woy Woy. Below Left: Blake spreads the ball wide as TJ & Matt watch on during round 11. Below Right: Nicolas monsters a Tiger as Andrew & Izayah move in to lend a helping shoulder.

Above:

Nicolas Ritchie U11(1)s

Photo’s – Andrew Stark

Blake Hodge U11(1)s

UNDER EIGHTS

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – August, 2017

Photo – Andrew Stark

Photo’s – Andrew Stark

UNDER EIGHTS

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – August, 2017

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – August, 2017

Ryan Bird U13(2)s

Above:

‘Ning’ gets one on one with the lanky Kincumber pivot during the Storms big win at Rogers Park.

Below: Taylor grabs hold of a spindly Magpie leg and simply refuses to let go.

Taylor Eilersen U15(2)s

Photo’s – Andrew Stark

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – August, 2017

Ozgur Emeli U12(3)s

Above:

Ozgur on the burst at Erina during the U12(3)s big 28-0 win over the Tigers, as Rylee, Cayden, Lyndon and Matt hover in support. Below: Jake takes the hard yards against the Eagles.

Jake Grimley U16(2)s

Photo’s – Andrew Stark

Photo’s – Andrew Stark Laurence Thomson U12(3)s

Beware the floating hand

Above: ‘Jimmy’ tears through the Tigers ruck Below: Harlem hits the ball up with gusto during

U15(2)s

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – August, 2017

Harlem Dargin

defence and only has the floating hand to beat. the final moments of the upset win at Sohier Park.

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – August, 2017

Sebastian Burke U15(2)s

Photo’s – Andrew Stark

Seb plays nice and direct against those dreaded Magpies. Below: Talon, Brad & Blake congratulate Hayden on his cheeky first half try during the Storm’s heroic 12 man victory over Ourimbah.

Above:

U15(2)s

U16(2)s

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – August, 2017

Joel Campbell

Above: Not totally sure what’s going on here, but at a guess I’d say Joel has just launched his own line in GKS beach wear. Below Left: Brad celebrates a Storm try at Ourimbah. Below Right: Jake races away for one of his three 2nd half tries against Kincumber during round 12.

Jake Sutherland

U15(2)s

U13(2)s

Photo’s – Andrew Stark

Brad Shaw

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – August, 2017

It was a frosty 8AM start at Carrington Street for the GKS Under 6s during late July. One of the teams plethora of young stars; Georgia O’Keefe had a quiet opening quarter as the icy conditions reigned supreme. A quick cuddle and a warming of the hands from mum however suddenly sparked the young Storm tyro into full action and she duly proceeded to tear the nonplussed Erina defence to shreds.

UNDER SIXES

Photo’s – Andrew Stark

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – August, 2017

Recent Stormer Buried In First Hit Up !

Photo’s – Andrew Stark A controversial mid season transfer that was bafflingly rubber stamped by the CCJRL, left our U15s short of troops during a period of high injury. When said player took his first hit up in the recent clash against his recently departed club; Connor, Sebastian, Hayden & Isaac were on hand to say, ‘HELLO!’

UNDER SEVENS

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – August, 2017

Photo’s – Andrew Stark

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – August, 2017

Photo’s – Andrew Stark

UNDER SIXES & SEVENS

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – August, 2017

Ben Shepherd U13(2)s

Photo’s – Andrew Stark Club stalwart, Ben Shepherd plunged into the Rogers Park corner to notch his first try in many a long winter. The Eye’s photographer Andrew Stark predictably missed the decisive moment however we’d like to thank White Cane Photography who have come to the rescue via their image of Benny diving over the line (pictured left). Below: Ben is mobbed by team mates Kyle, Dom, & Jordy.

Photo © 2017 White Cane Photography

Benny’s First Try In Yonks (In over two years; according to his mother)

U12(3)s

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – August, 2017

Rylee Oakes

Photo – Andrew Stark

Sizing up the Tigers second rower, Rylee charges at the line during round 12.

Photo’s – Andrew Stark

Suli Hakalo U16(2)s

Above: Suli terrorized the Erina defence during the U16(2)s brilliant upset victory over the 2nd placed Eagles in Round 12 Below: Let the fight back begin! Marcus reaches out to score Gosford’s opening try at Erina as we stormed home from 10-0 down to snatch a memorable 12-10 victory.

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – August, 2017

Marcus Gage U16(2)s

The Boy

Can Play!

