Western Suburbs Magpies
Encyclopedia
The Western Suburbs Magpies (originally Western Suburbs District Rugby League Football Club) are an Australian rugby league
football club based in the western suburbs of Sydney, New South Wales. Formed in 1908, Wests, as they are commonly referred to, were one of the nine foundation clubs of the first New South Wales Rugby League
competition in Australia. The club, as a sole entity, departed the top-flight competition in 1999 after forming a 50–50 joint venture with Balmain Tigers
to form the Wests Tigers
. The club currently fields sides in the NSW Cup, S.G. Ball Cup
and Harold Matthews Cup
competitions.
ers. Though they spent long periods of time as also-rans they did taste premiership success four times in the mid 20th century. They won their first premiership in 1930, beating St George 27–2. Four years later they defeated Eastern Suburbs to win their second title. They won a second pair of premierships over a decade later, beating Balmain in 1948 and South Sydney 22–12 in 1952. Both times they defeated a club hunting its third title in a row.
, Harry 'Bomber' Wells
, Kel O'Shea
, Noel Kelly
and Peter Dimond
. The 1963 grand final was immortalised in a photograph which became known as 'The Gladiators' after St. George captain Norm Provan
and Summons trudged off the field together.
, half Tommy Raudonikis
, five-eighth Graeme O'Grady
, Gavin Miller
, Ron Giteau
, Les Boyd
, prop John Donnelly and five-eighth Terry Lamb
. However attractive offers from other clubs and then doubts about the club's viability led to years of exodus of talent. Wests did manage to win the 1977 Amco Cup
.
, a winger for Wests, was the top try-scorer for the 1980 season. In 1983 the NSWRFL attempted to expel Wests from the competition, but a prolonged legal battle saw the Magpies keep their spot, unlike the Newtown Jets
. Eventually, Wests relocated to Campbelltown
in 1987. Ironically, this was where Newtown had unsuccessfully tried to move to four years earlier.
started the 1988 Winfield Cup season as the club's coach but was replaced during the season by John Bailey.
The club made the semi finals in 1991 and 1992 under coach Warren Ryan
. They were also NSWRL Club Champions in 1991 when all three grades made the semi-finals. The team also made it to the Pre-season Challenge Cup final in 1993 but were beaten by a star studded Canberra side. The club then slipped down the ladder and the coaching reigns were handed over to caretaker Wayne Ellis.
The decision to appoint Magpie legend Tommy Raudonikis
as coach for the start of the 1995 season sent a shot of adrenalin into the club. Tommy took the Magpies to the finals in 1995 and 1996. But the club could not complete in the players market in 1997 thanks to the SuperLeague war which saw players contracts soar sky high to unsustainable amounts.
In 1998 and 1999 a Magpie team filled with a large number of unknown players struggled to be competitive and twice won the wooden spoon. With the club struggling on-field and trying to compete financially against clubs with News Limited funding, the writing was on the wall.
With the Wests Magpies struggling on field in the NRL competition, it was decided by the club in the middle of 1999 that to survive the cull they would be required to merge their senior team with another club's team. After initial talks with the Canterbury Bulldogs failed an agreement was reached with the Balmain Tigers.
The Wests Tigers were created and first competed in the year 2000 competition. The club also merged its playing colours from the two joint venture partners. Black (Wests and Balmain),Gold (Balmain) and white (Wests)
Wests Leagues Ashfield have also been key sponsors & supporters of the club since they were established.
The Wests Magpies' last title was won in 2002 when the Wests Magpies captained by Liam Fulton won the New South Wales Rugby League Under 18's competition.
in Ashfield
for their first sixty years, then they moved to Lidcombe Oval
in the late seventies. This was due to Ashfield council not allowing the club to play matches on a Sunday (as this was the church day). In 1987, they moved to Campbelltown
's Orana Park, which, after a $25 million renovation, is now called Campbelltown Stadium
which is now one of the home grounds of the Wests Tigers
.
joint venture. It consists of a network of affiliated junior rugby league clubs throughout the greater Campbelltown
and Liverpool
areas of southwestern Sydney. As of 2009 the following clubs were involved in the WSDJRL;
Former Clubs
The following clubs also competed in the WSDJRL, but have now folded:
The WSDJRL has produced many ex and current Wests Tigers
players including Brett Hodgson
(Eagle Vale-St Andrews & Ingleburn RSL), Dean Collis
(Campbelltown Warriors), Bryce Gibbs (All Saints Liverpool), Shannon Gallant
(All Saints Liverpool & Campbelltown City) Chris Lawrence
(Eagle Vale), and Shannon McDonnell (All Saints Liverpool). Other notable NRL players who grew up playing junior rugby league in the WSDJRL are Anthony Minichello (East Valley United), Mark Minicheillo (Liverpool Catholic Club) Frank Pritchard
(Campbelltown City)Eric Grothe, Jr.
(Eagle Vale), Ryan Hoffman
(Campbelltown Collegians), Ben Roberts
(Narellan Jets), Israel Folau
, Jarryd Hayne
, Krisnan Inu
, Michael Lett
, Grey Viane, John Scandalis, Ken Mcguiniess, Kevin Mcguiness and Mickey
& Lopini Paea
(all Minto Cobras).
