GOSFORD RUGBY LEAGUE
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the
Issue No. 26: April 2018
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YIKES!
Vol 26: April, 2018
The footy season is upon us again! After a sweaty few weeks of trial games followed by a bizarre blue skied wash out , GKS would appear to have a bunch of teams ready to rock n roll in 2018. It’s now time to cross the road, dig in, and start accumulating a bag full of competition points.
It’s been three years and five months since we last tasted premiership success, and Preston Bierton is the only player who remains within our junior ranks who has won a comp’ with the Storm (Under 13(2)s – 2014). Reckon it’d be really nice if we could come home with some silverware this year, yeah?
In putting together the piece on GKS junior product, Matt Ikuvalu
(page 9),
The Eye was disturbed to read the Wyong Roos describe their star threequarter as, “an Erina junior”. Just to set the record straight; Matt played four season’s at the Storm (2000-2003), before heading to Erina, he played junior rep’s for Manly, and in 2015 was signed by the Wyong Roos.
Those of you who follow the business news will likely be aware that, The Eye of the Storm Media Conglomerate has hit a rough financial patch of late. Running costs have soared and proposed imputation tax changes do threaten to bring the company to its knees. Board members, shareholders & magazine staff would urge all readers to turn to page 15 of this edition and begin donating their lazy lobsters.
Opinions expressed in this publication are derived solely from the scattered & random thoughts of the author; none of which are necessarily shared by the GKS club … nor anyone else on the planet really.
In The Press … Truncated Trial Season Leaves Storm Juniors Underdone by Andrew Stark Coast Community News 29th March, 2018
The fluctuating climatic extremes of March have forced the Gosford Kariong Storm rugby league club to truncate their planned preseason build up as the opening competition round of 2018 does beckon. It was a month of Sundays that did offer much variation as sweltering heat eventually gave way to a week of heavy rain. A water logged playing surface required the abandonment of all trial games set down for Sunday the 25th, while the high temperatures of the previous weekend had thwarted the under 14s,15s &16s in their attempts to get onto the field and play some football. The extreme weather has ensured that a number of Gosford’s teams will head into the opening round with just the sole practice game under their belts. One such side is the Storm under 15s whose lone trial game was played back during early March and resulted in a rather one-sided affair. The Gosford boys ran in a host of tries against Blue Haven and looked to the casual observer like absolute world beaters, until it was noticed that the Raiders only had ten players on the field. Despite the Storm’s low key preparation, high hopes are held for this squad as they attempt to improve on their third placed finish of 2017. The Phil Keene coached Under 12(1) s are shaping well after a couple of solid preseason hit outs. Pipped by the Blue Haven Raiders in their opening trial, the Gosford boys ran riot against Asquith seven days later to record a hefty win over their northern Sydney opponents in stiflingly hot conditions. Talented fullback Benji Keene-O’Keefe has begun 2018 full of running and had the distinction of scoring long distance tries with his first touch of the football in both trial games. The U12s narrowly missed qualifying for last season’s semi final series and have been bolstered this season by the addition of two former Storm juniors; Bailey Chislett and Richard Darrell, who return to the club after stints with Woy Woy and Muswellbrook respectively. Another addition is Angus Newing from Erina, who has slotted nicely into the team’s forward pack and shows plenty of promise. If scant trial form is to be taken as any sort of yardstick, then Gosford’s under 10,11,13,14 & 16 divisions may well be heading into the opening round a tad underdone. At time of writing, the Storm’s Under 16 team remains a tad skinny for numbers and would welcome any interested local lads to come on down and have a run. This year’s Central Coast junior rugby league competition kicks off on Saturday April 7th; weather permitting. The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE –APRIL 2018
Please note: this is the submitted piece in it’s entirety. The editor of the Coast Community News is responsible for the changes that do ultimately appear in the newspaper.
