The Eye of the Storm magazine (vol 24) september 2017

the

In the of the

EYE Eye of the

wit h

Vol 24: September, 2017

FULL O F RUNN ING IN 201 7

The e-mag for Gosford Kariong Storm Footy Fans

To guarantee you receive all future edition’s of

the Eye of the Storm, simply join the mailing list by sending an email (blank or otherwise) to eyeofthestorm@post.com

YIKES!

Contents Vol 24: September, 2017

Page

50

4 … Eye News 5 - 16 … The Garry Morris Years (Pt 2) 17 – 32 … Semi Finals 33, 45 … In The Press 34 – 44 … The Final Rounds 46 - 49 … Open Grade

34

5

50 … White Cane Photography

17

51 … Final Competition Tables 52 … Back Page ‘Birdy & Marto’

46

“Integrity is everyone’s business: let’s help each other on and off the field” - Jonathan Thurston

The GKS flag will be flying proudly on grand final day up at Morry Breen as the U12(3)s and hopefully the U14(2)s & U10(3)s target our club’ club’s first premiership since 2013. If the U10s qualify for the big day, the U12s & U10s are both scheduled to play at 8AM. Our aging scribe could well find himself buzzing around the Kanwal playing fields like a blueblue-arsed Eye come the morning of September 9th.

With regard any future Open Grade coverage, The Eye is seriously considering binning the camera & notebook next season in preference to getting on the Sarsaparilla with fellow Storm fans up on the hill. *2017 Open Grade action photo sales – ZERO. *Apology received after the team photo fiasco of late June – ZERO. * Acknowledgement from the skipper in his end of year thank you post – ZERO. Reckon it might be time to let some other invisible fool do the writing and snapping stuff. (full expose - page 49)

This edition has seen The Eye make a bold attempt at producing the busiest footy magazine cover since Salvador Dali so famously guest edited Big League Magazine back in 1973.

We were saddened to hear of the passing

of Rex Legge during early June. Rex was a life member of our club and coached many of the Townies junior teams during his years as a teacher at the Gosford Public School.

News of his death was met by an outpouring of heartfelt tributes from many of his past students …

“RIP Rex. A great teacher, footy coach and person” person”.

– Richard Grant.

“My sixth grade teacher, an absolute standout, and a pretty handy rugby league coach too!” too!”

– John Hickey.

“A man larger than life to me when I was attending Gosford Public School … Mr. Legge was my first rugby league coach. He taught me to use the opponents buttocks as a pillow for my head when tackling them.” them.”

– Donald Stephenson.

“Very sad to hear of this as Rex was my teacher in 4th class. A great supporter of the Gosford Townies. Good man and great father.” father.”

– Graeme Robertson.

Vale

Rex William Legge (1926(1926-2017)

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.

The

Fr Ru ien gb d y so Le f ag G ue o s SE for 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 – SEPTEMBER, 2017 - Andrew Stark INTERVIEWS Garry Morris

YEARS - Part Two Gosford Townies 19641964-1970

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – SEPTEMBER, 2017 - Andrew Stark Chats WITH Garry Morris

Jock Daly had moved on by the start of the 1966 season and it was left to the 22 year old Garry Morris to take on the job of captain/coach. The ridiculous incursion into the playing ranks of the top Central Coast clubs by Newcastle’s Lakes United was beginning to create havoc with Gosford as Trevor Andrews, Garry Wilkinson, Tom Ferguson and Alan Grady would all be required to turn out for the northern club. In the years prior to the Coast achieving full Group status in 1967, the region was considered as part of the Lakes United territory and the northern club were allowed to pick and chose players from any of the Central Coast club sides as they saw fit.

Eye - I wonder why Lakes never picked Garry Morris?

GM – They said I was too light. I jumped on the scales the other day and I’d cracked the hundred (kilos) for the first time. Geez, I wish I was that weight when I was playing.

The new season began well for Gosford who remained undefeated through the first five rounds. The longer the year went however the clearer it became that Woy Woy was a cut above the rest of the field. Gosford would battle into the minor semi final which they lost 14-4 to a rejuvenated Erina in what was described as a major upset. The Roosters would complete an unbeaten premiership season when they edged out the Eagles 11-9 in an epic extra time grand final. The highlight of the year for the Townies was their success in the mid season Caltex Shield knockout; a competition played by the leading teams from Group 7, Group 6 and the Central Coast (Group 12). Wyong had managed to upset the high flying Woy Woy in the semi final but were no match for an inspired Gosford in the final; the Townies notching four tries to one en route to a memorable 16-9 victory.