The WSDJRL took over its current boundaries from the CRL Group 6 Northern Junior League and parts of the Parramatta DJRL (i.e. Liverpool) in 1987. They were forced to move out of their traditional territory around the Ashfield and Lidcombe areas of inner western Sydney to be able to then survive in the NSWRL. The old WSDJRL area has since been acquired by the Balmain DJRL and Bulldogs (Canterbury) DJRL. Clubs that used to play in the WSDJRL include;
. Six inaugural members were also inducted into the Western Suburbs Magpies Hall of Fame:
In 2004 the club named its Team of the Century:
Australia
New Zealand
England
Papua New Guinea
NSWRL Reserve Grade: 3 (1936, 1961, 1981)
NSWRL Third Grade: 9 (1936, 1938, 1939, 1944, 1958, 1961, 1967)
Under 23 Premiership: 1 (1977)
President's Cup: 1 (1925, 1947, 1958, 1992)
Flegg Memorial Trophy: 2 (1961, 1981)
NSWRL SG Ball U18's: 2 (1971, 2002)
Largest crowd:
Biggest defeat:
67 – 0 vs South Sydney (Agricultural Showground, 23rd July 1910)
Biggest win:
62 -5 vs Balmain (Lidcombe Oval, 31st March 1974)
Most Tries In a Match:
Alan Ridley
, 6 vs Newtown, Pratten Park, July 11, 1936
Most Tries In a Season:
Alan Ridley
, 18 in 1932 and Paul Smith, 18 in 1994
Most 1st Grade Tries For Club:
Peter Dimond
, 83
Most Tries For Club (All grades):
Trevor Cogger
, 88
Most Goals In a Match:
Les Mead
, 12 v Canterbury, Pratten Park, August 31, 1935
Most Points In a Match:
Les Mead
, 27 ( 1 try, 12 goals ) v Canterbury, Pratten Park, August 31, 1935
Most Points In a Season:
David Denton
, 215 ( 8 tries, 94 goals, 3 field goals ) in 1978
Most Points For Club:
Bill Keato
, 776 ( 6 tries, 379 goals )
| year = 1995
| location =
| pages =
| url = http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=7yf2OwAACAAJ&source=gbs_navlinks_s
| doi =
| id =
| isbn = 0949853526, 9780949853523}}
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
football club based in the western suburbs of Sydney, New South Wales. Formed in 1908, Wests, as they are commonly referred to, were one of the nine foundation clubs of the first New South Wales Rugby League
New South Wales Rugby League
The New South Wales Rugby League is the governing body of rugby league in New South Wales and is a member of the Australian Rugby League. It was formed in Sydney on 8 August 1907 and was known as the New South Wales Rugby Football League until 1984 when forward thinking marketing managers decided...
competition in Australia. The club, as a sole entity, departed the top-flight competition in 1999 after forming a 50–50 joint venture with Balmain Tigers
Balmain Tigers
The Balmain Tigers are a rugby league football club based in the inner-western Sydney suburb of Balmain. They were a founding member of the New South Wales Rugby League and one of the most successful in the history of the premiership, with eleven titles...
to form the Wests Tigers
Wests Tigers
The Wests Tigers are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Sydney's mid-western suburbs. They have competed in the National Rugby League since they were formed at the end of the 1999 season as a joint-venture club between the Balmain Tigers and the Western Suburbs...
. The club currently fields sides in the NSW Cup, S.G. Ball Cup
S.G. Ball Cup
The S G Ball Cup is a junior rugby league football competition played in New South Wales, played between teams made up of players aged under 18. The competition is administered by the New South Wales Rugby League. The competition includes both junior representative teams of NRL and NSW Cup clubs...
and Harold Matthews Cup
Harold Matthews Cup
The NSWRL Harold Matthews Cup is a junior rugby league competition played in New South Wales between teams made up of players aged under 16. The competition is administered by the New South Wales Rugby League...
competitions.
History
The club was one of the foundation members of the Sydney rugby football league competition in 1908. Founded at a meeting on 4 February 1908, they won only one match that season so were the League's first wooden spoonWooden spoon (award)
A wooden spoon is a mock or real award, usually given to an individual or team which has come last in a competition, but sometimes also to runners-up. Examples range from the academic to sporting and more frivolous events...
ers. Though they spent long periods of time as also-rans they did taste premiership success four times in the mid 20th century. They won their first premiership in 1930, beating St George 27–2. Four years later they defeated Eastern Suburbs to win their second title. They won a second pair of premierships over a decade later, beating Balmain in 1948 and South Sydney 22–12 in 1952. Both times they defeated a club hunting its third title in a row.
The 60s
Apart from these occasions, the club was famous for three successive grand final matches in 1961, 1962 and 1963 against the St George Dragons in the midst of their 11 premiership run. The club boasted footballers such as halfback Arthur SummonsArthur Summons
Arthur Summons is a former Australian representative rugby union and rugby league player, a dual-code rugby international fly-half or five-eighth...
, Harry 'Bomber' Wells
Harry Wells (rugby league)
Harry James Wells is an Australian former representative rugby league footballer of the 1950s, 60s and 70s. A centre whose club career was played along the New South Wales coast as well as in Sydney with the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Western Suburbs Magpies, he has since been named among the...
