Magpie Memoir Magazine - Issues 1-5 (January - July 2020)

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE Issues 1 - 5

January 2020 – July 2020

Online presentation © Andrew Stark 2021 No part of this magazine/fanzine/presentation, may be reproduced in whole or in part in any manner without the permission of the copyright owner

Magpie Memoir Magazine © Andrew Stark 2021

MAGPIE MEMOIR January 2020: Volume 1 Issue 1

MAGAZINE One Fans Tribute to the Western Suburbs DRLFC

ISSN:2652--4406 ISSN:2652

TEDESCO $9.50

WESTS LEGEND

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE © Andrew Stark

Pictured Right:

The photographer as a boy captured discussing team selections with his shadow in the backyard at Strathfield.

Photo – Hugh Stark

Andrew Stark grew up in inner Sydney Strathfield during the heady day of the 1970s. He quickly became a passionate supporter of the local rugby league team, the Western Suburbs Magpies. Stark began snapping photographs at the occasional game during the early 1980s and did later became the chief photographer for Terry Williams’ Sydney League News publication, covering grassroots footy from the mid 1990s.

Stark has captured Magpie-centric images over the past three and a half decades concentrating on the junior representative level, with the occasional foray into the senior grades.

This quarterly series of magazines aims to look back through the photographers vast collection and is one man’s humble celebration of the mighty Western Suburbs D.R.L.F.C

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE January 2020: Volume 1 Edition 1

Welcome to the first edition of MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE. To be published quarterly, MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE will showcase personal archives as I celebrate four decades of support for the Western Suburbs DRLFLC. The Magpies are a foundation member of the NSWRL having originally been constituted back in the autumn of 1908. Despite no longer competing at the games highest level, Western Suburbs continues to enter the second tier, NSW Cup competition, as well lining up in the SG Ball Cup (under 18s) and Matthews Cup (under 16s) junior representative competitions.

Wests continues to be a tremendous breeding ground for talented rugby league players and this is most obviously demonstrated by the player who features on our inaugural cover. James Tedesco is a local Magpie junior, and without doubt he’s a once in a generation player. Teddy leads the club’s production line into the new decade and is but the latest black & white tyro to take the league world by storm.

- Andrew Stark

Contents …

Page 4 Growing Up in Black & White - Page 7 Tim Horan Page 8 James Tedesco - Page 10 Sydney League News Covers - Page 12 One Random Programme - Page 13 Shannon Gallant - Page 14 Andrew Willis Page 16 The Gale Siblings - Page 20 Scott Gale’s First Try

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE is Written, Photographed, Designed & Published by Andrew Stark.

All photographs were taken by Andrew Stark, unless otherwise credited.

© Andrew Stark 2020 email: 10dollarjpegs@gmx.com ISSN: 2652-4406 front cover: James Tedesco, Wests Matthews Cup 2009.

The 1970s was an intoxicating time to be a Wests fan. As a ten year old I became wholly swept up by the Cinderella story that was Don Parish's Babes; a young Magpies team that stormed into the semi finals and eliminated the might of Souths and Manly before succumbing to eventual premiers Easts in the final. Names like Dorahy, Luibinskas, Isbester, Hundy, Purcell and Snodgrass were instantly elevated into the rugby league vocabulary to sit alongside established Wests favorites: Raudonikis, Foster, Elford, Mullins, Parker and Knight.

One of my fondest Magpie memories is of sitting, as a wide eyed ten year old in the old Brewongle Stand at the SCG with my dad as Wests clawed back from a seemingly insurmountable 4-15 deficit just prior to half time to quite amazingly lead the all star Manly team 23-20 heading into the last five minutes of a gripping 1974 minor semi final.

The Sea Eagles had been the premier team of the previous When time stood still.

Uncredited Photo found on the internet

1974

WESTS 23 MANLY 20

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE © Andrew Stark

Growing up: all my heroes dressed in black and white..

Two years later I was on the bike track when Geoff Foster struggled his way over in the final moments to inflict defeat on a gallant South Sydney in a game acknowledged as one of the greatest club games ever seen. Then it was straight into the Fibro era with all its huff, bluster and ultimate devastation, as Grand Final day was always just one or two plays beyond outstretched black and white finger tips. My heart sank when each and every off season Magpie favourites were enticed away by the wave of a fulsome

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE © Andrew Stark

two seasons and as the clock wore down, the maroon and white menace threw wave upon wave of desperate attack at the Wests line. Legend has it that Coach Parish couldn't bear to watch the final moments and retired to the bowels of the grandstand to sit with fingers crossed in the dressing shed. With just minutes remaining, Manly international Ray Branighan lunged for the Wests line right in front of me and my dad (see photo on previous page). The Eagles players claimed a try. Referee Laurie Bruyers, dressed in virginal white took a handful of measured steps backward from the immediate scene. With a match defining decision pending, time suddenly stood still and everything went deathly quiet.

The very next moment was to decide the semi final and my memory is lusciously fresh. Before Bruyers had a chance to signify anything the gangly frame of Russell Mullins broke the news when he suddenly began dancing around the in-goal, jumping and waving his arms about in joy like a very tall and skinny man doing exaggerated aerobics. The ref had obviously verbalized his decision to disallow the try before signalling it to the world and who better to relay it to the black and white masses than the man known in my household as, Muscle Rullins. The Mighty Magpies won the day and I was hooked on black & white for life.

The Magpies slipped down the ladder and ultimately right out of the competition. Utter devastation and outrage was quickly coupled with a burst of pure joy as the Rick Wayde led rear guard translated into court battle interference; a stay of execution that earned Wests a momentary gulp of oxygen and the opportunity to head to the greener pastures of Campbelltown. Less than two decades on and with a

Photo - Andrew Stark

cruel Russian roulette form of cull having been implemented, the Super League war killed off my team as a big league entity. A crude merger with Balmain created a dogs breakfast of a club and it is one in which, while always pleased to see them do well, I can never feel any genuine passion toward. The side dressed in garish orange who are universally known as the Tigers, bear no relationship to the battling heroes of my youth. .

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE © Andrew Stark

cheque book. The Lidcombe nest lost Dorahy, Boyd, Brown, Raudonikis, O’Grady, Ribot, Lamb, the list seemed never ending and ultimately the penniless Pies amazing ability to replenish the club’s stocks ceased to match this never ending haemorrhage of talent.

Photo - Andrew Stark

Tim Horan Pictured at 15 years-of-age, on the attack for the Wests SG Ball Cup team in 1989 during their clash with Balmain in a game played at Leichhardt Oval.

Horan was a star three-quarter at St Gregory’s College and represented the Australian Schoolboys in 1990 & 1991. In 1992 he signed with South Sydney and played 17 first grade games for the Rabbitohs across three injury plagued seasons. He later had stints at the Western Reds and Illawarra. The Reds were coached by Horan’s former High School mentor, Peter “Skull” Mullholland and the Perth based team also included former Magpies; Shaun Devine, Jason Eade, Peter Trevitt, Cameron Blair, Brendan Tuuta, Brett Docherty, Corin Ridding & Shane Barrett.

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE © Andrew Stark

James Tedesco Wests Greatest Ever Fullback The Magpies have produced some gifted fullbacks throughout the club’s 111 year history. Celebrated custodians such as; Dorahy, Keato, Ford, Leeds, Hodgson, Sharman and of course the Kangaroo captain of 1933/34 Frank ‘Skinny’ McMillan.

It would fair to surmise however, that none was able to match the dancing feet, blistering speed and non-step energy of the lad from Menangle.

James Tedesco is a precocious talent. The Camden Rams product was being hailed as the next Billy Slater while starring for St Gregory’s College and the Wests SG Ball Cup team. He made his first grade debut with the Wests Tigers in 2012 and Ricky Stuart almost convinced the fullback to relocate to Canberra two seasons later. Having narrowly averted the loss of Tedesco to the Raiders, the perennially stuttering Tigers inexplicably let the most talented player in the league slip away in 2018. The Sydney Roosters got their man and have notched two premierships in as many seasons since the magic Magpie landed in the Bondi fowl house.

I first saw Teddy play as a spindly 15-year-old winger in the Wests Matthews Cup team of 2009. Truth be told, he showed little that day to suggest the amazing footballer he was to become. A year or two later and having gained selection in the Australian Schoolboy side, the Wests SG Ball Cup fullback was shinning brightly and receiving rave reviews.

“James couldn’t make the junior rep squad for Wests when he was 14, and from then on he’s always sort of scraped in. But once he made those teams, he’s gone on to finish as the best player. The big thing is he never cuts corners and always does the right thing. Even at the supermarket, he’d always make sure we had the right number of items to go through the express aisle.”

- John Tedesco (James’ father), Josh Massoud (Telegraph) 4-3-2012 As a Wests fan, I rate the loss of Tedesco to Easts as the most painful farewell since the departure of Terry Lamb to Belmore back in 1984.

James Tedesco …

State of Origin debut 2016, Test debut for Italy 2017, Test debut debut for Australia 2018. His long list of awards include; Dally M Player of the Year, Brad Fittler Medal (twice), Wally Lewis Medal, RLPA Player of the Year, Peter Frilingos Memorial Award, Jack Gibson Medal

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE © Andrew Stark

Photo: Andrew Stark

James Tedesco aged 15 in action for the Wests Harold Matthews Cup team against the Sydney Roosters at Henson Park in 2009.

Abov e:

"He's been bordering on one of the best players in the game for a couple of years.

Even at the Wests Tigers he showed signs of that. He's so hard to handle. He's strong, quick, has great balance, he can push through the middle because of his strength, and when he gets out wide he's got the running game to hurt you, but the passing game to hurt you, too.

There aren't too many better players in the game than James Tedesco.”

- Craig Bellamy (SMH October 5th, 2019)

Sydney League News Magpies on the Cover (1996 – 2003) The Sydney League News was a match day programme established and launched by Terry Williams in March of 1996. The SLN covered grassroots rugby league in the city and its surrounds for the next eight years.

As the publication’s chief photographer, I was privileged to witness and capture a generation of Magpies as they represented the Club’s junior representative and Metropolitan Cup teams. Wests players featured on nine covers during this period and each of these has been reproduced across this and the following pages.

Ben Sperring (14-4-00)

William Valeuatu (29-6-96)

Andy Brabek (19-6-98)

Daniel Norris (22-4-99)

Paul Winterstein (3-6-99)

Matt Brinkworth (15-3-02)

Martin Patton (15-6-00)

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE © Andrew Stark

Nick Duffy (8-3-97)

Shannon McDonnell (14-3-03)

One Random Programme 1991 Schoolboy Final

28

12

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE © Andrew Stark

Photo - Andrew Stark

Shannon Gallant Pictured a fortnight beyond his 17th birthday, on the fly for the Wests SG Ball Cup team against South Sydney in March of 2003.

