Magpie Memoir Magazine - (issue 23) July 2023

TIME

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

1991 1991

Wests U12s Development Wests U12s Development Squad Squad of 1991 of 1991-

featuring Tallyn DaSilva’s father, John & Rua Ngatikaura’s uncle, Junior.

The side also boasted Dan Heckenberg who kicked on to play in the top grade at St George

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE ©Andrew Stark

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

Photos Andrew Stark

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE

July 2022:Edition 23

The otheringof Westscontinues to cut deep. The recent appointment to the WestsTigers board of John ‘Joe Cool’ Dorahyoffers a glimpse of hope. It is however a mammoth task for any one individual to turn this juggernaut of orangey perception around.

I was punched in the guts recently by a starkly symbolic moment which loomed large before my lens. While watching our Western Suburbs NSW Cup Cupteam play at Leichhardt, I spotted former Magpies secretary and 1980s club saviour, Rick Wayde (a WestsTigers board member) sporting his Tiger emblazoned cap pulled firmly down to his ears. He was up in the posh seats of the LatchemRobinson Stand with one or two Tiger power brokers as the Magpies battled away below. I don't really know why, but it sent a horrible, blue wiggle kind of shiver up my spine. We fought in the trenches behind this man during the 1980s to save the Western Suburbs Magpies and here he is today –a full blooded Tiger. Pushing Rick, The Wiggles and Joe Cool to one side -I must concede that circa mid 2023, with Western Suburbs providing all of the financial backing and all of the quality juniors, Westsreceive none of the brand identity -I think it’s become a lost cause. When it comes to hearts, minds and general perception -Balmain has well and truly won the war.

©Andrew Stark 2023

email: 10dollarjpegs@gmx.com

ISSN: 2652-4406

front cover: Will Smith & Brandon Wakeham. above: An early 2023 tweet from John Dorahy right: Rick Wayde-Tigers fiefdom appears to be giving him a migraine. Photos -Andrew Stark

-- Andrew Stark Andrew Stark

Top – TallynDaSilva (U18s Player of the Match), Heath Mason Peter French

Line 2 - OnitoniLarge, Lachlan Galvin - Line 3 – Peter Taai, SosefuFinau, Ryan Polsen.

Bottom Line - HeamasiMakasini(2 tries for City U16s) Paul Johnson, Dan Waqa, Jordan Miller

Under 16s City 30 def Country 0

Under 18s City 30 def Country 10

Photos –Andrew Stark

WESTS CAN WIN THE COMP WESTS CAN WIN THE COMP

WesternSuburbscanwinthisyear WesternSuburbscanwinthisyear’’sNSWCup sNSWCup competition,butitmustbeconceded,theyprobablywont. competition,butitmustbeconceded,theyprobablywont.

TheMagpieshavebeencompetitivethroughtheopeningthreemonths.They dohoweverneedtostartturningthetightgamesintovictories. Alack of discipline,bothwithandwithouttheSteeden,hascostLambkin’sLadsdearly. Ifthiscanbeaddressed,atopsixfinalsberthbeckons.

Here’shopingthatduringthelastmonthoftheirseason,theNRLteamallow BrandonWakehamtoqualifytoplayintheNSWCupfinals.Iftheenergetic half/fiveeighth,whostarredfor therunnersup,Canterburyinlastseasons competition,isabletore-linkwithWillSmithinthehalves–Westscangive thisthingarealshake.

KeyMagpiemenduringtheopeninghalfoftheyearhavebeen–Seyfarth& Jamesupfront,MatamuaasalinkmaninthemiddleandLaurieattheback. TheadditionofManaiaCherringtonhasalsoaddedsparkoutofdummyhalf. Asemifinalspineof–Laurie,Wakeham,Smith&Cherrington–isgood enoughtobringWesternSuburbsits firstReserveGradetitlesince1981.

Manaia Manaia Cherrington Cherrington

Alex Alex Seyfarth Seyfarth

Brandon Brandon Wakeham Wakeham

Photos Photos ––

Andrew Stark Andrew Stark

MAGPIE MEMOIR

RIDICULOUS RIDICULOUS

The Magpies NSW Cup side The Magpies NSW Cup side suffered a ridiculous mid May suffered a ridiculous mid May loss, surrendering a 22 point loss, surrendering a 22 point lead to Souths. lead to Souths.