, Kel O'Shea
Kel O'Shea
Kel O'Shea is an Australian former representative rugby league footballer, a second-rower from Queensland whose club career was played with the Western Suburbs Magpies in Sydney...
, Noel Kelly
Noel Kelly (rugby league)
Noel Kelly is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer and coach, who played at club, state and national level. He has been named amongst the country's finest footballers of the 20th century...
and Peter Dimond
Peter Dimond
Peter Dimond is a former Australian rugby league footballer who played his club rugby league for the Western Suburbs Magpies. Born in born in Dapto, New South Wales, he is the younger brother of Bobby Dimond...
. The 1963 grand final was immortalised in a photograph which became known as 'The Gladiators' after St. George captain Norm Provan
Norm Provan
Norm "Sticks" Provan is an Australian former rugby league footballer and coach. A giant of a man, he was a second-row forward with the St. George Dragons during their 11-year consecutive premiership-winning run from 1956 to 1966...
and Summons trudged off the field together.
The 70s
A final period of glory beckoned in the late 1970s where they spent a few years at the top or near-top of the table, yet failed to make a grand final. Coached by Roy Masters and boasting such players as fullback John DorahyJohn Dorahy
John Dorahy is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer and coach. He played in the Australian New South Wales Rugby League premiership and also represented for NSW Country, New South Wales Origin and Australia. Dorahy later played and coached in the English Rugby Football League...
, half Tommy Raudonikis
Tommy Raudonikis
Tommy Raudonikis OAM is an Australian former rugby league footballer and coach. He played over twenty-nine Tests and World Cup games as Australia representative halfback and captained his country in two Tests of the 1973 Kangarooo tour.-Early life and club playing career:Raudonikis is the son of a...
, five-eighth Graeme O'Grady
Graeme O'Grady
Graeme O'Grady is an Australian former professional rugby league player in the New South Wales Rugby League competition. He played for the Western Suburbs Magpies, Newtown Jets and St. George Dragons and one state representative appearance...
, Gavin Miller
Gavin Miller
Gavin John Miller is an Australian former rugby league footballer who at his peak was regarded as the most dangerous attacking force in the NSWRL owing to his great ball skills...
, Ron Giteau
Ron Giteau
Ron Giteau is an Australian former professional rugby league player. A prolific point-scoring centre, he was captain of the Canberra Raiders team in the New South Wales Rugby Football League premiership...
, Les Boyd
Les Boyd
Les Boyd is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1970s and 80s. He played representative football for the Australian national side in international matches as well as the New South Wales side in the State of Origin...
, prop John Donnelly and five-eighth Terry Lamb
Terry Lamb
Terry Lamb OAM, is an Australian retired professional rugby league footballer and coach. He played 349 games , with Wests , and Canterbury . Lamb was known for his support of the ball-carrier - his ability to be in the right place at the right time netted him 164 tries. This earned him the moniker...
. However attractive offers from other clubs and then doubts about the club's viability led to years of exodus of talent. Wests did manage to win the 1977 Amco Cup
1977 Amco Cup
-Format:Random draw, straight knock-out with 38 teams, 12 of which played off in a preliminary round.-Preliminary round:-Round 1:-Round 2:-Quarter finals:-Semi finals:-Final:* *- Advanced on penalty count-back-Sources:...
.
The 80s
John RibotJohn Ribot
John Ribot is an Australian sports administrator and former rugby league footballer of the 1970s and 80s. Once a Queensland State of Origin and Australian international representative winger, Ribot was the 1980 NSWRFL season's top try-scorer...
, a winger for Wests, was the top try-scorer for the 1980 season. In 1983 the NSWRFL attempted to expel Wests from the competition, but a prolonged legal battle saw the Magpies keep their spot, unlike the Newtown Jets
Newtown Jets
The Newtown Jets are an Australian rugby league football club based in Newtown, a suburb of Sydney's inner west. They currently compete in the NSWRL Premier League competition, having left the top grade after the 1983 NSWRFL season...
. Eventually, Wests relocated to Campbelltown
Campbelltown, New South Wales
Campbelltown is a suburb in south-western Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Campbelltown is located 51 kilometres south-west of the Sydney central business district and is the administrative centre for the local government area of the City of Campbelltown.- History :Campbelltown...
in 1987. Ironically, this was where Newtown had unsuccessfully tried to move to four years earlier.
The 90s
Wests begun a rebuilding process in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Laurie FreierLaurie Freier
Laurie Freier is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer and coach. He played in Sydney's NSWRFL Premiership for the Eastern Suburbs and Manly-Warringah clubs during the 1970s, later coaching Easts as well as the Western Suburbs Magpies during the 1980s...
started the 1988 Winfield Cup season as the club's coach but was replaced during the season by John Bailey.
The club made the semi finals in 1991 and 1992 under coach Warren Ryan
Warren Ryan
Warren Ryan is former rugby league football coach and player from Sydney, Australia. He is considered as one of the most influential coaches in recent times. Ryan also played 1st Grade Rugby League for the St George Dragons and Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks....
. They were also NSWRL Club Champions in 1991 when all three grades made the semi-finals. The team also made it to the Pre-season Challenge Cup final in 1993 but were beaten by a star studded Canberra side. The club then slipped down the ladder and the coaching reigns were handed over to caretaker Wayne Ellis.
