Magpie Memoir Magazine - January 2023

Andrew Stark grew up just a hefty punt kick from Strathfield Park, in Sydney’s inner west during the heady days of the 1970s. He was quick to become a passionate supporter of the local rugby league team, the Western Suburbs Magpies. Stark began snapping photographs at the occasional game during the early 1980s and later became chief photographer for Terry Williams’ Sydney League News publication, covering grassroots footy from the mid 1990s on.

Stark has captured a myriad of Magpie-centric images over the past three and a half decades, concentrating on the junior representative level, with an occasional foray into the senior grades.

This quarterly fanzine series, aims to combine current events with a look back through the photographers vast collection. It is one man’s humble celebration of the mighty Western Suburbs D.R.L.F.C

PNG PNG MAGPIES MAGPIES

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE

©Andrew Stark

Above: The photographer as a boy in the backyard at Strathfield, captured earnestly discussing team selections with his own shadow (Photo: Hugh Stark).

Photos: Andrew Stark

The Prime Minister’s XIII vsPapua New Guinea clash played in late September resulted in an entertaining 64-14 win for Albo’smob. Of particular interest to keen Westsfans, was that two of the three try scorers for the Kumulswere recent Magpies -EdeneGebbie& Jimmy Ngutlik

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE

January 2023: Edition 21

As we push into 2023, it’s worth noting that rugby league is a simple game, played and enjoyed by simple people. The very simplest of these people often find themselves producing rugby league based fanzines. As my fingers dance rhythmically across a well worn keyboard, I must admit to feeling thoroughly uncomplicated. Vowels, consonants, five hit ups and a kick into the corner. Make your tackles, limit your errors and keep an eye on punctuation. Simple !

Shimmying effortlessly from simplicity to pure genius, let me talk about the bloke who captains the Sydney Roosters, NSW and Australia. Having witnessed James Tedesco lead the Kangaroos to World Cup glory, I’m left to ponder whether the Magpie junior is our greatest ever locally produced player. Finding an alternate nominee is difficult as Westsgreats of the past were mostly imports. Holman, Kelly, O’Shea, Raudonikis, Dorahy, Lamb etc were not local juniors. Homebush High product Arthur Summons would definitely be on the shortlist. Likewise the brilliant Vic Hey. Yet Teddy’s ever mounting list of achievements have ratcheted the Camden Rams favourite son to an absolutely stratospheric level. I think it can now be safely acknowledged –James Tedesco is our clubs highest achiever: Westsgreatest ever local junior.

-- Andrew Stark Andrew Stark

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE

is Written, Photographed, Designed & Published by Andrew Stark. All photographs were taken by Andrew Stark, unless otherwise credited.

©Andrew Stark 2023

e: 10dollarjpegs@gmx.comISSN: 2652-4406

front cover: Jacob Liddlein action for Westsat Lidcombe Oval during 2022

inset: Peter ‘Spider’Walsh (Photo courtesy –Newcastle Herald 2013)

–Andrew

(Photo

Stark).

Top: James Tedesco –Wests Matthews Cup 2009 (Photo –Andrew Stark).Above: Teddy with his Player of the Final trophy at the 2022 World Cup (Photo courtesy –Internet)

LID LID’’S LEAVES LIDCOMBE S LEAVES LIDCOMBE

Madd’ ’ s s, , Garnz Garnz & Benny Gardiner

Too! & Benny Gardiner Too!

AhostofWesternSuburbsfavouriteshavedepartedthenest.Af AhostofWesternSuburbsfavouriteshavedepartedthenest.Aflockoflockof Magpies,includingour2021coach,2018captain,starplaymaker Magpies,includingour2021coach,2018captain,starplaymakerofthelast ofthelast twoseasons,aswellasthesupertalenteddummyhalf twoseasons,aswellasthesupertalenteddummyhalf––Jacob JacobLiddle Liddle. . Liddlewasa15-year-old,playingfortheCentralCoastMatthewsCupteam whenIfirstphotographedhim(2012).ThesonofformerGosfordTownies three-quarterJohnLiddle,Jacobinheritedthesamedistinctivecropofcurly blondhair.YoungLidsplayedinatalentedsquadofCoasties,ajuniorrep teamthatalsoboastedtheSaifititwins,ConnorWatsonandAdamKeighran.

