The Eye of the Storm magazine (vol 25) september 2017 (grand final edition)

the

In the of the

EYE Eye of the

Vol 25: September 13th, 2017

GRAND FINAL edition wit h

ver o C e W the Bold Finals Run Of Our Tens Twelves & Fourteens

Table Topping

U12s

Grabbed Late by Wyong The e-mag for Gosford Kariong Storm Footy Fans

To guarantee you receive all future edition’s of

the Eye of the Storm, simply join the mailing list by sending an email (blank or otherwise) to eyeofthestorm@post.com

YIKES!

Contents Vol 25: September, 2017

5

Page

41

4 … Eye News 5 … Grand Final – U12s

19 … Preliminary Finals – U10s & U14s 39 … In The Press 40 … Play the Ball Rule (time for a change)

41 … Imperial Centre Player of the Month - Jake Martin -

42 … Open Grade Furore Rages (for a tabloid moment or two)

47 … Final Competition Tables 48 … Back Page

40 42

39

19

The Eye has put in a special request to GKS management that we please avoid entering the U12 & U10 division three competition’ competition’s in future season’ season’s. Both these divisions get lumbered with 8am starts during the Finals, at hellish, far flung destinations such as Toukley or Kanwal and Eye can give you the tip - public transport up north ain’ ain’t geared to cater for these early morning kick offs.

Alas, we have narrowly missed out on claiming our first premiership since our U13(2)s went through the 2014 season undefeated. No silverware was hoisted this year, but didn’ didn’t our three semi final sides do the club proud! (see back page)

This issue marks our 25

th edition!

(Narara Rugby League)

Volume 1 July, 2014.

Brilliant news from the CCDJRL during late August when the governing body announced that Under 14 & Under 16 Girls Tag team competitions will be incorporated into next seasons program. The Eye has cheered on our own talented trio of young ladies; Kirra, Annabel & Georgia as they ran rings around the boys during 2017 and we look forward in the coming seasons to covering Gosford in the fast moving, hiphip-sash game.

Best wishes go out to popular prop, Cameron Sanchez who has recently been struck down with health issues. The Storm U14s forged a touching mark of solidarity with their stricken team mate when they dedicated their preliminary final to Cam; each player taking to the field wearing blue tape on their right wrists by way of signifying their support.

Cameron Sanchez

edition!

When during late July of 2014 we threw a few photos into a PDF and slapped a long striding Johnny Connolly on the cover; we never dreamed that one day, The Eye of the Storm would become the preeminent magazine of the NRL.

Yes, there were a few contentious decisions on grand final day; but that’s footy folks.

EYE News has been disappointed to learn that elements of our crowd reacted like billy goats; reportedly hurling abuse when that metaphorical bounce of the ball began to go against us. For heavens sake folks …

It was an under 12s game!!!

Carn the Storm!

- Andrew Stark

All opinions expressed throughout 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.

Grand Final 2017 U12(3)s

the Eye of the Storm –September 2017

U12(3)s

Grand Final

Saturday, 9th September Morry Breen Oval, Kanwal.

Storm Pipped On The Siren --- The Eye ----

Footy can be such a cruel game. A team can street the field during the home & away rounds, finish as decisive minor premiers, before winning their way straight into the grand final … only to then run slap bang into one of fate’s great ambushes.

Sadly, tempers got a little flared in the breaches at Morry Breen Oval as the early morning decider twisted, turned and ultimately went pear shaped for our lads. A contentious late try to Wyong and a conversion on the siren saw the home team win the day in dramatic style, claiming the U12(3)s premiership via a 24-22 win. the Eye of the Storm Magazine – Grand Final Edition 2017

Above:

Disappointment is etched across half Liam Gleeson’s face as Wyong get friendly with the trophy.

the Eye of the Storm Magazine – Grand Final Edition 2017

The game began brilliantly for Gosford as the favourites bounced out to a 10-0 lead early. Everything was looking hunky dory when firstly, Jack Cameron and then, Lyndon March got across the stripe on the right edge, with Ozgur Emeli’s trusty boot converting the latter of the tries. By mid half, Wyong skipper Jeremy Gonzales began to impose himself on the game and two tries before the break; the second of which was a brilliant 60 metre effort, suddenly had the Roos out to an unexpected 12-10 lead.

Photos: Andrew Stark Above: Gosford were all smiles early in the game. Kayde Stafford, Brayden Tory and Jack Cameron, celebrate the first try of the grand final, which was scored when Jack reached out with a long arm.

the Eye of the Storm Magazine – Grand Final Edition 2017

Available This Tuesday

Left side speedster, Brayden Tory looked to have put the Storm back in front when he speared into the Leagues Club corner (see above), the referee however spotted an indiscretion in the lead up and fans were forced to quickly resume their seats (except for the ones who were already standing; they just stayed standing). standing). Young Brayden followed this effort shortly after with a determined driving tackle to force a Roos drop out and in the final moments of the half, Gosford threw the pill about in razzle dazzle style as they searched for a third try. Wyong’s defence scrambled well however and the Roos took a 12-10 advantage into the sheds.

