For a better quality page of the 1975 season (colour, photos etc) click on 1975
1975
Dennis Ward continued as Captain Coach in 1975 – and, yes, a third consecutive Grand for Dennis Ward, and a third loss. On this occasion West again lost to Lakes 30 – 17. However, an accolade to Dennis Ward – 3 Grand Finals in 3 years was a great achievement. Reserve Grade under Coach Greg Norgard defeated Lakes 12 -10. The West team was 1. K Hemsworth (3 goals) 2. V Cronin 3. G Norgard 4. G Owen 5. N Freund 6. T Murphy 7. F Frasca 8. J Beecher 9. D Farr 10. L Scott 11. W Aoake 12. B Coughlin 13. K Hutchinson. Please note: West Reserves won the first game of the season 18 – 4 over Central but lost the 2 points for playing an unregistered player and the Grand Final try scorers are missing (perhaps someone can help). Third Grade under new Coach Jeff Savage, had a big win against North in the major semi final but were defeated 16 – 9 by North in the decider. Players who first appeared in West’s Grade teams in 1975 included local juniors Bill Carrig, Laurie Rixon and Barry Snushall. Dennis Duncan came to West from West Wyalong and became a long term player and official with the club. Doug Farr came from South Newcastle, Terry Stevens (originally from South Grafton) came from the Sydney Roosters and Ron Sparks followed Dennis Ward from Manly. Another newcomer was a Bob McCarthy “lookalike” – indeed it was Bob’s brother Rick McCarthy who a valuable acquisition to the club. However the most colourful character to join West in 1975 was Sammy Aoake. Sammy came from New Zealand in 1969 and played Rugby Union before linking with South and Kurri. He joined West in 1975 and several clubs after West (he spent many seasons with Windale 2nd Division). Officially Sammy (2011 photo) played 18 seasons of Rugby League, but unofficially...who knows? Sammy Aoake will always be one of the great characters of Newcastle Rugby League. (Sammy Aoake – First played for West in 1975 – Last played in 1987 – 89 games in total)
Pre Season
|
Opponent
|
Result
|
Opponent
|
Result
|
Round 1
|
South
|
Lost 8 - 3
|
Rd 4 - Macquarie
|
Won 21 - 5
|
Round 2
|
Waratah
|
Lost 16 - 2
|
Rd 5 - Central
|
Won 16 - 5
|
Round 3
|
Lakes
|
5 all Draw
|
Semi - Cessnock
|
Won 33 - 14
|
Pre Season Final – West 27 def South 11
|
Competition
|
Opponent
|
Result
|
Reserves
|
Thirds
|
Round 1
|
Central
|
Lost 16 - 7
|
Won 18 – 4 ##
|
Won 16 - 5
|
Round 2
|
North
|
Won 34 - 9
|
Won 17 - 12
|
Won 17 - 5
|
Round 3
|
Kurri
|
16 all Draw
|
Won 17 - 2
|
Won 17 - 8
|
Round 4
|
Waratah
|
Won 13 - 7
|
Won 36 - 0
|
Won 33 - 0
|
Round 5
|
Macquarie
|
Lost 23 - 15
|
Won 19 - 8
|
Won 19 - 5
|
Round 6
|
South
|
Won 32 - 17
|
Won 25 - 8
|
Lost 13 - 12
|
Round 7
|
Cessnock
|
Won 16 - 13
|
Lost 21 - 13
|
Won 23 - 0
|
Round 8
|
Lakes
|
Won 14 - 4
|
Won 28 - 7
|
Won 32 - 5
|
Round 9
|
Maitland
|
Won 17 - 10
|
Lost 14 - 10
|
Lost 19 - 10
|
Round 10
|
Central
|
Won 12 - 2
|
Won 23 - 0
|
Won 19 - 8
|
Round 11
|
North
|
Lost 35 - 14
|
Won 24 – 3
|
Lost 13 - 10
|
Round 12
|
Kurri
|
Won 22 - 12
|
Won 19 - 7
|
Lost 20 - 5
|
Round 13
|
Waratah
|
Won 38 - 12