I’vefollowedtheprogressofJacobLiddleforoveradecadenow,andwas saddenedtolearnhewillnotbeapartoftheMagpiescampaignin2023.

Duringlate2014,thethen17-yearoldhookerwaselevatedintoWyong’s firstgradeteamastheypoweredintotheCentralCoastcompetition’ssemi finals.DespiteatorridbaptismoffirefromthehardenedBerkeleyVale Pantherspack,LiddlestarredastheRoosgroundoutarugged8-4grand finalwin.

SelectedintheAustralianSchoolsteamattheendof2014,Lidssignedwith theWestsTigerstoplayunder20sin2015(alongwithhisWyongteammate LukeSharpe).HerepresentedNSWunder20sthatyearandmadehisNRL debutlateintheseasonagainstCanterbury,scoringatry.

In2017hewasanointedWestsTigersRookieoftheYear,howeverduring midwinterhesufferedaseasonendingshoulderinjury.

Madd

Thetalenteddummyhalfwasplaguedbyinjuryacrossthenextthree seasons.Twoshoulderreconstructionsandaseriouskneeinjurythreatened toderailthehooker’scareer.By2021hewasinandoutoftheNRLsideas selectorschoppedandchangedhimwithyoungQueenslander,JakeSimpkin. Bythetailendof2022,WestsTigersselectorsappearedtohavedismissed thecredentialsofbothLiddleandSimpkininfavourofstockgapdummyhalf NuBrown.WithApiKorisausignedfor2023andWestsjuniorRua Ngatikauruaontherise,Liddlehasbeensqueezedoutoftheclubdespite havingayearleftonhiscontract.

DuringthepastthreeorfourseasonsI’vealwaysenjoyedJacobLiddle’s classyperformancesfortheMagpiesandhavegotabithotunderthecollar whensupportersoftheorangeteamrelentlesslybagged-outthenumber nine.ImightsuggestthatonthetoxicscaleofWestsTigerfansvitriolduringrecentseasons,Lidscomesinthirdbehindtheheavilycriticisedduo of-LukeBrooks&DaveNofoaluma.PlayinginarubbishNRLteamandfora clubwho’sfollowersshowlittlerespectforablokewhoalwaysplayshimself toastandstill,nowthatmusthavebeenhardtotake.

IwishJacobLiddleallthebestatStGeorge-Illawarra.Withahalf-decent packofforwardsaroundhimandwithskilfulhalvessuchasHuntand Amoneoutsidehim,Iwillbeverysurprisediftheblondhairedladfrom Wyongdoesn’tthriveintheRedVnextseason.

Theothernotabledeparturesare–2018captainLukeGarnerand2021 coachBenGardiner,whoarebothheadingtoPenrith,whilechiefplaymaker ofthepasttwoseasons,JockMaddenislinkingwiththeBrisbaneBroncos.

Above Left: 15 year-old Jacob Liddlein action for the Central Coast Matthews Cup team of 2012. Above Right: Lids in the thick of the action for Wyong in the 2014 Central Coast grand final, aged 17. Opposite Page: Jock Madden, Jacob Liddle, Luke Garner, Ben Gardiner.

(All Photos – Andrew Stark)

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE

BASKET CASE OVERHAUL BASKET CASE OVERHAUL

Inthecorporateworld,whenthingsgoirretrievablypear-shaped,afull imageoverhaulisimplemented.Whetheracompany’sfaceliftisrequired duetoscandalorcorruption–aswasthecasewhentheLanceArmstrongLanceArmstrong Foundation FoundationwiselyrebrandedasLivestrong Livestrong,orwhentheASXlistedLeighton Leighton Holdings HoldingschangedtoCIMICGroupCIMICGroup.Sometimesitsrequiredwhenthings simplyaren’tworkingoutaswellastheyshould.Havingdeliveredavery unpopular60%pricehikeduring2011,Qwikster Qwiksterdecidedthetimewasright foranoverhaul.Theirfreshnewlookpre-emptedunprecedentedsuccess andundertheirnewname-Netflix Netflix-thecompanyhasbecomeahome entertainmentstaple.AndwhataboutlittleolePete Pete’’sSuperSubmarines sSuperSubmarines? Usingfootballingparlance,Pete’shadn'tmadethesemifinalsforyonks. TheyrebrandedasSubway Subwayandthepremiershipshaveflowedeversince.