Above:

Brayden Tory dives over for a ‘no try’ as Luke Dwyer and Dylan McKay (ball boy) watch on expectantly.

Left:

Ryan Habkouk, Andrew Hall, Dayne Sams & Cayden Simmons in action during the grand final

Photos: Andrew Stark

the Eye of the Storm Magazine – Grand Final Edition 2017

Below:

Above: Rylee Oakes splits the Wyong defence during the opening half.

Liam Gleeson looks to set his backline in motion early on in the U12(3)s decider.

Photos: Andrew Stark

The second period began poorly for our lads as a burrowing effort from dummy half by a low hopping Roo saw the score line push out to 18-10 against us and Storm fans were beginning to feel a collective pang of unease. This peptic discomfort was soothed a tad, mid way through the half when Brayden Tory ran right around the Wyong defence before plunging over at the base of the Morry Breen scoreboard. Andrew Hall converted (despite ‘Squinty the Ground Announcer’ Announcer’ waving it away) and we were back to within two. With just nine minutes remaining we pushed our noses back in front when Cayden Simmons crashed over out wide after a spread left on the final tackle. Rylee Oakes was able to send the Steeden sailing between the posts and all was right with the world; we were in front 22-18.

Cayden Simmons and the Storm boys celebrate, having just regained the lead with 9 minutes remaining.

Photo: Andrew Stark

the Eye of the Storm Magazine – Grand Final Edition 2017

the Eye of the Storm Magazine – Grand Final Edition 2017

Matt McKay steps past a leaden footed Roos defender as Kayde Stafford hovers close by.

Dayne Sams heads south east, with Ryan Habkouk & Liam Gleeson (obscured) in support .

Above:

Below:

Photos: Andrew Stark

the Eye of the Storm Magazine – Grand Final Edition 2017

Ozgur Emeli looks to be galloping down field on an invisible Shetland pony, but that’s highly unlikely … Eye reckons he’s just propped off his left foot in an attempt to bamboozle the Roos defender. Below: Kayde Stafford & Seth Portus put the squeeze on a Wyong lad during the 1st half.

Above:

Photos: Andrew Stark

the Eye of the Storm Magazine – Grand Final Edition 2017

Leading by four and with the grand final clock ticking away … the game suddenly became totally frantic (some might suggest, barking mad). Firstly, Roos skipper ‘Speedy’ Gonzales tore through our centre field defence and dived over for what would have been his third try, only for the referee to blow his whistle and award the non plussed lad a penalty back up field owing to the fact that he’d been clipped high during the run. This was followed a minute or two later, by a curious send off. Brayden Tory, who’d had a cracker of a game, was dismissed for allegedly striking while he was in possesion of the ball. And then, came the coup de grace (the killer blow). Wyong attacked our line in search of a last gasp match winner and coming up empty, they desperately threaded an ugly looking kick through on the caravan park side of the ground. The ball bobbled and spat about on our try line as players from both sides jockeyed wildly for it’s immediate attention … a Wyong hand was somewhere in the mix … and well, to tell you the truth, Eye was a hundred metres from the action, but even looking on from the nose bleed section in North Kanwal, it just didn’t look like a try.

The official, in his wisdom decided to point to the spot and the record shall forever show that a converted try inside the last 90 seconds enabled the Wyong Roos to take stewardship of the Luke Donnelly Memorial Trophy for 2017.

It was a devastating way for Mick Sams’ team to end the season (devastating, in a first world, sunny Saturday morning kinda way). And yet the overriding positive was that the year was a very good one, as the melding of last years division one & three sides went within a pinky toe of claiming the premiership.

Kayde Stafford is consoled by a Wyong player after the fulltime siren.

Photo: Andrew Stark

Photo: Andrew Stark

Lyndon March races away, shortly before scoring Gosford’s second try of the grand final. the Eye of the Storm Magazine – Grand Final Edition 2017

The folding of arms, wiping of brows & biting of fingernails were all the rage in the GKS bus shelter during the tense 2nd half at Morry Breen. Below: Luke Dwyer shoots past the player of the match, Jeremy Gonzales (with some familiar faces in the crowd).

Above:

Photos: Andrew Stark

the Eye of the Storm Magazine – Grand Final Edition 2017

Cayden Simmons charges into his work. Below: Tyler Townsend scoots out of dummy half.

Left:

the Eye of the Storm Magazine – Grand Final Edition 2017

Photo: Andrew Stark

the Eye of the Storm Magazine – Grand Final Edition 2017

A post mortem into Gosford’s shock grand final loss has already begun in earnest. While rotten bad luck and the gutsy performance of our opponents, are generally considered as primary factors; one, more obscure theory revolves around the pre game razzmatazz of running through about 16 banners just to get out onto the field.