|
Won 28 - 6
|
Won 35 - 0
|
Round 14
|
Macquarie
|
Lost 17 - 12
|
Won 21 - 10
|
Won 24 - 4
|
Round 15
|
Cessnock
|
Lost 34 - 12
|
Won 15 - 5
|
Lost 12 - 8
|
Round 16
|
Lakes
|
Won 31 - 14
|
Lost 13 - 7
|
Won 17 - 11
|
Round 17
|
Maitland
|
Won 18 - 12
|
Won 23 - 19
|
Won 24 - 14
|
Round 18
|
South
|
Won 16 - 13
|
Won 31 - 3
|
Won 44 - 2
|
Major Semi
|
Lakes
|
Lost 28 - 9
|
West 25 Mait 16
|
North 27 West 9
|
Final
|
North
|
Won 23 - 12
|
|
West 28 Mait 19
|
GRAND FINAL
|
Lakes 30 West 17
|
West 12 def Lakes 10
|
North 16 West 9
|
For a better quality page of the 1976 season (colour, photos etc) click on 1976
1976
Brian Moore (ex Newtown and Macquarie) came in as First Grade Coach in 1976. West finished 2nd in the Premiership and were beaten 22 – 15 by South in the Grand Final. Reserve Grade were also beaten in the Grand Final 20 – 12 by Lakes. However Third Grade, under coach, Brian Warby, were Major and Minor Premiers. They defeated North 39 – 2 in the Grand Final. The West team was 1. J Hulbert 2. N Freund (3 tries) 3. R Christie (try) 4. W King (2 tries) 5. V Cronin (6 goals) 6. W Evans (2 tries) 7. P Anderson 8. G Gidley 9. J O’Donohue (try) 10. J Budin 11. K Hutchinson 12. D Duncan 13. G Skeers. Four players came to West in 1976 who would make a great contribution to the Rosellas. Jon Hulbert came from Dungog. He is one of only 2 players to play 100 games for West in First Grade and Reserve Grade (the other being Greg Price). Tim Lawrence came from Gunnedah, and played 75 games from 1976 to 1980. The sons of the publican from Sandy Hollow, Mick (pictured) and Owen Wallace also arrived in 1976. In future years both of Mick’s sons, Shaun and Jason, would follow in their father’s footsteps at West. In some regards the 1976 season was “un4ortunate” – because West lost their 4th successive First Grade Grand Final. However, “stand back a foot or so” and realise the significant achievement in reaching 4 successive Grand Finals!
Pre Season
|
Opponent
|
Result
|
Opponent
|
Result
|
Round 1
|
Lakes
|
Won 7 - 2
|
Rd 4 - North
|
Lost 10 - 8
|
Round 2
|
Cessnock
|
Won 16 - 4
|
Rd 5 - Central
|
Won 21 - 11
|
Round 3
|
Maitland
|
Lost 17 - 10
|
Play off – 3 v 4 – West 21 South 15
|
Competition
|
Opponent
|
Result
|
Reserves
|
Thirds
|
Round 1
|
North
|
Won 12 - 11
|
Lost 9 - 5
|
Lost 10 - 4
|
Round 2
|
Waratah
|
Lost 18 - 17
|
Lost 15 - 9
|
Won 26 - 11
|
Round 3
|
Cessnock
|
Won 12 - 9
|
Won 26 - 11
|
Won 25 - 8
|
Round 4
|
Lakes
|
Won 14 - 10
|
Won 14 - 2
|
Won 18 - 15
|
Round 5
|
Kurri
|
Won 16 - 15
|
Won 16 - 2
|
18 all Draw
|
Round 6
|
Macquarie
|
Won 54 - 10
|
Won 29 - 10
|
Won 28 - 2
|
Round 7
|
Central
|
Won 19 - 10
|
Won 18 - 8
|
Won 14 - 12
|
Round 8
|
South
|
Lost 17 - 6
|
Won 20 - 10
|
Won 11 - 10
|
Round 9
|
Maitland
|
Won 33 - 20
|
Lost 10 - 7
|
Won 12 - 3
|
Round 10
|
Waratah
|
Won 14 - 5
|
Won 21 - 14
|
Won 15 - 13
|
Round 11
|
North
|
Lost 17 - 7
|
Won 13 - 12
|
Won 17 - 5
|
Round 12
|
Cessnock
|
Won 34 - 10
|
Won 35 - 0
|
Won 23 - 11
|
Round 13
|
Lakes
|
Won 25 - 11
|
15 all Draw
|
Won 21 - 11
|
Round 14
|
Kurri
|
Lost 18 - 11
|
Won 10 - 8
|
