Gosford Rugby League: the Eye of the Storm magazine (May 2021) Vol 44 by Gosford Rugby League: The Eye of the Storm Magazine

GOSFORD RUGBY LEAGUE

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Issue No.44 --- May 2021 ISSN: 2652-4570

HERE COME THE TOWNIES: The Early History of Gosford Rugby League Available from the East Gosford Newsagency or online from Lulu Publishing Written & Published by Andrew Stark ISBN: 9780958198035 Published January 2020. 504 page, A4 sized, paperback

An in-depth look at the history of Central Coast footy. From its kick off back during the late nineteenth century, through to the modern day competition.

THE EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – MAY 2021

Vol 44: May 2021

Here we go again. Despite failing eyesight and a memory fast appropriating Swiss cheese, the Eye of the Storm magazine embarks on season number eight .

Imagine if you will, a double-decker bus as it attempts to pass under a low hanging railway bridge. By the time it gets to the other side, the top deck is totally GONSKI ! Now let’s call that bus, the Gosford Kariong Storm. During a rather sloppy offseason, we’ve somehow managed to lose our three most senior teams. Last year’s U17 runners up, Greg Eather’s fun loving U16s, as well as the hot & cold U15s, have all mysteriously disappeared. Our club is suffering from shrinkage. We will only be fielding four competition teams in 2021. Kodak shares have plummeted on news that The Eye wont be requiring his usual fulsome order of film this year.

© 2021 Opinions expressed in this publication are derived solely from the scattered & random thoughts of the author; none of which are necessarily shared by the GKS club … nor anyone else on the planet really.

THE EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE Vol 44: May 2021

The drop off of Gosford teams playing competition footy is fast reaching crisis point. This season’s tally of four is the lowest number since weight based junior competitions were officially unleashed during the 1960s. The previous lowest number was in 2019 when the Storm fielded five competition teams. Last season, and again back in 2013, we trotted out half a dozen sides, while the fewest number during the 1970-1999 Townies/Giants/Kookaburra days was nine, occurring in both 1974 & 1999. Given the club isn't fielding an under 9s team this season, it’s going to take a concerted effort between now and kick off 2022, if we hope to raise the total above four.

Any GK rebuild will need to sprout from the younger age groupings. Secretary & newly appointed Day Care League Wrestling Coach – Deb Eden is fully aware of what measures need be put in place. Eden was recently photographed running the club’s elite under threes squad through the finer points of the grapple, chicken wing and rolling pin tackles (see below). One unnamed source revealed exclusively to The Eye that, By the time these toddlers hit under 6 level, they’ll all be

jiu-jitsu proficient, and the ruck will be there’s to monopolize .

It’s great to see former Storm premiership winning forward Vallen Moeke in top form for Toukley up in the Newcastle-Hunter Women’s First Grade League. Vallen is a trailblazer in the local female game having been the first ever girl to win a player of the grand final award when our Under 11s were triumphant back in 2006. This season Vallen is captaining the Hawks from the lock forward position and recently crossed for a hat-trick of tries during a big Toukley win over the Waratah-Mayfield Cheetahs.

THE EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE Vol 44: May 2021

Matt Ikuvalu’s star just keeps on rising. The Gosford Kariong Storm junior recently notched a hat-trick of tries for the Sydney Roosters during their gutsy loss to the Parramatta Eels. The Narara three-quarter was awarded the distinction of having a local junior competition named in his honour; our U7s proudly competing in the Central Coast’s Ikuvalu conference in 2021. Sifting through the list of current and former Coast legends to have been acknowledged in this way. The Eye was somewhat shocked to see names like Stringer and Moltzen slotted in ahead of Gosford Townies juniors Matt Orford and John Carlaw who between them, racked up 373 NRL games. Woy Woy, Manly and Kangaroo great, Grahame Eadie was another Right: John Carlaw as a glaring omission. member of the 1986 Gosford Townie U11s.

Congrat’s to our under 11s on notching their first ever competition points. After a difficult 2020, it was great to see the team flashing broad smiles and high-fiving with intent. Coached this season by Jake Martin, the son of legendary GK mentor, Shaun ‘Bellamy’ Martin, the elevens won in style, racing in eleven tries to destroy Wyong 60-10.

Another undoubted highlight from round two was the slashing solo try scored by exciting St Eddies recruit, Cordell Takunda Shenje. The under 13s star was backing up for our under 14s when early in the second half he burst onto a pass on the halfway line and split the Tigers defence out wide. Using blistering acceleration, he headed north before unleashing two of the best left foot side-steps seen on a footy field in the post Freddy Fittler era. The Entrance cover was totally bamboozled and the Storm flyer sprinted away to score at the flower garden end of Carrington St.

Left: Wearing jersey #25,

Cordell streaks away to score a memorable solo try against the Tigers. (photos – Andrew Stark)

THE EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE Vol 44: May 2021

Club matriarch, Renee ‘Livin The Dream’ Martin is back in the GKS Oval Office. The Storm’s first ever female president has resumed the presidency this season, nudging the club’s second ever female president, Chloe Luck back into the vicepresidents role. Renee, Chloe, secretary Deb Eden and the entire committee have a big job ahead as Gosford rugby league battles to remain relevant.

Congratulations to Gosford Townies junior and former South Sydney top grader, Adam McEwen on coaching the Manly under 17s to the 2021 Matthews Cup premiership. In a remarkable achievement, McEwen’s boys completed an undefeated season, proving too strong for Parramatta 24-12 in the decider. Far Left: A pensive Adam McEwen captured during the Matt’s Cup grand final warm up (photo – Andrew Stark) Left: Adam wins the Gosford Townie Junior Player of the

Year Award back in 1989.

“Didn’t We Have A Lovely Time The Day We Went To Bateau …”

Three Gosford juniors were on show when Terrigal took on premiers, The Entrance during a recent CCRL First Grade, clash. The Mothers Day showdown saw the seaside clubs feature Carrington Street favorites, Harry Mulligan, Danny Probert and Mitch Casson; the Storm flag fluttering proudly in the funky sewage farm tainted breeze which whipped across the Bateau Bay ground. Casson crossed for two early tries fittingly on the edge defended by Probert. Former Shark, Mulligan also got onto the try scorers list as the Tigers racked up a comprehensive 38-0 victory.

THE EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE MAY 2021 Photos: Top – Harry, Danny & Mitch, Middle: Mitch overpowers Danny to score Bottom: Harry dives into the Tumbi corner, while Mitch stretches his hammy.

Photos Andrew Stark

Hey Buddy, You’re Blocking My View

THE EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – MAY 2021

Purchasing Photos … It’s Just So Easy! Sling the guy with the camera a lobster ($20), and within days he’ll email you a couple of photo’s (jpeg files), featuring your little champion (or not so little champion) captured in full flight for the mighty Gosford Kariong Storm. Simply hand over one, crisp, orangey note, along with your email address, and sit back & marvel as the old bloke goes frantically to work on your order. Purchases can also be made using Paypal for $22.

Email: 10dollarjpegs@gmx.com

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Photos – Andrew Stark