For a beter quality page of the 1980 season (colour, photos etc) click on 1980
1980
David Howell took over as Captain Coach in 1980, while South champion, John Anderson was appointed Reserve Grade Captain / Coach. The Third Grade coach was Bob Haydon. West came within 1 point – yes one point, of being Major Premiers in all 3 grades (with West losing to Cessnock by 1 point in Reserve Grade). In First Grade West 17 def Cessnock 13. The West team was 1. Robert Wharton (4 goals). 2. Dean Lance (2 tries) 3. Owen Wallace 4. Tim Lawrence 5. Mal Graham 6. Brad Finnigan 7. Bob Paton 8. David Howell 9. Steve Smith 10. Mick Wallace (try) 11. Geoff Coburn 12. Bob Haydon and 13 Steve Poulton. In Third Grade West 26 def Cessnock 11. The winning West side was 1. Chris Wright (try) 2. Glenn Frew 3. Rob Christie 4. Ian Thompson 5. Neville Freund (try) 6. “Fish” Taylor (try) 7. Grahame Morrissey 8. Doug Farr 9. Richard Hamment 10. Paul Ferry (try) 11. Ian Ross (try and 3 goals) 12. Dennis Duncan (c) 13. Gary Broadhead. Four West players – David Howell, Steve Smith, Owen Wallace and Ken Groves were selected in the Newcastle rep side. On the debit side - from the 1980 AGM Booklet (West v Waratah – Rd 10)
“What a sad blow it was for Allan Dagwell (pictured – Centenary Dinner 2010) to receive a serious injury that ended his playing career. It is beyond comprehension the manner in which Allan received his injury, as he was one of the cleanest players to have played the code. At the time Allan received his injury, he was playing his 301st First Grade game for the club, and in doing so Allan has not only made history in the annals of the club, but has created a record that may never be surpassed.”
(It is better not to tell what happened ..let’s just say... a very unfortunate incident.)
The 3 significant newcomers to the club in 1980 were Brad Finnigan (Young) and Steve Poulton (Lakes). John Anderson was Captain/ Coach of Reserve Grade but was injured in the 2nd last competition game. Had John been able to play in the Reserve Grade Grand Final (again from the AGM Booklet) “the result would have been reversed”. So after a very successful 1980 season West looked forward to 1981.
Pre Season
|
Opponent
|
Result
|
Opponent
|
Result
|
Round 1
|
Macquarie
|
Won 27 - 5
|
Rd 4 – Maitland
|
Lost 12 - 9
|
Round 2
|
South
|
Won 16 - 15
|
|
|
Round 3
|
Central
|
Lost 18 - 17
|
Play Off for 3rd – West 15 Central 10
|
Competition
|
Opponent
|
Result
|
Reserves
|
Thirds
|
Round 1
|
Waratah
|
Won 11 - 5
|
Lost 19 - 14
|
Lost 14 - 11
|
Round 2
|
Lakes
|
Won 16 - 8
|
Won 21 - 0
|
Won 20 - 0
|
Round 3
|
Kurri
|
4 all Draw
|
Won 11 - 0
|
Won 8 - 7
|
Round 4
|
Central
|
Won 19 - 11
|
Lost 22 - 21
|
Won 11 - 5
|
Round 5
|
North
|
Won 20 - 12
|
Won 24 - 11
|
Won 10 - 3
|
Round 6
|
Macquarie
|
Won 27 - 18
|
Won 19 - 17
|
Lost 22 - 10
|
Round 7
|
Cessnock
|
Lost 25 - 10
|
Won 22 - 14
|
11 all Draw
|
Round 8
|
Maitland
|
Won 28 - 10
|
Won 21 - 13
|
14 all Draw
|
Round 9
|
South
|
14 all Draw
|
