For a better quality page of the 1985 season (Clour, photos etc) click on 1985
1985
Gary Martine continued as First Grade Captain / Coach in 1985, while Steve Smith took over the Reserve Grade side and Tony Murphy the Third Grade side. The successes in 1984 were harder to come by in 1985. All teams reached the semi finals, with First Grade and Third Grade going down by 2 points in the Final, and Reserve Grade being beaten by Lakes in the Grand Final. A number of West Juniors played their first grade games in 1985. These included Paul Bowen (who went on to play 223 games for West), David Ashman (136 games), Lorn McDougall (142 games), Wayne Moylan (from Kotara – 124 games), Ian Hextall (from Kotara – 75 games) and Tim Butler (71 games). The main out of club signing was Greg Eager from North Newcastle. The awards for the Most Outstanding Player in each grade were won by Peter Webber (Firsts). Peter Dedman (Reserves) and Shayne Brennan (Thirds), while the Clubman of the Year was awarded to Wayne Newling for “his contribution to Rugby League, dedication to training, and assisting in all Social Committee fund raising activities”. On the representative front Gary Martine, Craig Dedman, Greg Eager, Shane Matthew, Mitchell Knight and John Farrar (pictured 2013) all represented Newcastle. Interestingly, at the time of writing (May 2014) John Farrar is still heavily involved in the football club – indeed in many respects he is still “doing the hard yards” for the club. Against most yard sticks 1985 was a most successful year. However although Lower Grade Premierships would be forthcoming most years, it would not be until 1992 that West again tasted success in First Grade.
|
Pre Season
|
Opponent
|
Result
|
Opponent
|
Result
|
|
Round 1
|
Lakes
|
Won 10 - 6
|
Rd 4 – Maitland
|
Won 24 - 4
|
|
Round 2
|
North
|
Won 30 - 2
|
|
|
Round 3
|
Central
|
Won 36 - 0
|
Final – South 32 West 16
|
|
Competition
|
Opponent
|
Result
|
Reserves
|
Thirds
|
|
Round 1
|
Kurri
|
24 all Draw
|
Won 60 - 6
|
Won 38 - 10
|
|
Round 2
|
Macquarie
|
Won 44 - 22
|
Won 28 - 14
|
Won 59 – 8
|
|
Round 3
|
Maitland
|
Won 36 - 8
|
Lost 28 - 22
|
Won 22 – 16
|
|
Round 4
|
Waratah
|
Won 6 - 0
|
Lost 8 - 4
|
8 all Draw
|
|
Round 5
|
North
|
Won 40 - 0
|
Won 26 - 22
|
Won 22 – 14
|
|
Round 6
|
Cessnock
|
Lost 18 - 16
|
Lost 18 - 10
|
Lost 34 - 26
|
|
Round 7
|
South
|
Won 30 - 16
|
Lost 24 - 16
|
Lost 29 – 2
|
|
Round 8
|
Lakes
|
Won 22 - 14
|
Lost 44 - 4
|
Lost 24 – 16
|
|
Round 9
|
Central
|
Won 26 - 12
|
Won 48 - 4
|
Lost 48 – 6
|
|
Round 10
|
Kurri
|
Won 42 - 8
|
Won 30 - 14
|
Won 20 – 8
|
|
Round 11
|
Macquarie
|
Won 36 - 12
|
Won 64 - 2
|
Won 62 – 12
|
|
Round 12
|
Maitland
|
Won 36 - 12
|
Won 28 – 12
|
Won 14 – 12
|
|
Round 13
|
Waratah
|
Won 32 - 18
|
Lost 22 - 18
|
Lost 26 – 6
|
|
Round 14
|
North
|
Won 24 - 14
|
Won 34 - 13
|
Lost 10 – 0
|
|
Round 15
|
Cessnock
|
Lost 28 - 14
|
Won 30 - 18
|
Won 24 – 16
|
|
Round 16
|
South
|
Lost 21 - 16