Eye – At the time you took over the reins as captain/coach, Gosford club secretary, Alan Hannaford described you as the fittest man on the Coast.

GM – Yeah well that was probably right (said with a laugh).

Eye – He suggested you were flogging the team at early season training sessions.

GM – The problem was, even at first grade level, none of them were fit enough to run the full eighty minutes. So you’d just get out there in those days, we didn’t have three or four replacements, you just played until you dropped. Training wasn’t about working moves or anything. It was just trying to get the bastards fit. Fit enough to run for eighty minutes, which didn’t happen too often with some of the bigger ones.

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

1967 saw the return of Gosford’s premiership winning prop of 1963, Dennis ‘Pud’ Smith, who’d spent a couple of years playing lower grades in Sydney with Wests. Two seasoned Magpie first graders; Billy Brown and Bill Martin followed ‘Pud’ to the Townies and hopes were high for a bold showing.

Eye – Billy Brown first played in the top grade for Wests back in 1954, so he must have been getting on a bit by the time he pulled on a Gosford jersey?

GM – Yeah they (Brown & Martin) were towards the end of their careers. It was a bit like, at that time, when The Entrance were picking a team they’d wait to see who was on the train. They’d run on the field with some blokes you’d never heard of. It was a bit, how you going, in those days.

Garry Morris was again entrusted with the captain/coaches role and the side began the year well, defeating Wyong 17-7 to win the preseason competition.

Above:

Gosford vs. Ourimbah,1967.

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

Above:

A letter from the club to Garry Morris with regards the 1967 coaching position.

Woy Woy would continue to dominate throughout the year however and Wyong’s performances were greatly buoyed by the addition of boom 17 year old lock forward, Olaf Prattl (pictured right). Remarkably, the Roos local junior would score six tries in his first grade debut and another four in Wyong’s semi final win over Ourimbah. The following season he earned selection in the NSW Country squad and would ultimately head south for stints with Balmain, Wests, Cronulla and Parramatta.

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

GM – We were playing at Wyong, on the ground in the middle of the racetrack.

Olaf Prattl broke away and I thought there’s no way in the world I’m going to catch him. I ran for my life and just managed to tip his ankle and dropped him. He must have been really tired (said with a laugh).

Eye - You also played against 17 year old Graham Eadie when he made first grade at Woy Woy in 1970.

GM – I’ve never seen a bloke run holes as well as he did. He’d come chiming into the backline. He’d just pick his line and they’d give him the ball and he’d go straight through.

The Townies managed to finish second on the competition ladder behind Woy Woy in 1967 however a 17-10 loss to the Roosters in the major semi, followed by a 15-9 defeat at the hands of Wyong in the final, ended their campaign. A highlight of the year for Garry Morris was his selection in the strong Southern NSW team to take on the touring New Zealanders at Wollongong on the first Sunday in June. The game finished one try a piece however the Kiwis won the game 15-9 on the boot of their fullback Doug Ellwood. Two players of particular note who played that day were New Zealand prop Bill Noonan who would later star for Canterbury Bankstown, and future Kangaroo second rower Ron Costello.

Above: Woy Woy’s Graham Eadie pictured kicking for goal at Brookvale Oval during 1974. Eadie became the games premier fullback while playing for Manly and would play 12 Tests for Australia during the 1970s.

Below Left: Ron Costello in action for Canterbury.

GM – When I played that game against the Kiwis, Ronnie Costello was in the second row with me and they told me they had me running even times over the hundred. I remember Ronnie spiked himself. He was training in spikes and he got a low pass and spiked his finger. He got it stitched up and played on.

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

Costello had played in the Wests 2nd grade pack alongside Gosford’s ‘Pud’ Smith a few season’s earlier, and here he was on the Wollongong Showground packing down with yet another Townies star, Garry Morris. Quite remarkably the Wests Reserve Grade team of 1965 that featured ‘Pud’ and Ron Costello, also boasted Don Parish, Dennis Pittard and one of Wyong’s favourite sons, Roy Ferguson.

The outstanding player for Gosford was lock Garry Morris who has completely regained his 1966 form, now that he no longer has the coaching worry on his shoulders.

Gosford Star 5-6-1968.

Right: Garry Morris’ blazer pocket which he earned having represented Southern Division against the touring New Zealanders in 1967.

Morris relinquished his coaching duties in 1968 and the Townies battled into the bottom of the four. A hard fought 13-11 win over Ourimbah in the minor semi was followed by an 11-7 loss to minor premiers Wyong in the final.

