GOSFORD GOSFORD GOSFORD GOSFORD GOSFORD GOSFORD
RUGBY RUGBY RUGBY RUGBY LEAGUE LEAGUE LEAGUE
Issue No.49 ---June 2023 ISSN: 2652-4570-First Published 2014 First Published 2014 First Published First PublishedTONGUESOUT TONGUESOUT iitt’ ’ s your s your BACK TO BACK TO NARARA NARARA edition edition
EXCLUSIVE EXCLUSIVE: EYE OF THE STORM Photos
June 3
FALSE START FALSE START Saturday
Photos-Andrew Stark
Vol 49: June 2023
Welcometoyour‘‘BACKtoNARARA BACKtoNARARA’’editionofthe Eye of the Storm Magazine.Ourfirstissuefor 2023wasduetohittheonlinenewsstandsevendaysago,howevereventsconspiredagainstus. Holes,divotsandexposedsprinklerheadsareneverconducivetoafreeflowinggameoffootyand theCarringtonStreetplayingsurfacetookanextraweektogetit’sacttogether..
Havingendured650+dayswanderingtheCentralCoastwilderness,wearefinallybackattheeighth wonder-CarringtonStreetStadium.Itwasduringthosedarkestdaysofthelurgythatourspiritual homewashijackedbyfootsoldiersyieldingoversizedshovels.Theirleaderservedwellcrumpled paperworkandbeforeanyonecould findtheirreadingglasses -weweregone!Intheensuingnine months,GKwentfullLeylandBrothers(nooneunder45willgetthatreference).Ourteams’wereforcedto travelalloverthecountrysideinsearchofafriendlypatchofdirt.Forawhile,Tuggerahserveda purpose.It’swideopenspacesandbowlinggreenveneerprovidedaserviceableoption.Butitjust wasn’thome.TuggerahhadnobabblingbrookatitssouthernendfromwhichtofishforSteeden.No ‘Danger High Voltage’ grandstandhumminggentlyontheCommunityGardenHill.Ithadnoart installationshippingcontainerfulloffootyclubgoodies,andTuggerah,certainlydidn’taffordyouthe luxuryofviewingeverygamebeingplayed,asyou’rehandedyourgourmetsausagesangawithextra onion.Yetthisisthenormattheworldfamous CarroSt Barbie,whichformanywinterspriortoour homelessstretch,offered- “five star cuisine at soup kitchen prices” Itcertainlyisgreattobehome.Andastheundersixespushintotheirfirstwintertasteofearly morningNararafooty,awordtothewise.Thekeytoavoidinghyperthermiaistorunhard,andtorun often.ToquotestarGosfordunder7sfullbackof1951,Lou ‘Wildside’ Reed “You gottarun runrunrunrun” -VelvetUnderground(1967)
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WhatagreatdayourreturntoNararaturnedouttobe!
Theweatherwasperfect,thecrowdhealthy,andallthreeofourcompetitionteams notchedvictories againstteamsrankedhigherthanthemontheladder.Theunder16sranroughshodoverTerrigal, postingahandsome38-10win.RightcentreBillyEdenaddedadoubletopushhisseason’stallyto seven. JakeMartin’sunder13sjumpedtosecondspotontheircompetitionladderwithanimpressive 32-12victoryoverWyong.SecondrowerRileyJensenoutstandingforthepowerhouseStorm.While overonCarringtonStNo2,SierraWhipps scoredtwoofthehomesidesfourtriesasourunder11s defeatedNorthernLakes18-16inagrippingstruggle.
By mid morning, Gosford Kariong season ticket holders had packed out the newly refurbished Danger High Voltage Grandstand
Photos-Andrew Stark
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PAVEDPARADISEPAVEDPARADISE
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GK Storm unveil their state of the art pathway - Thunderstruck Way
TheEyehasbeenbusilycoveringtheNSWRLjunior representativecompetitionsduringtheearlymonthsof2023.
AtruckloadoffutureNRLhavebeenonshowanditwasgreatto catchanumberofGosfordKariongjuniorsinthethickofthe action.Mostnotably–AdamRunchel(PenrithFleggCup), BenjiKeene-O’Keefe(ManlyMatthewsCup)andLorenzoGodoy (CentralCoastRoostersMatthewsCup).