|
Won 24 - 6
|
Won 14 – 2
|
|
Round 17
|
Lakes
|
Won 10 - 4
|
Lost 22 - 8
|
Won 20 – 4
|
|
Round 18
|
Central
|
Won 34 - 26
|
Won 50 - 4
|
Won 58 - 2
|
|
Preliminary Semi
|
Lakes
|
Lost 14 - 10
|
West 32 W’tah 10
|
W’tah 15 West 14
|
|
Minor Semi Final
|
Kurri
|
Won 24 - 8
|
|
West 19 M’land 6
|
|
Major Semi Final
|
|
|
West 22 Lakes 16
|
|
|
Final
|
Cessnock
|
Lost 20 - 18
|
|
Lakes 8 West 6
|
|
GRAND FINAL
|
Lakes 12 def Cessnock 6
|
Lakes 10 West 2
|
|
For better quality pages of the 1986 season (photos , colour etc) click on 1986
These pages contain some of "Slim's" poem - a big file - may take a little time to open
1986
Paul Merlo took over as First Grade Captain / Coach in 1986, with Steve Smith being in charge of Reserve Grade and Brendan Barber being appointed Captain / Coach of Third Grade. First Grade won 15 out of 18 games in the competition rounds and finished 2nd in the competition, but unfortunately were defeated in both their semi final appearances. Reserve Grade defeated South in the Grand Final 8 to 6, and Third Grade had an “up and down” year and where eliminated in the Semi Finals. The winning West Reserve Grade side was 1. Jon Hulbert 2. Wayne Moylan (try) 3. Phil Elliott (2 goals) 4. Roger Pearson 5. Peter Hill 6. Peter Haggerty 7. Glen Campbell 8. Ashley Hardes 9. Wayne Dawson 10. Craig Dodd 11. Greg Harrison 12. Graham Russell 13. Brett Nixon. Some of those who made their first appearance in grade in 1986 included Paul Merlo (South), Phil Elliott (Goulburn), “Smokey” Dawson (Tamworth, Craig Higgins (Raymond Terrace) and West unior, Craig Dodd. A couple of deaths in 1986 are worth mentioning. Firstly, Warren Cunningham. Warren formed a friendship with Glen Maloney, and he played a big part in attracting many players to West, the most notable of whom was John Cootes. (So now you know who was responsible for bring John Cootes to West – Warren Cunningham!) Secondly, Arthur “Slim” Hunter. Arthur was a tireless worker for West but is most famous as being the composer of the current West song, and of many “West” poems. A small collection of Slim’s poems appears on the 2nd , 3rd and 4th page of this document. West’s “Clubman of the Year” was awarded to Dr Michael Braggett (pictured) for “his continued support and dedication to all concerned with Rugby League in general, and The Western Suburbs RLFC in particular”.
|
Pre Season
|
Opponent
|
Result
|
Opponent
|
Result
|
|
Round 1
|
Kurri
|
Won 6 - 0
|
Rd 3 - Waratah
|
Won 12 - 4
|
|
Round 2
|
Cessnock
|
Won 24 - 10
|
Final – West 24 Lakes 12
|
|
Competition
|
Opponent
|
Result
|
Reserves
|
Thirds
|
|
Round 1
|
Macquarie
|
Won 12 - 2
|
Won 24 - 22
|
Won 22 – 8
|
|
Round 2
|
Kurri
|
Won 24 - 0
|
Won 24 - 20
|
Lost 14 – 8
|
|
Round 3
|
North
|
Won 52 - 3
|
Won 42 - 8
|
Won 22 – 0
|
|
Round 4
|
South
|
Won 24 - 20
|
Lost 24 - 12
|
Lost 28 – 8
|
|
Round 5
|
Central
|
Won 10 - 0
|
14 all Draw
|
Lost 22 – 6
|
|
Round 6
|
Waratah
|
Won 46 - 20