In The Press … Gosford Kariong Given Open Grade Green Light The battling Gosford Kariong Storm Open Grade team have received the go-ahead from host club Berkeley Vale and will now line up in this season’s Central Coast rugby league competition which kicks off on April 8th. The Gosford Kariong club invariably finds itself in a state of suspended animation each and every off-season following the implementation of a Central Coast rugby league policy handed down back in 2012. The Storm have become wholly reliant on one of the established first grade clubs, in this instance the Panthers, acknowledging that they do not have enough players on their roster to field three senior teams. This then allows the Storm to step in and fill the vacant 11.30am slot. A similar situation arises for last season’s grand finalists St Edwards, who having subbed for Woy Woy in recent seasons will this year find themselves on the under card at Ourimbah. A relieved Gosford Kariong team spokesman, Chris Finneran said, “the boys have been training their hearts out since before Christmas” ; describing the wait to find out whether the club had been included into the 2018 draw as, “stressful”. In further good news for the Gosford Kariong senior club; the Storm welcomes the Elanora Hotel on board as its major sponsor for 2018. This partnership enjoys a deep historical significance as the Cusick family and the Gosford rugby league club first joined forces way back in the preseason of 1931. The Elanora Hotel’s licensee, Damien Cusick is the grand son of Alton Cusick, who arrived in Gosford from Newcastle during November of 1930, to take up the running of the Hotel Gosford. By kick off to the 1931 football season, the former Eastern Suburbs reserve grade three-quarter had become an enthusiastic supporter of the local rugby league club; supplying both the Gosford first and second grade teams with a full set of brand new jerseys. Please note: this is the submitted piece in it’s entirety. The editor of the Coast Community News is responsible for the changes that ultimately appear in the newspaper.
The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE –APRIL 2018
by Andrew Stark Coast Community News 15th March, 2018
Tragically We Lost Two Gosford Legends During The Off Season
Dennis ‘Pud’ Smith Dennis ‘Pud’ Smith of Woy Woy passed away on Saturday 11th November, 2017. Dennis ‘Pud’ Smith (Gosford Townies 1963)
Pud had been fighting a serious condition for several years. Unfortunately, he suffered a stroke on the Friday preceding his death. Pud is remembered for his contribution to rugby league. He played in the front row for the 1963 premiership winning Gosford Townies aged just 17 and then went on to play lower grades with Western Suburbs. He then returned to the Central Coast and played 17 seasons with the Umina Bunnies. Pud was a great follower of rugby league and the Men of League Foundation for the years up until his death. Pud will be sadly missed by his family and friends, but those special memories of Pud as a person and a local rugby league legend will live on. Rest in peace, Pud. Men of League Magazine (16-11-17)
Greg Martin Greg Martin (Gosford Kariong Coach of the Year 2017), pictured with his son, Cooper.
It’s with a very heavy heart and a world of shock and pain that we officially write this post. RIP Greg Martin, coach of the awesome under 7s, under 14s in 2017, coach of the year and meant to be coach of the under 15s in 2018. A much loved husband, father, uncle, brother, brother in law, son, son in law, and best mate to so many people. An awesome person. We love you so much dude and you will be forever missed. A freak tragic accident that should never have happened to such an awesome, loving person. We love you XXX.
Official club statement posted by Renee Martin (6-1-18)
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ost
In The Press …
Storm Back In The Swing
LY DI D S AD ON P U E ND
by Andrew Stark Submitted to Coast Community News 24th February, 2018
“Doesn’t it come around again quickly?” This was the overriding theme offered by parents huddled under the welcoming shade of a Narara tree as they watched their budding rugby league stars race around on a warm summers evening. Wednesday, February 7th marked the Gosford Kariong Storm Rugby League Club’s first training session for 2018. A host of young players gathered on the Narara Valley High School field to meet their coaches and team-mates, while also taking the opportunity to reacquaint themselves with the vagaries of an oval shaped ball. In the ensuing weeks Storm officials have been pleased to welcome a host of new faces to the club and are hoping that their number will continue to grow between now and the competition’s early April kick off.
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Numbers are currently very skinny for the under six division and the club would invite local parents of young tyros to consider coming down to a Wednesday or Friday afternoon training session at the school to witness all the fun. In contrast to the sixes, under 15s coach Shaun Martin is overseeing a squad that has already ballooned out to 23. This team went within an ace of making last years grand final and hopes are high that they can improve on that effort in 2018. A series of junior trial games have been scheduled for the Narara Valley High School field next month, with Gosford Kariong pitted against the Blue Haven Raiders (March 11th), the Asquith Magpies (March 18th) and the Avalon Bulldogs (March 25th).
Photos – Andrew Stark Please note: this is the submitted piece in it’s entirety. The editor of the Coast Community News is responsible for the changes that ultimately appear (or don’t appear) in the newspaper.
