GOSFORD RUGBY LEAGUE
Issue No. 29: July 2018
OUR FIFTEENS LEAD THE CHARGE ! Since 2014
the
FREE PODCAST
DID GOSFORD’S PREMIERSHIP WINNING CAPTAIN/COACH MURDER HIS OWN WIFE?
Follow us on Twitter
@gosfordleague
WANTED GENEROUS BENEFACTOR
$150000
Generous Benefactor
Photos - Andrew Stark
to provide
per season to the GOSFORD RUGBY LEAGUE FOOTBALL CLUB
Because It’s Time To Reinstate The Townies Please contact Danielle or Renee
gosfordkariongstorm@hotmail.com
Above: Talented under 14s halfback Kyle Dowling is captured plucking the bass guitar at a recent gig in the Gosford Race Club Lounge. A back injury sadly ended Kyle’s 2018 season and we wish him a full & speedy recovery .
Vol 29: July, 2018
There’s been a bit of drama since our last edition. One particularly officious type from a rival club has been stirring the pot with quite some gusto. This curious individual has executed a number of underhanded plays in the last few weeks; rogue tactics that have included; * Attempting to infiltrate our clubs Face book page using a host of fake identities. * Making complaints to both; this publication, and the NRL Integrity Board, using further fake identities. * Placing a bogus phone call to the Coast Community Newspaper in the guise of being a Child Welfare Officer;, the female caller said to be upset that images of junior players were appearing in Gosford Kariong press releases. I’m pleased to report that our friends down at Central Coast Newspapers have laughed off this amateurish and wholly anonymous attempt to disrupt our tireless promotion of the game. There’s little doubt that this guerilla campaign stems from an Under 12s game played on the 19th of May, between Gosford and Erina at the St Edwards College Oval. Following the game, our club filed an official complaint about the behavior of a number of people in attendance; individuals who were directly connected to the Erina club (our boys also had the temerity to upset the competition leading Eagles 12 – 4 in what was a great game of junior rugby league). The six week clandestine offensive that followed the tabling of our complaint, has been a petty example of tribal payback. Despite the odd entertaining moment (big shout out to Alex B & the Mularkey’s), the episode has nonetheless forced us to re-consider the state of play. Given the voracious propensity of this “nut job” to create uncertainty, The Eye of the Storm Magazine & Central Coast Newspapers have both decided to err on the side of caution. From this edition on, the faces of all junior players from opposition teams will be blurred out. This is a relatively simple edit to perform, however it is a regrettable and retrograde development, and I’d like to apologize in advance to the parents of players from other clubs who have previously enjoyed seeing images of their little champs in action against Gosford. * Turn to page 45, for the latest chapter in this sorry saga.
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 …
by Andrew Stark
Coast Community News 5th July, 2018
The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – July 2018
Big Jay Destroys Terrigal The Gosford Kariong Open Grade team crashed through for their third win of the season as barnstorming prop, Jayden Stanley unfurled a game to remember in the 2828-20 victory over Terrigal. A junior product of the Souths Logan club in Brisbane, Stanley terrorized the Sharks defence with his fearsome charges and Beetson-like ball skills. Twice during the opening half the big front rower ran off sweetly timed passes from his halfback Brendan Eather; scoring the first and delivering a late offload for a trailing Brennan Lacey for the second. These tries sandwiched a Gosford try out wide to left winger Brodie Peters who fielded a clever cross field kick from Eather; the wily number seven’s Australian Rules skills being put to good use when he spotted an unmarked man on the flank. Leading 18-14 at the break, the Storm was never headed during the second stanza. Robert Warwick dived into the right corner after yet another Jay Stanley offload. The second phase and quick shift catching the Sharks defence short out wide. To their credit, Terrigal kept battling away and only trailed 22-20 heading into the final ten minutes, however the result was sealed when back-rower Craig Starr bustled his way over down a short blindside. The final try fittingly set up by a Stanley hit up and quick play the ball. Gosford’s win moves them up into sixth place on the competition ladder and after a number of barren seasons, the clubs senior team has now pushed itself into the realms of being, a semi final smoky.