IstumbledacrossAdamRunchelwarmingupforthePanthers JerseyFleggteam.Ihadn’tseentherangyforwardfora numberofyearsandit’sfairtosaythatthesedays,heclosely resemblesablock-of-flats.IwasdeepintheheartofPenrithat thetimeandfunnilyenoughIwaswearingaGKclubshirt.In betweendemolishingthetacklingbags,Adamspottedme pointingmycamerainhisdirectionandnoticingmyclobber,a lookofutterconfusioncreasedhisbrow.Thepoorladtooka fewmomentstosiftthroughhismemorybank,butI’mhappy toreport,thebigPanthersbackrowerplayedreallywell.
OtherformerGKStormproductsspottedrattlingaroundthe traps,include-TheVaenukubrothers–Sione(Sydney RoostersFleggCup)andTevita(NorthsSGBallCup).
JackKiddwasateammateofTevita’sattheBears.WhileRyan JoneshaslinkedwithQRLsidetheTweedSeagulls,whoarea feederteamtotheGoldCoastTitans.
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Top: Adam Runchel. Above –left to right : Jack Kidd, Lorenzo Godoy, Tevita Vaenuku
Photos-Andrew Stark
YIKES!
TwoformerTownietoplinersareprominent withinthisseason’s juniorrep’coaching scene.TonyClarke oversawNorthSydney’s SGBallCupcampaign, while AdamMcEwenis inchargeofManly’s JerseyFleggCupseason.
HERE COME THE TOWNIES
The Early History of Gosford Rugby League
This book takes 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.
Written & Published by Andrew Stark
Written & Published by Andrew Stark
ISBN: 9780958198035
Published January 2020.
504 page, A4 sized, paperback
Available online from Lulu Publishing
Photos: Andrew Stark
THE EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE
Townie Talk
The famous Gosford Townies brand was resurrected during early 2023 by Storm stalwarts –Bede Williams & Nathan Malcolm. The team is currently competing in the NSW Masters Rugby League conference.
The Townies created history in mid March, smashing the glass ceiling during their inaugural Masters clash, played ,against the Dragon Dreamastersat Bargo. Our team was skippered by Delysia Martinovich, who alongside Narelle Compton Walters, became the first female participants in Australian Masters rugby league history.
In subsequent rounds, the groundbreaking efforts of Delysia & Narelleinspired, Kellie Hodge & Vanessa Bird to join our band of yellow-shorted equal-opportunity trailblazers.
Storm President, Bede Williams revealed to this publication that no one keeps score in Masters rugby league, adding –But we definitely won that first game!
The opening round ‘victory’ in Bargo, was followed by high spirited bus trips to Cambridge Park, Acacia Gardens, Whalan and Toukley.
Upcoming Game Upcoming Game –– 24th June 24th June -- Gosford Townies vs. Taren Point Titans Gosford Townies vs. Taren Point Titans kick off 5pm kick off 5pm -- Warrimoo Oval, Warrimoo. Warrimoo Oval, Warrimoo.
Facebook Photos
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vale Lindsay Bailey Lindsay Bailey
During late February, we were saddened to learn of the passing of Gosford Townies legend, Lindsay Bailey.
The Eye was privileged to know Lindsay. I interviewed him a number of times in his Mason’s Parade unit, during research for the book ‘Here Come the Townies’.
Bailey was a crafty five eighth during Gosford’s golden era of success. Under the leadership of Bernie Drew -the Central Coast premiership was won in 1956, 1958, 1963
Born and bred in Gosford to British born parents, Lindsay attended Gosford High School. His family lived in Donnisonstreet, West Gosford and as a boy during the 1940s, he regularly made the trip down to Grahame Park to cheer on the Gosford rugby league team. He grew up to play in the champion Townie teams of the late 1950s & early 1960s.
