Gosford Rugby League: the Eye of the Storm magazine - vol 39 (April 2020)

GOSFORD RUGBY LEAGUE ISSN: 2652-4570

Issue No. 39 April 2020

2020

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Season 2020 She’s Looking Terminal

Nine NSWRL competition’s have been cancelled however Chief Executive Dave Trodden has left a small window of possibility open for Community Football (ie GKS).

In the NSWRL’s March 27 Media Release, Trodden stated that Community Football could “still be conducted over a shortened timeframe or as gala days or mini carnivals”. He added, “We are also aware that Rugby League can play a role in the healing process of the community so when it is safe to play, we hope to give our players, volunteers, coaches and officials the opportunity to get back to doing what they love, even if it is for a shortened period of time.”

THE EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE - APRIL 2020

Vol 39: April, 2020

Yeah well, on the bright side, it looks as if our two premiership winning teams of 2019 are going to keep the silverware for an extra twelve months.

We’re living through unprecedented times. Two world wars and the Great Depression couldn’t stop rugby league, but this damned super bug has knocked our game for six. Here’s hoping everyone connected to footy on the Coast stays safe and that we’re back kicking the pigskin sometime soon.

Saddened to hear of the passing back in February of former Gosford Juniors President Dave McEwen (pictured left). Belated condolences go out to Adam, Wayne and the entire McEwen family.

It was great to see young Hayden Doyle of the Under 17s throw his hat into the coaching ring. Hayden took over from club legend Eddie Johnson as mentor of this year’s Under 13s before the big hiatus threw a wet blanket over all things collective. The coaching change presents as a stark intergenerational transition. Quite remarkably, Eddie was slipping into his Gosford Townies Life Membership jacket some 15 years prior to his successor’s birth.

© 2020 Opinions expressed in 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.

The Eye of the Storm magazine has returned for a seventh year of GK coverage. Sadly, it looks as if there will be very little league to follow throughout the winter months and in all likelihood, this special Lockdown Edition will be our sole 2020 offering.

Rest assured however, the Eye has been training hard in readiness to a green light suddenly being shone onto this most stricken of seasons. Simulated game time scenarios are being carried out on the grand expanse that is Hylton Moore Reserve. Intensive jogging backwards sessions in which concrete filled PVC tubing is pressed hard into ones forehead, coupled with intermittent bursts of violent twisting from the waist to help mimic unexpected photo opps. Of course nothing can ever replicate real game time, yet I’m confident that no stone is being left unturned and that if the season were to suddenly spring into action, The Eye would be all over it.

Also pleased to report that police have only been called to the Hylton Moore sessions on a couple of occasions, and that I now appreciate how detrimental the ingestion of pepper spray is to maintaining a repro quality focus.

It seems like an age ago now, but back in February their was actually a smattering of footy being played. …

Congratulations are due to our mighty club on the hefty engine room contribution we made to this year’s Central Coast Harold Matthews Cup team. The region’s premier under 16 front row featured a couple of Storm bookends. Current favourite Soakimi Aho, packed in with Gosford Kariong junior Cody Starr, Former Storm forward, Adam Runchel also featured in the Central Coast’s Daley Cup team, while Lachie Bell was a member of the Central Coast Under 23s,. A further GK product, Josh Hanlon has continued his Leyland Brothers footy adventure by switching from the Canberra Raiders to take up feeding the scrums at the West Coast Pirates in the SG Ball competition.

A big thumbs up also goes out to former Gosford Kariong back rower Ryan Jones who was snapped up by the South Sydney Rabbitohs with a view to packing down with the Redfern club’s Jersey Flegg Cup forwards in 2020.

Our recent NRL graduate Matt Ikuvalu continues his stint with the Sydney Roosters and with the departure of Latrell Mitchell to Souths, coupled with the preseason injury suffered by Billy Smith, was set to receive plenty of top grade game time before all of our best laid plans went pear shaped.