Did this strenuous task of tearing through wads of crepe take the edge off our boys by the time they got to the back end of the game? Were our young Stormers inadvertently brought undone by Banner Fatigue Syndrome?

Syndrome

Photos: Andrew Stark

Grand Final Blues Wyong 24 d. Gosford 22 Jack Cameron, Lyndon March, Brayden Tory, Cayden Simmons tries; Ozgur Emeli, Andrew Hall, Rylee Oakes goals.

Photos: Andrew Stark

the Eye of the Storm Magazine – Grand Final Edition 2017

Preliminary Finals 2017 U14(2)s U10(3)s

the Eye of the Storm –September 2017

U10(3)s

Preliminary Final

Saturday, 2nd September EDSACC Oval, Bateau Bay

Photo: Andrew Stark

Neni Aho celebrates a hat-trick of tries in the preliminary final, along with Jackson Rowatt.

Rub Of The Green Deserts Gosford --- The Eye ----

A thrilling preliminary final, played at the crack of dawn over by the sea, saw our young Stormers controversially edged out 32-24 by the minor premiers, Erina. the Eye of the Storm Magazine – Grand Final Edition 2017

- Rub Of The Green Deserts Gosford -

Trailing 12-0 before our photographer had even had the chance to pop his lens cap off, Gosford steadied, before knuckling down to the task of overhauling the Eagles early lead. ‘Big Angus’ Strelcs managed to get our side of the imaginary EDSACC scoreboard ticking over, via a determined run on the right edge (see below), before standout player of the match, Neni Aho began to run riot. The Kariong tyro dashed into the left corner and duly converted and the scores were even. Just moments later however he was off again, sprinting 60 metres to score a brilliant solo try which enabled Gosford to take an 18-12 lead into Ed’s half time speech.

We lost Dylan Wade just after the break when a tackle went slightly wrong and Erina notched a try shortly after to close the gap to two. Neni nabbed his hat-trick when he pounced on a crafty little Angus Bills grubber kick, and with Jacob Bond’s conversion raising the flags, the good guys & girls were ahead 24-16. the Eye of the Storm Magazine – Grand Final Edition 2017

Photos: Andrew Stark

the Eye of the Storm Magazine Grand Final Edition 2017 Above: Tension is etched across the faces in the crowd; excepting of course for those occupied with the staples of life ‌ breakfast, Instagram etc ‌ Below: Dylan Wade leaves a trail of destruction before getting a nice offload away early in the preliminary final at EDSACC.

Photos: Andrew Stark

- Rub Of The Green Deserts Gosford -

the Eye of the Storm Magazine Grand Final Edition 2017

Photos: Andrew Stark

Alas, from this point on, nothing whatsoever went right for the Storm. The game turned on two baffling, highly technical play the ball penalties during the final quarter hour. Rapid fire momentum killers, conceded while we were in possession of the Steeden and threatening to seal the game. Further frustration was felt when a contentious ‘Held’ call in the lead up to a telling Erina try was heard by everyone east of Somersby Falls, leaving fans & players bemused as defenders dutifully released their grip on an Eagle ball carrier who was then allowed to continue on to plant the ball. The Erina U10(3) team is a very good one, and the cruel swing of fortune ultimately proved too much for us to overcome.

The rub of the green certainly deserted us during the final stages however no one could deny the quality of the footy on display. The game was a credit to both sides in what was a truly gripping grand final qualifier.

Erina 32 d. Gosford 24 It was a cruel conclusion to the U10s season. The despair and frustration of the final quarter hour is perfectly illustrated by Neni Aho & Angus Bills.

Neni Aho 3, Angus Strelcs tries; Angus Bills, Neni Aho, Dylan Wade, Jacob Bond goals.

the Eye of the Storm Magazine Grand Final Edition 2017

Photos: Andrew Stark Above:

Aaron Walters is confronted by a pesky Eagle as Annabel LeMaistre hovers in support.

Below: The crowd on the eastern touchline watches on intently.

What an amazing game Neni had! Three tries, a conversion and a tackle count that forced our statistician to re-sharpen his pencil on three separate occasions. The Eye has subsequently rated Neni Aho’s effort against the Eagles as the greatest individual performance by any player in a losing side of an under 10(3)s preliminary final ‌ in the history of rugby league!!! the Eye of the Storm Magazine Grand Final Edition 2017

Photos: Andrew Stark

the Eye of the Storm Magazine Grand Final Edition 2017

Above: Ryan Sanchez goes for Below: It looks like a try,

a gallop as Kirra Hodge, Jackson Rowatt and Sunny Mayles watch on. but alas, it wasn’t. Ryan Sanchez goes close during the 2nd half.