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
---------- THE ----------
DAWSON TWINS DAWSON TWINS
Paul Dawson
Chris Dawson
The Townies Final First Grade Premiership
& The Tragedy That Followed The Dawson twins, Chris & Paul did famously guide the Gosford Townies to the Central Coast First Grade Premiership in 1978. During the following year, Chris Dawson, a PE teacher at Cromer High would become hopelessly infatuated with a Year 10 student at the school in which he taught. He was a married man with two young daughters and a doting wife and yet by 1981, Dawson had moved the vulnerable teenager into his family home and commenced a sexual relationship with the young student. On January 9th, 1982, after many months of domestic unrest, Chris Dawson’s wife Lyn mysteriously disappeared from their Bayview home on Sydney’s northern beaches; never to be been seen, nor heard from again. Chris Dawson strenuously denies any wrong doing however the former Gosford footballer is strongly suspected of having murdered his wife. The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – July 2018
THE DAWSON TWINS
the
DAWSON TWINS
The dark whispers and unrelenting innuendo that does surround the Dawson brothers has recently been reinvigorated by a brilliant new investigative podcast titled, The Teachers Pet. Pet Produced by Hedley Thomas for The Australian Newspaper, the in-depth analysis has reignited the 36 year old mystery surrounding the disappearance of the northern beaches nurse, Lynette Dawson. Given the contemporary climate of hyper vigilance in relation to domestic violence matters, a case such as this would today be treated very differently. A woman vanishes, taking none of her possessions with her, and leaving two adored, infant daughters behind. Her husband is known to be having extra marital relations with a teenage student and who according to many of Lyn’s closest friends, was allegedly battering his wife. A case such as this would ring alarm bells from the highest roof top throughout every law enforcement agency across the land and given contemporary practices, it would be looked at very closely indeed. Yet back in 1982, the former football star was simply taken at his word. Quite remarkably, Lyn’s disappearance wasn’t looked at seriously by Northern Beaches police until 1990. In those eight dormant years, the case was considered to be little more than a run of the mill, missing persons matter.
Above: Christopher Michael Dawson marries Lynette Joy Simms at St Judes, Randwick in March of 1970 . The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – July 2018
THE DAWSON TWINS
the
DAWSON TWINS
Above: Joanne Curtis with the Dawson girls. After Lyn’s disappearance, Joanne moved back into the Bayview home and became mum to the girls. She would later marry Dawson and the family moved to Queensland. They separated in 1990 and Joanne returned to Sydney and began providing information on the case to the police.
The Teachers Pet paints a sordid picture of life for a schoolgirl on the northern beaches during the late 1970s/early 1980s. It tells of the predatory behavior of schoolteachers such as, Chris & Paul Dawson; teachers who groomed young girls under their care for casual sex. Joanne Curtis was a vulnerable 15 year old when she first met Chris Dawson in 1979. Her home life at this time was a mess and included parents who drank heavily and a step father who was abusive toward her mother. She found what she thought was a savior in her kind and handsome PE teacher, Mr. Dawson. A few weeks before her disappearance, Lyn had walked in on Chris and Joanne in bed together and she later confronted the high school student;
“She said, you’ve been taking liberties with my husband.” Joanne Curtis (The Teachers Pet podcast )
Following this conversation, her last ever with Lyn, the teenager was temporarily moved two doors down the road to Paul Dawson’s house. On the day before Christmas 1981, Chris left his wife (via a hand written note) and headed to Queensland with Joanne. They returned a few days later however after Joanne had voiced concerns about living so far from her family. Not long after their return, Lynette Dawson would suddenly vanish. The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – July 2018
THE DAWSON TWINS
the
DAWSON TWINS
According to Chris Dawson, his wife was last seen on the Saturday morning of January 9th, 1982. Chris states that he drove Lyn to a bus stop in Mona Vale, and that his wife was planning to do some shopping at Chatswood. Two days later, Joanne Curtis, the teenage high school student, was back in the Bayview home and was sleeping on Lyn’s side of the marital bed. Chris claims that he received a phone call from Lyn in which she stated she was on the Central Coast and just needed to take some time out. He would later suggest she’d run off to join a religious cult.
“My mother never stopped searching for Lyn. We all were searching for Lyn.” Pat Jenkins (Lyn Dawson’s sister ) Australian Story – ABC TV 2003
Lyn had taken nothing with her; not even a change of clothing. What is most damning however, and is a point reiterated by a number of the interviewees in Hedley Thomas’ podcast, is that we are supposed to believe that Lyn would leave without her daughters, aged just 4 & 2. All of Lyn’s friends state categorically that she would never have left without the children and that the girls were her life.
“Mum would always, if it was Terrigal or anywhere, just go wander around in the hope she might run into her. She’d take Lyn’s photo. She’d show it to shopkeepers, to people in the street at Terrigal and Gosford.” Greg Simms (Lyn Dawson’s brother) Australian Story – ABC TV 2003
The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – July 2018
THE DAWSON TWINS
the
DAWSON TWINS
Gwenda ‘Sue’ Butlin, the wife of Gosford Townies 1978 team manager, Ray Butlin bolstered Dawson’s version of events, when in the weeks following Lyn’s disappearance, she claimed to have seen the missing nurse in Gosford.
“The unreliable wife of one of Chris’ footballing mates suggested that she had seen Lyn at a market in Gosford, and Lyn had then driven off. But Lyn did not drive, and the woman was known to her own husband and daughter as a fantasist.” Hedley Thomas (The Teachers Pet podcast 2018)
Two coroners found in 2001 and then again in 2003 that Lynette Dawson had been murdered by “a known person”. The NSW Director of Public Prosecutions has always maintained however that there is not sufficient evidence in which to prosecute Chris Dawson for his wife’s death.