PouringstudiouslyoverthisFinancialReviewstyledanalysis,Iwonder whetheritmightbetimeforthehaplessWestsTigerstotakenote…

Foroveradecadenow,theteamsporting garishorangehasbecometheyardstickfor rugbyleagueincompetence.They’ve consistentlymumbled,fumbledandslipped offtackleslikefewRLFCsbeforethem.To putitsimply,theTigershavebecomea laughingstock.Theclubisnowapunch line,theNRL’scourtjester.Thinkthatlittle baldmanbeingchasedandslappedabout theheadbyaleeringBennyHill.

Itistimeforacompleteimageoverhaul…

Whenbackinthemid1970s,theobscureScottishpunkband–Johnny&the Johnny&the SelfAbusersSelfAbuserswastossingaway,gettingnowhereinandaroundtheGlasgow pubscene,theydecidedtotakestock.JimmyKerrandtheboysmadethe ballsydecisiontorebrand.SimpleMindsSimpleMindswasbornandintheblinkofaneye, theirbrilliantnewgolddreamwasrealised. TheWestsTigersaretheJohnny&theSelfAbusersoftheNRL. Sojustwhattorenameleagues’muchguffawedatbasketcase?

PETER WALSH

The Amazing Footy Career of the Man Known as Spider

Ofallthecolourfulcharactersto emergeduringtheRoyMasters era,oneman’samazingrugby leaguejourneyseemstohave flownlargelyundertheradar. It’struethat Peter Spider Walsh didn’tplayasprominentaroleduring

theMagpies’famedFibroyearsasiconicfiguressuchas– Tommy, Dallas, Joe Cool, Snake, Sloth or Boydy …howeverthetalentedfiveeighth’slittleknown storyisoneinwhichallWesternSuburbsfansshouldfeelproud.

WalshbeganplayingthegamewiththeBeralaBearswhenhewasseven.He laterattendedBirrongHigh,theschoolwhichalsoproducedWeststeam mates;RonBroderick,DonMoseleyandTrevorReardon.Theschool’ssports masteratthetimewasleadingreferee,JackDanzey.

Inhislateteens,WalshwasplayingfortheRegentsParkC-gradeteam alongsideRonBroderickandBrianCook.Duringthemid1970s,Westswere havingtroubleconvincingtalentedjuniorstoflowintograde.Alotoflads werehappytoplayparkfooty,enjoyingthefulsomesocialactivitiesthat wentalongwithaSaturdayafternoonrunaroundwiththeirmates.Having spottedthetalentedfiveeighthwithintheirownjuniorleague,Wests

Peter could play football. There Peter could play football. There’’s no doubt about that s no doubt about that … … but he but he could also always beat you with the one could also always beat you with the one--liner. He was one of liner. He was one of those blokes you couldn those blokes you couldn’’t dislike. t dislike.

story by Andrew Stark

-Legendary bush coach Robert Rip Taylor (Toohey’sNews podcast 2022)

officialsdecidedtoforcetheissue.Itwasearlyin1975when Walshwasinformedthatifhedidn’tfrontfortheMagpies PresidentsCupteam,thenhisregistrationtoplayfortheRegentsParkHotel wouldbeblocked.WalshacquiescedanddulytookhisplaceinWestsunder 21steamalongsidehisoldBirrongHigh&BeralaBearsbuddy,Ron Wolfman Broderick*.ThePresidentsCupcompetitionwasplayedduringtheearly monthsoftheseasonanduponitscompletion,Walshwaselevatedinto KevinSmyth’sunder23sside.

1976sawthearrivalofanewunder23scoachandPeterWalshwould quicklybecomeakeymemberofRoyMasters’cropofMagpieyoungsters. MastersrevealedanamusingyarnfromhisfirstyearattheclubinGary Lester’sbook, Clouds of Dust, Buckets of Blood.Realizinghedidn’thavethe squadtochallengeforthe1976premiership,Roywasdesperatetofinda goalkickingwinger.Hespottedacandidateplayinginthejuniorleagueand despitereservationsfromfirstgradecoachDonParish,Roydecidedtothrow theladajersey.