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Above –The Champion Gosford team of the early 1960s –Lindsay Bailey last on the right in front row
R.I.P. Lindsay ‘Pancho’ Bailey
(1937 –2023)
theguywiththecameraalobster($20),andwithindayshe’llemailyou acoupleofphoto’s(jpegfiles),featuringyourlittlechampion (ornotsolittle champion)capturedinfullflightforthemightyGosfordKariongStorm.
handoverone,crisp,orangeynote,alongwithyouremailaddress, andsitback&marvelastheoldblokegoesfranticallytoworkonyourorder. PurchasescanalsobemadeusingPaypalfor$22. Purchasing Purchasing Photos Photos … … It It’’s Just s Just So Easy! So Easy! Email: 10dollarjpegs@gmx.com
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Pictorial Pictorial Pages Pages the the
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Toukley Show How It’s Done
Grand Final Day 2022 provided this old snapper one of the finestgame-day experiences I’ve encountered in many a long winter. Perhaps it was in part, due to my Fibro heritage, a cultural default position acquired as a boy cheering on Tommy, Dallas, and the boys from the Lidcombe Oval hill. Pushing my misspent youth to one side, last season’s Grand Final was a brilliant day for local footy. Toukley knocked off the Erina Silvertails to claim their inaugural Central Coast First Grade premiership, andeveryone barring the staunchest Eagle, went home smiling.
The Toukley Hawks have forever been a battling club and I see many similarities to Gosford Kariong. It‘s just the scale of operation that sets us apart. They have the distinct advantage of being situated in a growth area whereas our catchment is limited. I do however draw inspiration from the grassroots fuelled rise to the top by the Hawks. For many decades Toukley were the whipping boys of Central Coast rugby league. They have tenaciously chipped away and today sit proudly atop the mountain.
Call me a dreamer, but who knows, perhaps one day our club mightmanage to climb back into the senior ranks. And from there, well, anything is possible.
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INSPIRATIONAL !!!
The Following Pages feature Andrew Stark’s Coverage of the 2022 Grand Final for Rugby League Review
Photo -Andrew Stark
Toukley Triumph -Against All Odds
CentralCoastrugbyleaguehaslongbeenataleofthehavesandthehave-nots.
2022 2022 GRAND GRAND FINAL FINAL
GrandFinalDay2022changedallthathowever,asoneoftheCoast’struebattlerclubsdefiedall theodds.
TheToukleyHawksclaimedtheirinauguralCentralCoastFirstGradepremiershipwhenthey upsetminorpremiersErina20-10atEDSACCOval.
AnearflawlessopeninghalfanhoursawtheHawkscrossforfourtries,settingupacommanding 20-0advantage.TheEaglespulledonebackonthestrokeofhalftimeandpepperedtheToukley linethroughoutatensesecondhalf;howevertheHawksdefendedmanfullytodenytheraginghot favourites.
Toukleywasformedasajuniorclubin1967andenteredtheCentralCoastfirstgradecompetition in1979.Aroughsummationoftheclubshistorywasofferedbycaptain-coachJakeFitzpatrick whosuggestedinhisgrandfinalvictoryspeechthat- “we’ve been pushing shit uphill for 55 years”. Themanknownas, ‘Catfish’ dedicatedhissidesstunningvictoryto “anyone who’s ever had anything to do with Toukley”.
Agiftedplaymaker,Fitzpatrickplayedintheonejerseythroughout2022.Hehaspreviously representedNSWCountryandadecadeagowasamemberoftheCanterburyunder20s.Hehas ToukleybloodcoursingthroughhisveinsashisfatherBrianstarredintheHawks1991semifinal campaignandremainstothisday,theonlyToukleyplayertohavewonthecovetedCentralCoast PlayeroftheYearAward.
TheToukleyclubhasproducedanumberofnotableplayersthroughoutitshistory,including;Karl Lovell,theSaifitibrothers,JackCoggerandAdamKeighran.Highprofilecaptain-coaches stretchingbacktotheearly1980shaveincludedSteveBlyth,NevilleElwinandmorerecently, Grant‘Squasher’Wooden.
GrandFinalDayatBateauBaysawtheblue&goldarmyturnoutinforceandJakeFitzpatrick jokedintheleaduptothebiggamethathe’dbeenforcedtoshopatnearbyBudgewoiduringthe week,justtoescapethefeverishToukleymainstreet.Theheftycrowdinattendanceatthedecider waswellrewardedastheyborewitnesstoatrulymomentousafternooninthehistoryofthegame ontheCoast.