Won 21 - 8
|
Won 15 - 7
|
Round 10
|
Waratah
|
Won 30 - 5
|
Won 20 - 17
|
Won 15 - 8
|
Round 11
|
Lakes
|
Won 30 - 12
|
Won 35 - 17
|
Won 21 - 10
|
Round 12
|
Kurri
|
Lost 22 - 6
|
Won 19 - 13
|
Won 31 - 8
|
Round 13
|
Central
|
Lost 18 - 6
|
Won 18 - 9
|
Won 13 - 9
|
Round 14
|
North
|
Won 11 - 5
|
Won 27 - 12
|
Won 29 - 15
|
Round 15
|
Macquarie
|
Won 21 - 11
|
Won 36 - 8
|
13 all Draw
|
Round 16
|
Cessnock
|
16 all Draw
|
Lost 31 - 18
|
Won 20 - 12
|
Round 17
|
Maitland
|
Won 31 - 16
|
Lost 22 - 13
|
Won 25 - 11
|
Round 18
|
South
|
Won 19 - 4
|
Won 69 - 2
|
Lost 18 - 9
|
Prelim Semi
|
Cessnock
|
Won 22 - 16
|
Waratah 32 West 14
|
West 38 Macq 18
|
Minor Semi
|
|
|
West 24 Maitland 10
|
|
Major Semi
|
Kurri
|
Won 19 - 9
|
|
Cess 16 West 8
|
Final
|
|
|
West 17 Waratah 13
|
West 21 Macq 19
|
GRAND FINAL
|
West 17 def Cessnock 13
|
Cessnock 15 West 14
|
West 26 Cess 11
|
For a better quality page of the 1981 season (colour, photos etc) click on 1981
1981
David Howell was again in charge of First Grade, John Anderson was again in charge of Reserve Grade whilst Dennis Duncan took on the position of Under 23’s Coach. In the First Grade Grand Final West 13 def Cessnock 2. The West team (pictured) was 1. Peter Walsh (2 goals) 2. John Hulbert 3. Dean Lance 4. Mal Graham 5. Allan Lennan 6. Brad Finnigan 7. Peter Duggan (try) 8. David Howell 9. Gary Martine (try) 10. Ron Broderick 11. Ken Groves 12. Wayne Newling 13. Steve Smith 14. Bob Paton (try). A few things to note about 1981. Under 23’s were introduced instead of Third Grade (what goes around comes around..at the time of writing, April 2014, we have under 23’s again). West were also beaten in all 3 grades by Macquarie in Round 3 – a rare event indeed. A record number of 36 new players first played with West in 1981. These included the West Magpies trio of Peter Walsh, Ron Broderick and Peter Duggan who were recommended to West by Allan Bell (of Knights fame). Col Bice, David Morris and Ashley Hardes were West Juniors, while Craig and Peter Dedman were Kotara Juniors. Gary Martine (formerly with South) came to West from Mascot B Grade and South Sydney U 20’s. (Martine then went to Paramatta in 1982 only to return in 1984 as West’s successful First Grade Captain / Coach). Shaun Sunerton arrived from Macquarie and the “energiser” Wayne Newling came from Maitland. David Howell, Ken Groves, Mal Graham, Peter Walsh and Dean Lance all achieved representative honours. Two years – two wins – 1982? Would it be three years for 3 wins? YOU BETCHA!!
Pre Season
|
Opponent
|
Result
|
Opponent
|
Result
|
Round 1
|
South
|
Won 42 - 0
|
Rd 4 – Central
|
Won 25 - 15
|
Round 2
|
Kurri
|
Won 24 - 2
|
|
|
Round 3
|
Waratah
|
Won 17 - 5
|
Play Off for 1st – Cessnock 28 def West 8
|
Competition
|
Opponent
|
Result
|
Reserves
|
Under 23’s
|
Round 1
|
South
|
Won 25 - 13
|
Won 24 - 23
|
Won 16 - 0
|
Round 2
|
Maitland
|
Lost 28 - 10
|
Won 30 - 7
|
Won 31 - 0
|
Round 3
|
Macquarie
|
Lost 33 - 11
|
Lost 28 - 9
|
Lost 14 - 10