Gallant played on the wing during this period to accommodate Shannon McDonnell at fullback in a team which ultimately reached the finals. The young man known fondly to Wests fans as ‘Mighty Mouse’ would soon claim the number one jersey however, and he made his NRL debut for the Wests Tigers at fullback against the Warriors in June of 2007. Gallant ultimately played 21 top grade games, 12 with the Wests Tigers and nine with North Queensland.

In 2016 he returned to play Massey Cup for the mighty Western Suburbs Magpies

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE © Andrew Stark

Andrew Willis Pictured right, as a 16-year-old offloading during Wests Matthews Cup victory over Easts at Campbelltown - May12th, 1990.

Willis played first grade for Cootamundra as a 15 year old and was recommended to Wests by former Magpie legend Les Boyd.

“Andrew is very level-headed and has unbelievable potential in both attack and defence. Yet, his greatest asset is his organisational skill.”

- Les Boyd (1990)

Willis did ultimately play 60 top grade games between 1993 and 1997.

He is best remembered for an amazing, last gasp, 48 metre field goal which gave Wests a heroic 23-22 win over the third placed North Sydney in round 20 of 1996.

The result did ultimately secure Tom Raudonikis’ team a finals berth, which was to be the last time a Magpies team would feature in the first grade playoffs.

Nagging injuries forced his retirement from big time football in 1998 and Willis later played and coached at Camden in the Group 6 competition. In the year 2000 he captain coached the club to a 26-16 grand final victory over Picton.

In 2007 Andrew Willis coached the Wests SG Ball Cup team; a side which featured future NRL players; Luke Kelly and Simon Dwyer.

Photo - Andrew Stark

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE © Andrew Stark

Photos Andrew Stark

The Gale Siblings Strathfield’’s Champion Trio Strathfield I grew up alongside the Gale brothers in Strathfield during the 1970s.

We went to primary school together at St Pat’s. Brett was in my year and I played in sporting teams with Scott. Their father, Terry Gale was a former Australian representative athlete and was Wests sprint coach during the Roy Masters era. He also ran the pharmacy which traded upstairs at Westfield’s Burwood throughout my childhood years. His wife Madeline became one of the first women in Australia to get a grade three coaching certificate and she subsequently guided the Delmonte Demons under 8s to premiership glory.

“Mum wanted to help us with our football and she decided she could do that if she knew what she was talking about” - Scott Gale ( Big League Magazine 13-6-1984).

Scotty began playing in Brett’s under 8s team at the Enfield Fed’s when he was just five and quickly announced himself as a star of the future.

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE © Andrew Stark Photo’s Above:

Brett Gale (1983), Tarsha Gale (1995), Scott Gale (1983)

Scott left the Fed’s for Burwood United a few years later and played in seven premiership winning teams in eight seasons. He was also a key member of Wests junior representative teams during the late nineteen seventies and early eighties.

The Gale siblings were sporting royalty in my neighbourhood with Brett, Scott and sister Tarsha all kicking on to play top level rugby league.

Quite remarkably, all three represented Australia; Brett and Scott at schoolboy level while Tarsha Gale became a pioneering member of the Jillaroos.

Brett Gale played 49 of his 53 first grade games at Wests. Younger brother Scott played just 15 top grade games at Wests (1983) before stints with Easts, Balmain, Canberra, Norths & Hull. The NSWRL decision to exclude Wests from the competition during late 1983 opened the door for Easts to swoop. Despite having contracts with the Magpies for 1984, Scott and Brett headed to Bondi as the uncertainty over the future of the Magpies decimated the club’s playing ranks.

Brett would return twelve months later, however Scott was lost forever.

Tragically Scotty Gale passed away in March of 2004 aged just 39 following a long and courageous battle with motor neurone disease.

His funeral notice which appeared in the Daily Telegraph on March 3rd , 2004 simply read, “Champion”.

St Patrick’s College Under 10As cricket team of 1974 featuring Scott Gale (extreme left) and the author (fourth and last in back row).

Photo below:

Photo’’s Photo Scott Gale in the Wests first grade team photo of 1983 (courtesy of Big League Magazine). Brett Gale in action for the Australian Schoolboys (courtesy of Big League Magazine).

Left Page:

Right: Scott Gale’s

13

31

introduction into grade football during early Ma y of 1982.

Scott Gale the Wests first grader captured in 1983 (photo – Andrew Stark).

Below:

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE

Photo - Andrew Stark

Scott Gale runs off Bruiser Clark (seen on the ground near Brian Battese’s legs) to score during the 50-14 first grade loss to Illawarra in 1983. Wayne Smith, Brian Battese, Brett Gale and former Magpie John Dorahy, watch on.

Photo - Andrew Stark

1982 Lidcombe Oval Brett Gale congratulates younger brother Scott (#6) on scoring his first try in grade football. It was Sunday the 17th of May and Scotty Gale was barely 17-years-old. He was playing just his second game in the Wests 3rd grade team having been promoted to grade the previous weekend.

With the game against Canterbury in the balance, the brilliant halfback split the Bulldogs defence and dashed away to score a run away try to seal the win for the Magpies. On a memorable day for the Gale family, Brett also scored in the 13-7 win. The club had a magnificent crop of youngsters at this time and pictured alongside the Gale brothers are Steve Anderson (#3) & David Greene (#1), who by the end of the season, were both playing first grade.

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE © Andrew Stark

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE Issues 1 - 5

January 2020 – July 2020

Online presentation © Andrew Stark 2021 No part of this magazine/fanzine/presentation, may be reproduced in whole or in part in any manner without the permission of the copyright owner

Magpie Memoir Magazine © Andrew Stark 2021

MAGPIE MEMOIR January 2020: April 2020:

Volume 1 Issue 1 2 Volume 1 Issue

MAGAZINE One Fans Tribute to the Western Suburbs DRLFC

ISSN:2652--4406 ISSN:2652

LEAPIN’ LEO

EPIFANIA $9.50

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE © Andrew Stark

Pictured Right:

The photographer as a boy captured discussing team selections with his shadow in the backyard at Strathfield.

Photo – Hugh Stark

Andrew Stark grew up in inner Sydney Strathfield during the heady day of the 1970s. He was quickly to become a passionate supporter of the local rugby league team, the Western Suburbs Magpies. Stark began snapping photographs at the occasional game during the early 1980s and did later became the chief photographer for Terry Williams’ Sydney League News publication, covering grassroots footy from the mid 1990s on.

Stark has captured a myriad of Magpie-centric images over the past three and a half decades concentrating on the junior representative level, with the occasional foray into the senior grades.

This quarterly series of magazines aims to look back through the photographers vast collection and is one man’s humble celebration of the mighty Western Suburbs D.R.L.F.C

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE April 2020: Volume 1 Edition 2

Season 2020 kicked off beneath the pall of respiratory outrage. A plague christened ‘Corona’, quickly played havoc as crowds were locked out of NRL games and all other fixtures were postponed until mid winter.

Despite these enormous difficulties, spirits were buoyed during February when it became apparent that the magnificent black & white jersey was trotting onto Sydney playing fields for the club’s 113th consecutive annual occurrence. We at MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE (and I use the royal ‘we’ in this instance) were out and about in hot pursuit of our mighty Wests teams during the year’s most infectious opening.

Pushing the COVID-19 crisis to one side, I was greatly perturbed by a matter of fashion. To suggest a tinge of sadness was experienced when orange was introduced onto the Wests 2020 junior representative team strip, would be wholly understating my strong emotions. In this old Magpies eyes, adding the Balmain hue to our kit is on a par with allowing a hot dog stand to set up on the pulpit of St Paul’s Basilica. Its bloody sacrilegious. I cannot understand why Wests (and Balmain for that matter) aren't allowed to simply go about fielding teams that respectfully represent their foundation club status.

The Concord puppeteer does seemingly prefer to forgo any illusion of historical dignity; replacing the traditional fishing line supports with some form of crudely attached two ply yarn. The only saving grace is that no matter how pervasive this gaudy Tigerizing of the Western Suburbs identity does ultimately become, 18 of the 20 pages that go to make up this publication, do remain wholly black & white.

- Andrew Stark MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE is Written, Photographed, Designed & Published by Andrew Stark.

All photographs were taken by Andrew Stark, unless otherwise credited credited.

© Andrew Stark 2020 email: 10dollarjpegs@gmx.com ISSN: 2652-4406 front cover: Leo Epifania Wests Massey

Cup coach 2016.

JNR REPS 2020 MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE © Andrew Stark

Above -

The Matthews Cup team celebrate Tajh Colquhoun’s first half try against the Roosters.

Wests struggled to assert themselves during this season’ season’s abridged junior representative programme with both teams sitting outside the top eight when play was terminated by the plague.

The Matthews Cup boys kicked off their season with a heartbreaking loss to the Roosters at the old Marrickville Brick Pit. Wests dominated the game and deservedly led 14-8 heading into the final 8 minutes. One or two dumb options and the withering finish of their opponents however, did see victory snatched away at the death. Tajh Colquhoun scored one and laid on another

Matthews Cup (U16) Rd1 Rd2 Rd3 Rd4 Rd5 Rd6 Rd7 Rd8 Rd9

… bye … vs. Roosters (A) lost 14-20 … vs. Cronulla (H) lost 8-18 … vs. Illawarra (H) won 20-10 … vs. Norths (A) won 26-16 … vs. Parramatta (A) lost 6-34 … vs. Canberra (H) postponed … vs. Central Coast (H) postponed … vs. Manly (A) postponed

SG Ball Cup (U18) Rd1 Rd2 Rd3 Rd4 Rd5 Rd6 Rd7 Rd8 Rd9

… bye … vs. Roosters (A) lost 4-50 … vs. Cronulla (H) lost 22-30 … vs. Illawarra (H) lost 12-36 … vs. Norths (A) won 40-12 … vs. Parramatta (A) lost 6-58 … vs. Canberra (H) postponed … vs. Central Coast (H) postponed … vs. Manly (A) postponed

try and was a constant threat to the Chooks from pivot.

Others to catch the eye for Wests included; Tallyn Da Sliva, Remi Mant, Tom Fisher and Heath Mason. In the SG Ball clash, the Magpies were no match for a red-hot Roosters outfit.