I said to the player: ‘Now listen, there are only four things I want you to do. One, kick the goals in front. Don’t worry too much about the others. Two, you’re on the wing so don’t run out. Three, stay on your wing at all times and four, stick with your man. Now have you got that?’He tells me, ‘Yeah Roy’, and he runs through it. ‘Don’t run out …stay on your wing …’

We go out to the car park at Lidcombe, me into my new Toyota andhe into an old Holden and next minute BANG, he crashes into me. I don’t usually cop that sort of thing too well, but I didn’t rip in and he gets out of his car and I hear him …‘Kick the goals in front, don’t run out …’and I’m thinking ‘Oh no’.

Therookiewinger’svehiclehadvirtuallynodamageyetthecoach’scarwas notsolucky. Peter Walsh saw what happened and all he can say is –‘Big bickies Roy, big bickies’.

Themastercoachcontinuesontorevealthatcomegameday,hisnewwinger missedeverykickfrominfront,andlethisoppositionwingerinforthree triesasWestswerenarrowlybeatenbyeventualunder23premiersEasts.

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* The spelling of Ron Broderick’s name was mostly ‘Brodrick’during his time at Wests. Beyond 1980, in the Newcastle competition and in his death notice (2001), he is referred to as ‘Broderick’. I’ve plumped for the latter version in this piece.

Quiteremarkably,alittleover12monthsafterhewas reluctantlycorralledfromtheRegentsParkpubteamintoa

black&whitejersey, Spider Walshmadehisfirstgradedebut.InearlyApril of1976,DonParishcalledhimontothebenchfortheclashwithPenrithat PenrithParkwherehewouldbecomeWesternSuburbsfirstgradeplayer #717.AlastgaspPantherstry,thethirdoftheafternoonscoredbytheir RydeEastwoodrecruit,JohnKingsawthegameendat18-a-piece.Three weekslater,Walshwasonceagaincalledup,comingoffthebenchduring Westshandsome23-13victoryoverSaints.InmidMay,hekickedtwogoals fromasmanyattemptsattheSCGastheMagpiesgaveupa9-0halftimelead tosettleforanotherdraw,thistimeagainstcompetitionleadersBalmain.A tryscoredwith15secondsleftontheclockbyNeil Bing Pringleleftthe WestsplayerswithanastydoseofPenrithParkdéjàvu.

KeithHolmantookoverasfirstgradecoachin1977. Thegreat Yappy however,clearlydidn’tratetheyoungpivotasnofurthercallupswere forthcoming. Walshy waslefttoconcentratesolelyonhisunder23duties andhebecameakeymemberoftheRoyMasterscoachedpremiership winningteam.PeterWalshformedadeadlyhalvespairingwithfellow Beralajunior,AlanNeilasWeststrumpedParramatta9-5inamemorable decider.

Five-eighth Walsh had a big game in all facets of play which he topped off with three goals from four attempts. –BigLeagueMagazine(Sept1977)

Above: Wests do their victory lap of the SCG having defeated Parramatta in the decider.

Right: Western Suburbs winning Under 23s team of 1977. Peter Walsh is on the right edge in the front row, directly below coach Masters.

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Aprolificpointscorer,Walshrevealedto Rugby League Week’s CharlesChristianduringa1980interviewthathe’dchanged hisgoalkickingstylefollowinganembarrassingmissasan eleven-year-old.

I’ll never forget it when we trailed 3-2 in a grand final. The referee gave us a penalty only 10 metres out and right in front of the posts. I took my usual six or seven step run-up and the ball went wide. Brian Cook, the captain in that side, never allowed me to forget it and I have done away with a long run up ever since. These days I take three steps, which allows less room for error.

Wests1978minorpremiershipseasonsawWalshcontinue toflourishinthelowergrades.Heplayedjustonetopgrade gameduringthatfamousFibrocharge.WarrenRyanwas thenewunder23scoachandwithSpideratfullback,Wests yetagainfeaturedinthefirstgrandfinalonthegame’sbig day. Walsh scoredalloftheMagpiespointyetsadly, Penrithprovedtoostrong.runningout23-5winners. ItwasthePanthersfirstevertitleinanygrade.