|
Round 4
|
Kurri
|
Won 9 - 8
|
Lost 22 - 16
|
Lost 15 - 10
|
Round 5
|
North
|
Won 19 - 5
|
Lost 10 - 5
|
Won 15 - 10
|
Round 6
|
Central
|
Won 44 - 11
|
Won 21 - 0
|
Won 7 - 0
|
Round 7
|
Cessnock
|
Lost 22 - 16
|
Won 18 - 14
|
Lost 21 - 17
|
Round 8
|
Waratah
|
Won 23 - 8
|
Lost 12 - 5
|
Lost 23 - 14
|
Round 9
|
Lakes
|
Won 27 - 16
|
Won 36 - 5
|
9 all Draw
|
Round 10
|
South
|
Won 38 - 5
|
Won 32 - 7
|
Won 35 - 8
|
Round 11
|
Maitland
|
Won 27 - 5
|
Won 21 - 12
|
Won 24 - 3
|
Round 12
|
Macquarie
|
Won 24 - 10
|
Lost 25 - 18
|
Lost 27 - 19
|
Round 13
|
Kurri
|
Won 20 -9
|
Won 24 - 18
|
Lost 18 - 2
|
Round 14
|
North
|
Won 36 - 5
|
Won 25 - 15
|
Won 16 -11
|
Round 15
|
Central
|
Won 35 - 8
|
Won 23 - 5
|
Won 15 - 12
|
Round 16
|
Cessnock
|
Won 24 - 12
|
Lost 18 - 7
|
Won 9 - 7
|
Round 17
|
Waratah
|
Won 21 - 0
|
Won 26 - 16
|
Lost 28 - 8
|
Round 18
|
Lakes
|
Won 44 - 7
|
Won 42 - 8
|
Lost 22 - 15
|
Elimination Semi
|
|
|
Waratah 21 West 5
|
Lakes 24 West 10
|
Major Semi Final
|
Kurri
|
Won 37 - 11
|
|
|
GRAND FINAL
|
West 13 def Cessnock 2
|
|
|
For a better quality page of the 1982 season (colour, photos etc) click on 1982
1982
David Howell was again in charge of First Grade, John Anderson was again in charge of Reserve Grade whilst Glen Frew took on the position of Under 23’s Coach. West nearly had the “clean sweep”, but were beaten in the 3rd Grade Grand Final by South after being Minor Premiers. First Grade made it “3 in a row” when they defeated Kurri 21 to 14 in the Grand Final played at the International Sports Centre. David Howell suffered an eye injury in the 3rd last round and was unable to take his place in the team. The winning West team was 1. Peter Walsh (3 goals) 2. Jon Hulbert (try) 3. Craig Dedman (try) 4. Ron Gibbs (3 tries) 5. Allan Lennan 6. Brad Finnigan 7. Bob Paton 8. Craig Duffy 9. Mick Wallace 10. Ron Broderick 11. Steve Smith 12. Rod Bright 13. Brett Nixon and 14. Peter Johnston. Reserve Grade defeated defeated Maitland 21 to 10. The West team was 1. Ian Thompson (try) 2. Peter Stevenson 3. Neil Toohey (try) 4. Brett Kondratiew 5. Michael Wilson (try) 6. Paul Grob 7. Peter Duggan (try and 3 goals) 8. Gary James 9. Wayne Aoake (try) 10. Peter Johnston 11. Brendan Barber 12. Jim McKenna and 13. Russell Petrie. New players to West in 1982 included Steve Coburn, Ken Daly and Steve Donohue (Kotara Bears), Glen Murray and Peter Stevenson (Glendale), Craig Duffy (Nth Sydney), Paul Grob (North N’Cle), Peter Johnston (Kempsey), Michael Street (Lakes) and Mitchell Knight (West Juniors). The biggest signing was centre Ron Gibbs (from Bourke then Dubbo) who went on to a very successful career in Sydney. At the Newcastle League Presentations West scooped the pool with Bob Paton “winning the car”, and David Howell, Ron Gibbs and Kim Paras winning awards. (You’d win money on guessing the names of West’s four award winners at the NRL Presentations in 1982). Kim Paras? – was West’s winning entrant in “Miss Newcastle Rugby League!