Above:- Impressive Matthews Cup hooker Tallyn Da Silva

Round 3 saw the Matts Cup boys lead Cronulla 8-6 early in the second half before conceding two tries on their way to a tough 18-8 defeat. The SG Ball team experienced a horror start against the Sharks and trailed 16-0 after ten minutes. The Shire team extended this lead to 28-4 just after the break before Wests staged a withering comeback. Three consecutive tries had the Pies back within 6 points heading into he final five minutes, however Brock Shepperd’s lads left their run a little too late and Cronulla escaped with a 30-22 win.

A Magpie victory finally arrived when the U16s sank the Steelers 20-10 at Campbelltown. It was looking bleak for Nathan Lakeman’s team early on as they trailed 10-0 mid way through the opening half. Young back rower Kit Photos - Andrew Stark Jurrado Smith slips a Beetsonesque offload to Magpie team mate Isaiah Anamani. Above: Charlie Lennon on the charge during round 6.

Left:

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE © Andrew Stark

JNR REPS 2020

Laulilii starred for the home side as Wests clicked into gear to run in the next 20 points. The win pushed the Pies into sixth place on the ladder. The SG Ball side jumped to a 6-0 lead after five minutes, courtesy of a Byron Strickland try converted by half Jibiril Elrich. Illawarra proved too strong on the day however and after leading 16-6 at the break, they closing out a 36-12 win.

Above: - SG

Ball Cup fullback Cam Lawrence gives us a wave during round 2.

Wests headed into the Corona virus hotspot of Marsfield for their round 5 fixtures against the North Sydney Grizzlies. The Matt’s Cup quickly found themselves locked in an almighty battle in a game described to Magpie Memoir Magazine pre-match by Bears legend Greg Florimo as being a “grand final for both sides”. The Magpies swooped late to turn a 12-16 deficit into a mighty 26-16 victory. Back rower Masei Tavui was the star turn for Wests, while under 15s duo Tallyn Da Silva and William Craig also caught the eye. In the SG Ball Cup clash, Wests broke through for their first win of the season with an emphatic 40-12 victory.

PhotosAndrew Stark Above –

Wests SG Ball bench watches on as Alosomu Lolohea streaks away for a try in round 5.

JNR REPS 2020

The powerhouse black & white pack laid a solid platform for speedy three-quarters Alosomu Lolohea and Cam Lawrence to run freely.

The Eels were in their element at a cold, wet and miserable Ringrose Park in round 6. Wests started slowly in both grades: Matts Cup were down 28-0 at the break, while the SG Ball lads went to oranges trailing 40-0. Enough said …

The Magpies were due to face Canberra in must win round seven games, yet on the Wednesday prior to kick off the NSWRL decided to terminate all competitions due to COVID-19 concerns. Before suffering virus-interuptus, the Wests teams were running 9th (Matthew’s Cup) and 14th (SG Ball Cup) respectively.

Ball Cup hooker Tevita Petelo with Maverick Bantin off his shoulder.

Above –

Despite struggling to threaten the top teams during the opening 6 rounds, a plethora of talented young Magpies were revealed. Matt’s Cup back rower Masei Tavui was particularly impressive and looks to be a top prospect.

Further standouts; Tallyn Da Silva, William Craig and Kit Laulilii, all played up an age division and are eligible to line up in the U16s competition again next season. Here’s hoping these lads remain in the Magpies nest and form the basis of a semi final run in 2021. In the SG Ball Cup, St Gregory’s product Cam Lawrence is an exciting fullback, halves Bantin & Elrich had their moments, while second rower Charlie Lennon looks headed for grade footy.

Photos: Andrew Stark

Matthews Cup half Heath Mason is captured scoring via a neat show-and-go in round 2.

Above -

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE © Andrew Stark

JNR REPS 2020

Below: Kit Laulilii & Masei Tavui bury a

Bear in the Matthews Cup.

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE © Andrew Stark

Photos - Andrew Stark

Right: Reece Davison shows his displeasure

at having a try disallowed in round 5

Masei Tavui links with William Craig

Nathan Lakeman

Brock Sheppard

(Matts Cup coach)

(SG Ball Cup coach)

AROUND THE GROUNDS - Magpies Sporting an Alien Hue Wests Magpie juniors who feature in NRL squads for 2020 include; James Tedesco (Sydney Roosters), Ray Stone (Parramatta), Chris Lawrence & David Nofoaluma (Wests Tigers), Tim Lafai (St George) & Sauaso ‘Jessie’ Sau (Canterbury). Taniela Paseka (Manly) unfortunately suffered a season ending ankle injury during February’s NRL 9s competition.

In the Canterbury/NSW Cup; Cup local lads lining up for rival clubs include; Gus Garzanti (Blacktown), Mason Cerruto (Canterbury), James Tautaiolefua (Souths), and the ageless Willie Mataka (Mounties).

While in the Under 20s – Jersey Flegg competition we find; Eti Tavui, Felix Smith, Luke Rouland, Mavoni Tuifua, Piliaau Togamaga, Ray Jankovic & Rua Ngatikaura (Wests Tigers), Christian Urso (Canterbury) & Jacob Sykes (Manly).

NSW CUP 2020 Wests kicked off their 2020 NSW Cup campaign in promising style, before the dreaded lurgy intervened.

Under the stewardship of former St George & Canberra hooker, Wayne ‘Snoopy’ Collins, Wests headed to the Gong for their opening round clash with last season’s top four side, the St George-Illawarra Dragons.

A wholly dominant display saw the Magpies come away with an impressive 32-12 win. The result never looked in doubt following a blistering opening twenty five minutes which yielded Wests three tries and a 16-0 lead.

Western Suburbs 32: Tommy Talau 2, Jock Madden, Matt Eisenhuth, Matheson Johns, Dylan Smith tries, Jock Madden 4 goals def St GeorgeIllawarra 12: T. Stewart, J. Saab tries, T. Sailor, J. Saab goals

Crowd lock out laws were introduced prior to the scheduled round 2 fixture against Newcastle. Yet on the Wednesday prior to the game, the NSWRL announced they were pulling the plug on the competition for the foreseeable future. The threat of Coronavirus cut a swathe through early season rugby league circa 2020.

Photos - Andrew Stark

NSW Cup stars - Chris McQueen (left), Sam McIntyre (centre), Dylan Smith (right)

Wests Rd1 team: D ylan Smith, William Kei, Tommy Talau, Matheson Johns, Kane Bradley, Brendan O’Hagan, Jock Madden, Matt Eisenhuth, Jake Simpkin, Oliver Clark, Chris McQueen, Alex Seyfarth, Sam McIntyre, Jordin Lelu, Terrell May, Lachlan Talau, Austin Dias.

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE

© Andrew Stark

Above –

Leo Epifania Lidcombe Oval Battler There are three certainties in life: death, taxes and Leo Epifania Epifania -West s Magpies blog, July 2014

In the immediate wake of the Fibro era and the ensuing attempt made by the NSWRL to cull the Magpies, the club did struggle to remain competitive.

Seasons 1983 and 1984 were particularly difficult as they collectively yielded just half a dozen wins and resulted in the club picking up back to back wooden spoons.

It was a period that heralded a gaggle of earnest Wests battlers. No name goers who week in and week out, gave their upmost against glamour opponents from Sydney’s most well heeled clubs. The effort rarely waned despite the chances of success invariably being stacked against them.

One of these Magpie battlers was local junior, Leo ‘the legend’ Epifania.

Back during the mid 1980s Leo was a crowd favourite at Lidcombe. He was diminutive, unorthodox and as gutsy and reliable as they come.

Epifania had played Australian Rules football as a youth before deciding to give rugby league a crack during his late teens; turning out for the Enfield Fed’s. The young elevator technician showed enough promise to be graded with Wests in 1982, playing off the bench for Ron Fearnley’s 3rd Grade side.

“Although I liked Aussie Rules I decided to play rugby league simply because I wanted to get into the money side of sport” - Leo Epifania (RLW 1984) The diminutive fullback actually began his league days as a lock forward, however his two handed surety under the high ball and rover like ability to cover the back field made him a natural for the custodians role. Leo made his first grade debut on the last Sunday of April, 1984 when Wests were unluckily pipped by a star studded Manly 16-14 at Lidcombe in front of a modest crowd of 4477. The no name Magpies scored three tries to two that afternoon however the goal kicking of Eagles sharpshooter Steve Hegarty and a bulldozing effort from big Noel ‘Crusher’ Cleal did ultimately prove decisive.

Leo Epifania …

#816 Photo right:

Playing Career: Graded with Wests in 1982.

First Grade – Wests 21 games (1984(1984-86), Illawarra 1 game (1988).

Leo Epifania offloads against Penrith at Lidcombe Oval in 1984

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE © Andrew Stark

Photo: Andrew Stark

"He's been bordering on one of the best players in the game for a couple of years.

Even at the Wests Tigers he showed signs of that. He's so hard to handle. He's strong, quick, has great balance, he can push through the middle because of his strength, and when he gets out wide he's got the running game to hurt you, but the passing game to hurt you, too.

There aren't too many better players in the game than James Tedesco.”

- Craig Bellamy (SMH October 5th, 2019) -

These were difficult times for Wests and on-field success’ were mighty rare.

Leaping Leo would play ten first grade games, spanning more than twelve months before he finally tasted a top grade victory. The Magpies defeated St George 19-16 in early July of 1985 and they seemingly enjoyed the experience so much that they backed it up seven days later to knock off the Illawarra Steelers 32-20 down in the Gong. Sadly for the popular number one, this cluster of Magpies success was to be brief. Epifania would ultimately play in two wins, two draws and 16 first grade losses across three seasons spanning 1984-86. In 1988 he transferred to Illawarra; his lone top grade game for the scarlet team yielding a further defeat. All up, Leo ‘Ledge’ Epifania played 21 first grade games, scoring two tries and kicking 13 goals in the process (32 of his 34 points were scored while playing for Wests).

“Epifania sizzled all night. He ran freely, kicked goals neatly from all angles and in fact did everything except collect the gate money.”

-Tony Peters (Big League Magazine 10-4-1985)

Beyond his playing days, Epifania picked up the coaches clipboard and he has subsequently guided Wests teams in the NSW Cup, Massey Cup and Jersey Flegg Cup competitions. He also coached York Wasps in the English Northern Ford Premiership and during more recent times, the Italian national team. From 2015, Leo Epifana has been General Manager of Football Operations at the mighty Western Suburbs DRLFC. Photo: Andrew Stark

Leo Epifania in action (& non-action) during 1984

Photo’s left and right:

Epifania’s first grade debut against Manly. Rugby League Week rated his first up performance as a meritorious 7 out of 10.

Above:

© Andrew Stark

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE

Photo - Andrew Stark

“Leo would be one of the best bomb takers in Sydney” - Steve Ghosn (1985)

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE © Andrew Stark

One Random Programme 1987 SG Ball Cup Semi Final

Canberra 35 Wests 8 Nigel Gaffey scored a second half hat trick after the Raiders had led 1515-4 at the break. Wests tries were scored by Jason Teague & Tim Brasher.