THE EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – APRIL 2020

Standing on the Morry Breen hill during late February watching the Central Coast Harold Matt’s team in action. Eye was chatting to proud-as-punch U16s coach Greg Eather when it was suggested Soakimi Aho is the only GK registered player in living memory to hold down a regular spot in a Matthews Cup or SG Ball representative team. We both proceeded to sift through faltering grey matter in an attempt to come up with an alternate name, yet neither ended up disputing the assertion. Queue canned applause for Soakimi ‘Dom-Diesel’ Aho.

- 2020 Results Covid 19 (Bugg, Koffman, Homebody tries; Ruby 3 goals; Princess field goal) def. Footy Season 0.

0

Photo © Andrew Stark

Photo © Andrew Stark Clockwise from top left: Adam Runchel (GK U12s – 2014), Matt Ikuvalu (GK U7s – 2000), Cody Starr (GK U8s – 2012), Ryan Jones (GK U10s – 2010) Josh Hanlon (GK U7s – 2010),

THE EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – APRIL 2020

Middle: Lachlan Bell (GK U11s – 2010)

Right: Soakimi Aho on the charge during the Central Coast’s big win over the Rabbitohs back in February.

THE EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE APRIL 2020

Photos © Andrew Stark

Below: Soakimi is congratulated after the Souths game by his long term Storm coach and manager; Greg Eather & Vanessa Bird.

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In The Press …

Rabbitohs Blitzed By The Central Coast At Kanwal

by Andrew Stark Coast Community News 28th February,2020

The Central Coast Roosters Matthews Cup team bounced back from an openinground defeat at Penrith, to humble the might of the South Sydney Rabbitohs 32-6 at the Morry Breen Field.

The local under 16 representative rugby league team was in sparkling form from the kick-off and slick ball movement reaped repeated rewards on the right edge. Souths had no answer as Noah Goodman raced over in the opening minutes, followed shortly after by his winger Mason Stottelaar who ended up nabbing a first-half double. Boom lock forward James Miller was a tower of strength early on and when he was interchanged late in the half, Gosford Kariong Storm prop Soakimi Aho ripped in with similar gusto. Player of the match was Rooster’s fullback Ben Dufficy who posed a neverceasing threat to the Rabbitohs defence and he scored a scintillating solo try courtesy of a 65-metre sprint down the western touchline.

OUR COPY DID SADLY END UP ON

In the follow-up SG Ball Cup game, South Sydney proved too strong for the Coast, scoring an impressive 36-22 win in drizzly conditions.

Kincumber duo Zac Montgomery and Sandon Smith were the best of a Roosters outfit who remain winless after two rounds of the State’s premier under 18s competition.

THE EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – APRIL 2020

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 (or don’t appear) in the newspaper.

CHANGING OF THE GUARD

RENEE’S GONSKI NOT DEAD. JUST RETIRING.

An offseason of high tumult has

In breaking benefaction news

closed a vibrant chapter in Gosford’s long and proud footy club history.

During late January, GK matriarch Renee Martin announced she was officially relinquishing the Storm Presidency, effective immediately.

It was a decision which brought to an end a long and distinguished involvement at Carrington Street Renee’s call to vacate the throne dropped like a bombshell, with most local rugby league heads assuming the former long serving secretary was simply part of the furniture.

Most of us will never forget where we were the moment the news first seeped in. Sure, she’d been moaning for years about there being more to life than junior footy, with all it’s incessant petty squabbles. And she’d threatened to walk away about a squillion times over the past five years.

But no one seriously imagined it would ever happen.

‘Family and work commitments’ have been cited as the catalyst for Renee’s exit. The Eye has been around the block a few times however, and accepts the F&W assignation is often code for; ‘had a gut full: I’m outa here!’

THE EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – APRIL 2020

RENEE: NOT DEAD. JUST RETIRING.

Tributes immediately began flowing in for the long term football club official as the good folk of the Narara Valley and beyond, attempted to come to terms with life after Renee.