Sunny Mayles pushes off his left foot as Ryan Habkouk, Jacob Bond, Ryan Sanchez & Angus Bills offer support. Below: Reuben Farr, Dylan Wade & Annabel LeMaistre in action during the 1st half.

Above:

Photos: Andrew Stark

the Eye of the Storm Magazine Grand Final Edition 2017

Above: Ryan Sanchez goes for Below: It looks like a try,

Photos: Andrew Stark

a gallop as Kirra Hodge, Jackson Rowatt and Sunny Mayles watch on. but alas, it wasn’t. Ryan Sanchez goes close during the 2nd half.

Angus Bills attempts to slice through the meat of the Erina defensive line.

Dummy half, Kirra Hodge flings the Steeden out to her first receiver, Jackson Rowatt.

Above: Below:

Photos: Andrew Stark

the Eye of the Storm Magazine Grand Final Edition 2017

U14(2)s

Preliminary Final

Saturday, 2nd September EDSACC Oval, Bateau Bay

Photo: Andrew Stark

Gosford captain, Jake Martin had another huge game in the final

Storm Charge Falls Agonizingly Short --- The Eye ----

One more set, please, just give us one more set; screamed the bloodcurdling voices inhabiting my well medicated head as the EDSACC Oval siren wailed.

Led by yet another dominant display from pivot Jake Martin, the Gosford U14s shrugged off all manner of misfortune to storm home late; falling just moments moments and only millimetres shy of upsetting the big blue Budgewoi team, in front of a huge Saturday Saturday morning crowd.

Sickness, holidays & suspensions saw Greg Martin’ Martin’s boys take to the field with a number of personnel and positional changes. Things got even worse early when when chief playmaker, Jake Martin was forced off for ten minutes with a nose that ran red, and Budgie bounced belligerently out to a 66-0 lead. The Storm’ Storm’s scramble was good however and when their skipper rere-entered the fray, a barnstorming charge helped to lock the game up at six a piece heading into the break. the Eye of the Storm Magazine Grand Final Edition 2017

--- Storm Charge Falls Agonizingly Short ----

The opening fifteen minutes of the new half saw the Bulldogs totally dominate possession. An elaborate flick pass try followed by expansive efforts into either corner looked to have decided the day as Budgie raced out to a 2222-6 lead.

Ten was reduced to just four when lion hearted back rower Gokhan Emeli hurled himself at the try line from 10 metres out, crashing his way over, landing at the feet of a host of much larger, wholly bemused Budgie defenders. Michael Porter once again slotted the extras from out wide and with not long remaining, we were back to within a try of gaining scoreboard parity (i.e. behind by four).

Our opponents hung on gamely however; managing to defend a last gasp set inside their quarter to win the day 2222-18.

Just as with the U10(3)s earlier in the day, while disappointed with the result, Storm supporters were left with a feeling of great pride in the performance of their team. Both GKS sides had risen magnificently to the occasion and their respective coaches had them playing at the very top of their games in the final match of the season. … and you can’ can’t really ask for any more than that.

Budgewoi 22 d. Gosford 18 Jake Martin, Michael Porter, Gokhan Emeli tries; Michael Porter 3 goals. the Eye of the Storm Magazine Grand Final Edition 2017

Above: Gokhan Emeli Below: Josh Stedman

Photos: Andrew Stark

Gosford would show tremendous resolve however and with forwards Josh Stedman, Xavier Hansen, Gokhan Emeli and utility, Blake McDonald leading the way up front and Michael Porter bobbing up dangerously from fullback, the game suddenly turned. Jake Martin was the most dominant player on the field and when he cut through on halfway and rumbled 45 metres before linking on the outside with Michael Porter, the Storm were back in the hunt. Michael converted his own try with a booming sideline conversion and the deficit was cut to ten.

Right: Michael Porter looks for support during the games frenetic final moments.

Below: Soakimi ‘Dom’ Aho buries a Bulldog.

Photos: Andrew Stark

the Eye of the Storm Magazine Grand Final Edition 2017

the Eye of the Storm Magazine Grand Final Edition 2017

Jack Taylor winds up as Xavier Hansen follows his progress keenly.

Below: Ryan Bird spins the ball out of dummy half with Josh Stedman, Jack Metcalfe & Jake Martin in the background.

Left:

Photos: Andrew Stark

the Eye of the Storm Magazine Grand Final Edition 2017

Photos: Andrew Stark

Jack Metcalfe on the charge during the first half. Above Right: Blake Carney was switched from hooker to halfback following the withdrawal, owing to illness, of Nash Dorratt-Mavin. Xavier Hansen watches on. Below: Jake Sutherland was one of three under 13 boys called into the side, the others being; Ryan Bird & Soakimi Aho. The talented trio acquitted themselves very well in older company.