Photos – Andrew Stark
The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE –APRIL 2018
2017 NSW Cup Team of the Year
The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE –APRIL 2018
Matt Ikuvalu
Gosford Kariong Storm junior Matt Ikuvalu has moved one step closer to realizing his dream of playing in the NRL after being selected in the prestigious NSW Cup Team of the Year for 2017. Matt starred for last season’s grand finalists, the Wyong Roos and finished the season with six tries having run for an average of 133 metres per game. The lad from Narara played with the Storm for four seasons as a youngster and was a member of our club’s Under 7(2)s during the inaugural, Gosford Kariong merger year of 2000. Two winters later he played with the Storm Under 9s team which won the Kincumber Mod Development Carnival (see picture above) and in 2003 was an integral member of the Eddie Johnson coached Under 10(2)s who progressed to the semi finals before losing narrowly to Toukley. Remarkably, Matt managed to score a try in every game his team played that year.
“His first half performance against Budgewoi was one of the best I have seen from a player in all my years of coaching.” Eddie Johnson on Matt Ikuvalu (GKS yearbook 2003)
The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE –APRIL 2018
Photo – Andrew Stark
“Matt Ikuvalu is just a natural and we truly hope we didn’t put you off by making you do the hard stuff, but if you can get through all that stuff you are going to be the kid that we say hey, we played with him when he was a nobody !!” Craig & Lee Pollard (Coach & Manager, Gosford Kariong Under 8(3)s. of 2001. Extract taken from the club yearbook of 2001
KIDS
Photo – Andrew Stark
Masons Parade Oval, Gosford 29-10-17
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PARENTS vs.
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Photos – Andrew Stark
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Photos – Andrew Stark
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PARENTS vs. KIDS
Photos – Andrew Stark
GREEDY NEW YEARS CASH GRAB BY LOCAL LANDLORD IS PASSED DIRECTLY ON BY FED UP PHOTOGRAPHER !!!
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Cold Hard Reality Folks
“Sunday Bloody Sunday”
John “Lobster” Flynn, The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE –APRIL 2018
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g n i s g a n i h s c a r h PPu urc ics PPics It’s just
aka The Flying Doctor (five-eighth and captain of the crack Cloncurry Aviators team of 1928)
The Blue Swimmer has given way to the
Lazy Lobster
so easy!!!
Sling the guy with the camera a lobster ($20), and within days he’ll email you out a photo (a jpeg file) or two, featuring your little champion (or not so little champion) in action for the mighty Gosford Kariong Storm. Simply hand over one, crisp, orangey note, along with your email address, and sit back & marvel as the disheveled old bloke goes straight to work.
Email: 10dollarjpegs@gmx.com
In The Press … Historic Local Rugby League Appointment First Female President of the Gosford Rugby League Club by Andrew Stark
Coast Community News 17th October, 2017
A huge turn out at the Central Coast Leagues Club did greet the Annual General Meeting of the Gosford Kariong Storm Rugby League Football Club, on the Monday evening of October 16th. The meeting ushered in an exciting new committee who have been entrusted with the running of the club for the next twelve months. A ground breaking and historically significant appointment was that of long term club secretary and treasurer, Renee Martin to the position of President. Martin was elected unopposed to the position and becomes the first female president of the rugby league club at Gosford; an institution whose heritage spans way back to the rugby union playing days of the late nineteenth century. Other significant appointments on the night included; Danielle Ghilardi (secretary), Tahlia Martin (treasurer); while Jason Bird and Nathan Malcolm assumed the senior and junior vice president’s positions. The Storm gathering concluded on a humorous note when the newly elected President Martin invited all attendees downstairs to share a celebratory beer. Her wisecracking husband, Shaun Martin responded with, “Well said; I’m liking this new president”.
Hillary Clinton was infamously trumped for the Presidency in 2016, but nothing was going to deny Renee Martin at the Gosford Kariong AGM last Monday evening.
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.
In The Press ‌ Sydney Morning Herald: 28th October, 2017
---- 2018 Results ---Trials ‌ 17th March - Gosford Kariong defeated Northern Lakes (forfeit) 24th March - Gosford Kariong 16 defeated Toukley 12
the
Graduates by Andrew Stark
Upd a
…from Gosford to the Big Time
Two season’ season’s ago, The Eye kicked
Herbert Arthur “Finny” Finny” Morris
- Our Sydney 1st Graders -
by Andrew Stark
#23
Herbert Arthur
Morris
Arthur ‘Finny’ Morris (1938)
off the Graduates project who’ who’s aim was, and still is, to uncover the names of all those who have progressed from playing for Gosford to the big league of Sydney first grade footy. Happily our tally has now ticked over to 23 with the recent addition of,
te !