Wests relocated to Campbelltown in 1987 and despite Tim Brasher being under contract, he was released on compassionate grounds. Tim was a high school student at the time and the prospect of travelling from the inner west to Leumeah a couple of times a week for training was understandably considered less than ideal. Jason Stewart, Brendan Osborne, George Doumit and Michael Conna joined Brasher at Balmain while Enfield Fed’s product, Jim Serdaris was lost to Souths via Zetland.

Parramatta defeated Canberra 32-10 in the final to claim the 1987 SG Ball Cup.

TIM BRASHER – WESTS MATTHEWS CUP 1986

Photo courtesy of Facebook

Photo: Andrew Stark

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE © Andrew Stark

Isaac De Gois Photographed left as a 16-year-old playing fullback for the Wests SG Ball Cup team against Manly at Brookvale Oval during early 2001.

While ‘Goisy’ played his early junior reps in the number one jersey, he ultimately forged a 225 NRL game career at hooker.

A Liverpool junior and member of Wests premiership winning SG Ball team of 2002, De Gois would play international football for Portugal before making his NRL debut for the Wests Tigers in 2006. He made five top grade appearances for the club, however with Robbie Farah firmly established at dummy half, Isaac accepted an offer to play with the Cronulla Sutherland Sharks.

Over the next ten seasons, the Wests junior would notch stints at Cronulla, Newcastle, Cronulla again, before linking with Parramatta where a head knock suffered while playing during the 2017 trials forced him into retirement.

Having lured the former All Saints Liverpool lad back to the Sharks in 2011, head coach and former Wests hooker Shane Flanagan offered, "I always wanted to get Isaac De Gois back to Cronulla because I knew what he could bring in terms of attitude and culture."

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE © Andrew Stark

Photo: Andrew Stark

Jamie Ainscough Photographed at Orana Park in 1989 as a 16-year-old on the charge for the Wests Jersey Flegg side. Later in the same season he would represent the Australian Schoolboy side having earlier starred for Elderslie High.

Ainscough made his first grade debut for Wests in 1990 and played 35 games in two seasons for the Magpies top grade before heading to Newcastle in 1993.

He would subsequently have stints at St George, St George-Illawarra and Wigan. In 1995 he was called into the Australian side and scored during the Kangaroos 46-10 win over the Kiwis. Ainscough was a regular in the New South Wales backline during the 1996-2001 period.

Sadly, the tough and reliable centre is best remembered for a head high tackle in the dying stages of the 2000 grand final which resulted in a match winning penalty try being awarded to Melbourne winger Craig Smith.

Jamie Ainscough played 228 NRL games and 39 Super League games throughout a 14 year career.

#917

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE

Luke Rouland Narellan Jet Taxis Onto The Tarmac I came away from Morry Breen Oval in 2019 enamoured by the performance of Wests SG Ball Cup five eighth Luke Rouland.

Playing in a beaten side, the Narellan junior was quite simply, outstanding.

He was chief playmaker, exhibited a tidy kicking game and pulled off one memorable covering tackle on a flying winger which had Turvey Mortimer written all over it. I headed south from Wyong that afternoon with a spring in my step and a quest to learn more.

A little digging has revealed that Rouland was identified as a talent quite early on and he was head hunted by the dreaded silvertails at 14-years-of-age. He subsequently played Matthews Cup for Manly in 2016.

Rouland was educated at Elderslie High, the very same alma mater which produced Wests magnificent three-quarter of the early nineteen nineties, Jamie Ainscough (see opposite page) .

Luke Rouland played first grade for Narellan in 2019 and this season he is a member of the Wests Tigers Jersey Flegg squad. I’ll be following his progress with interest.

“I want to play NRL and play for the NSW Blues and the Kangaroos” Kangaroos” - Luke Rouland aged 14 Macarthur Chronicle 30-9-15

Luke Rouland as a member of the Jets U10s in 2011 (photo courtesy of Facebook)

It’s not clear what transpired up Brookvale way however the avid Wests Tigers fan has thankfully been rescued from the insular peninsula and was safely back in the Magpies nest by kick off to the 2019 season.

Luke Rouland SG Ball Cup 2019 Photo: Andrew Stark

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE © Andrew Stark

STAR STAR TURN TURN

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE Issues 1 - 5

January 2020 – July 2020

Online presentation © Andrew Stark 2021 No part of this magazine/fanzine/presentation, may be reproduced in whole or in part in any manner without the permission of the copyright owner

Magpie Memoir Magazine © Andrew Stark 2021

MAGPIE MEMOIR January 2020: May July 2020: Volume Volume11Issue 1 2020:

MAGAZINE $9.50

ISSN:2652-4406

Issue 31 Volume Issue 3

One Fans Tribute to the Western Suburbs DRLFC

ROBBIE MEARS Wests’ Lucky Star

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE © Andrew Stark

Pictured Right:

The photographer as a boy captured discussing team selections with his shadow in the backyard at Strathfield.

Photo – Hugh Stark

Andrew Stark grew up in inner Sydney Strathfield during the heady day of the 1970s. He was quickly to become a passionate supporter of the local rugby league team, the Western Suburbs Magpies. Stark began snapping photographs at the occasional game during the early 1980s and did later became the chief photographer for Terry Williams’ Sydney League News publication, covering grassroots footy from the mid 1990s on.

Stark has captured a myriad of Magpie-centric images over the past three and a half decades concentrating on the junior representative level, with the occasional foray into the senior grades.

This quarterly series of magazines aims to look back through the photographers vast collection and is one man’s humble celebration of the mighty Western Suburbs D.R.L.F.C

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE Ma y 2020: Volume 1 Edition 3 (bonus edition)

Welcome to this bonus edition of MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE. COVID-19 has done what two World Wars & The Great Depression couldn’t. It’s locked down rugby league. The dreaded lurgy has crash tackled sport around the globe with a brutal ferocity not seen since Charlie Frith’s shoulder buried Magpie prop Bill Cloughessy all those winters ago.

Our thirteen man fare for 2020 has been usurped by a regime of social distancing, garnished by furtive displays of hand washing. We’ve seen shopping mall brouhahas spring up over three ply bog roll that at their worst, have appropriated the wild scenes of Liddy Oval circa 1978.

A bland, footy-free weekend shared with four motionless walls is the new norm. No more marvelling at Tedseco’s dancing feet, cheering the tackle busting scoots of Dave Nofoaluma, or offering warm appreciation of those ever reliable left edge charges of old man Chris Lawrence. It’s become all about manning the barricades, plugging in the respirator and flattening the curve. The planet is so drastically altered that after 2 footy-free months, I’d willingly chew off my own, heavily sanitized right arm, just to glimpse five hit ups and a wobbly kick into the corner.

With no active sidelines to bustle along, no footballers to photograph, and no sweeping attacking plays to scribble about … I decided to sift through the archives and cobble together this bonus edition.

- Andrew Stark

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE is Written, Photographed, Designed & Published by Andrew Stark.

All photographs were taken by Andrew Stark, unless otherwise credited. credited.

© Andrew Stark 2020 email: 10dollarjpegs@gmx.com ISSN: 2652-4406 front cover:

Robbie Mears Wests Jnr Reps trainer 2020 & inset, playing SG Ball Cup in1990

Above:

Magpie Pair 1338 Watercolour, courtesy of Helen Fitzgerald (minus the callouts)

www.helenfitzgerald.com

AROUND THE GROUNDS

In the Canterbury/NSW Cup; Cup local lads listed for rival clubs include; Gus Garzanti (Blacktown), Mason Cerruto (Canterbury), James Tautaiolefua (Souths), and the ageless Willie Mataka (Mounties).

While in the Under 20s – Jersey Flegg competition we find; Eti Tavui, Felix Smith, Luke Rouland, Mavoni Tuifua, Piliaau Togamaga, Ray Jankovic & Rua Ngatikaura (Wests Tigers), Christian Urso (Canterbury) & Jacob Sykes (Manly).

© Andrew Stark

Wests Magpie juniors who feature in NRL squads for 2020 include; James Tedesco (Sydney Roosters), Ryan Matterson & Ray Stone (Parramatta), Chris Lawrence & David Nofoaluma (Wests Tigers), Tim Lafai (St George), Sauaso ‘Jessie’ Sau (Canterbury) & Taniela Paseka (Manly).

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE

- Magpies Sporting an Alien Hue -

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE © Andrew Stark

Robbie Mears Robbie Mears is the Lucky Star of the Magpie’ Magpie’s nest. He’ He’s been everywhere man. In fact when it comes to music based analogies, the old gag about playing at more clubs than Jade Hurley, does equally apply. apply.

The Wests junior forged a determined NRL career which netted 123 top grade games across four franchises. Today he finds himself back in the black & white camp, guiding the young footballing talent from the burgeoning sporting nursery that is south-west Sydney. Mears is one of rugby league’s great journeymen. His grade footy CV includes stints at Easts, Canterbury, Auckland, Leeds, Wests Tigers and Leigh. In 1999 he represented Country Firsts from the Ourimbah Magpies and later captained Thirlmere-Tahmoor to the Group 6 premiership. Mears also squeezed in a season with the Mittagong Lions before coaching the Narellan Jets in 2009/10.

He was also a key member of Canterbury’s Reserve Grade premiership in 1998.

Robbie Mears … NRL - 123 games (10@Easts, 16@Canterbury, 40@Auckland Warriors, 57@Wests Tigers). Super League – 37 games (23@Leeds, 14@Leigh) Photo’s above:

Robbie Mears – Wests Matthews Cup trainer in 2020 and pictured right, playing for Wests SG Ball Cup team during 1990 . (Photo’s – Andrew Stark)

Photos – Andrew Stark

Robbie Mears

Mears as a 15-year-old back rower in the thick of the SG Ball Cup action 30 years ago. Middle: St Gregory’s College team of 1992.

Above & Below:

The Wests junior’s footy career exhibits all the characteristics of a cat-on-a-hot-tin roof; the tradesman-like rake never allowed to sit still for long in the cut throat world of professional rugby league. His plentiful list of junior clubs offers an inkling into what was to follow as Mears turned out for; the Ingleburn Bulldogs, Eaglevale St Andrews, Austral Rams and Campbelltown City, before heading into grade with Easts. He attended St Gregory’s College and represented the Australian Schoolboys in 1992.

