GOSFORD RUGBY LEAGUE
- Est. 2014 -
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Issue No.45 --- June/July 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 2021
Vol 45: June/July 2021
At time of writing, the short term future of community sport is looking grim. With luck, Gladys’ contact tracers will sweep across in cover to mop up this latest outbreak. And in the blinking of an Eye, we’ll be turning defence into attack and the footy will be back in full swing at Carrington Street.
Congratulation’s to Chris Habkouk’s U13(1)s in supplying four players to the Central Coast Roosters Development Squad announced in early June. Skipper Dylan Wade, is joined by Kai Holland, Cardell Takunda and Kingston HekeD’Angelo, the Storm quartet having been selected in the top 38 Central Coast footballers for their age division. A big shout out to the tireless Cathy Habkouk for nabbing this happy picture of the boys as they readied themselves for their first training session with the CC Roosters Prior to the lockdown, the U13s rep squad were due to wrap up their campaign with a Development Day of matches at Manly.
© 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 45: June/July 2021
Bunnings Warehouse at West Gosford has recently donated a number of items in aid of the Gosford Kariong cause. A gaggle of generous gifts included a gazebo, an outdoor heater, a full gas bottle, and a pool scoop. This last item may seem a tad curious, however for the uninitiated, footballs have a lemming like desire to spiral their way into the creek at the southern end of our ground. A pool scoop is cutting edge technology when it comes to retrieving all those soggy Steedens.
Sione Vaenuku is fast becoming a crowd favourite out Kincumber way. The former Storm forward blessed with the Beetson-like skills, made his 1st Grade debut for the Colts earlier this season despite still being eligible for the Under 19 competition. In a recent clash with the table topping Eagles, Sione looked totally at home in the heat of a torrid battle and at one stage during the opening half, stood toe to toe with Erina hard man Ben Steven. A testy disagreement saw the GK junior boldly inviting the experienced prop forward to, bring-it-on! Sione (pictured below) graced the cover of this illustrious publication back in the September of 2015.
© 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 45: June/July 2021
If Billy Eden’s legs keep growing at their current rate, he could well end up challenging former Parramatta Eels favourite Phil Mann as the tallest fullback in rugby league history (Mann stood 2.01 metres tall). Billy has been making excellent use of his lengthening stride, galloping over for five tries in two weeks, for the Storm under 14(2)s. Above Left: Phil ‘Spider’ Mann, lanky Eels fullback of the 1970s. Above Right: Billy Eden – Gosford Kariong U14(2)s
Two freakish tries were scored by Gossy teams on adjoining fields at Kincumber during round 7. After the Colts had crossed for the opening try, a daring first touch play by the under 10(1)s saw Rocco Anastasia kick straight down centre field from the tap restart. Brax Taylor easily beat the nonplussed red jerseys to the ball and raced away for a very well thought out try.
Above: Brax Taylor races
away at Kincumber
Twenty minutes later and Cordell Takunda Shenje was leaping skyward to latch onto a Neni Aho kick off. The ball found open pastures and bounced high from the quarter line. The Storm fullback stunned the allconquering Wyong under 13(1)s with his speed, elevation and desire, to sweep through and score a beauty. For the Roos, Phil Gould’s well worn saying “allowing the ball to bounce only invites disappointment into your life”, was never more aptly illustrated.
© 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 45: June/July 2021
The prodigal son returns! After an early season absence, it’s great to see Neni Aho back in the Gosford Kariong fold. The talented Stormer has slotted straight in to our ever improving under 13(1)s, while also backing up with telling effect for the under 14(2)s.
Above Left: Neni Aho struggles with cramp after playing back to back round 7 games. Above Right: Neni in action for the U14(2)s
© 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.
ANGUS TRY CLAIM NO-BILLED The Storm under 14s were unlucky during their round 7 clash with Wyong. At a pivotal moment in the second half, and with the game hanging in the balance, captain Angus Bills was controversially ruled to have been held up over the line. Wyong scored shortly after and kicked on to win the day 30-18
EYE
EXCLUSIVE THE EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE
Photos: Andrew Stark
FUNKY IDEA WITHERS ON THE VINE
Local rugby league has put the NRL to shame this season via its ability to maintain a printed match day program. Big League Magazine went belly up during the viral disruption of early 2020, however unlike the code’s top end of town, the Central Coast Division, to it’s great credit, continues to supply a tradesman-like match day booklet. That being said, cost cutting measures implemented during May has seen the local program lose its colour cover along with club news segments. It has also shrunk by four pages.
Above: The Match Day Program as it is. . Below: A mock up of the Match Day
Program including The Eye’s donation.