Above: Chris Dawson is upended in a game between Newtown and St George during 1976 (Photo courtesy of John Elliott – RLW). The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – July 2018
THE DAWSON TWINS the “This is a bizarre and intriguing story for many reasons and one of those is the close relationship between the Dawson brothers. They were more than close friends and confidants, they were inextricably linked together in almost everything they did.”
DAWSON TWINS Hedley Thomas (The Teachers Pet podcast 2018)
Graduates of Sydney High School and the GPS rugby competition, the Dawson twins played together for the Easts Beasties having left school at the end of 1966. Working their way through the grades, the Dawson’s would contribute heavily towards the rugby clubs 1969 premiership triumph. Paul Dawson was considered the better player of the two at this time and duly won himself a place in the NSW Waratahs team that toured New Zealand during 1969. By 1972 the Dawson’s had decided to switch codes and play the professional game; rugby league. Being a rep’ player, Paul had received offers from various Sydney league clubs during the early 1970s. The interest shown in brother Chris however was at best, limited. The inseparable siblings would ultimately decide to sign with the Newtown Bluebags (later to become the Jets), for the very simple reason that Newtown were the only club willing to accommodate both brothers. The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – July 2018
the
The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – July 2018
THE DAWSON TWINS
DAWSON TWINS
During their six years at Newtown, the Dawson’s were privileged to have been coached by well respected mentors; Harry Bath, Jack Gibson, Clarrie Jeffries & Paul Broughton. Interestingly Broughton took the decision during his tenure as Newtown coach during 1977, of not selecting the brothers in first grade together.
“I thought they were good players ... they just never played well together. I had a, perhaps misguided belief, that their first concern would be for the other brother, rather than the team as a whole.” Paul Broughton (The Teachers Pet podcast 2018)
Chris scored a try in the Jets 17-10 win over Wests during the opening round of 1977, only to find himself dropped for the round 2 game at Penrith. He was replaced by his brother Paul. Newtown would proceed to lose every game beyond that first up win against the Magpies, until belatedly, they managed to notch a final round victory against Souths. Coach Broughton’s lack of trust in the brothers as a double act, combined with the miserable year the Jets had endured in 1977, made the decision to leave Newtown an easy one. It’s not exactly clear how they ended up at Gosford for the 1978 season however the Townies had historically held a long association with the Bluebags. Most notably via our clubs great captain/coach of the late 1950s, Bernie Drew. The ties with Newtown date back as far as the mid 1920s however, with the arrival in Gosford of NSW, & Australian star, Billy Farnsworth.
“The Dawson brothers lived up to their reputation as strong tacklers, and showed, at times, flair in attack.” (CC Express Advocate, 9-5-1978)
The 1978 season began slowly for Gosford and a premiership looked a long way off when former Cronulla halfback Fred Dennehy carved the Townies up playing for The Entrance during round 2. Paul Dawson injured his ribs and was forced to miss a couple of matches and Gosford found themselves with just two wins from their opening five games. A last minute 15-13 victory over Umina changed the momentum of their season and it would become the catalyst for a six game winning streak. The red & blues kicked on to ultimately finish second on the competition ladder behind the standout team, Woy Woy. The Roosters had won both the clashes with Gosford during the season proper, and heading into the Finals, they were raging hot favourites to take the title.
THE DAWSON TWINS
the
DAWSON TWINS
Above : The Sydney High School 1st XV of 1966: Chris Dawson, second from right in the front row. Below: Paul Dawson is
tackled from behind by the great Arthur Beetson during a game between Newtown and Easts at the SCG in 1973.
“Without dedication and determination you will never be anything but a loser ... we did not come here to run second.” Chris & Paul Dawson, quoted in the local press having just signed on as cocoaches of Gosford for the 1978 season. Interestingly, the journalist attributed the quote to the Dawson twins collectively. (Central Coast Express 13th Oct, 1977).
The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – July 2018
the
The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – July 2018
THE DAWSON TWINS
DAWSON TWINS
The Dawson Twins Footballing History … 1966 … Sydney High School 1st XV (GPS Rugby). Only Chris appeared in the team photo and he was also selected in the GPS representative squad. Paul’s involvement remains unclear (perhaps he was injured?). 1967-1971 … Eastern Suburbs (rugby union). Paul also played seven games for the NSW Waratahs across three seasons, 1969-1971. 1972-1977 … Newtown Bluebags/Jets. 1978 … Gosford Townies (Premiers). Their first crack at captain/coaching. This was to be Gosford’s final top grade title. Early 1980s … Belrose Eagles (Manly A-grade rugby league). They were again, co –captain/coaches. Above: Chris & Paul Dawson in 1975. Right: The twins sign on the dotted
line for Gosford. Paul with pen poised, Chris behind him, plus Gosford RLFC President, Rod Payne and sponsor, Bruce Hibberd (Gosford Motors). Below: Chris & Paul photographed in the Townies strip.