Won 34 - 5
|
Round 15
|
Macquarie
|
Won 49 - 7
|
Won 43 - 2
|
Won 61 - 7
|
Round 16
|
Central
|
Lost 38 - 6
|
Lost 19 - 12
|
Won 16 - 11
|
Round 17
|
South
|
Won 15 - 13
|
Won 12 - 9
|
Won 23 - 5
|
Round 18
|
Maitland
|
Lost 18 - 10
|
Won 32 - 9
|
Won 21 - 13
|
Major Semi
|
Lakes
|
Won 22 - 17
|
West 24 North 15
|
West 31 – Nth 12
|
GRAND FINAL
|
South 22 West 15
|
Lakes 20 West 12
|
West 39 North
|
For a better quality page of the 1977 season (clour, photos etc) click on 1977
1977
Brian Moore was again the coach in 1977 and as the results show West First Grade failed to make the semis for the first time since 1963. West played in the Reserve Grade and Third Grade Grand Finals. In Reserve Grade the Wayne Hore coached side lost 17 – 15 to Cessnock in a very close game, whilst in 3rd Grade the Minor Premiers and Brian Warby coached side lost 27 – 9 in the Grand Final. New players to West in 1977 included West Juniors Wayne “Fish” Taylor, Chris Wright, Paul Brady and Geoff Coburn. Coburn (pictured left) went on to play for Parramatta and Newtown before returning to West to finish his football career. Steve Bowden came from Lakes and Robert Wharton (a Souths junior) came from Parramatta. Strong forward Russell Petrie came from Narrabri. Glenn Frew played for Lakes and Stockton as a junior before coming to West as an Under 14. Glenn has the distinction of playing First Grade in his first year in grade. Unfortunately in the 2nd game an attempted tackle on Cessnock prop Warren Jowett left Glenn (yes there are 2 n’s in Glenn) with a broken leg. Have I forgotten any new players in 1977......yep Graeme Wynn and Steve Smith. Apparently, Jack Aitcheson and some other officials went to Tamworth in 1976 to entice Country Firsts centre, Ashley Barnett, from Warialda, to join West in 1977. Things didn’t work out with Ashley (he decided to stay on the Warialda farm), but the West officials noticed an Under 18 “running around” for Werris Creek in Under 18’s...and he was outstanding...so outstanding in fact that after joining West in 1977 Graeme Wynn went onto a great career with St George. Steve Smith (pictured right) came from Balmain as a “top” front row forward. Smith went on to play 132 games for West and was selected in West’s “Team of the Century” in 2010. Anyone else?? David Howell gets his own page...that’s how good he was!
Pre Season
|
Opponent
|
Result
|
Opponent
|
Result
|
Round 1
|
Kurri
|
RAIN
|
Rd 4 - Lakes
|
Won 21 - 0
|
Round 2
|
Waratah
|
Lost 6 - 4
|
Rd 5 - Macquarie
|
Won 28 -6
|
Round 3
|
Maitland
|
Lost 20 - 9
|
Play off – 3 v 4 – West 25 South 13
|
Competition
|
Opponent
|
Result
|
Reserves
|
Thirds
|
Round 1
|
Macquarie
|
Won 31 - 9
|
Won 35 - 18
|
Won 22 - 9
|
Round 2
|
Cessnock
|
Won 19 - 18
|
Won 14 - 10
|
Won 25 - 11
|
Round 3
|
Lakes
|
Won 42 - 0
|
Lost 15 - 8
|
5 all Draw
|
Round 4
|
North
|
Lost 15 - 12
|
Lost 23 - 18
|
Won 9 - 3
|
Round 5
|
Waratah
|
Won 15 - 3
|
Won 8 - 7
|
Lost 15 - 7
|
Round 6
|
Maitland
|
Won 27 - 9
|
Won 24 - 0
|
10 all Draw
|
Round 7
|
South
|
Lost 17 - 10
|
Won 12 - 3
|
Won 12 - 3
|
Round 8
|
Central
|
Won 35 - 13
|