Ironically, Mears would play in Wests final ever top grade game. During late August of 1999, the workaholic hooker packed into the Auckland Warriors scrum on that emotion charged Campbelltown afternoon which saw tough men weep and did ultimately push the planet’s equilibrium into a deathly spiral - let’s face it, the dramatic change in the globes climactic conditions only took hold after the Magpies were bumped from the three-o-clock start.

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE © Andrew Stark

A member of the constabulary, Robbie Mears has also represented both NSW and Australia at the Police Rugby League level. He played in Australia’s 2011 World Cup side which triumphed against the ‘Old Bill’ in the UK. In more recent times, he has been involved in junior development at Wests and this season was head trainer of Nathan Lakeman’s talented Harold Matthews Cup team.

NSW Police RL website).

Right: SG Ball Cup 1990 Below: Mears runs off Ma x Northey to

score a try in an SG Ball clash with Parramatta in 1991 (Photo – Andrew Stark)

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE © Andrew Stark

Mears in action for the Australian Police team in 2011 (Photo courtesy of the

Above:

Scott Rigney Art Imitating Life “There’s a funny side to everything; sport, politics or just life.”

- Scott Rigney (1984)

Arold & Arfur by Scott Rigney, Rugby League Week (5-7-1984)

Back during the 1984 season, Wests unfurled a hooker with a flair for cartooning.

Twenty three year old Scott Rigney joined the club after four seasons at Balmain.

He’d been the understudy to Tigers club captain Neil Whittaker and played one first grade game for the Leichhardt crew, scoring a try in the 35-0 thrashing of Canberra. The Orange Mob decided to cull 18 grade players at the end of 1982 and with a young Ben Elias joining Whittaker as the club’s preferred numbered twelve options, the moustachioed rake was unceremoniously shown the door.

Rigney sat out 1983, preferring instead to sketch up a storm before approaching the Magpies for a start in that most Orwellian of calendar years;1984.

An injury to Pat English midway through the season gave the Rugby League Week cartoonist his opportunity and half a dozen first grade games in the black & white did follow. Sadly he was never to taste a Wests top grade victory.

Photo – Andrew Stark Scott Rigney pictured in the Wests Reserve Grade engine room with Dallas Donnelly and Bruiser Clark during a mid May 1984 victory over Penrith. Matt Carter moves in to lock the Magpies scrum. The first grade front row that afternoon was Geoff Spotswood, Pat English and Gary Webster. (Photo – Andrew Stark) Above:

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE © Andrew Stark

“I’m not much of a player. Some of the blokes on the other side like to remind me too. They remark I should stick to cartoons.”

Rigney’s iconic cartoon characters “Arold & Arfur” struck a nerve with RLW readers from the mid 1980s on. One suspects league fans identified with the well-oiled, self proclaiming experts on all aspects of the code. Back in 1984 the Wests hooker admitted to being a better artist than he was a footballer, and in the decades that have followed, he’s acquired a Diploma in Fine Arts, hung exhibitions and won many art prizes.

“I just run around, do my tackles and jump into dummy half.

But I enjoy it, especially at Wests, they’re a great club.”

- Scott Rigney (1984)

Photo – Andrew Stark Above: Scott Rigney riles up a school of Sharks during his first top grade game with

Wests. Bruce Clark, John Coveney and Johnny McArthur watch on.

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE © Andrew Stark

Photo – Andrew Stark

Rocky Trimarchi Captured above as a 17 year-old playing for the Steve Georgallis coached Wests SG Ball Cup team of 2003, during their 36-20 win over Balmain at Leichhardt Oval.

A product of the Narellan club, Rocky played most of his junior football in the centres before heading into grade as a back rower. He made his NRL debut for the Wests Tigers against Cronulla in April of 2006, scoring a try during a bright first–up showing. Trimarchi would have to wait more than two years for a second game however, and did gain only seven top grade caps across four seasons at the Tigers.

He decided to head to the old dart in 2010 to link with the Crusaders in Wales and played 26 games for the English Super League club that year. He also represented Italy in two internationals.

In 2011 Rocky Trimarchi returned to play for his junior club, the Narellan Jets in the Group 6 competition.

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE © Andrew Stark

Photo – Andrew Stark

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE © Andrew Stark

John Skandalis The 18-year-old Minto Cobras junior is pictured left, playing for Wests Jersey Flegg team of 1995 against the Eastern Suburbs Roosters at Henson Park.

Put simply, John Skandalis is Magpie royalty. He made his NRL debut for Wests in 1996 and played in the last ever Wests team to make the finals. In 2000, the year of unconscionable upheaval, Skandy was one of only a handful of Magpie first graders invited to join the new joint venture. He subsequently scored the first ever try for the Wests Tigers. A no nonsense workhorse of a front rower, Skandalis became the mainstay of the Tigers pack and was awarded the club’s player of the year in 2002.

He was a key member of the 2005 premiership winning team and did ultimately play a record number of 185 games for the Wests Tigers.

Prior to the late 1999 merger, Skandalis racked up 64 games for Western Suburbs.

After a two year stint with English club Huddersfield (2006 – 2008), the former Sarah Redfern High School student returned to the mighty Magpies to help bolster the NSW Cup team. During the next few seasons, injuries to the Wests Tigers forward pack saw a number of Melba like returns to the NRL, prompting head coach Tim Sheens during July of 2010 to laconically offer, “I can’t get rid of the guy”.

Skandy represented City against Country and captained Greece in a win over Italy in 2009. Following his retirement as a player in 2010, Skandalis has remained heavily involved with both Wests and the Wests Tigers.

He is a life member of the Western Suburbs Magpies.

#1008

- LETTER DROP One Man’ Man’s Black & White Activism

Daily Telegraph (18(18-9-1984)

Rugby League Week (27(27-2-1991)

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE © Andrew Stark

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE © Andrew Stark

Big League Magazine (7(7-7-1993)

Big League Magazine (7(7-7-1993)

Rugby League Week (14--8-1991) (14

Sydney Morning Herald (15(15-1-2020)

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE © Andrew Stark

Sydney Morning Herald (30(30-8-2019)

One Random Programme The first ever mid-week AMCO Cup game was played on the 10th of April 1974 in front of 220 hardy spectators at the Belmore Sports Ground.

On a night of torrential rain, Wests led 6-2 at quarter time however referee Greg Hartley awarded Easts five penalties in a row beyond the resumption; totally changing the course of the water logged contest. Wests were ultimately defeated 22-6 on this bleakest of evenings, however famously they were to upset the high flying Roosters in the competition’s final three years later.

JNR REPS 2020

Alosomu Lolohea is popular having scored against the Bears.

Above:

© Andrew Stark

. Below:: Justin Matamua cops some Roosters tough stuff (aka a chook hold).

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE

Above:

Matt’s Cup fullback William Craig

Photo – Andrew Stark

Lidcombe Oval – 3rd Grade vs. Manly 1984 Livewire half Brett Clark is captured dashing past the despairing dive of Mal Cochrane to score for Wests.

Kevin ‘The Greyhound’ Bryson backs-up on the inside.

Manly won the game 18-14 courtesy of fi ve goals kicked by future Rothman’s Medallist, Cochrane Coached by Steve Ghosn, the Wests 3rd Grade of 1984 reached the semis.

Manly didn’t.

© Andrew Stark

from the

SCRAPBOOK MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE

1977 Lidcombe Oval

- RUSSELL MULLINS -

Nothing lifts this old Lidcombe loiterer’s spirits quite like memories of Wests winger, Russell Mullins in full flight. This brilliant photo taken by Rugby League Week’s John Knight captures the Magpie favourite in action against Easts during a 22-14 win back in round 8 of 1977. A sunny winter’s day, a healthy Liddy crowd and that magic old black & white jersey …

Corona what ?

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE Issues 1 - 5

January 2020 – July 2020

Online presentation © Andrew Stark 2021 No part of this magazine/fanzine/presentation, may be reproduced in whole or in part in any manner without the permission of the copyright owner

Magpie Memoir Magazine © Andrew Stark 2021

MAGPIE MEMOIR January 2020: June 2020: July 2020: Volume 11Issue 1 Volume 1 Volume Issue4 4 Issue

MAGAZINE

One Fans Tribute to the Western Suburbs DRLFC

1963 The Biggest Rort in Grand Final History ISSN:2652--4406 ISSN:2652

$9.50

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE © Andrew Stark

The photographer as a boy in the backyard at Strathfield. He is captured discussing team selections with his shadow.

Below: Aiming his cap gun at imaginary Sea Eagles, Roosters, Rabbits and low hanging Berries Left :

Photos – Hugh Stark

Andrew Stark grew up in inner Sydney Strathfield during the heady day of the 1970s. He was quickly to become a passionate supporter of the local rugby league team, the Western Suburbs Magpies. Stark began snapping photographs at the occasional game during the early 1980s and did later became the chief photographer for Terry Williams’ Sydney League News publication, covering grassroots footy from the mid 1990s.

Stark has captured a myriad of Magpie-centric images over the past three and a half decades concentrating on the junior representative level, with an occasional foray into the senior grades.

This quarterly series of magazines aims to look back through the photographers vast collection and is one man’s humble celebration of the mighty Western Suburbs D.R.L.F.C

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE June 2020: Volume 1 Edition 4

Welcome to a special MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE edition, dedicated wholly to the highly contentious grand final of 1963.

As the 63 decider played out, my mother was six months pregnant with her only son. Living in Fairfield’s Tobruk Apartments at the time, I doubt my English immigrant parents paid the controversial game much heed.

That I arrived too late to ever see the Magpies play a first grade grand final is a state of affairs enveloped by deep regret. The tardiness of my forebears attempts at procreation, and the scatty performances of the eccentric Mr Hartley a decade and a half later, are primary sore points with regard never having witnessed Wests at the big dance. 1963 & 1978 offer dark episodes which lead toward the League’s final act of bastardry, when in 1999 the ever-loyal and beloved Magpie is cruelly dunked in a garish bucket of orange swill.

Looking back at the scandalous decider of 1963 I find myself imagining the reaction such a dubious set of circumstances might elicit today. A Four Corners or Sixty Minutes expose would undoubtedly have blown the lid. I imagine footage of shady figures being chased down dark inner city laneways, rugby league officials having their wheely bins rifled and every square inch of a certain referee’s life would undoubtedly have been pulled apart with a fine tooth comb. Of course back in 1963, despite all manner of rumour and innuendo, no investigation was ever launched.

St George added their eighth premiership in as many years, while Wests were consigned to the status of collateral damage in a cynical betting sting. It was to be the club’s final first grade grand final.

- Andrew Stark

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE is Written, Photographed, Designed & Published by Andrew Stark. © Andrew Stark 2020 email: 10dollarjpegs@gmx.com ISSN: 2652-4406 front cover: John O’Gready’s famous photograph taken moments after the 1963

Grand Final, showing opposing skippers, Arthur Summons and Norm Provan.