Above Left:

Photos: Andrew Stark

Above: Big Josh Stedman was Below: A scheming Jake Martin

a constant handful for the Budgie defence. Brennan Hall in support. delays his pass to Gokhan Emeli just long enough to hold the sliding Bulldogs fullback, as the Storm came rattling home in the second half of the preliminary final.

the Eye of the Storm Magazine Grand Final Edition 2017

Photos: Andrew Stark Gokhan Emeli scores a determined try to give the good guys a sniff of victory late in the game.

the Eye of the Storm Magazine Grand Final Edition 2017

the Eye of the Storm Magazine Grand Final Edition 2017

Above: Soakimi Aho slotted in nicely at right centre and often had the Budgie boys scrambling out wide.

Below: Xavier Hansen grabs some yards up centre field, as Gokhan Emeli, Blake McDonald, Jack

Metcalfe & Dylan McKay fan out on the right side at a sunny EDSACC Oval.

Photos: Andrew Stark

Photos: Andrew Stark

Above: Jake Martin rips through the Budgewoi defence on his way to scoring Gosford’s opening Below: The skipper was at it again in the lead up to the Storm’s second try. Jake powers his way

the right edge, as the eventual try scorer, Michael Porter looms up on his outside.

the Eye of the Storm Magazine Grand Final Edition 2017

try. down

Get That Into Ya!

Photos: Andrew Stark

Above & Left:

Blake McDonald and Jack Metcalfe take care of a Budgewoi ball runner.

the Eye of the Storm Magazine Grand Final Edition 2017

In The Press ‌ Storm Suffer Heartbreaking Finals Day Losses

by Andrew Stark

Coast Community News 7th September, 2017

The Gosford Kariong under 14(2) and under 10(3) rugby league teams went agonizingly close to joining the clubs high flying under 12(3)s in qualifying for this seasons grand finals, before both were narrowly edged out on a drama charged day at Bateau Bay The Ed Johnson coached Storm U10(3)s fought back magnificently from an early 12-0 deficit against minor premiers Erina, before building a handy 24-16 lead midway through the second half. Unfortunately the game then turned on two technical penalties given against Gosford while they were in possession of the ball and the talented Eagles took full advantage of their good fortune, wresting back the advantage to ultimately secure a 32-24 victory. Fetineni Aho was the star turn of the match; crossing for three tries, kicking a goal and being everywhere in defence for Gosford in what was a thrilling game of junior rugby league.

Two hours later, on the adjoining field, the Storm U14(2)s suffered a similar fate when they fell agonizingly short of toppling the highly fancied Budgewoi Bulldogs. Sickness, holidays and suspension saw Gosford without a host of their regular players for the grand final qualifier and they were forced to elevate a trio of under 13s boys to help fill the gaps. The Storm scrambled manfully during the opening half and a determined solo try scored by skipper, Jake Martin just before the break saw the teams head to their respective huddles at six-a-piece. Starved of possession early in the second half, the Storm conceded three consecutive tries and with the Bulldogs jumping to a 22-6 lead, it appeared as if the blue & whites were well on their way to securing a grand final berth. The battlers from Narara had other ideas however and tries to; Michael Porter, off yet another Jake Martin line break, and then Gokhan Emeli, who charged over from close range, pulled the score back to 22-18.

Time ebbed away as Gosford feverishly attacked the Budgewoi line in search of a last gasp winner; the fulltime siren ultimately thwarting the Storms brave 2017 challenge.

The narrow losses suffered by both the U10s and U14s, leave the Gosford Kariong U12(3)s as the club’s sole grand final representative following their 34-24 victory over Wyong in the major semi final. The Storm will start as warm favourites in the decider; a rematch with the Roos, on their home patch at Morry Breen Oval, Kanwal, due to kick off at 8am on Saturday September 9th.

the Eye of the Storm Magazine Grand Final Edition 2017

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.

Play The Ball Rule Needs A Modern Interpretation

by Andrew Stark

In the wake of two, match deciding penalties conceded by our U10(3)s during their heartbreaking preliminary final loss, The Eye has decided to mount a case for the introduction of a gentler, more modern interpretation of the play the ball rule.

The relevant section of the law remains today, just as it was back when halfbacks were penalized for second row feeds and the marker was allowed to strike for the ball in the ruck.

The 1944 wording is reproduced at the bottom of this page. If a player does not make contact with his or her foot while playing the ball; i.e. rolling the pill between their legs, or simply stepping over it (usually in an attempt to speed up the process), the rule book states that they shall be penalized. And of course, this is what happened in our preliminary final loss to Erina. The referee’s overseer, the well respected Lindsay Mungoven, was 100% correct when directly after the game he offered, “That’s a penalty everyday of the week”.

But down at Eye HQ this week, we asked; should it be so?