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE

Livai Livai Saukuru Saukuru, , Triston Triston Reilly, Will Smith James Reilly, Will Smith James Roumanos Roumanos & & Justin Justin Matamua Matamua captured moments after the fulltime whistle captured moments after the fulltime whistle

Photo Photo ––Andrew Stark Andrew Stark

Westswererompingitinduringtheopeninghalfandled22-2atthe break.Beyondorangeshowever,themeninblack&whitelostall discipline–fumblingtheball,slippingofftacklesandgenerallyplayed dumb.Nothingwentrightduringthesecondhalf.Theleftedgeof Boyling,Smith,ReillyandSaukuruhadnoanswertoSouthsslick attackingrushes.RabbitohfullbackBlakeTaaffesweptintothebackline togreateffect,feedinggiantwingerIzaakThompsontoasecondhalf hattrick(includingthematchwinnerwiththreeminutesontheclock).While muchoftheWests capitulationwasselfinflicted,itmightalsobe pointedoutthattheMagpiesdidn’tgetasinglecallgotheirwayduring agallingfinalfortyminutes.Southshoppedgleefullyontoanavalanche ofmomentumandunceremoniouslypulledourpantsdown.

ThefollowingroundsawWestsgetwellandtrulySoniLukedbyPenrithat Leichhardt.TheMagpiesstartedwellwithLivaiSaukurugoingclose,before TristanReillynabbedtheopeningtry.Fromthatpointonhowever,itwasall Penrith.FormerWestscaptainLukeGarnerburstovertwicetosetupan184Panthershalftimelead.Disciplineanddumbfootyagainplayedtheirpart inourdemiseasSoniLuke(backingupfromaThursdaynightNRLgame)and KurtFallshadtheMagpiesflyingineverincreasingcircles.Frustration reachedfeverpitchlateinthegameandasaresult,Westswerereducedto elevenfollowingawellattendedbrouhaha.

Above: Players and fans alike were stunned by the dramatic mid-match reversal of fortune. Photos –Andrew Stark

ItwasadisappointingafternoonfortheMagpies,goingdown40-10toa teamthey’dbeatenby20justthreeweeksearlier.ForWests,Seyfarth againworkedhard,Jameshadhismoments,whileinterchangedummy halfCherringtonsparkedtheoccasionalforay.

AtriptoSteelerscountryforthefinalgameofthemonthprovidedno respiteforthestrugglingBlack&Whites.Ifeconomistscanclaimthat twoconsecutivequartersofnegativegrowthconstitutearecession,then I’mmarkingfourlossesonthetrotasanofficialformslump.

AnotherwiselovelySundayafternooninFigtree,sawWestsrevisittheir round11houseofcardstrick,asweonceagaingaveupahealthylead, capitulatingtotheSaints.Ahead14-0justshyofthehalfhour,and seeminglyintotalcontrol,quiteinexplicablyourladstrudgedofftrailingby twoatthebreak.DisciplineagainbroughttheMagpiesundone.Theturning pointintheirfortuneswasapenaltyconcededforaninnocuous,almost comicalshoulderchargeperformedbyrightcentreSemisiKioa.TheSt Illawarrateamopenedtheiraccountinthefollowingset,andscoredagain fromtheensuingkickoff.Needlesstosay,itwasalldownhillfromthere.

Westscontinuetodisplayalevelofloosenessthatprovesfatalagainstsides offeringamodicumofselfcontrol.Toomanyall-or-nothingplaysalloweda patientopponenttogrindusintotheBulliturf.Saintsnotchinga40-20win. TheMagpieswerebestservedbypropsTukiSimpkins&AitasiJames.Left

centreTristanReillynotcheda braceoffirsthalftries,howeverhe, alongwithfullbackDaineLaurie, havebeenrocks-and-diamonds performersoveranumberof weeks.

Thehappyendingtothisreport wasprovidedbyWestsheading backtoLidcombe,fromwherethey climbedbackintothewinners circle.TheMagpiesdefeated Canberra26-18inanearlyJune clash.Itisagamewhichmarked TallynDaSilva’sNSWCupdebutoff thebench.AitasiJamesupfront wasagainoutstanding,whileDaine Laurienabbedawelldeserved double.