Charlie Staunton (Norths 1923) Herbert Arthur “Finny” Morris (Canterbury 1940,41,43,44) Lester Hough (Norths 1940) Walter ‘Finny’ Worrad (Norths 1940) Edward ‘Ted’ McHugh (St George 1942-44) Alan Staunton (St George 1952-54) Barry Willis (Balmain 1953-54, 1956) Ron Thornton (Canterbury 1955-61) Col ‘Bubbles’ Purcell (Easts 1957) Bev Smith (Balmain 1959) Ron Hansen (Newtown 1960 – 65) John Floyd (Norths 1965) Rod Urquhart (Cronulla 1970–71, Souths 1973–74) Max Wilkie (Norths 1981-83) Daryl Turner (Wests 1984) Paul Kent (Parramatta 1989) Adam McEwen (Souths 1995-97) Grant McWhirter (Souths 1995-96) Anthony Brann (Balmain 1996, Hunter 1997, Canberra 1998-2000) John Carlaw (Hunter 1997, Melbourne 1998, Balmain 1999, Wests Tigers 2000-01, NZ Warriors 2002-03, St George 2004) Wes Tillott (Norths 1999, Souths 2004) Matt Orford (Northern Eagles 2000, Melbourne 2001- 05, Manly 2006-09, Canberra 2011) Rhys Pritchard (Sydney Roosters 2011)
Above: Herbert Arthur “Finny” Morris was one of three Ourimbah lads who wandered down to Grahame Park to play for Gosford during the late 1930s; a period in which the Magpies failed to muster a team. A tall, tough as teak front rower, Morris , along with his mates, Lester Hough & Walter Worrad would all progress to play 1st grade football in Sydney during the subsequent war years. Finny Morris played in the famous Gosford team of 1938 which ranks alongside the Bernie Drew led teams of the late 1950s as the town’s greatest ever sides. Gosford won their challenge cup series against high quality big city opposition that year and played sparkling attacking football en route to lifting the silverware. The following season saw Morris head up to the South Newcastle club from where he was described as, probably the best forward in the district. The Canterbury Bankstown club was only six years old in 1940 and they liked what they saw in the rangy Gosford prop. Morris relocated to Bankstown and ultimately played 22 top grade games with the Berries, spanning four seasons.
The ball bounced back and Morris, a 15 stone forward coming through fast, gathered the ball and with head down, scattered players right and left to barge his way over. Finny Morris scores during Canterbury’s 13 – 7 win over Easts in his debut season in Sydney (The Sun 23-6-1940).
WHITE BOARD EDGE This exclusive Eye photograph reveals the bold new weapon in the armory of the Under 12s as they embark on their 2018 campaign.
Not since the cloak and dagger days of Ben Lexcen’s famous winged keel have sport’s fans borne witness to such an audacious new strategy. Cunning artifice has been wrapped in layers of high intrigue as the under 12s introduce a whiteboard. Following an off season in which the team’s coaching staff neatly rearranged their chairs, new head coach, Phil Keene has dipped into the play book’s of games such as basketball and American football to incorporate a portable whiteboard with a lovely purple border. We can only speculate as to what might be written on said white board, although one wag in the Eye of the Storm office has suggested, Throw it to Benji, scrawled in large point permanent marker might yield results. Our reporter, sent out to cover the trials, claims that he witnessed no uncapped Texta during any of the half time breaks, while an investigative follow up has concluded that the board was likely purchased at Officeworks, West Gosford and does currently retail for $19.92. *All efforts to illicit a response from team The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE –APRIL 2018
management, or Officeworks, with regards the mysterious whiteboard, have proven unsuccessful.
t he
Pictorial
Pages
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WELL ALMOST !
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ost
In The Press …
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Birds Swoop On Gosford Kariong Awards Day by Andrew Stark Submitted to Coast Community News 3rd November, 2017
The Gosford Kariong Rugby League Club’s 2017 awards ceremony was held at the Central Coast Leagues Club during mid October. The afternoon became a tour de force for the Bird family of Narara. Jason & Vanessa Bird kicked off proceedings when they were both presented with life membership of the Gosford Kariong club after a decade of tireless service. Jason Bird returned to the stage shortly after to receive the inaugural ‘Trainer of the Year’ award, followed closely by Vanessa Bird who was handed the, ‘Clint Gosper Memorial Award’ as the Club Person of the Year. Not to be outdone by his parents, Ryan Bird was later called upon to receive the ‘Cameron Delehunt Memorial Award’ for Senior Player of the Year, an honour he shared with U14s skipper Jake Martin. Blake Hodge won the club’s ‘Junior Player of the Year’ trophy and representative prop forward Suli Hakalo received the ‘President’s Player of the Year’ following a stellar year with the U16s team. Greg Martin picked up the ‘Coach of the Year’ award for his stewardship of the U14s squad. The ever efficient Chloe Oakes won the ‘Manager of the Year’ gong while the Storm U8s were particularly excited at having been adjudged the ‘Mini League Team of the Year’.