The decision to appoint Magpie legend Tommy Raudonikis
Tommy Raudonikis
Tommy Raudonikis OAM is an Australian former rugby league footballer and coach. He played over twenty-nine Tests and World Cup games as Australia representative halfback and captained his country in two Tests of the 1973 Kangarooo tour.-Early life and club playing career:Raudonikis is the son of a...
as coach for the start of the 1995 season sent a shot of adrenalin into the club. Tommy took the Magpies to the finals in 1995 and 1996. But the club could not complete in the players market in 1997 thanks to the SuperLeague war which saw players contracts soar sky high to unsustainable amounts.
In 1998 and 1999 a Magpie team filled with a large number of unknown players struggled to be competitive and twice won the wooden spoon. With the club struggling on-field and trying to compete financially against clubs with News Limited funding, the writing was on the wall.
Joint Venture
The well documented war in 1997 between Super League (News Ltd) and the Australian Rugby League (ARL) resulted in a compromise that by the year 2000, the National Rugby League (NRL) competition would be contested by only 14 teams.With the Wests Magpies struggling on field in the NRL competition, it was decided by the club in the middle of 1999 that to survive the cull they would be required to merge their senior team with another club's team. After initial talks with the Canterbury Bulldogs failed an agreement was reached with the Balmain Tigers.
The Wests Tigers were created and first competed in the year 2000 competition. The club also merged its playing colours from the two joint venture partners. Black (Wests and Balmain),Gold (Balmain) and white (Wests)
Major Sponsors
- Victa (1978–1982)
- IPEC Couriers (1984–1985)
- Masterton Homes (1986–1992)
- Goldstar / LG Electronics (1995–1997)
- Signature Security Systems (1998–1999)
- Club Hotels (2000)
- Save Home loans (2005)
- Wests Leagues Ashfield (2006–2007)
Wests Leagues Ashfield have also been key sponsors & supporters of the club since they were established.
- Rebel Sport (Centenary Partner and 2008 Major Sponsor)
Current Days
The Western Suburbs Magpies home matches are played at Campbelltown Sports Ground, and their training facilities, along with offices are at the Whitlam Centre in Liverpool. The club has state of the art facilities here, and they are regarded as some of the best in the league.The Wests Magpies' last title was won in 2002 when the Wests Magpies captained by Liam Fulton won the New South Wales Rugby League Under 18's competition.
Home grounds
The Magpies have played at three home grounds since foundation. They played at Pratten ParkPratten Park
Pratten Park is a sporting complex in the Sydney suburb of Ashfield featuring an oval playing field large enough to play cricket, a lawn bowling club and a tennis club. The Park is best known as the original home of the Western Suburbs Magpies rugby league team, who played there for around half a...
in Ashfield
Ashfield, New South Wales
Ashfield is a suburb in the inner-west of Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Ashfield is about 9 kilometres south-west of the Sydney central business district and is the administrative centre for the local government area of the Municipality of Ashfield.The official name for the...
for their first sixty years, then they moved to Lidcombe Oval
Lidcombe Oval
Lidcombe Oval is a playing field in the Western Sydney suburb of Lidcombe, and is part of Wyatt Park. Situated in Church Street, on the northern side of the railway line, it has a capacity of more than 20,000 and is used mainly for football matches of various codes...
in the late seventies. This was due to Ashfield council not allowing the club to play matches on a Sunday (as this was the church day). In 1987, they moved to Campbelltown
Campbelltown, New South Wales
Campbelltown is a suburb in south-western Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Campbelltown is located 51 kilometres south-west of the Sydney central business district and is the administrative centre for the local government area of the City of Campbelltown.- History :Campbelltown...
's Orana Park, which, after a $25 million renovation, is now called Campbelltown Stadium
Campbelltown Stadium
Campbelltown Stadium, formerly Orana Park and Campbelltown Sports Ground, is a rugby league stadium in Campbelltown, New South Wales, Australia. It is the full time home ground for the Western Suburbs Magpies District Rugby League Football Club and is one of three home grounds for the Wests Tigers...
which is now one of the home grounds of the Wests Tigers
Wests Tigers
The Wests Tigers are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Sydney's mid-western suburbs. They have competed in the National Rugby League since they were formed at the end of the 1999 season as a joint-venture club between the Balmain Tigers and the Western Suburbs...
.
District Junior Competition
The Western Suburbs District Junior Rugby League (WSDJRL) also known as the "Junior Magpies" administers junior rugby league on behalf of the Western Suburbs Magpies and the Wests TigersWests Tigers
The Wests Tigers are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Sydney's mid-western suburbs. They have competed in the National Rugby League since they were formed at the end of the 1999 season as a joint-venture club between the Balmain Tigers and the Western Suburbs...
joint venture. It consists of a network of affiliated junior rugby league clubs throughout the greater Campbelltown
Campbelltown
Campbelltown can refer to:Places in Australia:*Towns/suburbs:**Campbelltown, New South Wales**Campbelltown, South Australia**Campbell Town, Tasmania*Government areas:**Electoral district of Campbelltown, state electoral district in New South Wales...
and Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
areas of southwestern Sydney. As of 2009 the following clubs were involved in the WSDJRL;
- All Saints JRLFC
- Ashcroft Stallions JRLFC
- Campbelltown City Kangaroos JRLFC
- Campbelltown Collegians JRLFC
- Campbelltown Warriors JRLFC
- Eaglevale St Andrews JRLFC
- East Campbelltown Eagles JRLFC
- Hinchinbrook Hornets JRLFC
- Ingleburn Bulldogs JRLFC
- Ingleburn RSL Tigers JRLFC
- Liverpool Catholic Club Raiders JRLFC
- Macarthur Saints JRLFC (ex- St Thomas More JRLFC)
- Macquarie Fields Hawks JRLFC
- Minto Cobras JRLFC
- Valley United Vikings JRLFC
- Liverpool Titans JRLC http://www.liverpooltitans.com
Former Clubs
The following clubs also competed in the WSDJRL, but have now folded:
- Airds Colts JRLFC
- Claymore Panthers JRLFC
- Heckenberg JRLFC
- Leumeah Wolves JRLFC
- Liverpool City JRLFC
- Liverpool RSL JRLFC
- Macquarie Cobras JRLFC
- Warwick Farm JRLFC
- Woodlands JRLFC
- Sadlier Bulldogs JRLFC
The WSDJRL has produced many ex and current Wests Tigers
Wests Tigers
The Wests Tigers are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in Sydney's mid-western suburbs. They have competed in the National Rugby League since they were formed at the end of the 1999 season as a joint-venture club between the Balmain Tigers and the Western Suburbs...
players including Brett Hodgson
Brett Hodgson
Brett Hodgson is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Warrington Wolves of Super League...
(Eagle Vale-St Andrews & Ingleburn RSL), Dean Collis
Dean Collis
Dean Collis is an Australian professional rugby league player for the Cronulla Sharks club in the National Rugby League competition. He primarily plays at centre.-Career:...
(Campbelltown Warriors), Bryce Gibbs (All Saints Liverpool), Shannon Gallant
Shannon Gallant
Shannon Gallant , is an Australian rugby league player. He has played in the National Rugby League for the North Queensland Cowboys and the Wests Tigers...
(All Saints Liverpool & Campbelltown City) Chris Lawrence
Chris Lawrence (rugby league)
Chris Lawrence is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Wests Tigers of the National Rugby League...
(Eagle Vale), and Shannon McDonnell (All Saints Liverpool). Other notable NRL players who grew up playing junior rugby league in the WSDJRL are Anthony Minichello (East Valley United), Mark Minicheillo (Liverpool Catholic Club) Frank Pritchard
Frank Pritchard
Frank Pritchard is an Australian born New Zealand professional rugby league footballer currently playing for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs of the National Rugby League . He is of Samoan descent...
(Campbelltown City)Eric Grothe, Jr.
Eric Grothe, Jr.
Eric Raymond Grothe is an Australian retired professional rugby league footballer of the 2000s. A New South Wales State of Origin and Australian international representative three-quarter for the Parramatta Eels of the National Rugby League...
(Eagle Vale), Ryan Hoffman
Ryan Hoffman
Ryan Hoffman is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Wigan Warriors of the Super League...
(Campbelltown Collegians), Ben Roberts
Ben Roberts
Benjamin Roberts is a British professional poker player based in London.-Poker career:Roberts began playing poker in the mid 1970s, and claims to have won every year....
(Narellan Jets), Israel Folau
Israel Folau
Israel Folau is a professional Australian rules footballer currently listed with the Greater Western Sydney Football Club in the Australian Football League . He previously played Rugby league for the Melbourne Storm in the National Rugby League from 2007 to 2008 where he broke the record for most...
, Jarryd Hayne
Jarryd Hayne
Jarryd Lee Hayne is an Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Parramatta Eels of the NRL. A New South Wales State of Origin and Australian, Fiji international representative winger and fullback, he has played his entire NRL career to date with Parramatta, with whom he got to the...
, Krisnan Inu
Krisnan Inu
Krisnan Nevada Inu is a New Zealand professional rugby league player who currently plays for the New Zealand Warriors in the Australasian National Rugby League competition...
, Michael Lett
Michael Lett
Michael Lett is an Australian professional rugby league player with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. His position of choice is in the centres.-Career:...
, Grey Viane, John Scandalis, Ken Mcguiniess, Kevin Mcguiness and Mickey
Mickey
Mickey is a common name, derived from Michael. The word may refer to one of the following:-Fictional characters:* Mickey Mouse, a Disney cartoon character* Mickey Goldmill, a character from the Rocky franchise...
& Lopini Paea
Lopini Paea
Lopini Paea is an Australian rugby league player of Tongan descent who currently plays for the Catalans Dragons in the European Super League. He previously played for the Sydney Roosters in the National Rugby League...
(all Minto Cobras).