|
Lost 32 - 20
|
Lost 22 – 10
|
|
Round 7
|
Maitland
|
Won 42 - 2
|
Won 41 - 20
|
Lost 13 – 10
|
|
Round 8
|
Lakes
|
Lost 29 - 4
|
Lost 26 - 20
|
Won 26 – 6
|
|
Round 9
|
Cessnock
|
Lost 16 - 12
|
Won 38 - 16
|
Won 14 - 10
|
|
Round 10
|
Central
|
Won 22 - 16
|
Won 28 - 10
|
Won 20 – 16
|
|
Round 11
|
Macquarie
|
Won 20 - 8
|
Won 28 - 14
|
Won 34 – 6
|
|
Round 12
|
Kurri
|
Won 24 - 16
|
Won 50 - 4
|
Won 22 – 6
|
|
Round 13
|
North
|
Won 70 - 4
|
Won 68 - 12
|
Won 46 – 0
|
|
Round 14
|
South
|
Won 24 - 12
|
Lost 12 - 10
|
Won 12 – 8
|
|
Round 15
|
Waratah
|
Won 26 - 16
|
Won 28 - 18
|
Lost 23 – 8
|
|
Round 16
|
Maitland
|
Won 40 - 0
|
Won 22 - 0
|
Won 14 – 6
|
|
Round 17
|
Lakes
|
Lost 32 - 6
|
Lost 14 - 10
|
Won 18 – 10
|
|
Round 18
|
Cessnock
|
Won 24 - 16
|
Won 62 - 18
|
Won 10 - 4
|
|
Preliminary Semi
|
Cessnock
|
Lost 15 - 0
|
West 24 M’land 13
|
West 12 Kurri 12
|
|
Prel Semi Replay
|
|
|
|
Kurri 22 West 18
|
|
Minor Semi Final
|
South
|
Lost 20 - 6
|
West 19 W’tah 18
|
|
|
Final
|
|
|
West 24 Lakes 12
|
|
|
GRAND FINAL
|
Lakes 4 def South 0
|
West 8 South 6
|
|
For a better quality page of the 1987 season (colour, photos etc) click on 1987
1987
John McLeod, originally from Bundaberg, came to West from the West Magpies in Sydney to be the First Grade Captain / Coach in 1987. Jon Hulbert took over from Steve Smith as Reserve Grade Captain / Coach with Brendan Barber again appointed as the Third Grade coach. (NB Brendan is still involved in 2014 with West – he has been an “on field trainer” for many years). It is fair to say that First Grade had a “tumultuous” season, being eliminated at the semi final stage of the competition. Reserve Grade were very unlucky losing the Grand Final to a Maitland field goal, and the impressive Third Grade side carried their good form into the final series winning the Grand Final 28 points to 6 over South. The winning Third Grade team was 1. Paul Hoole (4 goals) 2. Shaun Martin 3. David Wilson 4. Greg Mitchell (try) 5. James Wesley (try) 6. Jason Smith 7. Glen Campbell (try) 8. David Ashman (try) 9. David Baldwin 10. Craig Dodd 11. Derek McVey 12. Greg Harrison and 13. Steve Donohue (try). The team was captained by Steve Donohue, a Kotara junior, whose father was former South legend, Peter Donohue. In addition to John McLeod, some of the new players in 1987 were Peter Chapman from Taree Old Bar (154 games for West), West junior Greg Mitchell (134 games), Kotara junior Michael “Flash” Flanagan (115 games), Wallsend junior Brett Fellshaw (88 games) and Tony Amidy joined West from Greta Branxton via Maitland. Another Kotara Junior, Greg Harrison (pictured) was awarded the “Clubman of the Year” trophy in 1987 for “his services to the club as a player in all grades, and his continued support in all social activities”. Harrison was a great clubman who played “any grade – any time”, indeed his 228 games for the club were made up of 48 Firsts, 137 Reserves and 43 Thirds.