Won 29 - 17
|
Won 14 - 7
|
Round 9
|
Kurri
|
Lost 12 - 11
|
Won 11- 10
|
Lost 15 - 10
|
Round 10
|
Macquarie
|
Won 22 - 3
|
Won 31 - 10
|
Won 23 - 18
|
Round 11
|
Cessnock
|
Lost 14 - 6
|
Lost 12 - 10
|
Won 17 - 7
|
Round 12
|
Lakes
|
Won 20 - 7
|
Lost 22 - 19
|
Lost 10 - 3
|
Round 13
|
North
|
Won 22 - 13
|
Won 26 - 11
|
Won 13 - 7
|
Round 14
|
Waratah
|
Lost 20 - 12
|
Lost 13 - 11
|
Won 15 - 11
|
Round 15
|
Maitland
|
Won 22 - 10
|
Lost 17 - 11
|
Won 16 - 14
|
Round 16
|
South
|
10 all Draw
|
Won 20 - 12
|
Won 16 - 7
|
Round 17
|
Central
|
Lost 8 - 5
|
8 all Draw
|
Won 36 - 11
|
Round 18
|
Kurri
|
Won 9 - 7
|
Won 14 - 3
|
Won 50 - 0
|
Minor Semi
|
|
|
West 12 North 2
|
|
Major Semi
|
|
|
|
Mait 6 West 5
|
Final
|
|
West 23 Lakes 15
|
West 14 North 5
|
GRAND FINAL
|
Cessnock 21 Maitland 17
|
Cess 17 West 15
|
Mait 27 West 9
|
David “Chook” Howell
David Howell was born in Young and attended Young Christian Brothers High School. He was an outstanding schoolboy player, and excelled in either the lock or 5/8 positions. Even as a youngster he was described as “rugged”. David played 2 years for the Young Cherrypickers in Under 16’s, and 2 years in Under 18’s. These 4 years resulted in 4 Grand Final wins. David then played grade with Young where he slotted straight into First Grade. He had 2 seasons at Forbes (in 1972 and 1973), before returning to Young in 1974...and, yes, Young won the comp! He stayed with Young until 1976 but then chance played a part in David joining West. After retiring from rugby league at the end of the 1971 season the “Prince of Hookers”, Allan Buman, bought
a hotel in Tumut. David Howell, by chance, met Allan Buman, and Allan Buman (not by chance) met with Glen Maloney, and thus David joined West in 1977. His West record is most impressive. Played 1977 to 1983...116 games (114 in First Grade)...10 tries....and 3 or 4 Premieships...yep, we’ll call it FOUR! In 1978 Bob Adamson was the coach, but could not play in the Grand Final. Thus David was Captain of the side that defeated South 23 – 16 in the Grand Final. In 1970, as Captain / Coach, David led the side to an impressive 17 – 3 win over Cessnock. The same again in 1981, when West 13 def Cessnock 2. In 1982 David was again Captain / Coach, and although playing throughout the year, an eye injury kept David out of the Grand Final side. The result? West 21 – Kurri 14. At the time of writing (16 March 2014) David was watching West as late as yesterday in West’s first trial game of the 2014 season. If anyone deserves the special status at it is David Howell – the Cherrypicker who turned Rosella!. Of course, when anyone mentions David Howell’s name...the reply is usually the same...”David Howell was the toughest man to ever play for West”...and that may be true..but it would be better put if the response was “David Howell was one of the greatest players to ever play for West”. In 2010 David Howell took his place amongst West greats when he was selected in West’s “Team of the Century”. The name “chook”?.....as David explained..”Howell to fowl...fowl to chook”
“West Legend” – “David Howell!