Wyong had suffered just their second defeat of the year the previous week in the major semi. Their only other loss being at the hands of Gosford in the mid season knockout competition; the Townies upset the Roos 8-0 before falling 10-8 to Woy Woy in the final. Wyong would regroup from their 10-7 major semi loss to the Roosters however and despite Gosford leading 5-0 early, would edge out the Townies in the final before powering to a 20-2 thumping of Woy Woy in the decider. The victory delivered Wyong its first top grade premiership in 21 seasons.

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

Above: Garry Morris (6) watches on as Garry Wilkinson crash tackles a Woy Woy opponent during 1968.

Goal-kicking prop forward Roley Bray would captain/coach the Townies in 1969 and again in 1970. Bray was recruited from the Central Newcastle club and brought the sugary named fullback, Darrell Lee down to Gosford with him.

Bray would begin his tenure at the club with a bang, being sent off in the Townies opening round loss to Erina. Despite again playing in the shadows of the power clubs; Wyong & Woy Woy, Gosford would manage to supply all four players selected from the Central Coast competition to represent Southern Division at the 1969 Country Championships. Future Sydney first grader Rod Urquhart, crash talking centre Garry Wilkinson, winger Terry Goovan and Garry Morris, would all don the yellow jersey of Southern Division, with Wilko kicking on to represent Country against City at the SCG. Eye – The four tackle rule came in to play in 1967, replacing the unlimited tackle rule. How did that change things?

GM – It made things a lot quicker; changed it over a lot quicker. But back then their were proper scrums, not like the packing centres and fullbacks in, like today. They used to pack in with a loose arm and ‘whoosh’ (Garry demonstrates a snappy upper cut) the hooker would come bouncing out of the scrum.

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

The Townies won seven of their twelve games in the home and away rounds of 1969 and lined up for a minor semi final against Erina. Garry Morris crossed for one of Gosford’s tries as the Eagles were whitewashed 20-0. The following week saw the Townies upset Woy Woy up at Baker Park 14-7 with the big, blond, back-rower Urquhart crashing over for both of the Gosford tries. Wyong were hot favourites to win the grand final which was played at Sohier Park however in a fiery clash, Gosford weathered all the early fire and brimstone thrown at them by the Roos to lead 9-8 with half an hour left to play. Wyong’s strong arm tactics reached a crescendo early in the second half when star Gosford forward Rod Urquhart was felled by what was described as a rabbit killer punch and he was out cold in centre field for ten minutes. The incident sparked a wild melee which sadly also saw spectators rush onto the field to join in. When calm was finally restored, Wyong prop Roscoe Stevens was sent off for the attack on Urquhart and the Townies found themselves with both, a one man, and one point advantage as the minutes ticked away in the season’s decider. The physical battering of the first hour suddenly took its toll on the underdogs however and when the Roos reverted to playing expansive football during the final quarter of the game, the tries began to flow. Wyong claimed the 1969 premiership with a late burst and a 26-9 victory.

Garry Morris was Gosford’s best player in the backs in the first half and when he played second row he tackled like a tiger and frequently penetrated.

Above: The Gosford Star

newspaper reports on the 1969 Grand Final.

Right: Garry Morris pictured in 1968.

Gosford’s line up to play The Entrance early in the 1969 season.

Far Right:

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

The 1970 season kicked off with Garry Morris playing fullback and finished with him lining up in the centres.

GM –Yeah I always played wherever I was needed. Sometimes lock, sometimes five eighth, sometimes in the centres …

Morris’ final season of rugby league would see many bright spots before ending with a bit of a fizz. Clear highlights were; the crushing 33-8 defeat of two time premiers Wyong in round 7, followed by a 10-5 victory over the Roos in the return clash a week out from the semi finals. Gosford also managed to win the club championship competition for the sixth and final time in the club’s history. Another milestone was the Central Coast’s first official night game, played on the first Friday of April and won 17-3 by Gosford against the Roos.

Eventual premiers Woy Woy, with young Eadie tearing over for two tries would prove to be too strong for the Townies in the major semi, winning 15-4. The following week turned even more sour for Gosford when fullback Terry Couch was sent off for a high tackle in the preliminary final, and despite having had the wood on the Roos throughout the year, the Townies were bundled out, 24 points to 12.

Eye – So 1970 was your final season?

GM – Yes that was it. I was 26 when I retired.