|
Pre Season
|
Opponent
|
Result
|
Opponent
|
Result
|
|
Round 1
|
Central
|
Lost 22 - 18
|
Rd 3 – Maitland
|
Won 8 - 4
|
|
Round 2
|
Waratah
|
Won 28 - 0
|
Final – Central 31 West 28
|
|
Competition
|
Opponent
|
Result
|
Reserves
|
Thirds
|
|
Round 1
|
Maitland
|
Won 22 - 14
|
Lost 22 - 20
|
Lost 19 - 16
|
|
Round 2
|
Lakes
|
Lost 12 - 6
|
Lost 9 - 8
|
Won 15 - 12
|
|
Round 3
|
Waratah
|
Won 30 - 18
|
Won 40 - 26
|
Won 21 - 4
|
|
Round 4
|
South
|
Lost 18 - 16
|
8 all Draw
|
Won 15 - 2
|
|
Round 5
|
Macquarie
|
Won 36 - 26
|
Won 32 - 8
|
Lost 10 - 8
|
|
Round 6
|
Cessnock
|
Lost 31 - 14
|
Won 19 - 18
|
Won 16 - 8
|
|
Round 7
|
Central
|
14 all Draw
|
Lost 14 - 10
|
Won 18 - 14
|
|
Round 8
|
Kurri
|
Won 54 - 24
|
Won 44 - 12
|
Won 58 - 4
|
|
Round 9
|
North
|
Won 54 - 16
|
Won 80 - 12
|
Won 50 - 0
|
|
Round 10
|
Maitland
|
Won 32 - 12
|
Won 20 - 10
|
Won 36 - 4
|
|
Round 11
|
Lakes
|
Lost 32 - 6
|
Won 16 - 6
|
Won 21 - 10
|
|
Round 12
|
Waratah
|
Won 36 - 20
|
Won 24 - 20
|
Won 22 - 21
|
|
Round 13
|
South
|
Won 28 - 10
|
Won 24 - 14
|
18 all Draw
|
|
Round 14
|
Macquarie
|
Won 34 - 0
|
Won 22 - 16
|
Won 18 – 6
|
|
Round 15
|
Cessnock
|
Won 40 - 14
|
Won 24 - 4
|
Won 20 – 10
|
|
Round 16
|
Central
|
Lost 16 - 6
|
Won 20 - 12
|
Lost 32 - 18
|
|
Round 17
|
Kurri
|
Won 36 - 2
|
Won 46 - 18
|
Won 42 – 12
|
|
Round 18
|
North
|
Won 40 - 6
|
Won 52 - 12
|
Won 40 - 0
|
|
Preliminary Semi
|
Lakes
|
Lost 10 - 0
|
West 42 Central 6
|
|
|
Minor Semi Final
|
Cessnock
|
Lost 14 - 8
|
|
|
|
Major Semi Final
|
|
|
West 18 Lakes 16
|
West 31 Lakes 6
|
|
GRAND FINAL
|
Lakes 24 def South 16
|
M’land 19 West 18
|
West 28 South 6
|
For a better quality page of the 1988 season (Colour, photos etc) click on 1988
1988
Well that answers that question – and in answering the question one might ask “What about Third Grade?
The question – has West ever scored over 100 points in a game? The answer is a resounding YES! – just by looking at the results in Rounds 8 and 17. But the question still remains about Third Grade – 98 points in Rd 8 and 96 points in Rd 17 – missed by “this much”. Gary Martine returned as a non playing First Grade coach in 1988. Glen Armstrong took over as coach of Reserve Grade, while Brett Nixon took over the Third Grade side as a Playing Coach. First Grade were defeated finalists, whilst Reserve Grade won their Grand Final, whilst Third Grade went down to Maitland. The winning Reserve Grade side was 1. Peter Hill (2 tries) 2. Danny Brown 3. Brett Fellshaw (2 goals) 4. Peter Chapman 5. James Wesley 6. Darryl Benson 7. Tony Price 8. Lorn McDougall (try) 9. Scott Budden 10. Wayne Dawson (try) 11. Barry Loring 12. Graham Russell and 13. Greg Harrison. The newcomers to the club in 1988 included 2 brothers who would play a combined total of 478 (yep FOUR HUNDRED and SEVENTY EIGHT) games for the club. No guesses for the names of the former Central youngsters – Tony Price played 240 and Greg Price (pictured) played 238 games for the club – a remarkable achievement. Other players to join were local juniors Wayne Hepple, Craig Lloyd and Peter Storey. Country players to join West included Peter Atkins (Taree) and Tim Morrison, and Craig Hubbard joined West from Lakes. The “Clubman of the Year” was awarded to Treasurer, Jack Bell, who had just begun his 39th (yep 39th) year as Treasurer. (Bell would hold that position until 1992. His 43 years as Treasurer makes him the longest serving Club Official on record).