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Former Capt-Coach Squasher Wooden
2022 Grand Final Player of the Match Connor O’Beirne
Jake Fitzpatrick -Harold Matthews Cup 2007
Jack Cogger& Adam Keighran enjoy the U16s title (2013)
Halfback Josh Kessler rides the blue and gold wave after the Hawks 20-10 grand final victory over Erina
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Toukley Triumph -Against All Odds (cont…)
Story & Photos –Andrew Stark
Thevictorywasmadeevensweeterasthewinnersdiditthehardwaythroughout2022. Theywerehomelessfortheentirewinter(soundfamiliar?).Toukley’sDarrenKennedyOvalhasbeen undergoingmajorrepairsfollowingfloodanddrainageissues.Theclubwasforcedtoplayallitshome gamesthroughouttheyearonforeignsoilandtheiradoptedtraininggroundwassobasicitdidn’t evenhavegoalpostserected.LosingtoErinainthefinalroundoftheregularseasonsawToukley forcedintothebottomhalfofthetopfour.YeteliminationwinsagainstTerrigal,anda19-18extra timethrilleroverWyongultimatelyearnedtheHawkstheirgrandfinalcrack. Theiropponents,theErinaEagleshavebeentheCentralCoast’sdominantteamoverthepasttwo seasons.COVIDdeniedthemin2021whentheywereundefeatedatthecessation.Havinglostjustthe oncein2022,thisyearlookedrightfullyErina’sforthetaking.
With15minuteslefttoplayinthedecider,EaglesskipperLincolnTubridypouncedonaJackWeir chiptobringthescoresbackto20-10.Toukleywasthenforcedtodefenddeepinsideitsownhalf duringanervewrackingfinalquarterhour.TheHawksshowedenormouscharacterastheyblotted outeveryattackingraid,holdingatbaythefranticeffortsoftheminorpremiers.
WhileCentralCoastrugbyleaguehasbeendominatedinrecenttimesbypowerfulLeaguesclub backedteams-TheEntrance,Wyongandtoalesserdegree,Erina-Toukley’srousing2022triumph standsasavictoryforallthosesmaller,communitybasedclubswhobattleagainsttheoddseachand everywinter.
Above : Toukley fans go nuts as Erina are brought to their knees
(Photo-Andrew Stark)
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Above: Gosford’s own Ray Chambers reports on Toukley’s troubles during 1994.
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Below: Back where it all started. The Hawks inaugural First Grade game against the Eagles played during 1979. On this occasion, Erina finished up 36-6 winners.
STORM
U13(2)s Pts U11(3)s Pts U16(2)s Pts 13 12 12 10 10 8 6 5 4 2 2 North Lakes The Entrance Terrigal Wyong GosfordKariong Warnervale Umina 12 12 10 6 6 6 4 Berkeley Vale Woy Woy Terrigal Ourimbah The Entrance -orange The Entrance –black Wyong GosfordKariong Budgewoi Toukley North Lakes Kincumber Woy Woy -female 14 13 10 9 7 6 6 6 6 6 4 4 3 The Entrance GosfordKariong Wyong Warnervale Toukley North Lakes Berkeley Vale Terrigal-black Budgewoi Blue Haven Terrigal-blue EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE June 2023 As of June 11th
2023 COMPETITION LADDERS 2023 COMPETITION LADDERS
CLARKY CLARKYCLARKY CLARKY
GOSFORD GOSFORD’’S S TOUGH TOUGH--ASAS--TEAK TEAK TEARAWAY TEARAWAY
The Eye The Eyehas taken this back page opportunity to run a bonza action shotof our wholehearted under 16s forward, Karaitiana Clark Karaitiana Clark. The image was captured late last season at Erina Oval during a clash with the rough n ready Raiders from Blue Haven. Throughout recent winters, this lad has become a crowd favourite among Storm fans, courtesy of his unyielding, break or break-through approach to running the footy. Watching him charge off the back fence, one gets the impression Clarky hasn’t yet met a brick wall he didn’t want to dent!
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‘Gosford Rugby League: the Eye of the Storm’ e-magcompiled,photographed,written& designedbyAndrewStark ©2023
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