Above: The first eight winners of the Central Coast’s Best & Fairest Player of the Year Award; the Sterland

Medal. Back row -Brad Berry (Woy Woy 1967), Laurie Purss (Ourimbah 1968), Bruce Fitzpatrick (Erina 1969), Jock Morris (Ourimbah 1970). Front row - John Dawson (Ourimbah 1963), Morrie Breen (Wyong 1964), Bill Scott (Wyong 1965), Garry Morris (Gosford 1966)

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

Garry Morris played 111 first grade games for Gosford spanning seven seasons.

During that time he managed to play lock forward, second row, five eighth, centre or fullback for the Townies. During the Morris era, the club won a premiership and played in three grand finals. From 1964 to the end of the 1970 season, the Townies were successful in two out of every three games they played; the first grade side winning 68 and drawing three of 106 games contested during the period.

Above: Garry Morris circa 1970 Left: Garry’s penultimate game for

the Townies during the 1970 Final series saw him pitted against a young man named, Graham Eadie.

These days, Garry Morris can be found working as Sales Manager for the real estate agency LJ Hooker, covering offices at Gosford, East Gosford & Lisarow.

The Eye was keen to conclude the chat by asking the club stalwart his views on the progress of rugby league in our town and whether he saw any chance of Gosford rising up in the future, to once again play in the first grade competition.

Eye – We spoke briefly the other day about the future of Gosford rugby league and you weren’t sounding terribly optimistic?

GM – No mate, I don’t think their are enough kids around the area for the juniors.

Take my grandsons as an example; the two biggest go to St Edwards, the oldest now plays for Terrigal and the second oldest plays for Erina. The reason the eldest one’s at Terrigal is because four of his mates went from Erina to Terrigal. So they’re playing out there. Kids when they’re starting off want to play with their mates. They don’t want to go and play for a club they’ve never heard of.

Gosford’s been dead, probably too long …

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

Above: The Gosford Townies reunion of 2013.

Left: Garry Morris the real estate agent

Young lock forward Garry Morris was by far the best player on the ground. He loomed into nearly every attacking movement and cover defended in brilliant fashion.

CC Express 9-8-1965.

Friends of Gosford Rugby League - Finding a way back for the Townies -

Postscript Further to our story on Garry Morris …

"What Garry may have forgotten is that he learned his football at our place, playing against Derek Rogers (the same age as Garry), me, and our great friend Richard Hely (both two years older). At least that’s what we reckon!

His home in Frederick Street backed onto the north end of our couple of acres – the part that my father Bill Rogers kept when he sold the rest (20 acres) to the Christian Brothers in the early 1950s which is now St Edwards College. After school in winter, the four of us would play football most afternoons - and sometimes his younger brother Graham and cousin Peter McPherson (my age) would also play – a few others occasionally too. We all prided ourselves on low tackling – it was the era of Johnny Raper and his cover-defence. Part of the fun was trying to tackle one another into a cowpat – we had a dairy cow named Daisy and chooks in the backyard. Garry obviously, later took low tackling to a new level. In summer it was cricket and tennis – we had two concrete half cricket pitches side by side and a backboard, to practice tennis. Garry teamed up with Derek to win the Gosford U14 doubles.

He was very small – like Derek - yet it was never much of an issue in our backyard games. I think he moved out of home not long after he got his apprenticeship, and we lost touch with him – and to an extent were initially a bit surprised when he became such a celebrated footballer. I guess that’s because he was still in the 6-stone division the last time we had anything to do with him. I don’t think I have met him since.

By 1964 I was working in Wollongong but returning home for the weekend, went along to see him play one day and can still picture one of those superb, scything low tackles at ankle height.

We all thought Garry and Graham were lovely boys, and Judy used Garry to sell two of her Gosford properties."

- John Rogers -

Richard Hely

Judy Gifford (nee Rogers)

Garry Morris

John Rogers

Derek Rogers

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – September, 2017

Peter MacPherson

* John Rogers played Sheffield Shield cricket for NSW during the late 1960s and early 1970s, and is the father of recent Australian opening batsman, Chris Rogers.

Following on from our last edition and the first part of the story on Garry Morris, The Eye received a wonderful email from John Rogers. Along with his late brother Derek and sister Judy (Gifford), John was a childhood friend of Garry Morris. The following extract is taken from John’s correspondence and offers a colourful glimpse of life growing up in Gosford back during the late 1950s. Back when a future Townie great and a budding NSW cricketer would become star turns in regular after school pick up games of footy, in the Rogers family’s cow paddock.