The “funky idea” alluded to in the title of this piece, was a plan hatched a few weeks back to highlight the achievements of Storm juniors and supply them to the CCDRL Match Day Program. To capture images of former Gossy favourites, in action for their many and varied senior teams, and have them paraded on the program’s cover. The Eye has previously donated images to this end (especially when we had an Open Grade team) and Leanne Hayne, who previously did an excellent job putting together the program, published quite a few of them. This season Leanne has headed north to Newcastle and the new editor is CCDRL President Gerard Andrews. Sadly the cover photo(s) have now been replaced by a bland panel of fixtures (see above). This list is of curious value given those in a position to look at it are already at the ground and therefore well aware of when and where said game is being played. The CCDRL reasoning is likely to be that the cover change is designed for the Friday Saturday evening online viewer. Although it could be argued the fixtures list might just as easily head the post that contains the link, allowing the program to maintain its pictorial facade. Having sent in two prospective photographic covers across two weeks, The Eye has no problem with Tuggerah deciding not to make use of freely supplied action photos. Yet are we being old fashioned to expect, at the very least, a ‘thanks-but-no-thanks’ return email? Above: An enlargement of the acknowledgement text
situated in the bottom left corner of the photo panel
THE EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE JUNE/JULY 2021
THE EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE JUNE/JULY 2021
FAMILIAR FACES: FOREIGN COLOURS Keeping an ‘Eye’ on our old boys Having highlighted former Storm juniors; Mitch Casson, Harry Mulligan & Danny Probert in our May edition, we splash a further gaggle of Carrington Street favourites, captured doing the Gossy pathways program proud.
Photo - Andrew Stark
Sione Vaenuku Kincumber 1st Grade
THE EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE
FAMILIAR FACES: FOREIGN COLOURS
Jack Carlisle Erina 1st Grade
THE EYE O THE STO F RM MAGAZI NE
Lachlan Bell The Entrance 1st Grade (Newcastle Competition)
Chris Finneran
Ryan Bender
Terrigal 2nd Grade.
Ourimbah 2nd Grade
FAMILIAR FACES: FOREIGN COLOURS
Photos - Andrew Stark
Tyson Potger Kincumber 2nd Grade
Simon Tuifua Berkeley Vale 1st Grade
THE EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE
FAMILIAR FACES: FOREIGN COLOURS
Photos - Andrew Stark
Jeremy Gleeson
Jackson Ward
Ourimbah 2nd Grade
Ourimbah 2nd Grade
Kyle Franklin Terrigal 2nd Grade THE EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE - JUNE/JULY 2021
FAMILIAR FACES: FOREIGN COLOURS
Photos - Andrew Stark
Nick Rodrigues Ourimbah 2nd Grade.
THE EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE
The above photo (left) is undoubtedly one for the Gosford Kariong pool room. Captured at Berkeley Vale Oval during a 2nd Grade clash between the Panthers and the Magpies played in early June, it shows former Gosford Kariong Junior Player of the Year, Nick Rodrigues at his scheming best. To add further interest, Nick is shown offloading to another Storm product, Jackson Ward, while former GK Open Grader Mitch Evvard sweeps across in cover. The adjoining Colgate moment, suggests young Nick is enjoying his footy up in the senior grades.
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Photos – Andrew Stark
THE EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE - JUNE/JULY 2021
THE EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE
Photos: Andrew Stark
THE EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – JUNE/JULY 2021 Photos: Andrew Stark
THE EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE
Photos: Andrew Stark
Photo: Andrew Stark
THE EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE
THE EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE
Photos: Andrew Stark
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Photos: Andrew Stark
Photos: Andrew Stark
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THE EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE
Photo: Andrew Stark
THE EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE
Photo: Andrew Stark
Photo: Andrew Stark
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Photos: Andrew Stark
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Photos: Andrew Stark THE EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE
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Photos: Andrew Stark
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Photos: Andrew Stark
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Photos: Andrew Stark
Photo: Andrew Stark
THE EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE
Hey Buddy, You’re Blocking My View
THE EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE – JUNE/JULY 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
Photos: Andrew Stark
THE EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE
2021 COMPETITION LADDERS As of June 27th
U14(2)s
Pts
U13(1)s
Pts
U11(2)s
12 12 10 10 10 8 8 6 5 4 3 2 2
Wyong The Entrance Erina North Lakes
14 12 10 6 6 4 4
Woy Woy The Entrance Terrigal Erina Budgewoi
The Entrance (G) North Lakes Berkeley Vale Toukley (G) Blue Haven St Edwards Wyong Warnervale
Gosford Kariong Umina Terrigal The Entrance (B) Toukley (B)
THE EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE JUNE/JULY 2021
Gosford Kariong Terrigal Umina
Gosford Kariong Warnervale Ourimbah Berkeley Vale Wyong
Pts 14 12 10 10 6 6 6 4 2 0
U10(1)s
Pts
Kincumber Wyong Berkeley Vale Terrigal The Entrance North Lakes Woy Woy
12 12 10 10 10 8 8
Gosford Kariong
6
Toukley Ourimbah Warnervale
2 2 0
YIKES!
You’ve Just Gotta Love
Rugby League
Junior Grand Final Day, Redfern Oval, 1976 Photographer unknown.
THE EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE the Back Page
‘Gosford Rugby League: the Eye of the Storm’ e-mag compiled, photographed, written & designed by Andrew Stark
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