1963

Six Hundred Quid Says You Lose Having defeated St George in all three clashes during the year, Wests prepared for the 1963 decider with very high hopes. The Magpies had been blitzed 22-0 in 1961 and were very unluckily pipped 9-6 during the previous season’s grand final, however with all things being equal, 1963 was shaping as a black & white premiership year.

Sadly, the history books do reveal that Saints won the day 8-3 in atrociously muddy conditions to claim their eighth title on the trot. It was a highly contentious battle and one many suggest was loaded. Wests prop Jack Gibson is said to have walked into the sheds on grand final day and revealed to a handful of his senior team mates that referee Darcy Lawler had placed a sizable bet on the Dragons to win and stood to pick up 600 pounds if the Magpies were nobbled. The man in the middle was officiating in his last game after a career spanning two decades and any number of players from the era were wise to Lawler’s insatiable penchant for the punt. Possession and the rub of the green did duly gallop Saints way during an impossible grand final for Wests.

A penalty count of 18-7, scrums won at a ratio of two to one, and a disallowed Wests try, coupled with the awarding of a dubious Dragon three pointer, making the task nigh on impossible for the Magpies. Given the ugly back drop of alleged corruption, its somewhat ironic that John O’Gready’s famous photograph showing Arthur Summons congratulating Norm Provan just after fulltime on that darkest of afternoons has become a symbol purporting to epitomize the true spirit of rugby league.

Claims have been made that Gibson approached Wests secretary Bill Beaver after training on the Tuesday night prior to the big game to inform him of the disturbing intel. The former Easts and Newtown prop was well connected in betting circles having worked as a doorman for Thommo’s Two-Up School proprietor and legendary underworld figure, Joe Taylor.

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE © Andrew Stark

John O’Gready’s iconic 1963 grand final photograph. Many years later, Arthur Summons did reveal that he was uttering words to the effect of;

You shouldn’t have got a way with that one. You shouldn’t have won it.

“We’re off, the fix is in” - Jack Gibson to Wests secretary Bill Beaver four days before the 1963 grand final.

Gibson rubbed shoulders with all manner of shadowy figure and according to Wests Test hooker Noel Kelly, the Lawler wager was placed through an intermediary known only as “Bob. M ”. Wests amiable secretary and well respected railway man, Beaver allegedly drew Gibson’s claim to the attention of League officials, however it evidently fell on deaf ears. Ian Heads’ excellent 1996 biography of Kelly, titled Hard Man, reveals a meeting arranged by Gibson with a bookie named ‘Snow’. A few days after the grand final, while enjoying a beer on Gunnamatta Bay with both Gibson & Kelly; Snow is said to have confirmed the wager, adding that due to late market fluctuations, Lawler’s final payout was closer to 300 quid than the initially forecast 600. Roy Masters in Bad Boys, muddies this claim however, revealing the bookie to have been a ‘notorious liar’.

Darcy Lawler heads onto the SCG for the 1963 grand final ahead of Kel O’Shea and Norm Provan. (Uncredited photo found on the internet)

Above:

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE © Andrew Stark

Darcy Thomas Elgan Lawler passed away in February of 1994 aged 75. To this day, his family refutes all claims of any wrong doing with regard 1963. Lawler was a 44-year-old milk vendor living with his wife Joan and three children at Maroubra at the time of the outrage. His son, Darcy Junior was quoted by the Daily Telegraph in 2013: “It annoys me that the further it goes on, people are prepared to get out and say he is a cheat, but nobody will speak on Darcy’s behalf.”

Yet the 1963 grand final was not the only time in which disquiet arose with regard Lawler’s lack of impartiality. Saints hooker Ian Walsh claimed he knew when his side was “on” as Lawler would call him by his Christian name. When the opposition were ‘on’ it was “Walsh” all afternoon. Other stories abound of winks and nods to players during the referees pre match dressing shed visit. Jack Gibson also claimed Lawler had ‘done business’ on the 1960 decider when his Easts team were handed the penalties 17-6. Lawler is said to have done his level best to bring down the short priced favourites, however the Dragons simply couldn’t be stopped. It must be said that Wests were also, on occasion, beneficiaries.

Balmain scored in the dying stages of the 1961 final when the Magpies clung grimly to a 7-5 advantage. It was a try for all money.

Everyone’s that is, excepting Mr Lawler’s.

When the referee inexplicably ruled against the Tigers, their former Wests hooker Bede Goff became so incensed he let fly;

“You rotten bastard Lawler. You backed em you cheating bastard!”

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE

“He was a cheat, and a manipulator of matches” matches” - Wests 1963 hooker Noel Kelly describes Darcy Lawler

Gil McDougall who crossed for Wests try in the grand final.

Above: Veteran Wests hooker Bede Goff, played his final season at Balmain in 1961 and was denied a grand final appearance by a Darcy Lawler special

Top:

Photo & quote courtesy of Hard Man – Ian Heads

“I can beat anyone else, but I can’t beat that bastard” Noel Kelly cuts a wholly dejected figure having been sent off by Lawler in the 1962 semi final against Parramatta.

The penalty count and the scrum ratio alone were enough to sink any team attempting to halt the great St George thirteen. Toss in a contentious ‘not held’ decision on Dragons try scoring winger Johnny King and a no-try in the first half to Wests Test three-quarter Peter Dimond and the stench rises above and beyond an already pungent SCG mud heap.

I’ve seen about fifteen minutes of footage from the game and while it’s difficult to pick up the true flow of proceedings from such a limited sample, one or two items do peak my interest. Firstly there are two first half penalties in which Lawler nabs Wests for being offside inside their quarter.

On both occasions the referee trots a good fifteen to twenty metres in-field from the play the ball to award the free kicks directly in front of the sticks.

Gasnier added the only goal of the match from one of these penalties, while muffing the second when his kick cannons into the nearest Magpie.

The contentious Johnny King try is also shown. It reveals the fleet footed winger being brought down by both Don Parish and Noel Kelly inside the western touchline. His momentum is stopped for a moment or two and Parish’s arm is clearly shown to be in contact with King’s left leg. A play the ball, or a Wests penalty should have been the call. Instead, Lawler allowed King to get up and go again and with a quarter of an hour remaining in the game, he scored the crucial try which pushed Saints out to a five point lead. To make matters worse, when King hit the ground Wests players reported hearing the referee call, “Let him up, let him up” .

“King’s momentum had been stopped and I had him, if only for a few seconds.”

- Don Parish from Clouds of Dust, Buckets of Blood written by Gary Lester.

The Peter Dimond no-try occurred seven minutes prior to half time when St George led 5-0. The Test winger chased through and grounded a kick which had been threaded in behind the Saints line by Wests MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE © Andrew Stark

Don Parish on the charge in the grand final

Photo courtesy of Rugby League World

“ All I’I’ll say is that when Jack (Gibson) came in and told us the 1963 Grand Final had been fixed because the referee had had a good bet on St George, no one doubted him. Jack knew every bet placed in Sydney, so he knew exactly what was going on.” on.”

- Peter Dimond from his biography, Playing With Legends written by Paul Dillon.

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE © Andrew Stark

skipper Arthur Summons. Dimond touched down and duly jumped in the air to celebrate. Gary Lester in his book, Clouds of Dust, Buckets of Blood points out that the nearest official, the touch judge is clearly seen in the match day footage jogging into the in-goal zone to signify to the referee that he was happy it was a try. Lawler was not convinced however, and he ruled against the Magpies. Skipper Summons remonstrated with the man in white and was told in no uncertain terms,

“Do you want to finish up in the dressing room?”

Peter Dimond was adamant that he’d scored; “I was sure I had touched the ball down with my hands before it went forward from me.” His opposite number Eddie Lumsden and more importantly, the man with the whistle, disagreed. The Saints winger claimed that Dimond had “knocked the ball away” before he could get hold of it, while Lawler added; “I sa w the incident clearly, Dimond never got his hands onto the ball.”

Wests frustration throughout the grand final was palpable. A scrum broke up mid way through the second half at the Paddington end of the ground

Darcy Lawler pictured in 1947. Dare I suggest he’s studying the form guide.

Above Right: Jack Gibson was a well connected SP bookie in 1963.

Above Left:

“It is a shocking and serious allegation, but one about which I have no doubts – and in my view the cover- up that surrounded that and other dubious matches involving Lawler at that time was an indictment on the men who ran rugby league.”

- Noel Kelly from his biography Hard Men written by Ian Heads and published in 1996.

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE © Andrew Stark

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE © Andrew Stark with Jack Gibson and Norm Provan the epicentre of the stoush. Ironically the two had previously been team mates in the St George 3rd Grade team of 1950. Once calm had been restored and before the referee had a chance to adjudicate on the brouhaha, Gibson is alleged to have turned to Lawler and said, “I know about the City Tatts bet.

You’ll regret it if you do anything here.

We’d better have a scrum.” The veteran referee, officiating in his final game, seemingly heeded the wily Wests props advice and dutifully ordered the scrum be re-packed.

Wests 1963 Back row: John Hayes, Jack Gibson, Kel O’Shea, Dennis Meaney, Noel Kelly, John Mowbray Front row: Kevin Smyth, Peter Dimond, Gil McDougall, Arthur Summons (capt), Rob McGuiness, Don Malone, Don Parish. Ball boy – J.Beaver

© Andrew Stark

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE

Arthur Summons – Wests Captain “I don’t know that I have ever been more shattered than I was in the moments after that defeat”

Norm Provan – St George Captain “As far as I am concerned, there was no more qualification to our win in that grand final than there was in any of the others.”

Ken Arthurson is despised by Wests fans. The former Manly halfback, while boss of the cashed up Silvertails during the late 1970s and early 1980s, did unashamedly pillage the Magpie talent. Local stars; Boyd, Dorahy, Brown and Ribot were enticed up to the insular peninsula in a cynical recruitment swoop which effectively ended Wests premiership hopes during the explosive Roy Masters era.

Well the dreaded Arthurson has his own yarn or two involving Darcy Lawler. While coaching Manly, two instances relayed to Ian Heads over the years have surfaced in which Arthurson feels the Eagles were unfairly treated by the controversial referee. Both occurring in semi final clashes with Balmain. The first took place in 1958 on yet another miserable, muddy afternoon. Manly came into the sheds full of confidence as they trailed by just a converted try at halftime despite having run into a stiff breeze. The Tigers were backing up after a midweek playoff against Newtown and a number of their players looked down for the count.