Why can’t Central Coast referees be allowed to treat this rule just as they do the walking off the mark rule. This latter breach was also, previously punished with a penalty. Today however we see whistleblower’s instruct wandering ball carriers to simply go back and play the ball on the mark. In both instances, surely the jolting, momentum killing effect of being made to start again and to replay the discipline, is penalty enough. If repeated breaches occur, then sure, referees would be given scope to caution the offending team’s captain before reverting to penalizing the offence if it continues beyond that. This may become necessary when, for example, a team is attempting to cynically slow the game down while protecting a lead late in the game.

To penalize children however, especially under 10s in a grand final qualifier, for committing such an innocuous mistake, one which they see performed a hundred times a weekend by their NRL heroes, none of who suffer any undue consequence, is both confusing and ridiculously disproportionate to the offence committed.

Rule 29 in the 1944 Laws of the Game It’s a rule that today, is wholly ignored by NRL referees while it is still enforced to the absolute letter of the law in Central Coast junior games. the Eye of the Storm Magazine – GRAND FINAL EDITION 2017

IMPERIAL CENTRE

PLAYER OF THE MONTH

The Imperial Centre Proudly Supporting Gosford Rugby League

Jake Ma rtin (Under 1 4s)

Photo: Andrew Stark

Jake is playing his tenth season with Gosford Kariong. He is captain of the Storm’s U14s team and represented the Central Coast during 2016.

Jake is a versatile player who can slot in anywhere from the three-quarters to the front row, however lines up primarily at five eighth for his club team. His determined efforts during the 2017 semi final series helped inspire Gosford toward a genuine run at the under 14s premiership.

The Eye of the Storm MAGAZINE – GRAND FINAL EDITION 2017

Open Grade Furore Rages We Forensically Analyze Our Match Day Blurbs

In our last edition it was announced that, owing to a series of less than satisfactory factors pertaining the 2017 season, next year’s Open Grade campaign will not be covered (in any great detail) by this publication. The item drew an instantaneous & somewhat fractious response from various members of the 11.30 crew… and in the true spirit of tabloid journalism, The Eye has been compelled to continue stirring the pot (it’s good copy mate). Extensive follow up coverage is provided across five luscious, burgundy tinted pages, as the internal brouhaha threatens to become more entertaining than the season itself. th The Facebook St Edwards 72 Gosford 0Trail (28 August)…

* 11.25am - The Eye of the Storm magazine – Vol. 24 is published on the GKS page.

It includes an announcement that no seniors coverage will be included in 2018. * 11.26am - Jordan Groom … “You’re kidding right?” * 11.28am - Jordan Groom … “We appreciate what you do a lot but this

immature sh*t is not needed.” * 11.30am - Jordan Groom … “Didn’t think we were in primary school still.” * 11.42am - Jamie Cole … “Good riddance mate. There’s a fine line between

constructive criticism and belittlement. You need to find that line.

Appreciate the honesty all year but reading your far from positive reports all year don’t do anything for team morale.” * 11.57am – Mathew Miller … “How dead set childish is the write up on

seniors. U r pathetic. It’s sad enough on game days when the boys have a lot of the other clubs come up to them and laugh at them over the 2nd rate write ups that are done by a half ass with a chip on his shoulder but then to sook like a sooky ex wife publicly like this make the boys feel heaps better.

Why not ever write something about the character and tenacity they show rocking up week in week out with no back or support from the club they cherish knowing they might not win but will show up for each other and have a crack. U my friend need to take on board ur own advice. Respect is a 2 way street.”

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE –Grand Final Edition -2017.

The Facebook Trail … continues (August 29th)

•Private message response from The Eye (aka Andrew Stark) to Jordan, Jamie & Mathew …

“Wow! I didn’t realize you guys were so aggrieved about a few tongue in cheek comments (and one or three criticisms re’ getting needlessly sent to the sin bin etc), which were included in the match reports throughout the year. You probably should have approached me at some stage and said something. If you sift through the write ups you’ll find there’s a ton of positive stuff chucked in too. It’s interesting that you blokes are focused on the weekly write ups when my gripe was the non team photo incident (now that was just downright rude) and subsequent non recognition in Max’s thank you post after the last game in which even spectators who’d sat on the hill during a handful of games got a rap! That was my tipping point re’ respect. Ho hum … it’s only thirsty thirds footy boys and a sense of humour really is vital when covering a team that has won only once in living St EdwardsAs 72 IGosford memory. said in0the latest piece … we are on the up and hopefully that will continue in 2018. Cheers, A.

Round 17 Round 16

Old timers perched arthritically up on the Berkeley Vale hill last Sunday were prompted to recall the famous Rorke’s Drift Test of 1914 as a heroic second half showing from a 12 man Storm thwarted the every endeavour of those normally free running behemoths from down Karalta Road way.

Round 15 saw us continue our climb up the ‘respect rankings’ as we pushed the competition favourites St Eddies on their adopted home patch… The improvement in this team over the last month however has been marked and any neutral observer at our recent, ding dong battles with the table topping Bears and Colts, would be absolutely stunned to learn that we aren’t currently running third on the ladder.