Walsh’ssixyearsatWestssawtheBeralajunior perennially stuckbehindqualitypivots;JohnHeyward, GraemeO’Grady,PeterRowlesandultimately,TerryLamb.Afterastringof injuries,RoyMastersevenusedwingerDonMoseleyinthesixjerseyahead ofSpider(MoseleyhadplayedhalfbackatCanterburyfiveyearsearlier). Finally,asthe1979seasonheadedintomidwinter,Walshgotaredhot crack.HewascalleduptoplaySouthsatLidcombewhenRaudonikiswas ruledoutoftheround15clash.Spidertookhisopportunityandmadethe firstgradefiveeighthpositionhisown,playingnineconsecutivegamesright throughtotheendoftheseason.Hekickedsixgoalsinado-or-dieSaturday TVgameagainstarchrivalsManly.IwasonthepackedLidcombehillthat afternoon,myfondestmemorybeingMarkBeavencrunchingGrahamEadie as Wombat attemptedakickreturn.TheballcamefreefromBeaven’s bulldozingtackleandLesBoydwasonhandtopickupthestrayfootballand casuallystrolloverthestripeforakeyMagpiestry.

The Wests halves, Alan Neil and Peter Walsh were constant dangers to Manly. –AlanClarkson(SunHerald5-8-1979

WalshscoredtriesagainstSaints,PenrithandNorthsduringthefinaltwo monthsoftheyearasWestsenteredthefinalsseriesinfourthspot.Despite goingintotheireliminationsemifinalagainstCanterburyaswarm favourites,thingswentpear-shapedforRoy’sboys.TheMagpies1979 campaignendingattheforeverthanklessSCG,viaafourtriestonone, 20-6defeat.

Right: Peter Walsh falls awkwardly during the first grade clash with Newtown at Lidcombe in 1979. Wests won 21-4 with Spider slotting three goals. Wayne Smith and Jack Jefferies watch on.

Photo courtesy of Getty Images

Bythestartof1980,Westshadbeenguttedbybigspendingrivals,Manly andNewtown.Magpielegends;Raudoniks,Dorahy,O’Grady,andBoyd,as wellasthetalentedRayBrown,wereallwhiskedaway.WithRaudonikis goneandAlanNeilacertaintyathalfback,onecanonlysurmisethatMasters wasafteramoreexperiencedfiveeighthwhenhesettledonPeterRowles aheadofSpider.RowleshaddepartedWestsattheendof1978andspent 1979playingwithNewtown.Hewasundoubtedlyacoolheadandmost accomplishedgoalkicker.PeterWalshbegantheyearinReserveGrade.He receivedacallupinroundsevenforthetopofthetableclashwithpremiers StGeorge.Sadlyfortheblack&whites,theyleftKogarahthatafternoon havingsufferedacomprehensive22-3loss.Thefollowingweek,ayoungtyro namedTerryLambmadehisfirstgradedebut.Theteenagednumbersix oozedclassanditwasclearfromhisinitialtopgradegamethatthetwo Peter’s,WalshandRowleswerenevergoingtogetanotherchance.They wouldbothplayouttheseasoninsecondgradebeforeexitingtheclubat season’send.SpiderfinishedtheyearascaptainandlockforwardinLaurie Freier’steam.

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Inthefirstpreseasongameof1980,WeststookonNewtown atLidcombeOval.ItwasTommyRaudonikis’firstgamebackat thegroundhe’downedforoveradecade.ItwasTomTerrific’sfirsttime trottingontothehallowedturfastheenemy.

ThebigspendingJetssidewasexpectedtomakelightworkoftheravaged MagpiesandyetWests,minusfivestarsfromthepreviousseason,knuckled downtorecordagritty22-14victory.

RaudonikisearnedtheireofrefereeGocher twelveminutesintothecontest.Havingbeen penalizedforanincorrectscrumfeed,he sparkedanallinbrawlafterPeterWalshhad boldlyattemptedtoretrievetheballfromthe greathalfback.Playersdulytradedblowsand carnagereignedfromthetrylineouttothe 25metrelinebeforeofficialsmanagedto restoresomesemblanceoforder.

Tommywascautionedand Spider Walshtoe-pokedtheresultantpenalty betweentheLidcombesticks.

Peter Walsh (right) enjoys an Alan Neil try scored against Manly in 1979. Other Magpies include Don Moseley and Terry Leabeater.