“But at the halftime break something alarming happened. Jack Gibson pulled me to one side with some disturbing news. ‘Ken’, he said, ‘the betting indicates that you’re “off”.”

- Ken Arhurson as told to Ian Heads in The Great Grand Final Heist

At the time Arthurson brushed Gibson’s comment off as conspiratorial claptrap and yet the longer the second half went, the more apparent it became that something was amiss. Lawler caned Manly in the penalties and the count ended 16-7. Keith Barnes kicked a string of second half penalty goals as Balmain won the day 22-10. Many years later, Arthurson was asked by Ian Heads for his excellent book, The Great Grand Final Heist, whether the flow of second half penalties coupled with Gibson’s mid game comment were mere coincidence, or something more MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE © Andrew Stark

sinister? Arko rather diplomatically offered,

“Well, I don’t know for sure, and I’ll never know, but on that day, I had my doubts. I’ll just leave it at that.”

- Ken Arhurson as told to Ian Heads in The Great Grand Final Heist Ken Arhurson In an earlier publication titled Arko, the King (Manly coach 1958) of the Silvertails relays a similar scenario in a semi final clash played three seasons later. Manly led 5-2 at half time in this game running into the breeze, yet beyond the resumption they were penalized out of the contest by Lawler and went down 10-5. Both of Arthurson’s stories involve being tipped off at halftime by Jack Gibson and in the 1961 version he refers to the future master coach as being a Wests front rower at the time.

Gibson didn’t join Wests until April of 1963 and it would seem that Arthurson is morphing elements of two distinct semi final losses to Balmain. What is not to be doubted however, is that Arthurson had reservations about Darcy Lawler.

Sun Herald 22-7-1956

Another chapter in the referees hefty book of iffy-afternoons occurred during 1956 when the sixth placed Wests were to become the beneficiaries of Lawler’s Luck against the second placed Tigers. It was a mid season SCG game and the Magpies won the clash 23-9.

Tensions boiled over among sections of the crowd after the whistleblower had disallowed four Balmain tries. One spectator even let fly with his fist as Lawler headed up the race after the game.

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE © Andrew Stark

Beyond the great outrage of August 24th 1963, Darcy Lawler became secretary manager of the burgeoning Souths Juniors Club in Kingsford. The former Maroubra milko filled the position for 27 years until one afternoon during late February 1994, a fatal heart attack ended his life as he sat quietly on his couch at home.

In Ian Heads’ book, The Juniors, Lawler’s long time secretary, Joan Child describes her former boss as being; a hard tough sort of man – but he had a good sense of humour. Darcy made his rules, then was inflexible on them. Interestingly, long term Souths Juniors Chairman, Henry Morris paints a picture of Lawler as a man who didn’t care for rugby league much at all.

“I genuinely think he got to hate football. He certainly didn’t want any money spent on it” - Henry Morris South Juniors MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE Left: Arthur Summons and John Mowbray display magnificent sportsmanship as they comfort Saints prop Kevin Ryan after the fulltime siren in the 1963 grand final..

“It was the biggest rort in grand final history” - Arthur Summons (from Andrew Webster’s 2011 book, Supercoach)

Darcy Lawler pictured in 1954 with his son Ted, who later played in the top grade with South Sydney.

Above:

Given the travails of the Western Suburbs DRLFC post 1963, the crude nature in which an even chance at premiership glory was snatched away by one man’s alleged greed, does hang like a pall over the flight of the beleaguered Magpie.

Had Wests been given a fair-go in 63, the history of the code is suddenly stood on its head. The great St George era is rewritten as little more than chunky bookends to a glorious Magpie triumph.

The world record of eleven straight premierships does all of a sudden become a well compiled seven. If Peter Dimond isn’t illegally tackled from behind when a try beckoned in the 9-6 loss to Saints in the 1962 decider; the Dragons feat trims further to just your stock standard run of half a dozen.

If 1963 had been fair dinkum, Wests notch their fifth first grade title and well, who knows what might have flowed from there.

Would the claiming of the 63 title have demonstrably changed the future path of the black & white club? It’s impossible to know.

Beyond tarnishing the code itself, the greatest tragedy of the 24th of August 1963 is felt on a purely individual level. Success on that bleakest of afternoons would have meant the world to the men who proudly wore the magpie on their muddied jerseys. Had the contest been kosher, the Wests thirteen play out their careers as premiership winners. That men of the calibre of Kelly, Summons, O’Shea, Parish and company never got another chance to lift the JJ Giltinan Shield, well that’s nothing short of criminal.

Two weeks after the 1963 grand final, Wests won the Ampol Cup competition defeating Parramatta 17-11 at the SCG in a poorly attended final. The referee was Col Pearce: a man noted for his dour demeanour, yet importantly, he was a referee who’s adjudication was blessedly acknowledged as being wholly impartial.

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE © Andrew Stark Following Page: Noel ‘Ned’ Kelly, John ‘Chow’ Hayes, Jim Cody & Don

Parish. All four played a big part in Wests tilt at the1963 title.

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE Issues 1 - 5

January 2020 – July 2020

Online presentation © Andrew Stark 2021 No part of this magazine/fanzine/presentation, may be reproduced in whole or in part in any manner without the permission of the copyright owner

Magpie Memoir Magazine © Andrew Stark 2021

MAGPIE MEMOIR January 2020: July 2020: Volume Volume11Issue Issue15

MAGAZINE One Fans Tribute to the Western Suburbs DRLFC

$9.50

ISSN:2652--4406 ISSN:2652

Empty Stadium Edition

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE © Andrew Stark

The photographer as a boy in the backyard at Strathfield, captured discussing team selections with his shadow.

Below: Aiming his cap gun at imaginary Sea Eagles, Roosters, Rabbits and low hanging Berries Left :

Photos – Hugh Stark

Andrew Stark grew up in inner Sydney Strathfield during the heady day of the 1970s. He was quickly to become a passionate supporter of the local rugby league team, the Western Suburbs Magpies.

Stark began snapping photographs at the occasional game during the early 1980s and later became the chief photographer for Terry Williams’ Sydney League News publication, covering grassroots footy from the mid 1990s.

Stark has captured a myriad of Magpie-centric images over the past three and a half decades concentrating on the junior representative level, with an occasional foray into the senior grades.

This quarterly series of magazines aims to look back through the photographers vast collection and is one man’s humble celebration of the mighty Western Suburbs D.R.L.F.C

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE July 2020: Volume 1 Edition 5

COVID has played havoc with all of our best laid plans and while its effects overseas have been truly catastrophic, on a local footy level, it’s totally mucked up what was indisputably shaping as, THE YEAR OF THE

MAGPIE. Wests led the NSW Cup competition when it was cancelled for 2020 and despite slow starts, I always felt our Matthews Cup & SG Ball Cup junior rep teams were on the cusp of storming home to glory. Sadly, there was this virus which reared its ugly symptoms during March and that signalled the end of our party …

Despite this season’s major competitions having been euthanized, it’s nice to have the NRL back. A number of Wests juniors have featured recently on the telly, which has helped to keep this old Lidcombite sane.

A gaggle of frisky Magpies wearing all manner of multi coloured attire, battling away in tomb like stadiums that echo eerily to every whack, wince and woo-hoo.

This Empty Stadium Edition of MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE appears to have popped out of the toaster with a ridiculous oversupply of halfbacks.

A plethora of playmakers jostling madly to get into first receiver, with only Tim Lafai and Matt Carter to run onto the ball. Too many cooks may well spoil this broth and yet I have a sneaking suspicion that Madge will slip into dummy half, Newton will drop back to fullback, Nige & Smally will form a mercurial scrum base combo, while upstairs guidance will be beamed down from the great Arthur Summons who we sadly lost during May. No matter how they decide to configure themselves, the Black & Whites will be hard to beat!

- Andrew Stark MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE is Written, Photographed, Designed & Published by Andrew Stark.

All photographs were taken by Andrew Stark, unless otherwise credited.

© Andrew Stark 2020 email: 10dollarjpegs@gmx.com ISSN: 2652-4406 front cover:

Nathan ‘Madge’ Waters - Wests Ron Massey Cup 2013, Ringrose Park (photo – A. Stark)

MADGE ©

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The Nathan Waters Collection Sifting through the roach infested boxes of old photographs that combine to form the Stark Archives, an inordinate number of Madge Waters images have been revealed. So without further adieu, kick off your shoes, grab the popcorn, dim the lights and enjoy; The Nathan Waters Collection.

In these new fangled, post darkroom times, photographers of my ilk are sometimes sneeringly labelled, ‘ancient’. Sure, I’m old enough to recall those awkward moments when deep into the second half of an engrossing mid winter’s contest you’d suddenly find yourself tapping empty. When looking down at your exposure counter it would reveal 36 frames had been eaten up. The end of your designated roll of Kodak Tri-X was clashing heatedly with a well versed winding thumb; unexpected resistance that threatened to dislocate your trance-like connection to the game at hand. You’d hastily pop a new lid and fumble urgently with sprockets in a manoeuvre not dissimilar to a Conrod Straight pit stop. Invariably, the second roll would need a push in speed (much like a long distance truck driver reaching for Sudafed) to help accommodate that fast setting sun which by that stage of the afternoon, was hiding mischievously behind the grandstand. Unlike the snappers of today, a game of footy back during the last century could only warrant so many frames. Given this technological and ultimately cultural distinction, and finally getting to the point; I’d like to pull a madly quizzical look before offering, It’’s amazing how some guys just continually bob up in front of the It camera, while others are harder to nab than Ronnie Biggs.

One player who falls squarely into the latter category is none other than, Nathan ‘Madge’ Waters. Sifting back through the Stark Files has revealed so many pic’s of young Nathan that at first, I began to wonder whether we were related. I mean, there are members of my own family with less photo exposure than I’d given this guy.

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE © Andrew Stark Right:

Madge lets the referee know that he’s a Western Suburbs Magpie.

The scheming halfback/dummy half has of course played at every level on offer to a Wests junior during these garishly orange times. With Waters even managing to poke his head up into Wests Tigers NRL territory back during the 2010 season (sadly no pics in the collection of that).

Young Nathan first jumped in front of my camera back during the Westmont Shield Final of 1996.

He’s pictured below looking rather chuffed with himself, clutching said Shield.

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE © Andrew Stark

© Andrew Stark

To win the Westmont is to achieve the pinnacle in rugby league for NSW State Primary Schools. Nathan Waters captained the St Andrews Public School team in 1996 and his team included Matt Brinkworth and the Borg brothers, Ryan & Scott. St Andrews came away from the Wollongong Showground with a big victory in the decider against Muswellbrook South. © Andrew Stark

Above:

Twelve year old Nathan Waters in action during the 1996 Westmont Shield Final with Scott Borg looming in support..