Above: Half-a-dozen tins in and things still look dire -it was a tough month for Westsfans

Photo –Andrew Stark

Shane Barrett Shane Barrett

CampbelltownWarriorsjunior, Shane‘Bugsy’ Barrettfirst jumpedinfrontofmycamera duringtheSGBallCupseasonof 1989.HewasWestsfiveeighth duringa20-12losstoBalmain playedatLeichhardtOval(he playedmostoftheseasonat lock).TheMagpiesteamwas coachedthatyearbyBill Bowlingandfeaturedfuturetop gradersinBarrett,JasonSmall, TimHoran&ScottDavey.Sadly forWests,nonewouldplayfirst gradewearingthefamousblack &whitejersey.

By1991,Bugsywasacentrethree-quarterplayinginthe ChrisStephandelliscoached JerseyFleggCupteam.Wests begantheseasonlikean expresstrain,winningtheir openingfourgames,including an18-16victoryover Parramatta.TheMagpieslooked goodthingstomakethetop four,andyettheybookended thesevengameseasonwith threelosses.Anagonizingtwo pointdefeatatthehandsof Southsintheirfinalgamesaw thegoodguysfinishfifth.

OncetheFleggseasonwas completed,Barrettandhis LeumeahHighschoolmate,

Shane Barrett Shane Barrett Wests SG Ball Cup 1989

Photo:Andrew Stark

MAGPIE MEMOIR

ScottDaveyweremovedsidewaysintotheWests MetropolitanCupsystem. NotbeingelevatedstraightintoWayneEllis’PresidentsCupsquadmaywell havecreatedunrestandacatalystforchange.Barrett,Davey,Fleggteam mateandStGregory’sCollegepropBrentSmith,aswellasWestsMetroCup fiveeighthPaulWallace,wereallenticedtoBelmoreforseason1992. Canterbury’sReserveGradecoachandformerMagpie,IanSchubertis believedtohavebeeninstrumentalinluringtheCampbelltownjuniorsaway fromthenest.Duringa1996interview,ScottDaveyacknowledgedthathe’d leftWestsbecausehe, “feared his career had stalled”.

TheWestsquartet kickedoff1992in GeoffRobinson’s under21s,theDogs ultimatelyhavinga mixedyear,finishing seventh.Itwas unfortunatetiming fortheescaped MagpieastheWests PresidentsCup teamsoared

Photo – Andrew Stark

Above: Barrett teams up in the halves with good mate Scott Davey in the 1985 U12s grand final. Ashcroft, boasting Brad Fittler at fullback completed an unbeaten season with a 20-8 win.

Shane Barrett –Wests SG Ball Cup vs Balmain at Leichhardt Oval, 1989

through1992torecordafamousgrandfinalwinoverStGeorge.While BugsyBarretbegantheyearonthewingintheCanterbury21s,bymidMay hewascalledupintoShoey’sReserveGradeside.Heremainedinthe BulldogsReggiesteamforthebulkoftheseason,beforedroppingbacktothe noonstartlateintheseason.

ThefollowingyearsawBarrettundertakeasimilartrajectory.Hespentmost oftheseasononthewingintheBulldog21s,ateamcoachedin1993by formerMagpiepropScottTronc.Bytheendoftheyearhowever,hewason thebenchfortheReserveGradesidewhichpusheddeepintothefinals.

TheWesternRedshadbeenannouncedasanewARLclubduring1992with alaunchdatesetfor1995.ShaneBarrettdecidedtojoinPeterMulholland’s bandofmerrymeninheadingacrosstheNullarbor.Manyofthenewclub’s hopefulsheadedtoPerthin1994andplayedinthelocalcompetition.Shane Barrett,alongwithformerCanterburyteammate,AaronMilanlinkedwith theApplecrossJets.TheJetsmadethepreliminaryfinalandBarrettplayed fortheWesternAustralianrepsidewhichwontheInterstateAnsett ChallengeCup(beatingNorthQueensland22-14inthefinal).