|
Pre Season
|
Opponent
|
Result
|
Opponent
|
Result
|
|
Round 1
|
Central
|
Won 18 - 16
|
|
|
|
Round 2
|
Lakes
|
Won 15 - 0
|
Final – West 15 South 14
|
|
Competition
|
Opponent
|
Result
|
Reserves
|
Thirds
|
|
Round 1
|
Central
|
Lost 28 - 20
|
Won 26 - 18
|
Won 14 – 10 ##
|
|
Round 2
|
Macquarie
|
18 all Draw
|
Won 32 - 0
|
Lost 8 - 6
|
|
Round 3
|
Maitland #
|
|
|
|
|
Round 4
|
Waratah #
|
|
|
|
|
Round 5
|
Lakes
|
Lost 18 - 10
|
Won 40 - 10
|
Lost 26 - 16
|
|
Round 6
|
South #
|
|
|
|
|
Round 7
|
Cessnock
|
Won 34 - 28
|
Won 54 - 0
|
Won 22 - 14
|
|
Round 8
|
North
|
Won 116 - 2
|
Won 120 - 2
|
Won 98 – 0
|
|
Round 9
|
Kurri
|
Won 30 - 8
|
Won 38 - 8
|
Won 56 – 0
|
|
Round 10
|
Central
|
Lost 20 - 18
|
Won 26 - 8
|
Won 14 – 10
|
|
Round 11
|
Macquarie
|
Won 23 - 18
|
Won 30 - 6
|
Won 44 – 0
|
|
Round 12
|
Maitland
|
Won 32 - 6
|
Won 22 - 12
|
Won 22 – 19
|
|
Round 13
|
Waratah
|
Won 34 - 12
|
Won 32 - 12
|
Won 14 – 2
|
|
Round 14
|
Lakes
|
Lost 18 - 9
|
Won 34 - 10
|
Lost 16 – 12
|
|
Round 15
|
South
|
Lost 15 - 8
|
Won 20 - 10
|
Won 12 – 10
|
|
Round 16
|
Cessnock
|
Won 16 - 4
|
Won 16 - 14
|
Lost 13 - 12
|
|
Round 17
|
North
|
Won 118 - 4
|
Won 114 - 0
|
Won 96 – 2
|
|
Round 18
|
Kurri
|
Lost 25 - 24
|
Won 56 - 2
|
Won 38 - 6
|
|
Elimination Semi
|
Maitland
|
Won 35 - 6
|
|
|
|
Preliminary Semi
|
|
|
|
Lakes 22 West 14
|
|
Minor Semi Final
|
Central
|
Won 13 - 8
|
|
|
|
Major Semi Final
|
|
|
M’land 19 West 12
|
M’land 10 West 8
|
|
Final
|
Lakes
|
Lost 16 - 10
|
West 30 Lakes 16
|
West 16 Lakes 8
|
|
GRAND FINAL
|
South 29 def Lakes 8
|
West 20 M’land 0
|
M’land 18 West 12
|
For a better quality page of the 1989 season (colour, photos etc) click on 1989
1989
Mal Graham (pictured left 2013) took over as First Grade Captain Coach, while both Glen Armstrong and Brett Nixon continued on as the lower grade coaches. It was almost another perfect year for West – all 3 teams made the Grand Final, but First Grade were beaten by a pretty “handy” South side 20 points to 2. The winning Reserve Grade team was 1. Greg Mitchell (try) 2. Doug Gordon 3. Rod Muller 4. Greg Gleeson (try) 5. Wayne Hepple 6. Mal Clarke 7. Tony Price 13. Brett Hoad (try) 12. Scott Budden 11. Mark Blundell 10. Greg Price (try and 4 goals) 9. Greg Harrison and 8. Mark Jager. The winning Third Grade side was 1. Mark Picton (try) 2. Dean Carberry 3. Brett Fellshaw (try and 2 goals) 4. Peter Haggerty 5. Craig Button (try) 6. Darryl Benson 7. Graham Harman 13. Rod Hollis 12. Ken Daly 11. Col Bice 10. John Skeers 9. Paul Bowen and 8. Brett Nixon. Players new to the club in 1989 included Brett Hoad (161 games) fromWauchope, Anthony McDonnell (126 games) from Central, Rod Muller (136 games) from Taree, Darren Leaney from Coffs Harbour and local players, West junior, Peter Jenner (180 games) and Kotara junior, James Pappas (77 games). Brett Nixon (pictured right 2013) was awarded the trophy for “Clubman of the Year” for his “services to the club both on and off the field”. Indeed Brett played a major role with West Schoolboys and West seniors up until 2014 (the time of writing). The Most Outstanding Player in each Grade trophies were awarded to Anthony McDonnell (Firsts), Craig Dodd (Reserves) and Ken Daly (Thirds).