The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – July 2018
THE DAWSON TWINS
The major semi final saw Gosford race to a lead before hanging on to claim a magnificent 20-13 upset victory. Woy Woy managed to bounce back to defeat premiers, Erina the following week and the southerners headed into the 1978 Grand Final as warm favourites. In the decider, Gosford again bolted out of the blocks to lead 18-7 at half time. To make matters worse for the red & whites, their fiery prop Wayne Randall had been sent off early in the game for flattening Gosford playmaker, Trevor Binskin off the ball. Woy Woy were a fine side however and they weren't quite done with yet. The Roosters enjoyed a mountain of possession in the second half, winning the penalties and the scrums handsomely, and the Townies were forced to dig deep to hold their lead. A withering Woy Woy comeback fell just inches short and Gosford claimed the 1978 title via a 23-20 victory.
1978 LADDER WOY WOY GOSFORD ERINA UMINA THE ENTRANCE WYONG TERRIGAL OURIMBAH
24 18 16 15 14 14 6 5
Above: Chris Dawson pictured on the cover of
the local paper’s 1978 Grand Final lift out.
the
THE DAWSON TWINS
DAWSON TWINS
GOSFORD 1978
The Dawson’s combined contract for their single season at Gosford is rumored to have been lucrative; one source revealing to The Eye that the brothers pocketed as much as $7500 each. This was a tidy sum back in 1978 (equivalent to $30,000 each today). The Townies were clearly cock-ahoop at what the brothers had been able to achieve during their time at Grahame Park however baulked at the prospect of retaining the two coaches on such generous terms for a follow up season.
“The Dawson’s were again interested in the coaching job, as a double deal appointment … Gosford officials had several talks with them … negotiations bogged down because of the clubs heavy financial commitments” (Central Coast Express Advocate 18-10-1978)
Chris & Paul Dawson would ultimately find themselves a new deal closer to home. The Belrose Eagles, based at Frenchs Forest, are a powerful club within the Manly junior league. The Eagles are said to have been very well connected at this time. One high profile coach to follow the tenure of the Dawson’s at Belrose was former Eastern Suburbs premiership winning three-quarter, Mark Harris. The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – July 2018
THE DAWSON TWINS
the
DAWSON TWINS
During early 2017, The Eye sat down for a chat with Trevor ‘Bulldog’ Binskin, Gosford’s champion halfback of the 1970s/1980s. Binskin played alongside the Dawson’s during the triumphant 1978 season and offered one or two interesting insights into his time with the twin brothers … Eye: In 1978 Gosford won the competition, beating Woy Woy 23-20 in the decider. TB: Yeah, we had the Dawson twins (Chris & Paul), Ian Miller up from Canberra … he was a good player. Eye: And Johnny Bradstock on the wing. There was a real Newtown connection that year wasn’t there? TB: Yeah well they just virtually came straight out of grade in Sydney. They (the Dawson’s) used to travel in this little hatchback; there were no backdoors. And they wouldn’t tub, they used to just put the track suit on. Johnny Bradstock would have a shower and sit down and have a beer and say, ‘Oh, I’ve gotta go. I’ve gotta get in the back seat with those two stinkers.’ He used to stick his nose out those little vents, you know the window would only open so much. He was a funny bugger. Good bloke Bradstock. They were strange the other two but … Eye: Well one of the Dawson’s is the subject of all sorts of suspicion these days. TB: One of em certainly is, but he’s got away with it … they just don’t have a body. They dug a few backyards up and that … Eye: You’ve got to feel sorry for her parents and the children.
Above: Chris Dawson on the podium at Grahame Park after Gosford had beaten Woy Woy in the 1978 Grand Final. His twin brother Paul was injured during the second half of the game and had been forced to leave the field.
TB: Yeah, she was a lovely lady ... they (the Dawson twins) didn’t drink, so they’d hang around for half an hour (after a game) and then back to Sydney. They drove up two or three times a week. They were teaching down there see.