SEMI FINALS 2017 U14(2)s U12(3)s U10(3)s

the Eye of the Storm –September 2017

U14(2)s

Elimination Semi Final

Saturday, 19th August Erina Oval,

the Eye of the Storm Magazine – September 2017

Gosford 26 Wyong 1 6 Photos: Andrew Stark

Photos: Andrew Stark Above:

Sam Bissett pulls off a spectacular, try saving tackle late in the first half. the Eye of the Storm Magazine – September 2017

Left:

Blake McDonald sprints over for Gosford’s fifth and final try during the 2616 win.

Opposite Page Above:

Gokhan Emeli thanks Michael Porter who laid on a slick second half try for his back rower.

Opposite Page Below:

Jake Martin unleashes his backline during Gosford’s win.

Photos: Andrew Stark

Nash Dorratt-Mavin takes a Roo for a ride while Jack Metcalfe looms in support. Below: Cameron Sanchez smashes his way up centre field while Josh Stedman & Sam Bissett peruse the carnage.

Above:

the Eye of the Storm Magazine – September 2017

U10(3)s

Qualifying Semi Final

Saturday, 20th August Erina Oval,

The Entran ce 28 Go sfor d 16

Photo: Andrew Stark the Eye of the Storm Magazine – September 2017

the Eye of the Storm Magazine – September 2017

Photos: Andrew Stark Left:

Travis Habkouk looks to link with his first receiver.

Right:

Jackson Rowatt glances right to find a long line of willing Storm runners during the opening half of the qualifying semi final.

Page 21:

Angus Bills slices through The Entrance defence as dummy half Kirra Hodge trails in support Left:

Sunny Mayles attempts to burn the Tigers on the outside while Neni Aho & Reuben Farr stay alive on the play.

Below:

Aaron Walters offloads during the first half.

Below Left:

Jacob Bond charges through the Erina Oval dustbowl.

Below Right:

the Eye of the Storm Magazine – September 2017

Photos: Andrew Stark

Kirra Hodge works the blindside from a ruck close to the Tigers line.

U14(2)s

Minor Semi Final

Saturday, 27th August Darren Kennedy Oval, Toukley

Xavier Hansen & Cameron Sanchez celebrate Xavier’s second half try at Toukley.

Photo: Andrew Stark the Eye of the Storm Magazine – September 2017

Gos ford 28 Berkeley V ale 18

Jake Martin had a huge game in the Minor Semi Final; scoring three tries, laying on a fourth, while also helping to maintain the peace in trying circumstances.

the Eye of the Storm Magazine – September 2017

Photos: Andrew Stark Blake McDonald flicks a neat pass out to his centre, Michael Porter during the opening half.

Photo: Andrew Stark

the Eye of the Storm – September 2017

Nash Dorratt-Mavin cops a high shot during the fiery semi final win over the BV Panthers.

U10(3)s

Minor Semi Final

Gosfo rd 34 Umina 24

Photo: Andrew Stark the Eye of the Storm Magazine – September 2017

Sunday, 28th August Darren Kennedy Oval, Toukley

the Eye of the Storm Magazine – September 2017

Photos: Andrew Stark Reuben Farr with Kirra Hodge in support during the Storm’s great win.

Previous Page:

Top:

Ryan Sanchez in full flight with Reuben Farr by his side.

Above:

Left:

Jacob Bond launches into a fulsome conversion attempt.

Angus Stelcs runs into a little Bunny

Photos: Andrew Stark

Kirra Hodge goes for a gallop during the 2nd half as; Neni Aho, Travis Habkouk, Angus Strelcs, Dylan Wade, Annabel LeMaistre & Angus Bills closely follow her progress.

Below: Neni Aho has just crossed for his second try of the game and is congratulated by Jacob Bond, Aaron Walters, Angus Bills & Travis Habkouk.

Above:

the Eye of the Storm Magazine – September 2017

U12(3)s

Major Semi Final

Sunday, 28th August Darren Kennedy Oval, Toukley Photo: Andrew Stark

Gosford 34 Wyong 24

the Eye of the Storm Magazine – September 2017

Gossy Tw elve's Bo ok Grand Fi nal Berth Cayden ‘Caydo’ Simmons unfurls some spectacular tongue work during the first half at Toukley.

Photos: Andrew Stark

Seth Portus dives over for Gosford’s fourth try and is duly congratulated by Lyndon March & Rylee Oakes.

the Eye of the Storm Magazine – September 2017

Photos: Andrew Stark Above:

Matt McKay winds up for a charge during Gosford’s thumping major semi final victory over Wyong as Ozgur Emeli & Rylee Oakes watch on.