Pre Season
|
Opponent
|
Result
|
Opponent
|
Result
|
Round 1
|
Maitland
|
Won 12 - 7
|
Rd 4 – North
|
Won 23 - 3
|
Round 2
|
Central
|
Won 19 - 0
|
|
|
Round 3
|
Cessnock
|
Won 22 - 10
|
Play Off for 1st – Lakes 24 West 14
|
Competition
|
Opponent
|
Result
|
Reserves
|
Under 23’s
|
Round 1
|
Maitland
|
Won 25 - 8
|
Won 31 - 10
|
Won 31 - 8
|
Round 2
|
Cessnock
|
Won 23 - 22
|
Lost 15 - 2
|
Won 23 - 22
|
Round 3
|
Central
|
Won 35 - 7
|
Won 57 - 0
|
Won 51 - 0
|
Round 4
|
Lakes
|
Won 14 - 12
|
Won 22 - 17
|
Lost 30 - 13
|
Round 5
|
Kurri
|
Lost 15 - 12
|
Won 22 - 17
|
Won 36 - 0
|
Round 6
|
North
|
Won 36 - 8
|
Won 24 - 12
|
Won 32 - 0
|
Round 7
|
Waratah
|
Won 29 - 17
|
Won 44 - 9
|
Won 22 - 10
|
Round 8
|
South
|
Won 16 - 10
|
Won 16 - 6
|
Won 15 - 0
|
Round 9
|
Macquarie
|
Won 31 - 23
|
Won 22 - 5
|
Won 23 - 18
|
Round 10
|
Maitland
|
Lost 24 - 9
|
Won 25 - 10
|
Won 27 - 7
|
Round 11
|
Cessnock
|
Won 25 - 10
|
Lost 18 - 14
|
Won 23 - 8
|
Round 12
|
Central
|
Won 24 - 15
|
Won 37 - 5
|
Won 24 - 3
|
Round 13
|
Lakes
|
Won 14 - 7
|
Lost 17 - 8
|
13 all Draw
|
Round 14
|
Kurri
|
10 all Draw
|
Won 16 - 12
|
Won 27 - 5
|
Round 15
|
North
|
Won 30 - 15
|
Won 36 - 10
|
Won 25 - 6
|
Round 16
|
Waratah
|
Won 48 - 3
|
Won 34 - 10
|
Won 27 - 13
|
Round 17
|
South
|
Won 31 - 10
|
Won 39 - 8
|
Lost 17 - 9
|
Round 18
|
Macquarie
|
Won 15 - 14
|
Won 41 - 6
|
Won 23 - 3
|
Preliminary Semi
|
|
|
West 39 Lakes 3
|
|
Major Semi Final
|
Kurri
|
Won 22 - 12
|
West 28 Cessnock 15
|
South 27 West 8
|
Final
|
|
|
|
West 15 Lakes 10
|
GRAND FINAL
|
West 21 def Kurri 14
|
West 21 Maitland 10
|
South 16 West 10
|
For a better quality page of the 1983 season (colour, photos etc) click on 1983
1983
Ron Broderick took over as First Grade Captain / Coach in 1983, while John Anderson was again in charge of Reserve Grade whilst Gary Leo took on the position of Under 23’s Coach. Not the best of years for West – indeed for 2 weeks during the season (Rounds 10 and 11) West failed to win one of the 6 games. This was a highly unusual occurrence – so unusual that it may not have happened again since 1983 and 2014 (the time of writing). Just a few players made their grade appearance with West in 1983. Those that went on to play a significant number of games for West were West Juniors Peter Haggerty (159 games) and Russell Kilpatrick (55 games), former South’s player and Kotara Junior Steve Power (63 games) and Union recruit (I think), Mick Little (45 games). I suppose that if you analyse the season’s results – won the Pre Season, Finalists in First Grade and Semi Finalists in Reserve Grade it was a pretty good season. It certainly provided the impetus for the 1984 season to be “cranked up” from “pretty good” to “almost perfect”. Indeed 1984 was a great season for West! At Presentation Night in 1983 the awards for the Most Outstanding Player in each grade were received by Peter Johnston (First Grade), David Mills (Reserve Grade) and Mitchell Knight (Under 23’s). The “Clubman of the Year” was awarded to Jon Hulbert. (NB Jon Hulbert and Greg Price are the only 2 players to have played 100 + games in both First Grade and Reserve Grade for West. – quite a remarkable achievement). As an aside, Hulbert was the “MC” at the 2014 Players Reunion with his excellent interview of Allan Dagwell and Karl Hutchinson.