The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – July 2018
The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – July 2018
Gosford claim the 78 premiership. Chris Dawson is captured in the arms of a young sponsors model, during the post game celebrations
1978
the
THE DAWSON TWINS
The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – July 2018
DAWSON TWINS “I’ve got no reason to believe she’s not alive. Though I can’t understand why she didn’t contact her family” Chris Dawson (Daily Telegraph 2003)
Above left: Chris Dawson during his Newtown days. Above right: Lynette Dawson
It’s 40 years since the Gosford Townies last won the first grade premiership. Tragically it’s been 36 years since Lynette Dawson was last seen alive. Lyn’s family and friends have suffered for three & a half long decades, as the 34 year old mother of twos disappearance remains unresolved. Hedley Thomas via his podcast, The Teachers Pet is determined to bring this matter to a head. He urges anyone with any information in relation to this case to please contact him at;
thomash@threaustralian.com.au
Above: High School sweet hearts; Chris & Lyn
THE DAWSON TWINS
the
DAWSON TWINS
“Thirty two years ago on the ninth of January, our sister, Lynette Joy Dawson disappeared after her husband said he dropped her at a bus stop to go shopping. Two coronial enquiries have found there was enough evidence provided to conclude that a known person had committed an indictable offence. The decision of the DPP not to proceed, has confounded and confused many. For us, the family … the pain has not diminished and we will not settle until some resolution has been reached. We are appealing to anyone who may have lived, or gone to school in Sydney’s northern beaches during the 80s, to come forward if you have any knowledge of Lyn’s disappearance. Any relevant information, no matter how small, would finalize this almost complete jigsaw. To the perpetrator … and YOU know who you are … clearly, you do not have a conscience! You have enabled yourself to carry on and live your life as a lie, with no thought or care as to how many lives you have destroyed. You have denied Lyn’s daughters their mother’s love and her family and friends a lifetime of events, milestones and happy times. If you had any sense of decency … you would come forward and allow us some closure and justice for Lyn. This also applies to anyone else involved in Lyn’s murder, or to anyone having any information. Put yourself in our position … wouldn’t you want justice if it was your sister who had been murdered? You can only run and lie for so long.” Greg Simms (Lyn Dawson’s brother) Extract of a statement read from the Police Media Centre, 23rd January, 2014.
Despite two coroners suggesting otherwise, Chris Dawson maintains his innocence. Both he and his twin brother Paul deny any wrong doing in relation to the 1982 disappearance of Lynette Dawson.
Above Left: Chris Dawson in 2003. Above Middle: Lynette Dawson (nee Simms) on her wedding day. Above Right: Lyn’s brother and sister, Greg and Pat holding a portrait of Lyn (photo – Hollie Adams). The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – July 2018
In The Press …
The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE –July 2018
Storm Seniors Dominate For An Hour At Bateau Bay by Andrew Stark Coast Community News 21st June, 2018
Under the stewardship of newly appointed coach, Shaun ‘Bellamy’ Bellamy’ Martin, the Gosford Kariong Open Grade team turned on the razzle dazzle early to lead at the break, before ultimately running out of steam against the third place Tigers. Round 10 of the Central Coast rugby league kicked under a blanket of blue after the two previous Sunday’s had been washed out. The Storm’s senior team were keen to recommence their audacious charge toward a semi final spot, as they sized up the Entrance Tigers at Bateau Bay. A try to powerful prop Jayden Stanley after just six minutes had the visitors jumping and yet despite being clearly the better team throughout the opening 35 minutes, Gosford Kariong would only lead by two at the break. The second period refused to fall kindly for the Storm and despite trailing by just four with a quarter of an hour left to play; the third placed Tigers were able to run away with a 26-8 victory. Despite his team appearing to run out of puff late in the game, Coach Martin was encouraged by the performance, on a day that undoubtedly served up many more positives than it did negatives for the men in purple. A hat-trick of long distance tries scored by Gosford U12s dummy half, Benji Keene-O’Keefe was the highlight of the Storm’s 34-6 win over Kincumber in round 9 action of the Central Coast junior rugby league. In two other games played at the club’s Narara home ground; the Gosford Kariong U15(2)s maintained their unbeaten start to the year with a 50-10 victory over the bottom placed Toukley, while an under strength Storm U11(3)s kept hold of top spot on their competition ladder via a hard fought win against Woy Woy.
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 – July 2018
The Eye of the Storm magazine continues its series drawn directly from the magnificent collection held by the Gosford Rugby League Museum. Museum Head curator, Amanda Pittee has once again donned the protective gloves and emerges from the high security strong room with one or two priceless items from our club’s rich and fascinating history.
2000
Stuart Meldrum & Daniel Gray played twelve & eleven season’s respectively for the Gosford juniors during a unique period in our history. Stuart played from 1989 to 2000, while Daniel represented Gosford from 1990 to 2000. They began in rugby league as little Gosford Townies, became Gosford Giants in 1993, before ending their time in the juniors as Gosford Kariong players. Stuart Meldrum & Daniel Gray, along with club mates; Bladen Baird, Mark Brown, Paul Gosper, Sean Keens & Ian Brown … all spanned three incarnations of our great club.
Death Of The Townies
THE GOSFORD RUGBY LEAGUE MUSEUM
1971 Photo – Les Allen (Gosford City Library)
The Central Coast Stadium was constructed in 1999, leaving the Gosford Townies, the Gosford Rugby Club & the Gosford Cricket club, homeless. The Townies had played on Grahame Park (known as Waterside Park prior to 1939) for almost one hundred years, before it was snatched away from them in an ultimately futile bid to relocate the North Sydney Bears to Gosford.