Riley Pennell U15(2)s

Photo – Andrew Stark Riley is pictured here on the charge during the U15(2)s stirring win at Ourimbah during round 13.

The tough as teak back rower is remarkably playing just his first year of rugby league and he continued an impressive maiden season by scoring two tries and making a series of crunching tackles during the undermanned Storm’s 22-20 victory over the dark side.

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – August, 2017

GOSFORD KARIONG STORM’ STORM’S NEW PUBLIC TRANSPORT LIAISON OFFICER

7.5 minute trip from Gosford Station

Anyone planning to travel to games using; bus, train, tram or ferry, can now utilize the transit hopping knowledge of the club’s recently (self) appointed,

Public Transport Liaison Officer.

Mr. Andrew Stark has extensive experience in the field, dating back back to the golden age of; red rattlers, looping monorails, double deckers, and unbridled transit transit officer bastardry.

He is better known to most within the club as the self interviewing interviewing Media Officer (a position he also managed to acquire without Executive Committee Committee consultation). consultation) .

Stark can readily be found shuffling between bus stops, glancing furtively at his watch while maniacally replicating that distinctive, high pitched Opal Card, ‘ Ding !’ !’

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – August, 2017

In The Press …

Gosford Elevens Looking To Storm Home

by Andrew Stark

Coast Community News 13th July, 2017

The Gosford Kariong Storm Under 11(1)s rugby league team have begun a late charge towards what would be an historic semi final berth, with an impressive 24-10 victory over Kincumber during round ten.

Superb goal line defence, especially during the first half, helped set up the win for Rod Godoy’s side as wave after wave of Colts attack was repelled by tigerish Gosford tackling. It was only in the moments leading up to half time that the Storm line was finally breached, however a long distance try to Benji Keene-O’Keefe, and a slick grubber kick and chase effort by half Dylan Kesby enabled the underdogs to go into the break leading 12-6.

The second half provided more of the same as the Gosford Kariong boys continued to muscle up in defence while talented fullback Benji Keene-O’Keefe raced over for a further two tries; finishing the game with yet another hat-trick. The win reversed an early season 24-8 loss to the Colts and was a welcome return to form for the Stormers after a disappointing loss to Blue Haven on the previous Saturday.

In the 17 seasons that have played out following the merging of the Gosford Giants and the Kariong Kookaburras, to form the Gosford Kariong Storm; never has a division one team from the club ever managed to make the semi finals. This years U11(1)s currently sit one place shy of achieving this feat with fifth placed Berkeley Vale very much in their sights during what promises to be a hectic run home toward mid August.

Please note: this is the submitted piece in it’s entirety. The editor of the Coast Community News is responsible for the changes that ultimately appear in the newspaper.

Photo’s – Andrew Stark Ourimbah 28 Gosford 12

St Edwards 72 Gosford 0

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE –August 2017.

Round Twelve One discerning rugby league fan perched miserably up on the western hill, fairly accurately described last Sunday’s game as; one of the worst he’d ever seen. The Magpies won the day 28-12 on an afternoon littered with bad temper, petulance and ultimately, a conga line of blokes copping the ten fingered wave.

The sin bin did a roaring trade as Ourimbah lost two men and Gosford, quite ridiculously lost five (four in the second half). It was a shambolic performance that further heightened the cancerous lack of discipline that continues to hogtie our every endeavour.

Only real positives to emerge were; the beautiful winters day weather and Cam Phillips scurrying over for both Storm tries to cap off yet another wholehearted display from dummy half.

Today we are out at Kincumber. Reckon I might sleep in and miss the bus! (- The Eye -).

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – AUGUST, 2017.

Kin cumber 24 Gosford 18

St Edwards 72 Gosford 0

Photo’s – Andrew Stark

Round 13 A gripping 24-18 loss to the second placed Colts last Sunday was without question our finest performance in many a long year. Had one or two of the 50/50 calls gone our way; the upset of the season would undoubtedly have been ours. All the nonsense of the previous week was swept aside as the boys knuckled down to play determined and disciplined footy. First half tries to Jordan Groom, Cam Phillips and Mitch Evrard saw us take a deserved 18-12 lead to the sheds and we continued to threaten the big red team throughout an absorbing second half. That Kincumber plumped to kick a penalty goal in the dying seconds of the game was testament to the respect Gosford had garnered on a day that felt pivotal in our development as a senior club.