Below: Jack Cameron does similar with an identical supporting cast.

the Eye of the Storm Magazine – September 2017

In The Press …

Gosford Fourteens Cull The Roos

by Andrew Stark

Coast Community News 24th August, 2017

The opening weekend of the Central Coast junior rugby league semi finals provided mixed results for the Gosford Kariong club.

While the Storm’s under 14(2)s managed to keep their season alive with a well constructed 26-16 victory over Wyong, the club’s under 10(3)s were outplayed by a Tigers side they had defeated just eight days earlier.

Gosford dominated the U14s contest from the opening whistle and ended with a five tries to three advantage. A sleepy period just before half time had allowed the Roos to bound out to a shock 10-6 lead however Storm centre Sam Bissett helped reassert Gosford’s dominance immediately after the resumption when he dashed 65 metres up centre field to score a spectacular solo try. Representative halfback, Nash Dorratt-Mavin sliced through on the left edge to add a follow up try, before Michael Porter took advantage of a staggered defence close to the Wyong line; laying on a game sealing try for his perennially straight running back rower, Gokhan Emeli.

The younger Stormers ran into a red hot Tigers line up in the U10(3)s qualifying semi final and despite having defeated The Entrance in both their previous clashes this year, they struggled with the power and the pace of their opponents this time around. Gosford crossed for the games opening try, courtesy of a strong surge from prop Dylan Wade, before the Tigers clicked into gear; notching four first half tries to take a 20-10 lead into the break.

Sunny Mayles and Neni Aho were superb for Gosford however The Entrance proved too strong and elusive on the day; running out 28-16 winners.

In the final round of senior footy, the Storm’s Open Grade side went within a whisker of lowering Terrigal’s colours in an entertaining season’s finale at Duffy’s Road. The Sharks were never headed in scoring a 30-22 win however Gosford played with great spirit throughout the game and late tries to halves, Brendan Eather and Dylan Allen set up a keen conclusion.

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.

t he

Pictorial

Pages

Photos – Andrew Stark The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – September, 2017

The Final Few Rounds of 2017

Brayden Tory Brayden races away from the Tigers defence to score yet another Storm try during the U12s big win in round 14.

U12(3)s

UNDER EIGHTS

Photos: Andrew Stark

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – September, 2017

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – September, 2017

An amusing last act played out during the U14(2)s hefty 50-0 win over Erina during round 15.

Storm winger

Liam MacNaughton made short work of the Eagles edge defence and was off for the prize when the Steeden inexplicably leapt right out of his arms.

Our photographer naturally missed the vital moment when the ball took flight however the images reproduced on this page do document Liam’s barnstorming run, as well as the reaction of both Michael & Xavier to the entertaining fumble.

Photos: Andrew Stark

Kayde Stafford U12(3)s

Photo: Andrew Stark Above: Kayde offloads spectacularly against The Entrance at Erina in round 14. The U12s continued on their winning way with a crushing 36-6 victory and headed into the semi final series as minor premiers.

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – September, 2017

Photo’s: Andrew Stark

Dayne Sams U12(3)s

Above: Dayne looks to slide between a couple of Tigers as Rylee, Andrew & Lyndon keep tabs on his progress. Below: Backing up for the U13s, Matty struggles to escape the clutches of a pesky Rooster.

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – September, 2017

Matt McKay U13(2)s

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – September, 2017

Richard Newing U13(2)s

Photo: Andrew Stark

Jarred Higgins U13(2)s

Photo’s: Andrew Stark Above: Jarred scoots Below: Jake’s expression

out of dummy half during the U13s hefty loss to Woy Woy in round 14. says it all, as the U13s semi final dream is abruptly ended by the Roosters.

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – September, 2017

Jake Sutherland U13(2)s

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE September, 2017

Brock Arnott U16(2)s

Photo: Andrew Stark

Right: Pitto climbs high during the U16s stirring, last round win over Northern Lakes.

Below: Jake buries a Warrior.

Tyler Pittman U16(2)s

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – September, 2017

Jake Grimley U16(2)s

Photo’s: Andrew Stark

2017s LEADING TRYSCORER Benji Keene-O’Keefe U11(1)s

Photo: Andrew Stark The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE September, 2017

The Eye’ Eye’s research department set aside a full afternoon during late August in an attempt to ascertain the full extent of young Benji’ Benji’s try scoring feats of 2017 (shoes and socks were removed as the count pushed well beyond fingers & thumbs). By knock off time that evening, the general consensus was that the tally falls somewhere between twenty five and sixty seven tries … give or take twelve! (it was definitely a lot).