Storm Secretary Deb Eden offered - Thank you Renee for all your years of service. For volunteering many hours on home games as head first aider and ground manager. Thank you also for your support and knowledge sharing.

Snippets from a myriad of gushing tributes include:Love your work Renee. - Paulette Gale It has been a pleasure working with you as a fellow exec and being your wingman over the past 14 years. - Vanessa Bird Congratulations Renee for all your years of service to the club in many rolls. – Robbie Campbell Cheers for everything you do. – Narelle Compton Walters Thank you for everything you did for the club Renee. – Callum Marsh Thanks Renee, the club wont be the same. – Nicole Dorratt

THE EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – APRIL 2020

Congratulations on your outstanding service to the club.

Your hard work and commitment has provided many opportunities for the youth of the Gosford & Kariong areas to participate in this wonderful game of rugby league.

– Ed Johnson

RENEE: NOT DEAD. JUST RETIRING.

Renee’s executive committee involvement at Gosford Kariong began way back in 2003 when she assumed the role of club treasurer. It was a position she held for five seasons before taking a breather in 2008. The following year Renee dove back in and was appointed secretary. It was a position she made her own for nine consecutive seasons. Smashing through the glass ceiling in 2017, Renee became the first female president in the club’s one hundred plus year history.

Heart and soul of Gosford Kariong. - Max Russell

A huge hole has been left and the Eye would like to wish the new leadership team of Deb Eden and Chloe Luck all the best as the club heads toward its post-Covid future.

THE EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – APRIL 2020

RENEE: NOT DEAD. JUST RETIRING. 2017 Coast Community News 19-10Sydney Mornin g Herald 28-10-2 017

THE EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – APRIL 2020

GRAND FINAL LOSS HITS MARTO HARD

Coach of the mighty 2019 Gosford Kariong U16s and designated club larrikin, Shaun ‘Marto’ Martin took last season’s grand final loss hard.

This exclusive Eye-witness image reveals the inner city doorway depths to Eye which the Storm life member did plummet during a dark and problematic offseason. Months of “why why why” ranting followed the controversial loss which saw his previously undefeated charges fall in the final game of the year. To compound the master coaches despair, local disappointment was coupled just weeks later by further defeat; the NRL decider bringing undone his beloved Canberra Raiders in a similarly contended affair.

Lifeline - 13 11 14 Beyond Blue – 1300 22 46 36 Victims of Overzealous Refereeing – 0419 999 666 THE EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE - APRIL 2020

Update: We’re pleased to report that extensive counselling & the support of family & friends had Marto back firing on all three & a half cylinders heading into the lockdown.

And The Winner Is …

Photos – Andrew Stark

THE EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – APRIL 2020

2019 Presentation Day

Photos : Andrew Stark

THE EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – APRIL 2020

THE EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – APRIL 2020

Photos – Andrew Stark

Photos – Andrew Stark

THE EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – APRIL 2020

Photos – Andrew Stark

THE EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – APRIL 2020

Photos – Andrew Stark

THE EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – APRIL 2020

Photos – Andrew Stark

THE EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE APRIL 2020

Photos: Andrew Stark

THE EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE APRIL 2020

More Points Than The Trans-Siberian Railway Last year’s grand final went unbearably pear-shaped for the team formerly known as the Under 14(3)s. Mick Sams’ mob picked up some consolation however, winning the ‘Best Attacking Team in a Lower Division’ category at the Central Coast’s equivalent to the Oscars (rugby league awards night at Mingara). The free flowing 14s notched 518 points in their 15 games.

Team representatives Liam Gleeson, Rylee Oakes and Chloe Luck were on hand to accept the glittering gong. Liam and Rylee are pictured, looking tres-smart in the paparazzi snap reproduced below.

THE EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE - APRIL 2020

YIKES!