The WSDJRL took over its current boundaries from the CRL Group 6 Northern Junior League and parts of the Parramatta DJRL (i.e. Liverpool) in 1987. They were forced to move out of their traditional territory around the Ashfield and Lidcombe areas of inner western Sydney to be able to then survive in the NSWRL. The old WSDJRL area has since been acquired by the Balmain DJRL and Bulldogs (Canterbury) DJRL. Clubs that used to play in the WSDJRL include;
- Ashfield Colts (now folded) Burwood United (now merged with Concord in Balmain DJRL) Concord United (now merged with Burwood in Balmain DJRL) Benedicts Auburn (now Trinity College, Auburn) Enfield Federals (now in Balmain DJRL) (produced Hazem El MasriHazem El MasriHazem El Masri is a Lebanese-Australian retired professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. An Australia and Lebanon international, and New South Wales State of Origin representative winger, he played his entire club football career with the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs with...
and Robbie FarahRobbie FarahRobert Peter "Robbie" Farah is an Australian professional rugby league player for the Wests Tigers club in the National Rugby League competition. He primarily plays at hooker and can operate as a half-back...
) Five Dock JRLFC (now in Balmain DJRL) Lidcombe Bulls (folded in mid 1980's) Berala Bears (now in Bulldogs DJRL) Croydon Park (folded in mid 1980's) Holman JRLFC (Named after Keith HolmanKeith HolmanKeith Victor Holman, MBE was an Australian rugby league footballer, a national and state representative whose club career was played with the Western Suburbs Magpies from 1949 to 1961. He has since been named as one of the nation's finest footballers of the 20th century...
, based at Henley Park, Enfield. Colours were yellow with a blue shoulder saddle, and the emblem was oval shaped with a kangaroo, a football, a kiwi, a rooster & a lion ; signifying that Keith played for Australia against New Zealand, France & England. Folded in mid 1980's) Royal Sheaf Hotel (Burwood, folded in late 1980s) - Oriental Shamrocks (folded in 1960's)
- Granville Diggers – unsure when folded
- De La Salle – Ashfield – again, unsure of when they folded
- Christian Brothers Burwood
Hall of Fame
On Friday 30 May 2008 the centenary of the Western Suburbs Magpies was celebrated with a ball in the Grand Harbour Ballroom at Sydney's Star City CasinoStar City Casino
The Star Sydney Casino & Hotel in Pyrmont, Sydney, is the second largest casino in Australia after rival Melbourne's Crown Casino. Overlooking Darling Harbour, The Star Sydney Casino features two gaming floors, eight bars, seven restaurants, 351 hotel rooms and 130 serviced and privately owned...
. Six inaugural members were also inducted into the Western Suburbs Magpies Hall of Fame:
- Keith HolmanKeith HolmanKeith Victor Holman, MBE was an Australian rugby league footballer, a national and state representative whose club career was played with the Western Suburbs Magpies from 1949 to 1961. He has since been named as one of the nation's finest footballers of the 20th century...
- Jim AbercrombieJim AbercrombieJim Abercrombie was an Australian rugby league player for the Wests Magpies in the New South Wales Rugby League premiership competition, he also played rugby union for North Sydney and Glebe...
- Peter DimondPeter DimondPeter Dimond is a former Australian rugby league footballer who played his club rugby league for the Western Suburbs Magpies. Born in born in Dapto, New South Wales, he is the younger brother of Bobby Dimond...
- Arthur SummonsArthur SummonsArthur Summons is a former Australian representative rugby union and rugby league player, a dual-code rugby international fly-half or five-eighth...
- Tommy RaudonikisTommy RaudonikisTommy Raudonikis OAM is an Australian former rugby league footballer and coach. He played over twenty-nine Tests and World Cup games as Australia representative halfback and captained his country in two Tests of the 1973 Kangarooo tour.-Early life and club playing career:Raudonikis is the son of a...
- Noel KellyNoel Kelly (rugby league)Noel Kelly is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer and coach, who played at club, state and national level. He has been named amongst the country's finest footballers of the 20th century...
Team of the Century
International Representatives
The following Western Suburbs Magpies players have represented their countries in international competition. Australia
- Frank McMillanFrank McMillanFrank McMillan was an Australian rugby league footballer and coach. He was a full-back for the Australian national team and played in nine Tests between 1929 and 1934, two as captain...
- Vic HeyVic HeyVic Hey born Liverpool, New South Wales, was an Australian rugby league national and state representative five-eighth and later a successful first-grade and national coach. His Australian club playing career commenced with the Western Suburbs Magpies and concluded with the Parramatta Eels. In...
- Dick Vest
- Keith HolmanKeith HolmanKeith Victor Holman, MBE was an Australian rugby league footballer, a national and state representative whose club career was played with the Western Suburbs Magpies from 1949 to 1961. He has since been named as one of the nation's finest footballers of the 20th century...
- Arthur SummonsArthur SummonsArthur Summons is a former Australian representative rugby union and rugby league player, a dual-code rugby international fly-half or five-eighth...
- Peter DimondPeter DimondPeter Dimond is a former Australian rugby league footballer who played his club rugby league for the Western Suburbs Magpies. Born in born in Dapto, New South Wales, he is the younger brother of Bobby Dimond...
- Harry WellsHarry Wells (rugby league)Harry James Wells is an Australian former representative rugby league footballer of the 1950s, 60s and 70s. A centre whose club career was played along the New South Wales coast as well as in Sydney with the South Sydney Rabbitohs and the Western Suburbs Magpies, he has since been named among the...