Withthefirstgradesidestormingintothetopthree,theclub alsostoletheshowattheRugbyLeagueNewFacestalentquest

televisedonchannel10.AtremendousparodyofVillagePeoplehits culminatinginafulsomechorusof You Cant Stop the Magpies wasperformed byaheartyhalf-dozenofpopularWestsmen–TonyArmstrong(Indian), WarrenBoland(Policeman),BruceClark(Sailor),PaulMerlo(Leatherman), BrianCook(ConstructionWorker)andofcourse,PeterWalsh(Cowboy).The renditionbecameanunofficialanthemasWestsmomentarilysidestepped thedreadedMooreParkhoodootoknockoutpremiersStGeorgeenrouteto thePreliminaryFinal.SadlyforMagpie’severywhere,thehoodoowaslying inwaitaroundthenextcorner.Roy’steamagainfelljustaweekshortofa grandfinalappearance–thewheels,alongwithbothaxelsandthecamshaft allcomingloseasEaststhumpedourhero’s41-5.Iwasthereinthenorth easterncornerthatafternoon.Ienteredthegroundsofullofhope.Butalas, seventyminutesofonesidedfootylater,Idepartedearly,ashatteredyoung man.ThescorewhenIshuffleddespondentlytowardANZACParadewas 41-0.Iwassuchaloserthatday,IevenmanagedtomisstheonlyWeststry!

Spider Walsh working hard for the Burwood Council Parks & Recreation Maintenance team during 1979.

Photo courtesy of Rugby League Week

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PeterWalsh’sfinalgameforWesternSuburbswasamiserable 15-12reservegradelossatHensonParktothelastplaced

Newtown.HeplayedalongsideRonBroderick(centre)andPeterDuggan (half)inatepidMagpiesfarewell.Bypre-seasontrainingof1981,allthree playershadsignedtoplaywiththeWestsRosellasinthestrongNewcastle League.AtremendousseasonfollowedastheRosellaspoweredtothe premiership.Walshslottedinbrilliantlyatfullbackandbyseason’send,he wastheNewcastlecompetition’sleadingpointscorer(187points).Selected intheregionsrepresentativeteam,Spiderpulledonthedistrict’sdistinctive ‘pooonthegrass’(brown&green)jerseyandfeaturedprominentlyin Newcastle’sfamous29-0thumpingofthetouringFrenchnationalteam.He wassubsequentlyselectedatfive-eighthintheNSWCountryteamtotackle City.WalshwentheadtoheadwithRockyLaurieastheclassycityslickers (pretheOriginconcept)rantoa38-7victoryatCanberra’sBruceStadium.

Right: Walsh tangles with Graeme Wynn as Max Merlo closes in (1979). Below Right: Spider scores a magnificent solo try against Saints at Lidcombe (1979).

Photo’s courtesy of Sydney Morning Herald

Below: Rugby League Week’s Man of the Match during Wests one point loss to Canterbury in 1979.

Walsh’sinitialplanhadbeentoplayjustthesingleseasonin Newcastle.Adecadelaterandhe’dnotonlystayed,he’d absolutelyconquered.HistimeintheHunterspawned-sixgrandfinals, threepremiershipsandaburgeoningcoachingcareer.Spiderwontwo competitionswiththeRosellas,onewithMaitlandandthreewithLakes United.In1987hecaptain-coachedtheSeagullstothetitle.Quite remarkably,between1981and1988,andplayingforthreedifferentclubs, PeterWalshfeaturedineveryNewcastlefirstgradegrandfinal.

DuringJulyof2022,BarryToohey’sexcellentpodcast(Toohey’sNews) showcasedRobert Rip Taylor,aformerteammateandlongtimefriendof Walsh’s.Duringtheirchat,both Baz and Rip sharedcolourful Spider yarns. TheNewcastleHeraldjournorevealedthatduringWalsh’stimeatLakes,he wouldreceiveanannualoffseasonphonecallfromthestarfiveeighth–

He would ask me if I’d mind putting a story in the paper suggesting there were two or three other Newcastle clubs chasing him and that Lakes might need to find a little more money to sign him for the following season.