Four years after his Primary School success, Waters bobbed up in the Wests Matthews Cup side of 2000. The Magpies missed the big games that year but were building to something epic. The lads flowed into the 2002 Wests SG Ball Cup campaign which offered up a dream team of talent. Madge Waters played alongside the likes of Ryan Hoffman, Liam Fulton, Isaac DeGois, and Bryce Gibbs. Trailing Parramatta 16-0 in the grand final, the Peter Gentle coached Magpies stormed home to claim the title. An 18-16 victory which provided the club with its first SG Ball Cup premiership since 1971.

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE

Massey Cup 2013

© Andrew Stark

Matthews Cup 2000

Massey Cup 2013

An Eagle Vale junior, Waters was playing for Wests Premier League team by 2006 and during subsequent seasons, did alternate between halfback & hooker. In 2010 he was called up by Tim Sheens to make his NRL debut in the Wests Tigers 12-8 loss to the Sydney Roosters at Campbelltown.

2012 was the Year of the Great Backhander which saw the joint venture shun Wests while funnelling all of its fringe NRL players into the Balmain Ryde Eastwood Premier League team. Madge duly turned out for the citrusy team which fell narrowly to Newtown in that seasons second tier decider.

A brief dalliance with the Illawarra Cutters followed, before Nathan headed back to Wests. He played Massey and NSW Cup during 2013 & 2014 before a shoulder injury pushed him into the coaching ranks. Madge remained at the helm of Wests Massey Cup campaigns until the end of the 2018 season.

Top:

With locks flowing, Nathan Waters goes for a gallop during the Jersey Flegg Cup season of 2003 Right:

Shadowing the nippy Asquith half Aaron Groom during the 2013 Massey Cup season.

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE © Andrew Stark

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE © Andrew Stark

Photos - Andrew Stark “You’re Kiddin Ref” – 2013 Massey Cup. Above: Madge scoots past Robbie Farah during a 2002 SG Ball Cup clash with Balmain.

Top:

© Andrew Stark

Her Madge

Our Madge

Nathan Waters pushes future Test hooker Damian Cook to the bench during his brief stint at the Illawarra Cutters in early 2013.

Left:

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE © Andrew Stark

Willie Newton The 16-year-old halfback is captured in action at Henson Park for the Wests SG Ball Cup team against the Roosters on the 15th April 1995.

Coach Tommy Raudonikis thrust Newton into first grade as an unheralded 18-year-old late in 1996 after Craig ‘Tugger’ Coleman was injured and ruled out for the remainder of the season. Newton’s first grade debut coincided the pressure cooker 23-22 victory over North Sydney made famous by a long distance field goal kicked in the dying stages by halves partner, Andrew Willis. Newton’s debut was both self assured and full of promise. His kicking game and tenacity in defence the highlights of a memorable introduction.

A bright future in the big league looked assured for the lanky half, however Newton ultimately played just 5 NRL games spanning two seasons. I recall being at the SFS for Newtown’s penultimate game in the big league; an afternoon in which Wests were beaten 18-6 by the Roosters. By contrast to his debut game of six months earlier, the rookie number seven looked overawed as a number of standard halfback passes hit the turf having slipped from his fingers. He was retained for the following weekend’s loss to Souths, a game in which he kicked a goal. He was dropped for round 4 however when Raudonikis preferred Willis & Georgallis as his starting halves, with young Canberra recruit Adam Doyle on the bench.

During 1998, Newton’s final year at Wests, the talented goal kicking playmaker lined up in the Magpies Presidents Cup team, and played variously at half, five eighth or on occasion, at fullback.

Sadly, Willie Newton dropped out of grade football at the tender age of 21.

He later starred in the Group 6 competition playing for the Thirlmere Tahmoor Roosters alongside his younger brother Jamie.

#1011

Photo - Andrew Stark

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE © Andrew Stark

© Andrew Stark

Timoteo Lafai Pictured as a 15-year-old in a trial game for Wests Matthews Cup team against Cronulla at Shark Park in 2007.

Born in Samoa, Tim Lafai arrived in Australia as a 9-year-old having lived previously in New Zealand. He played variously for the Minto Cobras, Campbelltown Warriors and later the East Campbelltown club in the Bundy Cup. While attending Sarah Redfern High he played off the bench for the Greg McDonald coached Magpies Matts Cup team in 2007. Wests unluckily missed the finals that year by a solitary competition point and Lafai was one of the home sides five try scorers in a costly, penultimate round 28-24 loss to the Sharks at Campbelltown.

The heartbreaking result cruelled Wests finals hopes.

Lafai linked with South Sydney two seasons later, where former Wests half Craig ‘Tugger’ Coleman was his coach through the 2009 SG Ball Cup season. It was a year in which the myrtle & green would finish well adrift of the top eight and despite starting at pivot in one game, Lafai was given limited chances to shine.

He made his NRL debut in 2011 for Canterbury against Souths. After notching 74 top grade games across 5 seasons with the Bulldogs, Lafai pulled on the red V jersey of St George Illawarra in 2016, a club he continues to represent. He is also a Samoan International player having played a dozen tests for the Pacific nation.

Farewell to a Magpie Great

Arthur Summons 1936-2020 0

AROUND THE GROUNDS - Magpies Who Have Sported an Alien Hue in 2020 Wests Magpie juniors who have featured in NRL squads include; James Tedesco (Sydney Roosters), Ryan Matterson & Ray Stone (Parramatta), Chris Lawrence & David Nofoaluma (Wests Tigers), Tim Lafai (St George), Sauaso Sau (Canterbury) & Taniela Paseka (Manly).

In the Canterbury/NSW Cup; Cup local lads listed for rival clubs included; Gus Garzanti (Blacktown), Mason Cerruto (Canterbury), James Tautaiolefua (Souths), and the ageless Willie Mataka (Mounties).

While in the Under 20s – Jersey Flegg competition we found; Eti Tavui, Felix Smith, Luke Rouland, Mavoni Tuifua, Piliaau Togamaga, Ray Jankovic & Rua Ngatikaura (Wests Tigers), Christian Urso (Canterbury) & Jacob Sykes (Manly).

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE © Andrew Stark

Nigel Millgate Pictured right, as captain of the Wests 2012 NSW Cup during their Round One, Back to Lidcombe clash against arch rivals Manly.

Millgate had stints in the NSW Cup competition with both Newtown and North Sydney before heading to the United States to play for the New York Knights in 2011. His American season yielded the talented playmaker the top gong as the competition’s most valuable player.

2012 was a difficult NSW Cup year for the Magpies as they were the only side in the field with no NRL feeder arrangement. Coach Trevor Schodel did his best to talk up the sides predicament during the preseason, offering, “We don’t have guys who are here because they have been dropped, the guys who are pulling on the Western Suburbs jumper are here because they want to be.”

Despite a miserable year results wise, the battling Magpies were well led from number seven by their bearded general, Nigel Millgate.

Millgate hails from the Dubbo region of NSW and is a proud Ngemba man.

His Aboriginal heritage stems from the Brewarina and Gundabooka Mountain communities and he is a co-founder of the Djiriba Waagura community organization.

Today, Nigel is actively engaged in mentoring indigenous youth.

“My passion lies with the younger generations, our leaders of today, tomorrow and the future.”

- Nigel Millgate

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE © Andrew Stark

Photo - Andrew Stark

Jason Small Pictured as a 17-year-old on the fly against Illawarra at Campbelltown in the SG Ball Cup clash played during early 1990.

Jason Small was a nippy and scheming halfback who had the misfortune of graduating from the Wests junior representative scene at a time when the club had both Jason Taylor and Noel Goldthorpe playing grade.

Small was ultimately given his chance at the big time by the Balmain Tigers in 1994.

He played nine first grade games across two seasons during a period of struggle for the inner city club. His sole top grade victory was a 23-16 win over Easts during round 20 of 1994.

Stints in the Metropolitan Cup competition with powerful second division clubs St Mary’s, Ryde Eastwood and Guildford followed. He teamed up with former Wests team mate Jason Benge at St Mary’s in 1997 before switching to the Hawks, from where he was selected as halfback in the Sydney Metro’s rep team. Small teamed with a couple of old Magpie mates; Scott Davey & Ron Jones, to help push Ryde into the 1999 grand final. By 2001 he was calling McCredie Oval home.

Jason Small coached the Narellan Jets in 2018 and is currently serving as vicepresident of the Group 6 club.

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE © Andrew Stark

Carter had previously played many seasons at Wests, including a first grade appearance in 1984, before linking with Parramatta and then Balmain. He later became a mainstay of Ryde Eastwood teams in the Metropolitan Cup competition.

Matt Carter is pictured right in the thick of the action during the 1993 Metro Cup Grand Final, while below, he looks far more dashing wearing the famous strip during a Lidcombe Oval clash back in 83.

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE

© Andrew Stark

Photo – Andrew Stark

Matt Carter scored both Balmain tries to help sink his former club on Sunday May 17th,1987 (see back page). On a challenging afternoon for Wests fans, the table topping Tigers team contained no fewer than five Magpie recruits.

Carter ran out in the garish orange alongside Garry Jack, Lee Crooks and Scott Gale. Michael Neil trotted on to join the black & white reunion in the 22nd minute of the opening half.

Photo – Andrew Stark

1987 Leichhardt Oval Photo – Andrew Stark

Wests have just scored the opening try of the mid-May 1987 clash with Balmain.

The try scorer John Elias (#9) is congratulated by Steve McCoy (#1) & Ian Schubert. Other Magpies in the photo are from left to right; Ian Naden, Trevor Cogger, Doug Rawlings, Allen Geelan & Scott Tronc. In the foreground, wingers John Allanson and Paul Sheahan (#5) are having their own little flankers party.

Wests were running last and Balmain led the competition heading into the game.

The visitors shocked everyone by bolting to a 12-0 lead after 25 minute via tries to Elias and Sheahan. A boilover looked possible and Big League Magazine would later surmise, “The luckless Magpies scored a moral victory” Alas, a dodgy try scored by Matt Carter with just 17 seconds remaining broke Wests hearts as the Tigers prevailed 16-12. The bumbling officials missed Carter’s left foot slicing the sideline and his subsequent demolition of the corner post, en route to touching down. To further sour the afternoon, all Balmain points were scored by former Wests men. The loss ultimately handed the Magpies the 87 wooden spoon as Wests finished one competition point behind the second last placed Penrith.

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE © Andrew Stark

Magpie Memoir Magazine © Andrew Stark 2021

No part of this magazine/fanzine/presentation, may be reproduced in whole or in part in any manner without the permission of the copyright owner