For a better quality page of the 1978 season (colour, photos etc) click on 1978
1978
Bob Adamson took over as Captain/ Coach in 1978 with immediate success. West were Minor Premiers and defeated South 23 – 16 in the Grand Final. However Adamson broke his hand in the round 12 game against Macquarie and his playing season was over. So David Howell captained the team for the remainder of the season. The winning West team was 1. Paul Slattery 2. Bill Carrig (try) 3. Owen Wallace 4. Tim Lawrence 5. Michael Bond 6. David Howell 7. Rob Darcy 8. Terry Stevens 9. Graeme Wynn (try and 7 goals) 10. Mick Wallace 11. Geoff Coburn 12. Allan Dagwell 13. Steve Smith. In an unusual feature of the Grand Final West scored 2 tries and kicked 7, yes seven, goals. Something unusual in Third Grade also – 3 consecutive draws and 4 draws for the season! Only a few new players joined West in 1978. Some were Trevor Priestley who came from West juniors, Greg Harrison, who went on to play 228 games, came from Kotara juniors and Michael Bond came from Forbes. The other notable player to arrive in 1978 was Allan Lennan who went on to play 118 games for West (someone will know where Allan came from). All in all it was a pretty good year, and another year when West were not beaten in all 3 grades on the one day, although in Round 5 we came awfully close. Allan Dagwell (pictured) played in the 1970 winning Grand Final team, and then “backed up” with this winning 1978 team. Dagwell played a record 332 games for West (301 in First Grade) from1966 to 1980...a record that will never be broken (says he in April 2014).
Pre Season
|
Opponent
|
Result
|
Opponent
|
Result
|
Round 1
|
Kurri
|
3 all Draw
|
Rd 4 – Lakes
|
Won 21 - 10
|
Round 2
|
South
|
Won 10 - 2
|
Rd 5 - Cessnock
|
Lost 20 - 5
|
Round 3
|
Maitland
|
Won 17 - 11
|
Final West 26 – Central 14
|
Competition
|
Opponent
|
Result
|
Reserves
|
Thirds
|
Round 1
|
Kurri
|
Won 23 - 10
|
Won 18 - 0
|
Won 20 - 3
|
Round 2
|
Maitland
|
Won 31 - 0
|
Won 15 - 8
|
Won 22 - 13
|
Round 3
|
Cessnock
|
Lost 18 - 14
|
Lost 17 - 13
|
Won 8 -7
|
Round 4
|
Central
|
Won 40 - 7
|
Lost 17 - 16
|
12 all Draw
|
Round 5
|
Lakes
|
Lost 18 - 12
|
Lost 30 - 9
|
10 all Draw
|
Round 6
|
North
|
Lost 17 - 7
|
Won 7 - 6
|
10 all Draw
|
Round 7
|
Waratah
|
Won 25 - 18
|
Lost 17 - 16
|
Won 19 - 0
|
Round 8
|
South
|
Won 15 - 10
|
Won 26 - 7
|
Won 23 - 10
|
Round 9
|
Macquarie
|
Won 23 - 10
|
Won 22 - 21
|
Won 12 - 9
|
Round 10
|
Maitland
|
Won 26 - 10
|
Lost 14 - 11
|
Won 22 - 13
|
Round 11
|
Cessnock
|
Won 18 - 14
|
Lost 22 - 10
|
Lost 33 - 7
|
Round 12
|
Macquarie
|
Lost 17 - 14
|
Lost 18 - 15
|
Won 17 - 7
|
Round 13
|
Lakes
|
Won 30 - 4
|
13 all Draw
|
Lost 14 - 12
|
Round 14
|
North
|
Won 13 - 6
|
Won 30 - 7
|
Lost 17 - 13
|
Round 15
|
Waratah
|
Won 36 - 14
|
Won 27 - 23
|
Won 18 - 9
|
Round 16
|
Central
|
Won 26 - 5
|
Lost 17 - 12
|
Won 40 - 8
|
Round 17
|
South
|
Won 12 - 5
|
Won 36 - 16
|
15 all Draw
|
Round 18
|
Kurri
|
Won 27 - 3
|
Won 27 - 18
|
Won 46 - 0
|
Minor Semi
|
|
|
|
South 15 West 8
|
Major Semi
|
Macquarie
|
Won 29 - 0
|
|
|
GRAND FINAL
|
West 23 South 16
|
|
|