|
Pre Season
|
Opponent
|
Result
|
Opponent
|
Result
|
|
Round 1
|
Cessnock
|
Won 14 - 12
|
Rd 3 Kurri
|
Won 40 - 18
|
|
Round 2
|
Maitland
|
Lost 14 - 6
|
Play Off for 3rd – West 40 Toronto 0
|
|
Competition
|
Opponent
|
Result
|
Reserves
|
Thirds
|
|
Round 1
|
North N Bay
|
8 all Draw
|
Won 38 - 0
|
Won 20 - 6
|
|
Round 2
|
Waratah
|
Won 22 - 6
|
Won 30 - 2
|
Won 38 – 12
|
|
Round 3
|
Toronto
|
Won 21 - 14
|
Won 40 - 20
|
Won 16 – 10
|
|
Round 4
|
Kurri
|
Won 30 - 26
|
Won 66 - 6
|
Won 42 – 6
|
|
Round 5
|
Lakes
|
Won 17 - 6
|
Won 20 - 8
|
Lost 16 – 12
|
|
Round 6
|
South
|
Lost 18 - 12
|
Won 14 - 12
|
Lost 26 – 6
|
|
Round 7
|
Central
|
Won 28 - 2
|
Won 24 - 0
|
Won 20 – 8
|
|
Round 8
|
Maitland
|
Won 49 - 13
|
Lost 18 - 8
|
24 all Draw
|
|
Round 9
|
North N Bay
|
Won 18 - 12
|
Won 36 - 2
|
Won 28 – 6
|
|
Round 10
|
Toronto
|
Lost 10 - 9
|
Won 28 - 2
|
Won 38 – 6
|
|
Round 11
|
Kurri
|
Won 50 - 6
|
Won 74 - 0
|
Won 70 – 0
|
|
Round 12
|
Cessnock
|
Won 12 - 6
|
Won 26 - 0
|
Won 32 – 0
|
|
Round 13
|
Lakes
|
Won 26 - 14
|
Won 25 - 2
|
Won 20 – 18
|
|
Round 14
|
South
|
Lost 30 - 4
|
Won 24 - 18
|
Lost 22 – 14
|
|
Round 15
|
Waratah
|
10 all Draw
|
10 all Draw
|
Won 10 – 8
|
|
Round 16
|
Central
|
Won 68 - 10
|
Won 40 - 12
|
22 all Draw
|
|
Round 17
|
Maitland
|
Won 16 - 10
|
Won 16 - 6
|
Won 16 – 10
|
|
Round 18
|
Cessnock
|
Won 14 - 8
|
Won 19 - 12
|
Won 26 - 6
|
|
Preliminary Semi
|
|
|
|
West 25 M’land 4
|
|
Major Semi Final
|
South
|
Lost 26 - 14
|
West 14 M’land 10
|
West 20 South 10
|
|
Final
|
Maitland
|
Won 25 - 4
|
|
|
|
GRAND FINAL
|
South 20 West 2
|
West 24 M’land 6
|
West 16 South 12
|