The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE –APRIL 2018
LY END DID SAD UP O N
Please note: this is the submitted piece in it’s entirety. The editor of the Coast Community News is responsible for the changes that ultimately appear (or don’t appear) in the newspaper.
Photos – Andrew Stark
The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE –APRIL 2018
Test second rower, captain/coached Gosford to premierships in 1958,59 & 63.
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Bernie Drew “Sunday Bloody Sunday”
Gary Wilkinson 145 First Grade Games for Gosford. He represented Country vs. City in 1969.
In The Press … Unlucky Storm Beaten On The Last Play Of The Grand Final by Andrew Stark
Coast Community News 17th October, 2017
The Gosford Kariong Storm U12(3)s suffered a heartbreaking last gasp defeat in their early morning grand final against the Wyong Roos, played at the Morry Breen Oval, Kanwal. The final act of a dramatic decider would see a highly contentious Wyong try edge the home team to an upset 24-22 victory. In a spirited game which saw the lead change four times, the runaway minor premiers would stumble in the very last minute of the season. Gosford produced the perfect start when they raced to a 10-0 lead courtesy of right edge tries to Jack Cameron and Lyndon March. The Roos hit back strongly however via player of the match, Jeremy Gonzales and the green and gold took a 12-10 advantage into halftime. This lead was extended to eight soon after the resumption before Gosford stormed back with a brace of left side tries, scored by Brayden Tory and Cayden Simmons. An absolutely crazy last ten minutes saw Gosford reduced to 12 players and they were forced to cling desperately to their 22-18 lead. Wyong proceeded to throw wave after wave of attack at the Gosford line in search of a winning try and with just over a minute remaining, five eighth Cohen Willis-Semple, threaded an ugly looking grubber kick toward the Storm in goal. The ball bobbled and spat about on the try line as players from both sides jockeyed wildly for its immediate attention: a frenetic final scene that ultimately saw the kicker adjudged to have planted a smidge of downward pressure upon the Steeden for a telling Roos try. Willis-Semple then calmly converted his own try to secure Wyong the premiership. In other locally pertinent grand final results; Erina were defeated in four of the five deciders they contested, the lone success for the Eagles being their U10(3)s who managed to edge out The Entrance 22-18. Kincumber had more luck, picking up three titles. The Colts U15(2)s pipped Erina 15-14, the U10(1)s, for whom right side back rower Archer Mesritz was outstanding, scored an 18-12 win over the Tigers, while the U14(1)s outlasted The Entrance 20-12, having led by 14 at the break. The Terrigal Sharks have had a year to remember in both the senior and junior ranks, and they contested four junior grand finals, claiming two premierships. The U11(3)s won the day 18-10 against the Tigers, while the talented Sharks U12(1)s managed to reverse the score line of last season’s decider in defeating arch rivals The Entrance 18-12 at the Central Coast Stadium. Terrigal forwards Gabe Stuart and Corbin Alvarez, along with elusive fullback Brayden Martz were particularly prominent in a tremendous all team performance. 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.
Blokes Who Never Got The Opportunity To Play For Gosford He always fancied himself as a ball playing back rower with a huge engine, and yet … Photo – courtesy of the Central Coast Express Advocate
Barnaby Joyce’s greatest regret must surely be that he never pulled on a Gosford jersey. In a sensational career, “The Beetroot” ascended to the leadership of the National Party & the Deputy Prime Minister ship of Australia (despite being a New Zealander at the time), while also finding time to participate in a spectacular office romance that held the nation’s gaze for quite a number of weeks. If Only He Had His Tim e Again
The federal member for New England is a devout Queensland rugby league fan which makes perfect sense given he was born, bred & lives in Tamworth. Tis a truly tragic tale!
Barnaby “Beetroot” Joyce the Back Page
‘Gosford Rugby League: the Eye of the Storm’ e-mag compiled, photographed, written & designed by Andrew Stark
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