1999 The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – July 2018
The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – July 2018
THE GOSFORD RUGBY LEAGUE MUSEUM
GOSFORD KARIONG JUNIOR
MATT IKUVALU SCORES HIS FIRST NRL TRY Sydney Roosters vs. Melbourne Storm (29th June, 2018)
1921
Ralph Pryor Captain of the Premiership Winning Gosford 2nd Grade team of 1921 Nineteen year old halfback Ralph Pryor sits front and centre in the team photo of 1921. The Walters-Rose Shield for the 2nd grade premiership sits propped up against his shins, while a gold medallion, won by players of the victorious team in the end of season knockout competition, is pinned proudly to his chest. Ralph had the distinction of scoring all of Gosford’s points during the 1921 knockout series. The initials on the football reveal that during this era the 2nd grade team was considered a junior side, and were run by the ‘Gosford Junior Football Club’. The home fashioned ‘G’ situated on the black jersey just above the left breast was an addition to be supplied and affixed by the individual players. As a result, all manner of raggedy looking ‘G’ emblems would be on display every time Gosford ran out to play . The talented Gosford 2nd grade team, with Pryor again at the helm, would defend their title in 1922. One of six brothers, Ralph Pryor was a jeweler by trade and during the mid 1920s he would relocate to Wyong to commence a business in the northern town. By 1926 he was playing first grade rugby league for Wyong. THE GOSFORD RUGBY LEAGUE MUSEUM The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – July 2018
A page taken from the club books of 1982 which lays out the guidelines for selecting Gosford Townies JRLFC award winners.
Above:
The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – July 2018
THE GOSFORD RUGBY LEAGUE MUSEUM
1 98 2
t he
Pictorial
Pages
Photos – Andrew Stark
Soakimi Aho U14(2)s The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – JULY 2017
The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – JULY 2017
Keegan Ropoama U15(2)s
Photo’s – Andrew Stark
The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – JULY 2017
Angus Bills U11(3)s
Amalia Hansen U11(3)s
Photo’s – Andrew Stark
Jarred Higgins U14(2)s
Liam Gleeson U13(2)s
Dylan Gale U14(2)s
The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – JULY 2017
Rylee Oakes U13(2)s
Photo’s – Andrew Stark
Isaac Vuna U15(2)s
Jake Martin U15(2)s
Photo’s – Andrew Stark
The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE JULY 2017
Blake Carney U15(2)s Left Top: Isaac notches a hat-trick for our table topping 15s in their 56-10 win over the Tigers . Left Bottom: Jake offloads at Bateau Bay during round 10. Above: Blake spears over for a try in the corner. Below: Hayden is all smiles after yet another Gosford try.
Photo’s – Andrew Stark Hayden Doyle U15(2)s
The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – JULY 2017
TJ Ghilardi U12(1)s
Photo’s – Andrew Stark
The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – JULY 2017
Jack Simmons U12(1)s
U13(2)s
The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – JULY 2017
Brayden Tory & Dayne Sams
Dylan Wade U10(3)s
Photo’s – Andrew Stark
The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – JULY 2017
Will Adams U15(2)s
Photo’s – Andrew Stark Above:
Will sprints away for a sensational 2nd half try at EDSAAC. Note the big smiles on the faces of his teammates. Below: Neni captured in full flight against the Tigers during round 10. Fetineni Aho U15(2)s
Dylan Kesby U12(1)s The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE JULY 2017
Photo’s - Andrew Stark
Under 7s
Under 6s
Andrew Grimley U12(1)s
Photo – Andrew Stark The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – JULY 2017
The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – JULY 2017
Photo’s – Andrew Stark
Ashton Matu
U11(3)s
The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – JULY 2017
Lorenzo Godoy U12(1)s
Ben Shepherd U14(2)s
Photos – Andrew Stark
Under 8s
The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – JULY 2017
Photos – Andrew Stark Jacob Bond U10(3)s
Under 9s
The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE– JULY 2017
Photo’s – Andrew Stark Brando Hollier U13(2)s
Under 15(2)s
It was a tough afternoon for our previously undefeated 15s when they ventured up to Wyong in round 11 The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – JULY 2017
Photo’s – Andrew Stark
Soakimi Aho U14(2)s
The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – JULY 2017
Photos – Andrew Stark
‘Dom’ races away to score a sensational 85 metre try against the competition leaders, Woy Woy.
Nash Dorratt-Mavin U15(2)s
Photo – Andrew Stark The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – JULY 2017
The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE - JULY 2017 Bailey Chislett & Aaron Blyton U12(1)s
Photo – Andrew Stark
To guarantee you receive all future edition’s of
GOSFORD RUGBY LEAGUE : THE EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE simply join the mailing list by sending an email (blank or otherwise) to eyeofthestorm@post.com YIKES!