- Kel O'SheaKel O'SheaKel O'Shea is an Australian former representative rugby league footballer, a second-rower from Queensland whose club career was played with the Western Suburbs Magpies in Sydney...
- Noel KellyNoel Kelly (rugby league)Noel Kelly is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer and coach, who played at club, state and national level. He has been named amongst the country's finest footballers of the 20th century...
- John RibotJohn RibotJohn Ribot is an Australian sports administrator and former rugby league footballer of the 1970s and 80s. Once a Queensland State of Origin and Australian international representative winger, Ribot was the 1980 NSWRFL season's top try-scorer...
- Terry LambTerry LambTerry Lamb OAM, is an Australian retired professional rugby league footballer and coach. He played 349 games , with Wests , and Canterbury . Lamb was known for his support of the ball-carrier - his ability to be in the right place at the right time netted him 164 tries. This earned him the moniker...
- Paul LangmackPaul LangmackPaul Langmack is an Australian former rugby league coach and representative and premiership-winning player.-Playing Career:While attending Fairfield Patrician Brothers, Langmack played for the Australian Schoolboys team in 1982....
- David GillespieDavid GillespieDavid "Cement" Gillespie is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. A sturdy forward, he played for the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, Western Suburbs Magpies, Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, New South Wales and for the Australian national side...
- Tommy RaudonikisTommy RaudonikisTommy Raudonikis OAM is an Australian former rugby league footballer and coach. He played over twenty-nine Tests and World Cup games as Australia representative halfback and captained his country in two Tests of the 1973 Kangarooo tour.-Early life and club playing career:Raudonikis is the son of a...
- Jim SerdarisJim SerdarisJim Serdaris is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1980s, 90s and 2000s. He played for the South Sydney Rabbitohs, Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, Western Suburbs Magpies, Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles, New South Wales and for the Australian national side...
- Les BoydLes BoydLes Boyd is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1970s and 80s. He played representative football for the Australian national side in international matches as well as the New South Wales side in the State of Origin...
New Zealand
- Mark HoroMark HoroMark Gregory Horo is a New Zealand rugby league coach and former footballer of the 1980s and 90s. A New Zealand international representative, he played club football in New Zealand for Te Atatu and in Australia for Parramatta and Wests before finishing his career back in Auckland with the Warriors...
- Stephen KearneyStephen KearneyStephen Peter Kearney, ONZM is a professional rugby league football coach and former player. He is the current head coach of the Parramatta Eels in the NRL as well as the New Zealand national team...
- Brendon TuutaBrendon TuutaBrendon Ephia Tuuta is a New Zealand former rugby league player.Tuuta played a variety of positions including Stand Off, Halfback, Second Row and Lock. He was known as "the baby-faced assassin" and had a reputation as a brawler...
England
- Harvey HowardHarvey HowardHarvey Howard is an English former professional rugby league footballer of the 1990s and 2000s. A Great Britain, and England international representative , he played club football in England for Widnes, Leeds, Bradford and Wigan, and in Australia for the Eastern Suburbs Roosters, Western Suburbs...
- Lee CrooksLee Crooks (rugby league)Lee Crooks is an English former professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and '90s, and coach of the 1990s and 2000s who at representative level has played for Great Britain, England, and Yorkshire, and at club level for Hull, Western Suburbs Magpies, Balmain Tigers, Leeds, and Castleford,...
- Garry SchofieldGarry SchofieldGarry E. Schofield OBE is an English retired professional rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 1990s. At the time of his retirement he was the most-capped Great Britain player of all time along with Mick Sullivan, with 46 appearances. He also won three England caps, making him the highest...
- Ellery HanleyEllery HanleyEllery Cuthwyn Hanley MBE is a British former rugby league footballer of the 1970s, 80s and 90s, and former head coach of Great Britain, St. Helens and Doncaster. As a player he played most of his games at /, or /. Over a period of nineteen years, he played for Bradford Northern, Wigan, Balmain,...
Papua New Guinea
- David Buko
Club
- Premierships: 4 – 1930 beat St George; 1934 beat Easts; 1948 beat Balmain; 1952 beat South Sydney
- Runners Up: 8 – 1918; 1925; 1932; 1950; 1958; 1961; 1962; 1963
- Minor Premierships: 5 – 1930; 1948; 1952; 1961; 1978
- Wooden Spoons: 17 – 1909; 1910; 1912; 1913; 1916; 1933; 1940; 1942; 1953; 1955; 1971; 1983; 1984; 1987; 1988; 1998; 1999
- NSWRL Club Championships: 4 – 1948; 1960; 1961; 1991
- Amco Cup: 1 – 1977
- City Cup: 2 – 1918; 1919
- State Cup / Jersey Flegg U20's: 1 – 1965
- Ampol Cup: 1 – 1963
NSWRL Reserve Grade: 3 (1936, 1961, 1981)
NSWRL Third Grade: 9 (1936, 1938, 1939, 1944, 1958, 1961, 1967)
Under 23 Premiership: 1 (1977)
President's Cup: 1 (1925, 1947, 1958, 1992)
Flegg Memorial Trophy: 2 (1961, 1981)
NSWRL SG Ball U18's: 2 (1971, 2002)
Largest crowd:
- Lidcombe Oval: 21,015 vs Parramatta (30th July 1978)
- Campbelltown Sports Ground: 17,286 vs St George Campbelltown (2nd August 1991)
Biggest defeat:
67 – 0 vs South Sydney (Agricultural Showground, 23rd July 1910)
Biggest win:
62 -5 vs Balmain (Lidcombe Oval, 31st March 1974)
Individual
Most First Grade Games (150 or more)- 203 – Keith HolmanKeith HolmanKeith Victor Holman, MBE was an Australian rugby league footballer, a national and state representative whose club career was played with the Western Suburbs Magpies from 1949 to 1961. He has since been named as one of the nation's finest footballers of the 20th century...