For a better quality page (colour, photos etc) of the 1979 season click on 1979
1979
Bob Adamson was again Captain / Coach in 1979 and First Grade finished 6th with 9 wins and 9 losses. Reserve Grade under coach, Doug Farr were Minor and Major Premiers and Third Grade, under Captain / Coach Karl Hutchinson (pictured), were really hard done by...I mean really hard done by...to be beaten 10 -9 by Central with a penalty goal after the bell for an incorrect scrum feed. (In fact, in my corner of the field, I saw the West feed go into the Central 2nd row so as to avoid a penalty, and West still got penalised...tough I say..tough! As you can see this decision still annoys me 35 years later.) The winning Reserve Grade side was 1. Allan Lennan 2. Stephen Nelmes 3. Tony Murphy 4. Dean Lance 5. Ron Bailey 6. Ted Sulkowicz 7. Bob Paton 8. Doug Farr 9. Glen Willetts 10. Trevor Priestley 11. Steve Smith 12. Bob Hayden 13. Brendan Barber. The score was 29 – 6 over Maitland, and tries were scored by A Lennan, T Murphy, D Farr, B Paton, R Bailey while T Sulkowicz kicked 7 goals. Players who first played with West in 1970 included Glendale junior, Brett Nixon, who went on to play over 200 games for the club. Ken Groves (Queensland), Dean Lance (Narrabri), Mal Graham (Wauchope), Glen Willetts (Maitland), Bob Hayden and Bob Paton (Nelson Bay) and West juniors Ian Ross and Wayne Nichols also joined West. Dean Lance went on to a successful NRL career with the Canberra Raiders. West failed to make the First Grade semi finals in 1979 and at the time of writing (April 2014) this has not happened again – a great record really! Would West’s fortunes change in 1980?....YOU BETCHA!
Pre Season
|
Opponent
|
Result
|
Opponent
|
Result
|
Round 1
|
South
|
14 all Draw
|
Rd 4 – Macquarie
|
Won 19 - 7
|
Round 2
|
North
|
Won 7 - 5
|
|
|
Round 3
|
Maitland
|
Won 14 - 9
|
Final West 13 – Kurri 13
|
Competition
|
Opponent
|
Result
|
Reserves
|
Thirds
|
Round 1
|
Cessnock
|
Lost 19 - 6
|
Won 25 - 13
|
Lost 10 - 3
|
Round 2
|
Lakes
|
Lost 36 - 5
|
Won 25 - 16
|
Won 13 - 9
|
Round 3
|
Waratah
|
Won 25 - 10
|
Won 28 - 27
|
Won 23 - 8
|
Round 4
|
Kurri
|
Won 27 - 18
|
Won 23 - 16
|
Won 17 - 16
|
Round 5
|
Macquarie
|
Won 14 - 10
|
Won 41 - 0
|
Won 24 - 3
|
Round 6
|
North
|
Lost 19 - 10
|
Lost 17 - 7
|
Won 13 - 6
|
Round 7
|
South
|
Won 22 - 11
|
Won 38 - 13
|
Won 12 - 8
|
Round 8
|
Maitland
|
Lost 16 - 10
|
Lost 14 - 13
|
Won 29 - 2
|
Round 9
|
Central
|
Won 22 - 9
|
Won 16 - 6
|
Lost 8 - 2
|
Round 10
|
Cessnock
|
Won 31 - 10
|
Lost 17 - 14
|
Won 22 - 2
|
Round 11
|
Lakes
|
Lost 25 - 13
|
Won 18 - 17
|
Lost 19 - 12
|
Round 12
|
Waratah
|
Won 19 - 13
|
Won 18 - 10
|
Won 7 - 3
|
Round 13
|
Kurri
|
Lost 8 - 6
|
Won 20 - 13
|
Won 18 - 2
|
Round 14
|
Macquarie
|
Lost 22 - 13
|
Won 27 - 5
|
Won 47 - 2
|
Round 15
|
North
|
Lost 17 - 6
|
Won 15 - 14
|
Won 16 - 15
|
Round 16
|
South
|
Won 32 - 7
|
Won 31 - 11
|
Won 35 - 2
|
Round 17
|
Maitland
|
Won 15 - 8
|
Lost 14 - 13
|
Won 8 - 5
|
Round 18
|
Central
|
Lost 23 - 17
|
Won 43 - 0
|
Won 23 - 5
|
Major Semi
|
|
|
West 26 Maitland 7
|
West 21 Lakes 15
|
GRAND FINAL
|
|
West 29 Maitland 6
|
Central 10 West 9
|