Kirra, Reuben; have I ever shared the magical story of the 1974 University Shield campaign …

Dylan Wade U10(3)s

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – September, 2017

Kirra, Reuben; have I ever shared the magical story of the 1974 University Shield campaign …

Photos: Andrew Stark

In The Press …

Gosford Twelves Go From Rags To Riches

by Andrew Stark

Coast Community News 10th August, 2017

A remarkable turnaround has seen the Gosford Kariong Storm under 12(3)s rugby league team go from wooden spooners to minor premiers in the space of just 12 months.

A thumping seven tries to one victory over The Entrance in the penultimate round of this season’s competition has secured this rags to riches team top billing as the semi final series beckons. A hat-trick of tries to the scheming Rylee Oakes and a player of the match performance from Kayde Stafford were highlights for the Mick Sams coached Storm, who won the day 36-6. Quite remarkably, this team has gone from winning just the single game in 2016, to only having their colours lowered once this season.

A keen battle with the only side to defeat them in 2017, the second placed Wyong Roos, is anticipated throughout the upcoming semi final series.

In further positive news for Gosford; the club’s U14(2)s have edged themselves ever closer to securing the last remaining semi final spot in their division, having scoring an important 34-12 win over the Tigers. Their season had looked all but over during the previous round when they trailed Wyong 10-0 in the shadows of halftime however they fought back magnificently to overrun the fourth placed Roos 18-10, before continuing this form against the fifth placed Tigers. A victory in the final round at home against the lowly ranked Erina Eagles will all but guarantee Gosford a finals berth.

While the Storm’s U12(3)s, U10(3)s and U14(2)s all look certain to be playing in the big, end of season games; the Greg Eather coached U13(2)s have dipped out of contention.

The perennial finalists headed to the peninsula during round 14 for a do-or-die clash with Woy Woy and were sadly handed the latter option. The Storm boys had no answer to the dancing feet and greater desire of the Roosters; suffering a hefty 38-0 defeat.

The opening weekend of this season’s Central Coast junior rugby league final series will be played at Erina Oval on Saturday the 19th & Sunday the 20th of August.

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE September, 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.

St Edwards 72 Gosford 0

Erina 48: Gosford 12

Round Sixteen Old timers perched arthritically up on the Berkeley Vale hill last Sunday were prompted to recall the famous Rorke’s Drift Test of 1914 as a heroic second half showing from a 12 man Storm thwarted the every endeavour of those normally free running behemoths from down Karalta Road way. Both sides notched an even half dozen in a thrilling duel that gripped the large crowd and was really only tarnished by the forty two points we’d leaked before half time.

Cam Phillips, Travis Mantell & Jesse James were in the thick of it, Jordan Groom was at his passionate best from fullback, Dylan Allen & Billy James combined nicely for a trick shot try direct from a scrum win, while Brendan Eather’s re-starts were in themselves worth the price of admission as; two sailed long, one didn’t go the distance, and having lulled the Eagles into a false sense of hilarity, he got another to explode off the pitch like a Mitch Starc effort ball to earn his side the loose and feed. Now that’s entertainment!

The Entrance drop by for a game today and we look forward to lowering their decidedly garish colours (orange; really?). Go get em Gossy! (- The Eye -).

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – September, 2017.

The Entrance 38 Gosford 12

St Edwards 72 Gosford 0

Round Seventeen Yet another blistering second half showing from our boys in which we rattled off an even dozen, couldn’t quite recoup the early deficit yielded to The Entrance. Jayden Bailey, Jordan Groom, Brendan Eather and RJ Warwick were the pick of our players while Birdy worked tirelessly running water on a balmy Sunday afternoon at Berka.

Following the unexpected loss to the Tigers, it is with a heavy heart that we must now concede that the Storm will not be playing in this season’s finals series. Our glorious mid season winning streak (June 18th) wasn’t quite enough and Gossy’s 2017 challenge has sadly fallen a smidge short. While there is no doubting we will be back; bigger, faster and more skilful next season, our focus heading into the final round now turns toward helping the Hawks celebrate their 50th year in style. A victory over Terrigal this afternoon will enable us to gift wrap the wooden spoon, so lethargically earned last season, and send it via express post up to Toukley … with love from Gosford XXX. (- The Eye -).

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – September, 2017.