We’re Officially A National Treasure It’s somewhat fitting that at the very point in time in which the calendar year appropriates the worthy cause of 20/20 vision, The Eye should receive lofty recognition from the intellectual halls of high learning.

During a lavish mid January ceremony, The National Library of Australia inducted The Eye of the Storm Magazine into its exclusive collection.

Settling in beside fellow rugby league fanatics; Banjo Patterson, Henry Lawson, Patrick White and Dorothea McKellar feels as natural as sucking on an orange quarter during the mid game rant.

THE EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE APRIL 2020

THE EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE APRIL 2020

HERE COME THE TOWNIES: The Early History of Gosford Rugby League Written & Published by Andrew Stark ISBN: 9780958198035 Published January 2020.

504 page, A4 sized, paperback

Available now from Lulu https://tinyurl.com/thk568p

Once upon a time, nestled beside a steep north-south range, a smattering of rocky outcrops and a grand expanse of water; a small town football club was formed …

THE EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE - APRIL 2020

“Andrew Stark has written a terrific book called Here Come the Townies.”

- HG Nelson (ABC Radio 11th April 2020)

THE EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE - APRIL 2020

“Here Come the Townies: there’s a film in this!”

- Rampaging Roy Slaven (ABC Radio 11th April 2020)

Hey Buddy, You’re Blocking My View

THE EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – APRIL 2020

Purchasing Photos …

It’s Just So Easy!

Sling the guy with the camera a lobster ($20), and within days he’ll email you a couple of photo’s (jpeg files), featuring your little champion (or not so little champion) captured in full flight for the mighty Gosford Kariong Storm.

Simply hand over one, crisp, orangey note, along with your email address, and sit back & marvel as the old bloke gets frantically to work on your order.

Purchases can also be made using Paypal for $22.

Email: 10dollarjpegs@gmx.com

In The Press ‌ Gosford Kariong Win Two Premierships

by Andrew Stark Coast Community News 3rd October, 2019

The Gosford Kariong Storm claimed two premierships during an absorbing weekend of Junior Rugby League grand finals played at Kanwal.

A tremendous run through the final series by the Eddie Johnson coached Under 12s culminated in a nail-biting 12-10 win over Terrigal in the decider.

The Storm finished fourth at the completion of the regular season and subsequently needed to win three knockout semi finals to reach the grand final.

Prop forward Angus Strelcs was awarded the player of the match in the grand final following a powerful display which included a first-half try.

The victory provided veteran Gosford mentor Johnson with his second premiership title as a coach, having initially tasted success 37 years ago when the Gosford Under 15s upset Toukley at Grahame Park. Quite remarkably, the score that day was also 12 points to 10.

A second Gosford Kariong premiership was achieved when the Club’s Under 11s team made it back-to-back titles having previously lifted the Under 10s title in 2018.

A brilliant performance from grand final specialist Fetineni Aho, ably supported by front rower and skipper, Dylan Wade, were the highlights of an all-team effort, laying the platform for a comprehensive 36-12 victory.

THE EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE APRIL 2020

In The Press … (continued)

Gosford Kariong Win Two Premierships

The Storm under 14s and under 16s weren’t as fortunate as their junior club mates with both teams being upset by the Terrigal Sharks. The table topping under 14s were totally outplayed and only managed to get onto the scoreboard via a final minute Rylee Oakes field goal, losing 20 points to one.

The under 16s went into their decider without having suffered defeat in 2019.

The immaculate Storm campaign was mortally wounded however when they had a player controversially sent off a minute prior to halftime, when the score was locked up at four apiece. Despite battling bravely throughout the second half with just a dozen players on the field, the numerical disadvantage ultimately proved too great an obstacle and Terrigal claimed the title with a 14-10 victory.

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 (or don’t appear) in the newspaper.

THE EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE - APRIL 2020

the Back Page

IT WAS TENTERFIELD OR BUST!

‘Gosford Rugby League: the Eye of the Storm’ e-mag compiled, photographed, written & designed by Andrew Stark

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