- 201 – Tom Raudonikis
- 162 – Trevor CoggerTrevor CoggerTrevor Cogger is a former Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Western Suburbs Magpies. He played 160 first grade games in the New South Wales Rugby League premiership with the Magpies, the fifth most capped player for the club...
- 160 – Wayne Smith
- 157 – Tedda CourtneyTedda CourtneyEd "Tedda" Courtney was a pioneer Australian rugby league footballer and Coach. He played club football for the North Sydney Bears, Western Suburbs Magpies and representative football for the New South Wales state and Australian national sides...
- 155 – Peter DimondPeter DimondPeter Dimond is a former Australian rugby league footballer who played his club rugby league for the Western Suburbs Magpies. Born in born in Dapto, New South Wales, he is the younger brother of Bobby Dimond...
- 150 – Frank McMillanFrank McMillanFrank McMillan was an Australian rugby league footballer and coach. He was a full-back for the Australian national team and played in nine Tests between 1929 and 1934, two as captain...
Most Tries In a Match:
Alan Ridley
Alan Ridley
Alan Ridley was an Australian rugby league footballer of the 1920s and 30s. An Australian international and New South Wales interstate representative winger, he played club football for Sydney's Western Suburbs, with whom he won the 1934 NSWRFL Premiership....
, 6 vs Newtown, Pratten Park, July 11, 1936
Most Tries In a Season:
Alan Ridley
Alan Ridley
Alan Ridley was an Australian rugby league footballer of the 1920s and 30s. An Australian international and New South Wales interstate representative winger, he played club football for Sydney's Western Suburbs, with whom he won the 1934 NSWRFL Premiership....
, 18 in 1932 and Paul Smith, 18 in 1994
Most 1st Grade Tries For Club:
Peter Dimond
Peter Dimond
Peter Dimond is a former Australian rugby league footballer who played his club rugby league for the Western Suburbs Magpies. Born in born in Dapto, New South Wales, he is the younger brother of Bobby Dimond...
, 83
Most Tries For Club (All grades):
Trevor Cogger
Trevor Cogger
Trevor Cogger is a former Australian professional rugby league footballer for the Western Suburbs Magpies. He played 160 first grade games in the New South Wales Rugby League premiership with the Magpies, the fifth most capped player for the club...
, 88
Most Goals In a Match:
Les Mead
Les Mead
Les Mead is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1930s. An Australian international and New South Wales interstate representative goal-kicking half back, he played his club football in the New South Wales Rugby Football League Premiership with Western Suburbs.Son of...
, 12 v Canterbury, Pratten Park, August 31, 1935
Most Points In a Match:
Les Mead
Les Mead
Les Mead is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer of the 1930s. An Australian international and New South Wales interstate representative goal-kicking half back, he played his club football in the New South Wales Rugby Football League Premiership with Western Suburbs.Son of...
, 27 ( 1 try, 12 goals ) v Canterbury, Pratten Park, August 31, 1935
Most Points In a Season:
David Denton
David Denton
David Denton was an English first-class cricketer. An attacking batsman, he had a long career with Yorkshire and played eleven Tests for England. His nickname of 'Lucky' came from his habit of surviving the numerous chances, that his attacking batting style naturally created for the opposition...
, 215 ( 8 tries, 94 goals, 3 field goals ) in 1978
Most Points For Club:
Bill Keato
Bill Keato
William Keato is a retired Australian rugby league footballer who played in the New South Wales Rugby Football League premiership for the Western Suburbs Magpies from 1938 till 1950. A goal-kicking fullback he played over one hundred first grade games for the Magpies.Keato made his debut in 1938...
, 776 ( 6 tries, 379 goals )
Notable fans
- Doug SutherlandDoug Sutherland (Australian)Douglas William "Doug" Sutherland is an Australian businessman, former Lord Mayor of Sydney, and founding member of 'Australians for Constitutional Monarchy' and who was a delegate at the 1998 Constitutional Convention.-References:...
, mayor of Sydney (1980–87) - Trooper Mark DonaldsonMark DonaldsonMark Gregor Strang Donaldson VC is the first recipient of the Victoria Cross for Australia, awarded for gallantry, the highest award in the Australian honours system. He is the first Australian recipient of a Victoria Cross since Keith Payne in 1969...
VCVictoria Cross for AustraliaThe Victoria Cross for Australia is the highest award in the Australian Honours System, superseding the Victoria Cross for issue to Australians...
Further reading
Publishing| year = 1995
| location =
| pages =
| url = http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=7yf2OwAACAAJ&source=gbs_navlinks_s
| doi =
| id =
| isbn = 0949853526, 9780949853523}}