Round 14

Yet another blistering second half showing from our boys in which we rattled off an even dozen, couldn’t quite recoup the early deficit yielded to The Entrance. Jayden Bailey, Jordan Groom, Brendan Eather and RJ Warwick were the pick of our players while Birdy worked tirelessly running water on a balmy Sunday afternoon at Berka.

Round 15

So Let’ Let’s Look Back At Some Of The Alleged Negativity of 2017 …

Well done to our boys who hung in well after conceding an early dozen. Groomy scored a slick try off a Brendan Eather inside ball, before Cam Phillips was able to stretch over for his fourth try in three weeks. Trailing by just six at the break, hopes of a Storm victory remained high. But alas, the green team dominated possession throughout the second half and duly rattled up a score. Brendan Eather, Cameron Phillips and Jayden Bailey were our best, while Josh King and the mercurial Mr Groom also deserve honourable mentions.

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE –Grand Final Edition -2017.

Round 13

A gripping 24-18 loss to the second placed Colts last Sunday was without question our finest performance in many a long year. Had one or two of the 50/50 calls gone our way; the upset of the season would undoubtedly have been ours. All the nonsense of the previous week was swept aside as the boys knuckled down to play determined and disciplined footy. First half tries to Jordan Groom, Cam Phillips and Mitch Evrard saw us take a deserved 18-12 lead to the sheds and we continued to threaten the big red team throughout an absorbing second half. That Kincumber plumped to kick a penalty goal in the dying seconds of the game was testament to the respect Gosford had garnered on a day that felt pivotal in our development as a senior club.

Round 12

A Look Back At Some Of The Alleged Negativity of 2017 …

One discerning rugby league fan perched miserably up on the western hill, fairly accurately described last Sunday’s game as; one of the worst he’d ever seen. The Magpies won the day 28-12 on an afternoon littered with bad temper, petulance and ultimately, a conga line of blokes copping the ten fingered wave.

Round 11

Oh dear, didn’t we come back to earth with a thud. Just seven days beyond our majestic victory up at Toukley, we ran slap bang into those red hot Kanwal Roos and duly suffered a hefty defeat … Best on ground for the Storm was dummy half Cam Phillips who played his heart out in a well beaten side. Jamie Probert on the right edge, and prop Mitch Redding, until injured, were the pick of the rest on a day best chalked down to fake news.

Round 10

St Edwards 72 Gosford 0

Last Sunday was truly momentous as Gosford notched its first senior grade win since the 21st of August, 2011. Channelling the great Townies teams of the past, we managed to put 45 consecutive losses behind us and in torrential rain, powered to a magnificent 22-12 victory up at Toukley.

Round 9

Trailing by four at the break, the second period began a tad sleepily for the Gosford boys and we found ourselves 28-12 behind in no time at all. An electrical Storm thundered back into the contest as RJ Warwick and then Dylan Allen raced over the stripe and the GKS Hill were suddenly back up and rocking as the good guys had closed to be within six. A combination of over exuberance, good play from our opponents and just plain bad luck however ultimately saw a famous victory elude us.

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE –Grand Final Edition -2017.

The Eye gets GKS into the CC Express Advocate

Once again, we were right in the hunt during our pre long weekend brouhaha with Terrigal, before fading late and having to settle for a 3822 loss.

A Look Back At Some Of The Alleged Negativity of 2017 …

Round 7

Round 8

I must admit, their have been times during the early part of the season when I simply yearned to be home twiddling my fidget spinner … but that certainly wasn’t the case last Sunday.

Gossy were so spirited against the Tigers that by the opening of trade on Monday morning’s All Ords League Index, our performance rating had spiked into the ‘wholly competitive’ category. The 4th placed Orangemen looked dead set rattled at various stages of the contest as the Storm lads ran riot to score three sparkling tries. Left edge powerhouse Travis Mantell continued his impressive year by grabbing a double, while prop Jayden Stanley made a series of fearsome charges and was able to muscle his way across the stripe to cap a noteworthy debut.

Like sands through the hourglass, so are the Sundays of our lives … last weekends 48-0 loss at Erina was tinged by an elevated level of melodrama which thankfully overshadowed the game itself.

Round 4

Round 5

Round 6

St Edwards 72 Gosford 0 Six played fifty four, as last weekends Mothers Day clash saw the chocolates, flowers and all of the love go the way of our opponents. We held our own against the competition favourites for much of the first half but having led by a skinny dozen at the break, the Bears bolted away. Truth be known we weren’t that bad and during one four minute golden period in the first half, we came within millimetres of scoring on three separate occasions. Of course the leaking ten tries thing was a problem. The teddy bears decided to have their picnic inside our quarter after half time and feasted accordingly.