TaylorplayedalongsideWalshforanumberofseasonsandofferedhisown amusingstory,involvingaplayer’ssharehouseduringanoffseasonwhile

Above: Three Magpies make the move from Westsin Sydney to Westsin Newcastle. Peter Walsh, Ron Broderick and Peter Duggan (on the right), are photographed with WestsRosellas captain David Chook Howell during early 1981. Photo courtesy of Newcastle Herald

theywerebothwithLakesUnited.TaylorsuggestedWalshwas tiedupwithsomegamingpeopleatthetime, I believe it was

work.Theplayersinthesharehousewouldpayrentandlatergot compensatedbytheclub.ItwasSpider’sweektoscoopupthepileofcash fromatopthefridgeandpaythelandlord.Afewdaysbeyondtheduedate,

Ripgetsaphonecallfromtheclubsecretaryrevealing thattherentwasoverdue-

I obviously wait for Spider and he comes through the door and I say, Walshydid you put the rent in this week, it was your turn to pay? He looks at me and says –‘I bet you would’ve wanted half if it had bloody won!’

BarryTooheyalsorevealedachallengeissuedbyWalsh toracehim.Thejournohadsuggestedthatthecagey

Above: Rip Taylor circa the early 1980s pivotwasn’tthequickestnumbersixgoingaroundandtheformerMagpie tookumbrage.HechallengedTooheytoafootracewhichridiculouslytook placeonthemorningafterLakeshadwonthegrandfinal.Theplayershad beenpartyingallnightandintothemorningwhenthefreshasadaisyscribe rockeduptomeetthechallenge.WalshandTooheylineduponCahillOval

asthehighspiritedLakesplayers gatheredaroundtocheeronthetwo men. Ready, set, go …Tooheytakestwo orthreeenthusiasticstridestowardthe prizewhensuddenlyhislegsare choppedoutfromunderhimbyaflying Walsh.Thewelloiled Spider cameup withgrassstainsalloverhisclobberas histeammatesfellaboutinhighchortle.

A great tactical five-eight, he could size up a situation and direct the attack to the opposition’s weakness with consummate ease (and sometimes a few choice words).

–StephenBrown (authorof True Blue and Gold)

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Above: Peter Walsh in action for Lakes United.

Photo courtesy of Graeme Ireland

Anoff-seasonspentwithEnglishclubOldhamduringthelate 1980s,openedupawholenewworldofopportunityforthe

formerBurwoodCouncilParksandRecreationlabourer.Heplayedhisfinal seasonatLakesin1991andby1992,Walshwasappointedheadcoachof Englishthirddivisionbattlers,WorkingtonTown.

Coaching Workington was the best time of my rugby league career,bar none. –PeterWalsh(Rugby League World,Sept2007)

InaremarkablethreeyearperiodatWorkingtonTown,CoachWalshtook theclubfromthirddivisiontomidtableinthefirstdivision.Heremainsto thisdayamuchlovedfigureintheWestCumbriaregionofNorthern England.TwokeyplayersinWorkington’sspectacularrisewereJames PickeringandMarkMulligan,playersWalshcartedhalfwayaroundthe worldwithhimfromBelmont’s,CahillOvaltoWorkington’s,DerwentPark. AnotherplayerwhohadastintunderSpiderduringtheseyearswasWests no-nonsenseprop,KyleWhite(BradHepialsolaterplayedatWests).

WalshhadknownAlanMcMahonfromtheearliestdaysoftheNewcastle Knights.TheformerTestthree-quarterwastheKnightsinauguralcoachin 1988,whenSpiderwascaptain-coachofLakes.Wheninmid1995the IllawarraSteelerssignedMcMahontoathreeyeardealcommencingin1996, oneofhisfirstactionswastotrackPeterdowninthenorth-westofEngland andanointhimashisassistantcoach.ItissaidthatWalshsignedathree yeardealwiththeWollongongbasedclubworth$75000ayear,plusacar and$2000aweekspendingmoney.

SuperLeaguewasatthis timespreadinglikea cancerbelowthesurface ofthegameandall mannerofcovertaction wasbeingundertaken.

RespectedIllawarra MercuryjournalistBrian Surteesreceivedhisvery ownWoodward& Bernsteinmomentduring midwinterof1996.

Above: Peter Walsh & Alan Neil -teaming up in the Westshalves on the weekends and in business during the week.