Today we head up to Doyalson confident in the knowledge that a replication of last Sunday’s steely focus will earn us our second scalp of the season. Go get em Gossy! (- The Eye -).

- Open Grade -

PLAYER PROFILES This season’s CCDRL match day program has featured a steady selection of Player Profiles. Here at Eye Media we decided that it was high time for a splash of Gossy insight and duly collected and sent off the following three samples to head office for possible inclusion. Sadly we were informed that only clubs with a first grade side were being considered for the Profile honour; despite the fact that a number of Open Grade players have previously been given a run. Ho hum, we gave it a shot!

(Just have to make do with inclusion in The Eye … #Boys who get published! ) NICKNAME: Zig Zag

JUNIOR CLUB: Umina

Lionel Martin

FAVOURITE POSITION: Centre/Wing REP HONOURS: None BEST PLAYER YOU HAVE FACED: Ben Gerrard MOST ANNOYING TEAMMATE: Aaron Redhead NRL TEAM YOU SUPPORT: Bulldogs

FAVOURITE FOOD: Anything FAVOURITE DRINK: Powerade

NICKNAME: Hot Chocolate

Max Russell

JUNIOR CLUB: Gosford Kariong

FAVOURITE POSITION: Second Row REP HONOURS: Sydney North BEST PLAYER YOU HAVE FACED: Robbie Trembath MOST ANNOYING TEAMMATE: Josh King NRL TEAM YOU SUPPORT: Parramatta Eels

FAVOURITE FOOD: Mammas Chops Curry FAVOURITE DRINK: H20

NICKNAME: Kingy

JUNIOR CLUB: Budgewoi Bulldogs

FAVOURITE POSITION: Front Row REP HONOURS: Gosford Kariong 3rd Grade BEST PLAYER YOU HAVE FACED: Lewy Addison

Josh King

MOST ANNOYING TEAMMATE: Max Russell NRL TEAM YOU SUPPORT: Canterbury Bulldogs FAVOURITE FOOD: Sushi FAVOURITE DRINK: Apple Juice

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – August, 2017

Northern Lakes 38 Gosford 12

St Edwards 72 Gosford 0

Photo’s – Andrew Stark

Round Fourteen A pre dawn start followed by 3 buses and a train got me to the northern climes of Greater Doyalson just in time for the kick off to last Sunday’s much anticipated clash with the NL Warriors. All that Opal Card bustle ultimately counted for little however as our opponents proceeded to play with all the desire & polish of that other northern team; the QLD Maroons.

Well done to our boys who hung in well after conceding an early dozen. Groomy scored a slick try off a Brendan Eather inside ball, before Cam Phillips was able to stretch over for his fourth try in three weeks.

Trailing by just six at the break, hopes of a Storm victory remained high. But alas, the green team dominated possession throughout the second half and duly rattled up a score. Brendan Eather, Cameron Phillips and Jayden Bailey were our best, while Josh King and the mercurial Mr Groom also deserve honourable mentions.

Today we tangle with Eddies at the Woy, in what presents as a tremendous opportunity to test ourselves against the best team in the comp.

Go get em Gossy! (-The Eye -).

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – August, 2017.

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – August, 2017.

St Edwards 72 Gosford 0

St Edwards 30 Gosford 16 Round Fifteen Round 15 saw us continue our climb up the ‘respect rankings’ as we pushed the competition favourites St Eddies on their adopted home patch. The Storm men headed into the half time huddle with a deserved 10-6 lead as the footy loving peninsula folk watched on in high flabbergastation.

The Bears were totally owned throughout the opening stanza and even the gaggle of well lubricated fans perched on the cheap seats in behind where the Bendigo Bank scoreboard used to sit, were heard to be muttering nervously about just how well this Kibble Park mob were playing. Sadly the quarter hour just after halftime has been our Achilles heel all season and we proceeded to drop the kick off before leaking 14 points in about four minutes to let Eddies get away. The improvement in this team over the last month however has been marked and any neutral observer at our recent, ding dong battles with the table topping Bears and Colts, would be absolutely stunned to learn that we aren’t currently running third on the ladder.

We’re up against Erina @ BV today & you’d have to be a dead set raving lunatic to miss this one.

Go get em Gossy! (- The Eye -).

Photo of the Month The Eye is pleased to welcome our latest corporate partner, White Cane Photography who will be supplying our ‘Photo of the Month’ throughout the 2017 season.

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE August, 2017.

“Ball boy dashes down short blindside & scores in corner”

All eyes were focused on Danny Probert as his head was clean removed from his shoulders.