Hey Buddy, You’re Blocking My View
The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – JULY 2018
Following an em ail complaint ma de to the CRL & person who is alm the NRL from a ost certainly usin g a fake identity, forced to tempora we have been rily cover this pa ge up. Quite remarkably this lone compla inant has found s within the games ome traction hierarchy despite hiding behind a p The complainan seudonym. t has supplied no phone number, n address, is not on o residential the electoral roll, Purchasing n o r does the surnam the white pages p hone book anyw e appear in here in Australia has also refused to . The complainan Photos meet with… t the CCDRL for a fa c e to face meeting. Ridiculously how ev’es It r, wJust e’ve been forced to republish this The Eye, with ou edition of r “Photos For Sa le So Easy! ” page covered up Apparently Phot . os C
an No
Long($20), er Beand Simply sling the guy with the camera a lobster he’ll Puwithin rchasdays e This latest develo d . mphoto’s ent repre(jpeg email you a couplepof your little champion sentsfiles), a furthfeaturing nonsense that ha e r c h a p ter inKariong the ongoi (or not so little champion) mighty Gosford Storm. s stin emaction med frfor ng omthe the Erina/Gosfo rd Simply hand over one, crisp, orangey note, along with your email address, U12s game (see page 3). and sit back & marvel as the old bloke goes straight to work. Purchases can also be made using via Paypal for $22. Email: 10dollarjpegs@gmx.com
VLAD’S GAME PLAN
During the Queens Birthday long weekend, The Eye shared a McHappy meal with legendary Russian rugby league coach
Vlad “The Enforcer” Putin (17 Time Premiership winning coach with the Moscow Meercats)
“Kick early in tackle count. Keep kicking possession away. Give impression you don’t ever want ball. Tackle all day. Show weak minded opposition that you can never be broken.” “At the Meercats we call it; door knobbing”
“In Shirts vs. Skins game … always go skins.” “I’ve never been in favor of ridiculous block play. Why throw ball out back when you have big strong forward to tear through, one off ruck. Rugby League is simple game. One pass, one run, one try!” “When in attack, I encourage slow play the ball. Give your team chance to eyeball filthy dog opposition. Do it KGB style.”
The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – JULY 2017
During the Queens Birthday long weekend, The Eye shared a meal with legendary Russian rugby league coach FAKEMcHappy N EWEnforcer” S Vlad “The for and asked him EXCLUSI Enforcer” Putin VE his about philosophy on the game
- Open Grade -
PLAYER PROFILES NICKNAME: Robbie Dog
JUNIOR CLUB: Toukley Hawks
Robert Warwick
FAVOURITE POSITION: Hooker REP HONOURS: None as yet, but I did miss a call from Brad Fittler on the weekend BEST PLAYER YOU HAVE FACED: Chris Finneran MOST ANNOYING TEAMMATE: Travis Mantell NRL TEAM YOU SUPPORT: The mighty Melbourne Storm FAVOURITE FOOD: Hotdogs, or anything with sausage FAVOURITE DRINK: Lemon lime & bitters
NICKNAME: Jay
JUNIOR CLUB: Logan Brothers
FAVOURITE POSITION: Second Row REP HONOURS: Souths Logan Magpies U18s BEST PLAYER YOU HAVE FACED: Jayden Nikorima MOST ANNOYING TEAMMATE: Max Russell NRL TEAM YOU SUPPORT: Doggies FAVOURITE FOOD: KFC
Jayden Stanley
FAVOURITE DRINK: Beer
NICKNAME: Golden Boy (Cowra nickname) JUNIOR CLUB: Cowra Magpies FAVOURITE POSITION: Halfback REP HONOURS: Group Ten BEST PLAYER YOU HAVE FACED: Jai Doolan MOST ANNOYING TEAMMATE: Chandler “Cheeky” Connell NRL TEAM YOU SUPPORT: North Queensland Cowboys FAVOURITE FOOD: KFC FAVOURITE DRINK: Dare Iced Coffee Mocha The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – July, 2018
Jesse Murray
OPEN GRADE ROUND 10
The Entrance 26: Gosford Kariong 8
ROUND 11
Erina 56: Gosford Kariong 12 Gosford Kariong 28 : Terrigal 20
ROUND 12
The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE July 2018
Photos - Andrew Stark Photos - Andrew Stark
Jayden Stanley tears through for Gosford’s opening try against Terrigal. Above left: Brendan Eather celebrates Craig Starr’s match sealing try. Above right; 2016 teammates; Lew &STORM Max Russell enjoy a 2018 post match chat. TheAddison EYE OF THE MAGAZINE – June Top:
The Blurb
a weekly write up for the match day program
Warning: Text May Contain Traces of Flippancy
Round 9 … Aficionados of the cinema will be well acquainted with Billy Wilder’s classic 1954 film noir, The Lost Weekend, which tells the sordid tale of an alcoholic writer. Less familiar however is the sequel, The Lost Fortnight, in which our well oiled wordsmith is sent absolutely troppo after intermittent rain results in all rugby league being postponed over consecutive Sundays. The film died a death at the box office but not before delivering us the immortal line; “Half the misery in the world is created by poverty, half is caused by chronic illness, while the other half is down to the footy being called off!” If you are reading this blurb it means that the sun has reappeared, the Steeden has been dusted off and rugby league is back baby! Carn Gossy. Round 10 … Our blokes were right in the mix out at Bateau Bay last Sunday and the final score-line did us no justice whatsoever. A willing first half was dominated by the Storm and we took a deserved 8-6 lead into the huddle. The second period refused to fall kindly however and despite trailing by just four with a quarter of an hour left to play; the third placed Tigers ran away to record a gritty 26-8 victory. Despite his team appearing to run out of puff late, new Open Grade coach, Shaun ‘Bellamy’ Martin was encouraged by the performance on a day that served up many more positives than it did negatives.