Amysterious,unmarkedenvelopewasdeliveredtoSurtees home.Rippingitopenhefoundaleakedconfidentialdocument

outliningareportdeliveredtotheSteelersboardbyIllawarraCEOBob Millward.ThereportwasscathingofbothMcMahonandWalshandmadea strongrecommendationtheybothbesacked.Despitepoliceinvolvement,the leakerofthedocumentwasneveruncoveredalthoughMillwardwould appearthemostlikelysuspect.Byseasonsend,withtheSteelersfinishing 14thinthe20teamcompetition,theheadcoachandhisassistantwereboth sackedoneyearintotheirrespectivethreeyeardeals

“They are cutting back and looking for scapegoats. I can understand they want to keep players rather than assistant coaches, that’s fair enough. They appear to be trumping up things I have done to get rid of me. I didn’t force Bob Millard to pay me what he did, and neither did Allan; no one twisted his arm”

-PeterWalsh(1996)

HeadingbacktoEngland,duringearly1997 Walshlandedthejobofcoachingco-ordinator atHullFC.Theheadcoachwasformer NewtownstarPhilSigsworth,whoseyounger brotherRonhadcoincidentallyplayedagainst SpiderinhisfinalgameforWestsbackin1980. HullclaimedtheDivisionOneChampionshipbeforeSigsworthstooddown allowingWalshtoleadtheclubintotheSuperLeague.Theblack&whites enduredtwoaverageseasons,finishing9th&13threspectively.Spiderwas dulyreplacedbySteveCrooks,whowarmedtheseatuntilShaunMcRae arrivedattheBoulevardfromStHelens.

Bythetimethenewmillenniumhadtickedover,Walshwasbackinthe Newcastlecompetition.HesubsequentlycoachedtheNorthNelsonBay Marlinstotheirfirstandonlypremiershipin2005,havingfinishedas runnersupthepreviousyear.HealsocoachedtheNewcastlerepresentative teamintheNSWCountrychampionships.Awayfromfootball,Walshowned andrantheNelsonBaySwimmingPoolShop.WhenhisoldEnglishclub Workingtonsoundedhimoutwithaviewtoonceagaincoachingtheirteam, itwasonlyhisaquaticbusinessresponsibilitiesthatkepthimfrom accepting.

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE

Above: Peter Walsh during his coaching days at the Northern Blues. (Photo courtesy -Newcastle Herald)

HavingpreviouslymorphedfromtheNorthernSuburbs Bluebags(1910-1988),NorthNelsonBay(1989-2011)became

thePortStephen’sSharksin2012.Locallegend,PeterWalshwasthe obviouschoicetobecomeclubpresident.

ThetalentedBirrongHighproductwhoplayed15topgradegamesfor WesternSuburbsisnowintohislatesixties.LastIheard,Spiderwasstill livingupNelson’sBaywaybutsadlyhasbeenstrugglingalittlewithhis health.

Indedicatingoverhalfofthiseditiontooneoftheunderstatedlegendsof LidcombeOval,MagpieMemoirstandsandapplaudsatrulyamazinglifein rugbyleague.

Basket Case Overhaul

continued from page 6 …

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rebrandneedstoofferthemergedventureafreshstart. Ithastodeliver both,awholesomevibe,whilealsoembracingtheorganisationsrich foundation-clubheritage.

HavingworkshoppedthequandaryataspeciallyconvenedMagpieMemoir ConferenceheldinGosford’sKibbleParkduringearlyDecember,itwas surmisedbythedelegatesthattherereallyisonlyoneoption,moving forward,whichticksalloftheboxes.

Ladiesandgentlemen,withoutfurtherwaffle,Igiveyouthe–

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WesternSuburbsMagpies WesternSuburbsMagpies-------

*TheConferencealsorecommendedthatthejointventureclubcontinueto acknowledgetheBalmainhalfofitsheritage.Thenewlymintedblackjerseysporting twowhiteVsandmagnificentmagpieemblem,willalsofeatureasmalltigerhighupon thesleeve.Inafurthernodtotheclub’salternateinnercityroots,theWesternSuburbs Magpiesgoalkickerswillmakeuseofbrightorangekickingtees.

See

BRADAIKENBRADAIKEN

Leichhardt Oval 1987

Photo: Andrew Stark

Congratulations to Tarryn Tarryn ‘‘TazTaz’ ’ Aiken Aiken who made her Test debut with the Jillaroos during the 2022 World Cup. Her late father Brad, played lower grades at Westsback in 1987 and just like her father, Tazis a skilful five eighth.

Magpie Memoir –February 2021 edition for our full story on the Aiken’s.

MAGPIE MEMOIR