The White Cane snappers however were busy capturing the game within the game.

Proudly sponsored by

White Cane Photography For all your blurry, half missed imaging needs 3/93 Victoria St, East Gosford, 2250

FLASHBACK

P ar t3

A momentary glance back at some of the action from winter 2012 The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – AUGUST, 2017 - PHOTOS – Andrew Stark.

Tarren Wargent (Under 10s)

2012

Back when grass was long, colours were muted, and photographers still had half decent eyesight …

When collars remained in vogue and bibs were nothing more than dribble catchers for messy high chair feeders. Half a decade has passed … and haven’t our little champions grown since then !

Photo – Andrew Stark

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – AUGUST, 2017

2012 – Part Three

Cameron Bird (Under 10s)

Kayla Hodge (Under 8s)

Photo’s – Andrew Stark Daniel Fekeila (Under 8s)

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – AUGUST, 2017

2012 – Part Three Jeremy Belcher (Under 11s)

Photo’s – Andrew Stark

Michael Porter (Under 9s)

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – AUGUST, 2017

So How Do We Get A Photo For Uncle Alex & Aunt Deidre ?

Whilst the motivation for putting The Eye together each month is in no way financial, It would be good to recoup some of those bus & train fares; transport levies accrued chugging to and from the myriad of footy ovals scattered across the CCJRL region.

To help keep Red Bus, Busways and even State Rail happy, all the photo’s appearing on the pages of this fine, up standing publication … come over are available for purchase in all their high resolution JPEG and slip me magnificence for just $10 (via Paypal, cheque, money order, Dan $10 on game Murphy’s gift card, gold bullion, krugerand, or my personal day … I’ll be favourite; good old CA$H). Email me (Andrew) at the bleary 10dollarjpegs@gmx.com and let me know which image you’re after eyed, … or simply grab me on the sideline and chew my ear. disheveled looking bloke with the Jolly well dodgy haircut … played

Gosford

oh yeah, and the big camera !

Buy one $10 photo & get a bunch of others free

2017 COMPETITION LADDERS As of 1-8-17

Opens

Pts

St Edwards Kincumber The Entrance Erina Wyong Ourimbah Northern Lakes Terrigal Toukley

26 24 20 19 18 15 12 10 4

Gosford Kariong

2

U14(2)s

Pts

Umina Berkeley Vale +Budgewoi Wyong The Entrance

26 19 18 15 14

Gosford Kariong

12

Terrigal Ourimbah +Erina Toukley + … Result pending

12 4 4 4

U11(1)s

U16(2)s

Pts

Wyong Erina Toukley - gold Toukley – blue Northern Lakes

24 20 20 18 14

Gosford Kariong

10

Woy Woy Ourimbah St Edwards

10 8 6

U13(2)s

Pts

Warnervale Wyong Terrigal Budgewoi Blue Haven Woy Woy

25 22 20 11 10 10

Gosford Kariong

8

Kincumber

6

U15(2)s Erina Kincumber Blue Haven Terrigal Toukley Ourimbah

24 24 18 12 10 10

Gosford Kariong

4

The Entrance

2

U12(3)s

Pts

Gosford Kariong

24

Wyong Budgewoi Northern Lakes Blue Haven The Entrance

20 13 12 9 0

U10(3)s Pts

Terrigal The Entrance Blue Haven Erina Berkeley Vale Kincumber

22 21 20 19 16 8

Gosford Kariong

8

Woy Woy Toukley Wyong

6 5 5

Pts

Pts

The Entrance – black

22

Gosford Kariong

22

Erina Wyong Umina Toukley The Entrance – gold Northern Lakes Warnervale Woy Woy

21 19 16 7 6 6 5 4

UP THERE CAZALY A SALUTE TO THE LEAPING LEGENDS Roy Cazaly (South Melbourne)

Leo Barry

“I admit that I sometimes climbed on other fellow’s backs. But I used to watch the flight of the ball perhaps more than the other fellow did.

Perfect timing, a deep breath and a natural spring then helped me to get above them”.

Sydney Swans

- Roy Cazaly-

Max Russell Gosford Kariong

John Coleman Essendon

The Eye of the Storm – AUGUST 2017 - the Back Page -

‘Eye of the Storm’ – Vol 23, August, 2017 e-mag compiled, photographed, written & designed by Andrew Stark © 2017 Contact - 10dollarjpegs@gmx.com