The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE - JUNE 2018
Photo: Andrew Stark Above:
Yee-ha, ride em cowboy! Ben Nicholls moves in as Billy James corral's himself a Tiger. Billy would later be observed riding off towards a Woy Woy sunset.
The Blurb
a weekly write up for the match day program
Warning: Text May Contain Traces of Flippancy
Round 11 … Today’s clash with Terrigal presents as a vital fixture in the race for a semi final position. The Open Grade top four looks to be cut and dried, with the rest of the sides locked in a desperate scrap to nab the last remaining spot. A loss today would see us fall six points shy of the fifth placed St Edwards, while a win keeps our slim hopes alive. Jayden Stanley, Craig Starr and Aaron Smith were three of our best out at Erina last Sunday, on an afternoon in which we had the misfortune to run into a white hot Eagles combination. Despite crossing for two sparkling second half tries, to Mitch Redding and Craig Starr, both scored on the left edge; the home side were able to run up a score.
Above:
Aaron Smith is collared by Erina’s Coedi Towney, as Jay Stanley & Blake Laybutt watch on.
Round 12 … We notched our third win of the season last Sunday; scoring a hard fought 28-20 victory over the Sharks. I’ve no idea how the 3-2-1s panned out but big Jayden Stanley made a fair case to be awarded all six. The prop had a hand in five of the half dozen Storm tries and the Terrigal lads simply had no answer to his fearsome charges and Beetson like ball skills. On a gloriously purple afternoon; Eather, Lacey, Smith and Starr also caught the eye.
The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE - JUNE 2018
Photo: Andrew Stark
2018 COMPETITION LADDERS As of 5-7-18
OPEN GRADE
Pts
Erina Wyong The Entrance Woy Woy St Edwards Gosford Kariong Terrigal Northern Lakes Toukley
22 18 18 18 12 8 8 6 4
U15(2)s U16(2)s Terrigal The Entrance (B) Blue Haven Toukley Gosford/Terrigal
Pts 10 10 9 5 4
Gosford Kariong Wyong Erina Berkeley Vale Kincumber Ourimbah Terrigal The Entrance Toukley
U13(2)s U14(2)s Woy Woy Umina Blue Haven Kincumber Gosford Kariong Toukley The Entrance Berkeley Vale
Pts 22 20 14 12 10 10 10 4
IMPERIAL CENTRE Player of the Month
Ourimbah Berkeley Vale Budgewoi Toukley Northern Lakes (B) Wyong (Gold) Warnervale The Entrance Gosford Kariong Wyong (Green)
Pts 20 18 18 12 12 12 8 6 4
Pts 22 20 16 14 13 13 12 4 4 2
- Ben Shepherd -
U10(3)s U12(1)s The Entrance Erina Blue Haven Terrigal Berkeley Vale Gosford Kariong Northern Lakes Kincumber
Pts 20 16 16 13 11 8 4 0
U11(3)s Gosford Kariong The Entrance Berkeley Vale Budgewoi Northern Lakes Wyong Umina Woy Woy Warnervale
Pts 17 15 14 14 14 13 10 10 3
Budgewoi Erina Warnervale Gosford Kariong St Edwards Northern Lakes Woy Woy The Entrance Wyong Terrigal
Pts 22 18 14 12 12 10 8 8 4 2
Blokes Who Never Got The Opportunity To Play For Gosford Back in the 1970s, a young Photo – courtesy of the Central Coast Express Advocate
lad from Liverpool harbored lofty dreams of playing top class rugby league. He had a fallback plan of entering politics and becoming the nation’s prime minister. Ultimately, he was forced to pursue the latter option.
Mark Latham’s greatest regret must surely be that he never pulled on a Gosford jersey. If O nly H His Tim e Had e Ag a in
In a colourful career that included breaking a cabbies arm, and spectacularly attempting to crush John Howard’s hand during the 2008 Federal election campaign; the longtime St George supporter today leads the push for a return to the eighty minute softening up period. Tis a truly tragic tale!
Mark “Bovver Boy” Latham the Back Page
‘Gosford Rugby League: the Eye of the Storm’ e-mag compiled, photographed, written & designed by Andrew Stark
© 2018 Contact - 10dollarjpegs@gmx.com