TheRedskickedoffwithabangin1995,defeatingStGeorgeintheiropening

Shane Barrett attempts to escape the attention of gun Eels forward Andrew McIlwanie (Flegg Cup 1991)

Photo:Andrew Stark

beforecompletinganadmirabledebutwinter,winning11of22 games.Barrettwasunabletocrackthetopgradein1995,however hismomentfinallyarrivedduringearly1996.Hecrossedforatryagainsthis oldclub,CanterburyinafinedebutattheWACA.Theonlydownsidefor Bugsywasan18-14defeat.Histryonthehourhadthehometeamahead148,howeverthepremiersfinishedfasttoruintheparty. Thefollowingweek,Barrettretainedhistop-gradespotfortheclashwith SydneyTigersattheorangeyclub’s ‘Ninth Wonder’, ParramattaStadium. TheRedssufferedyetanotherfourpointloss.AfrustratedcoachMulholland stormedintothefollowingweeksselectionroomandwieldedtheaxe.He droppedhisrookiewinger!ShaneBarrett’sbrieftopgradeforaywasover, andhewasconsignedtoplayouttherestoftheseasoninReserveGrade.

ThecashstrappedWesternRedshadalignedwithSuperLeagueduring1996 andtheychangedtheirnametothePerthCityRedsin1997.Bugsyplayed outtheclub’sfinalyearinReserveGrade.ThePeterParrcoachedteamsat secondheadingintothefinals,howeverlossestoNthQld&Auckland(again, bothbyfourpoints),sawtheRedsgooutthebackdoor.

FasttracktomorecontemporarytimesandShaneBarrettcanbefound runningaflooringcompanyinPerth.Hehastwodaughters;Chelsea&Holly. Theyoungest,Holly,hasgainedconsiderablefameasbothastageandTV actress,workingoutofLosAngeleswheresheliveswithhermother,Jen. HollyBarrett’smostrecognisablerolebeingthatofSamantha intheUS sitcom, Life in Pieces.

Above: Barrett, Davey, Smith & Wallace run into the premiership bound Magpies in 1992. Wests won the April clash 28-8 Right Top: Star of stage and screen, Bugsy’s youngest daughter, Holly Barrett. Below: Shane Barrett during recent times (courtesy Facebook)

GALLANT GALLANT WESTS FALL WESTS FALL SG BALL CUP SG BALL CUP KNOCKOUT KNOCKOUT THRILLER THRILLER

Despitefieldingtheyoungest Despitefieldingtheyoungest teaminthisseason teaminthisseason’’sSGBall sSGBall Cupcompetition,Wests Cupcompetition,Wests wentmightyclosetolifting wentmightyclosetolifting the2023silverware. the2023silverware.

Finishingsixthatseasonsend, theMagpiestookoneventual premiersParramattainwhat becameatremendous eliminationfinaltussle.

TheBlack&WhitesledforthevastmajorityofthecontestbeforetheEels somehowmanagedtoslipthehook.

Westswereup4-0atthebreakafterarightfootstepallowedHeathMason toslideinsidethedefenceclosetotheline.Parramattathenedgedahead6-4 midwaythroughthesecondhalf.Aminutelaterhowever,itwasMasonagain whofromakickreturn,skippeddownanarrowblindsidebeforeracing80 metres.TheMagpiesheldtheir10-6leaduntil9minutesfromfulltime.The Eels,withaslickinterchangeofpasses(inandout),scoreda50metretryto grabbackthelead,12-10.Masonclimbedhighandalmostpulledabombout oftheskytwominutesfromtheendbutitsimplywasn’ttobe.Alastsecond dummyhalftrytotheEelsblewthefinalscoreoutto18-10. WesternSuburbsbestwasundoubtedlyfullbackHeathMasonwhowasin everything.ParramattadidwelltokeepthesupertalentedTallynDaSilva relativelyquiet.ThelossofpropChrisFaagututoakneeinjuryduringthe firsthalfwasamajorhindrance.KitLaulilii,LachieGalvin,WillCraigplayed well,whilethegiantJordanMillerhadhismoments.

Above: Westsskipper, Kit Laulilii on the charge against the Eels (Photo –Andrew Stark)

Twohalfchancesinsidethefinalfifteenminutes,withWestsleadingbyfour, stickinmymind.Firstlyadroppedbombcouldn’tbescoopedupbyOfele Lenewiththelineopen.Secondly,afteracoupleofsetsontheEelslinea shiftleftendedwithabulletpassgoingovertheshoulderofanunmarked SoloSaukuruonthewing.Inclassicsemifinalfashion,Westsfailedtotake eitherofthesechances,andthegamecamebacktobitethem.Anotherfactor duringadominantsecondhalfperiodwastheMagpiesinabilitytosecure twogoallinedropouts.WiththeEelsundersiege,theBlue&Gold’s managedtoclimbhighonbothoccasionstosecurepossession.