Pre Season
|
Opponent
|
Result
|
Opponent
|
Result
|
Round 1
|
Central
|
Won 32 - 10
|
Rd 4 – Macquarie
|
Won 20 - 18
|
Round 2
|
North
|
Won 28 - 8
|
|
|
Round 3
|
Lakes
|
Lost 14 - 4
|
Play Off for 1st – West 20 def Lakes 15
|
Competition
|
Opponent
|
Result
|
Reserves
|
Under 23’s
|
Round 1
|
Cessnock
|
Won 21 - 11
|
Lost 34 - 6
|
Won 26 - 20
|
Round 2
|
Lakes
|
Won 24 - 12
|
Lost 28 - 18
|
Lost 35 - 4
|
Round 3
|
Waratah
|
Won 26 - 18
|
Won 26 - 12
|
Won 18 - 10
|
Round 4
|
Kurri
|
Won 32 - 12
|
Lost 32 - 6
|
Lost 17 - 16
|
Round 5
|
Macquarie
|
Won 44 - 8
|
Won 32 - 20
|
Lost 24 - 22
|
Round 6
|
North
|
Won 32 - 8
|
26 all Draw
|
Lost 34 - 22
|
Round 7
|
South
|
Won 12 - 10
|
Won 52 - 2
|
Won 40 - 6
|
Round 8
|
Maitland
|
Lost 42 - 14
|
Won 26 - 22
|
Won 42 – 18
|
Round 9
|
Central
|
Won 26 - 12
|
Won 20 - 16
|
Lost 15 – 2
|
Round 10
|
Cessnock
|
Lost 42 - 8
|
Lost 30 - 26
|
Lost 20 – 12
|
Round 11
|
Lakes
|
8 all Draw
|
Lost 44 - 2
|
Lost 42 - 0
|
Round 12
|
Waratah
|
Won 40 - 10
|
Won 20 - 8
|
Lost 26 – 20
|
Round 13
|
Kurri
|
14 all Draw
|
Lost 32 - 16
|
Won 26 – 10
|
Round 14
|
Macquarie
|
Lost 22 - 19
|
Won 40 - 12
|
Lost 16 – 14
|
Round 15
|
North
|
Lost 28 - 16
|
Won 30 - 2
|
Won 28 – 22
|
Round 16
|
South
|
Won 34 - 8
|
Won 48 - 4
|
Won 48 – 4
|
Round 17
|
Maitland
|
Won 26 - 14
|
Lost 30 - 20
|
Won 32 – 14
|
Round 18
|
Central
|
Won 22 - 11
|
Won 54 - 10
|
Lost 32 - 10
|
Elimination Semi
|
|
|
West 42 Kurri 6
|
|
Preliminary Semi
|
Lakes
|
Won 24 - 20
|
|
|
Minor Semi Final
|
|
|
West 24 Maitland 24
|
|
Semi Replay
|
|
|
Maitland 12 West 8
|
|
Major Semi Final
|
Maitland
|
Lost 34 - 12
|
|
|
Final
|
Cessnock 19 def West 12
|
|
|
GRAND FINAL
|
Maitland 20 Cessnock 12
|
|
|
For a better quality page of the 1984 season (colour, photos etc) click on 1984
1984
What a year – winning all 3 Grand Finals! The First Grade Captain / Coach was Gary Martine, who had played in the winning West 1981 side, and then went to Parramatta. Reserve Grade were again coached by John Anderson, while Russell Petrie took over as the Third Grade coach ...Under 23’s? ...GONE. The winning West First Grade team (West 10 def Lakes 2) was 1. Shane Matthews 2. Mitchell Knight 3. Craig Dedman 4. Steve Gaffney 5. Glen Murray (try) 6. Neville Elwin (goal) 7. Peter Webber 8. Steve Prest 9. Mal Graham 10. Gary Martine (try) 11. John Farrar 12. Wayne Newling 13. Guy Keenan (the smallest prop in history) 14. John Cook and 15. Paul Brady (who replaced Neville Elwin in the 10th min after scoring 4 tries in the Reserve Grade Grand Final). The winning Reserve Grade team (West 32 Waratah 14) was 1. Jon Hulbert 2. Wayne Nichols (6 goals) 3. Paul Brady (4 tries) 4. David Morris 5. Merv