Our most recent clash, played prior to the ‘spare weekend’ saw us very much in the hunt against the Warriors after RJ Warwick had scored bullocking tries either side of half time. We led by four with twenty minutes to play, but quite inconsiderately, Northern Lakes hogged all of the late, try scoring glory and we ultimately had to settle for a 20-10 loss.

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE Grand Final Edition -2017.

The Eye gets GKS on the cover of the match day program

Discipline, or the lack thereof, became the overriding theme of a very disappointing Gosford performance last Sunday against Kincumber. Apart from yet another whole hearted display by back rower Travis Mantell, and one or two dancing carries from the back by Billy James; we were dead set awful.

Round 3

A Look Back At Some Of The Alleged Negativity of 2017 …

Holy moley! We came ever so close up at Ourimbah last Saturday to notching our first win in many a long season. Ahead 18-14 with a dozen minutes remaining on the clock and level pegging inside the final five minutes, but alas it wasn’t to be, as we were edged out 24-18 at the death. Jordan Groom was outstanding out of dummy half, scoring one and laying on another try with a deft grubber in behind the line that enabled livewire fullback Billy James to scoop up and sprint away. Best & fairest points went; three to Groomy, two to Travis Mantell, and one to Jeremy James.

Round 1

Round 2

Last Sunday always threatened to turn sour from the moment the Morry Breen scoreboard decided to shun a hundred years of proud Gosford rugby league history by listing us as, ‘Kariong’. And sour certainly did become the overriding taste of the afternoon, as the athletic and physically superior Roos ran in nine tries to shut us out 48-0 in balmy Kanwal conditions. In an often irritable clash, the Storm conceded a try in the opening set of the game and trailed by twenty at the break. Plenty of effort was put in, but dropped ball and missed tackles killed off our challenge. Tearaway back rower Travis Mantell toiled manfully throughout, while Jordan Groom was St Edwards Gosford 0 five eighth. heavily72 involved from We might not have picked up the competition points last Sunday, but didn’t we show a ton of promise! Given that application to this year’s competition was only accepted at the eleventh hour and that our one and only organized trial was washed out; the 30-16 loss to the Hawks contained many more positives than it did negatives.

Conclusion:

Gosford Kariong Open Grade 2017

Trace elements of negativity were found in just 3 of 17 blurbs.

Played 18, Won 1, Lost 17.

Points For 224: Points Against 636

Cartoon supplied courtesy of Max Cannon & RED MEAT

Sunday’ Sunday’s in 2018: the Eye goes fishing.

The EYE OF THE STORM MAGAZINE –Grand Final Edition -2017.

2017 COMPETITION LADDERS - Final -

Opens

Pts

+ St Edwards The Entrance Wyong Northern Lakes Ourimbah Terrigal Toukley

30 30 25 24 20 16 15 14 4

Gosford Kariong

2

Kincumber

+ Erina

U14(2)s

*

U16(2)s

*

Pts

Umina Budgewoi Berkeley Vale Wyong

30 24 21 17

Gosford Kariong

16

The Entrance Terrigal Ourimbah Toukley Erina

16 14 4 4 4

*

U15(2)s

Pts

Wyong Erina Toukley - gold Toukley – blue Northern Lakes

28 22 20 20 16

Gosford Kariong

14

Woy Woy Ourimbah St Edwards

12 8 6

U13(2)s

Pts

Warnervale Terrigal Wyong Woy Woy Budgewoi Blue Haven

29 24 24 12 12 10

Gosford Kariong

10

Kincumber

7

+ Erina + Kincumber Blue Haven Terrigal Toukley Ourimbah

28 26 22 14 12 12

Gosford Kariong

4

The Entrance

2

U12(3)s

Pts

Gosford Kariong

28

*

Wyong Budgewoi Northern Lakes Blue Haven The Entrance

U10(3)s U11(1)s Terrigal Blue Haven The Entrance Erina Berkeley Vale

26 24 23 21 17

Gosford Kariong

11

Kincumber Toukley Woy Woy Wyong

8 8 7 5

22 17 14 9 0

Pts

* Erina The Entrance – black

25 24

Gosford Kariong

24

Wyong Umina Toukley The Entrance – gold Northern Lakes Warnervale Woy Woy

23 18 9 8 8 5 4

2017 2017 Premiership Winning Teams

*

*

Pts

Pts

+ Grand Finalists (result unknown at time of going to press).

Keeping Up The Fluids

As the evening fell, the good people of Gosford & Kariong held hands and began to sing a joyous song in honour of their young footballers. For during the 2017 Finals series, the Storm Under 14s, 12s & 10s had brought great kudos to their villages; infusing in the towns folk a warm optimism and a feeling that, yes indeed, the future may in fact be … OK !

The Eye of the Storm Magazine Grand Final Edition 2017 the Back Page

‘Eye of the Storm’ – Vol 25, September, 2017 e-mag compiled, photographed, written & designed by Andrew Stark © 2017 Contact - 10dollarjpegs@gmx.com