Round Eighteen

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – September, 2017.

St Edwards 72 Gosford 0

Terrigal 30 Gosford 22

Photos: Andrew Stark

Disrespected Eye Future Seniors Coverage Put On Hold

The Eye enthusiastically covered all of Gosford’s Open Grade games throughout 2017.

All eighteen rounds were photographed and written about in the match day program as well as in The Eye of the Storm magazine. We also managed to gain the team, press coverage in both the Coast Community News and the Express Advocate during the season. A detailed eleven page spread heralded the victory over Toukley in the July edition of The Eye of the Storm magazine. We got Gosford action photo’s on the cover of the match day program on three separate occasions as well as successfully haggling with CCDRL officialdom to get a GKS player profile included late in the year. These efforts seemingly went unrecognized by “the boys”. The lone feed back received throughout the season being criticism of a match report from the 2nd Ourimbah game.

The greatest bugbear arrived however in the week following the great win up at Toukley.

St Edwards 72 Gosford 0 The Eye was contacted and happily agreed to a request to take a 2017 team photo. It was decided that Eye would arrive an hour before the Wyong game and the image would be taken prior to the warm up. When asked what it would cost, we generously waved the fee. So having caught the early bus out to Berkeley Vale and presented at the agreed time, Eye stood around as the boys began to warm up; continually being told not yet, we are still waiting for a few stragglers to arrive. This line echoed right up until just prior to kick off when the team suddenly jogged off to play. Eye was left standing on the school oval, with the parting comment; “who needs a team photo anyway” wafting in his ears as the boys shuffled off to do battle with the Roos. The team photo was never again mentioned and quite predictably, their was no apology forthcoming from anyone.

Our action photo sales from Open team members for 2017 sits at zero.

Of course a number of screen shots ripped straight out of The Eye of the Storm magazine have on numerous occasions been plastered all over Facebook … but nothing where anyone has paid the token $10 fee, or even had the decency to acknowledge whose work it might have been that they were stealing and sharing with the world. Not surprisingly, our acknowledgment in the captain’s end of season Facebook post also came in at zero …

The Eye has enjoyed following the progress of the team throughout 2017 and the future of the Storm as a senior entity looks to be on the up. The prospect of continuing to promote & encourage this progress is our preferred course however we feel that respect is a two way street and that “the boys” are probably better off doing their Sunday lunchtime thing in the shadows from here on in.

Next season’s Open Grade campaign will progress Eye free!

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – September, 2017.

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 September, 2017.

“Damn!

I Forgot To Hang The Washing Out.” Those amazing

White Cane Photographers have supplied us with yet another delightful glimpse into rugby league’s rich and varied sub textual pastiche. On a beautiful drying day out at Kincumber, the Storm and the Colts put it all on the line.

Proudly sponsored by

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

2017 COMPETITION LADDERS - Final -

Opens

Pts

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

30 30 25 24 20 16 15 14 4

Gosford Kariong

2

U14(2)s

Pts

Umina Budgewoi Berkeley Vale Wyong

30 24 21 17

Gosford Kariong

16

The Entrance Terrigal Ourimbah Toukley Erina

16 14 4 4 4

U16(2)s

Pts

Wyong Erina Toukley - gold Toukley – blue Northern Lakes

28 22 20 20 16

Gosford Kariong

14

Woy Woy Ourimbah St Edwards

12 8 6

U13(2)s

Pts

Warnervale Terrigal Wyong Woy Woy Budgewoi Blue Haven

29 24 24 12 12 10

Gosford Kariong

10

Kincumber

7

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

28 26 22 14 12 12

Gosford Kariong

4

The Entrance

2

U12(3)s

Pts

Gosford Kariong

28

Wyong Budgewoi Northern Lakes Blue Haven The Entrance

22 17 14 9 0

U10(3)s U11(1)s

Pts

Terrigal Blue Haven The Entrance Erina Berkeley Vale

26 24 23 21 17

Gosford Kariong

11

Kincumber Toukley Woy Woy Wyong

8 8 7 5

Pts

Pts

Erina The Entrance – black

25 24

Gosford Kariong

24

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

23 18 9 8 8 5 4

Water Boys

Keeping Up The Fluids

The

Birdy & Marto H2O Squirters

the Back Page The Eye of the Storm – SEPTEMBER 2017

‘Eye of the Storm’ – Vol 24, September, 2017 e-mag compiled, photographed, written & designed by Andrew Stark © 2017 Contact - 10dollarjpegs@gmx.com