Newman 6. Peter Haggerty 7. Bob Paton 8. Craig Duffy 9. Col Bice 10. Brett Nixon 11. Russell Kilpatrick 12. Ken Daly 13. Michael Street 14. Peter Dedman and 15. Tony Henderson (try). The winning Third Grade side (West 17 def Maitland 0 ) was 1. Mitchell Webb 2. Chris Wright 3. Tony Murphy 4. Peter Hill 5. Doug Gordon (try) 6. Glen Frew 7. Glen Campbell (try) 8. David Mills 9. Greg Harrison 10. Brad Gibson (try and 2 goals) 11. Russell Petrie 12. Graham Russell and 13. Steve Donohue. Newcomers to West grade teams in 1984 included Neville Elwin (Oberon to Manly to Macquarie to West), Shane Matthews (Garah near Moree to Maitland to West), Steve Gaffney (Forbes to Nth Sydney to West), John Farrar ( Cowra to the Roosters to Nth Newcastle to West), John Cook from Maitland, Steve Prest and Guy Keenan from Young, Graham Russell from Nth Newcastle and West Juniors, Peter Hill (Cardiff), Peter Webber (Kotara) and Doug Gordon. “4 Point tries” commenced in 1983 so these were West’s first Grand Final wins under the new points structure. (HELP : Who kicked the Field Goal in the 3rd Grade Grand Final?)
Pre Season
|
Opponent
|
Result
|
Opponent
|
Result
|
Round 1
|
Lakes
|
Lost 16 - 2
|
Rd 3 – Maitland
|
Won 20 - 0
|
Round 2
|
Macquarie
|
Won 30 - 2
|
Play Off – West 16 Cessnock 14
|
Competition
|
Opponent
|
Result
|
Reserves
|
Thirds
|
Round 1
|
Waratah
|
Won 36 - 16
|
Won 24 - 0
|
Won 18 - 2
|
Round 2
|
Lakes
|
Won 6 - 0
|
Won 14 - 8
|
Lost 18 - 8
|
Round 3
|
Cessnock
|
Won 24 – 15
|
Won 13 - 10
|
Won 38 - 6
|
Round 4
|
North
|
Won 34 - 16
|
Won 62 - 12
|
Won 40 - 2
|
Round 5
|
Macquarie
|
Won 14 - 10
|
Won 24 - 4
|
Won 24 - 6
|
Round 6
|
Kurri
|
Lost 17 - 12
|
Won 38 - 6
|
Won 30 - 10
|
Round 7
|
Central
|
Won 18 - 4
|
Won 30 - 14
|
Won 56 - 6
|
Round 8
|
Maitland
|
Won 76 - 10
|
Won 40 - 12
|
Won 38 - 10
|
Round 9
|
South
|
Won 11 - 10
|
Won 38 - 2
|
Won 18 - 0
|
Round 10
|
Waratah
|
Won 36 - 14
|
Won 40 - 28
|
Won 24 - 6
|
Round 11
|
Lakes
|
Lost 38 - 6
|
Lost 50 - 6
|
Won 20 - 16
|
Round 12
|
Cessnock
|
Won 39 - 6
|
Lost 28 – 16
|
Won 10 - 0
|
Round 13
|
North
|
Won 22 - 10
|
Won 26 - 16
|
Won 20 - 0
|
Round 14
|
Macquarie
|
Won 40 - 16
|
Won 68 - 16
|
Won 14 - 4
|
Round 15
|
Kurri
|
Won 30 - 18
|
Won 40 - 16
|
Won 22 - 14
|
Round 16
|
Central
|
Won 10 - 7
|
Won 42 - 20
|
Won 44 - 0
|
Round 17
|
Maitland
|
Lost 17 - 10
|
18 all Draw
|
Lost 28 - 20
|
Round 18
|
South
|
Won 16 - 14
|
Won 80 - 10
|
Won 64 - 5
|
Preliminary Semi
|
Kurri
|
Won 36 - 14
|
West 34 Waratah 6
|
|
Major Semi Final
|
Lakes
|
Won 36 - 16
|
West 22 Lakes 12
|
Maitland 14 West 12
|
Final
|
|
|
|
West 12 Lakes 6
|
GRAND FINAL
|
West 10 Lakes 2
|
West 32 Waratah 14
|
West 17 – Maitland 0
|