Parramattawerebraveindefenceandtheyheldtheirnervetogive themselvesachancetopouncelate.Thattheywentontodefeatboth CanberraandNewcastleinthefollowingweekstoclaimthetitle,further emphasisesjusthowclosetheMagpiescametoreachingthepointiestendof season2023.

HeartycongratulationsgoouttotheyoungWeststeamonamost memorableunder19scampaign.

Heath Mason skips past Blaize Talagibefore racing away to score a spectacular 80 metre try

MAGPIE MEMOIR MAGAZINE

Photo Photo –– Andrew Stark Andrew Stark

Photo: Photo: Andrew Stark Andrew Stark

Richard Penisini and TinoTavana fly high during the SG Ball Cup elimination final

Graphics courtesy of the NSWRL

Photos Andrew Stark

Graphics courtesy of the NSWRL

Photos Below –Kimball Liufau, Luke Laulilii,

Alex Isdale, Sonny Edwards-Moeke

Photos Andrew Stark

MODERN DAY WESTS MODERN DAY WESTS EXPERIENCE EXPERIENCE

WhilecoveringtheWestsvs.ParramattaSGBallCupfinalatCampbelltown duringlateApril,Ifoundmyselfgettingfullonsentimental.Duringtheheat ofthebattle,InoticedaMagpiefather&soninthecrowd,kittedoutinfull black&whiteclobber(seebackpage).Spottingtheduogeneratedmemoriesof measayoungboyontheLidcombeOvalhillwithmylatedad,Hughie. Whileitwashearteningtowitnessafurthergenerationtreadingthesame, wellwornWestspaththatmyfatherandIhadtroddenhalfacenturyearlier, thecontextualdifferencewasstark(nopunintended).Myboyhoodmemories areofahillburstingwithlife.RoughnreadyfanscheeringonTommy, Snake,BoydyandDallas.Amaelstromofhumanactivityatopthedusty easternhillasthesunlowereditselfgentlyinbehindthehumblegrandstand. Raucousburstsofspectatoremotion,perfectlyin-syncwiththehighsand lowsofabrutal,foreverphysicalcontestbeingplayedoutjustbeyondthe innerringofthebiketrack.

ThestarkestcontextualdifferenceisthatwhenIwasaboy,Westswerein thebigleague.

My 1970s My 1970s Wests Wests Experience Experience

Theladandhisdad,circaApril2023,hadtheCampbelltownHillto themselves.Sure,itwasajuniorrepgame,butthestorywouldhavebeen thesamehadtheybeenwatchingaWestsNSWCupgameatLidcombe.In facthadtheybeenwatchingWayneLambkinsboys,theymaywellhave watchedfromtheverysamespotmydadandIstoodupontheday Tommy’steamscoredtheonlytryoftheafternooningoingdown12-11to

thechampionEaststeamduring1975(itwastheclosestanyteamgottoArtie andhisRoostersduringtheir19gameunbeatenstreak).

Asmuchasitisapositiveandheartwarmingimage,awaveofmelancholy crashesatopthismoderndayCampbelltownscene.ForasIobservethe boyproudlydeckedoutinhisMagpieplayingattire,Icometothefull realisationthathisWestsexperiencewillforeverbehopelesslytempered. HewillneverbecocoonedwithinacrowdofheavingWesternSuburbs kinship.Thatbelchingandburpingmassofoddballfans,boisterously cheeringonleague’sperennialunderdogs.Amaelstromofparochialism thatsoenvelopedmeasawideeyedyoungsterfromStrathfield.

Thiswasmylocalclub. TheWesternSuburbsMagpies RLFCperfectlyrepresentedmy neighbourhood,andthelocals reciprocatedbygathering, shoulderto

shoulderonthe LidcombeHillfor eachandevery homegame.

WhenIwasaboy, supportingWestswas waymorethanstanding onasedatehillwatching thefootywithyourdad.It wasfrantic,itwas cultural,itwaseducative. Thepracticewaswholly passeddownandit infusedinme,agenuine senseofplace...whenI wasaboy,supporting Westswasawayoflife.

*Apologiesiftheman&boydepicted here,aren’tfather&son

2023 2023 Wests Wests Experience Experience

MODERN DAY MODERN DAY

WESTS WESTS EXPERIENCE EXPERIENCE

the generational the generational rite of passage rite of passage