Billy Smith . . . One of the most highly rated schoolboy rugby stars in Australia

[Louis N]

It certainly is a walk down memory lane Axe and Bondi paul. But memories as clear as crystal think goodness. I really thought Cardy could have been an Australian league rep had he not suffered that badly broken leg. We would have had a great attacking side. Peard was our five eighth in 1969 and 1970 and we got Ballesty in 1970 too. Peard transferred to St George in 1971 and then came back to Easts in 1974. At one stage 1972 we had Phil Hawthorne in the minor grades and John Ballesty who took out RLW player of the season in firsts.

I thought we should have taken it out in 72 and got dudded in the grand final. This vid is a link back to Hawthorne taken the year he passed on from leukemia. He has an interesting story to tell about his first game, Johnny Raper and Ron Coote.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8bxGzhX4hU

[The Axe]

Thanks again Louis. Although before my time always enjoy stories re dual internationals..

i also remember when league produced doctors

[Mickie Lane]

It certainly is a walk down memory lane Axe and Bondi paul. But memories as clear as crystal think goodness. I really thought Cardy could have been an Australian league rep had he not suffered that badly broken leg. We would have had a great attacking side. Peard was our five eighth in 1969 and 1970 and we got Ballesty in 1970 too. Peard transferred to St George in 1971 and then came back to Easts in 1974. At one stage 1972 we had Phil Hawthorne in the minor grades and John Ballesty who took out RLW player of the season in firsts.

I thought we should have taken it out in 72 and got dudded in the grand final. This vid is a link back to Hawthorne taken the year he passed on from leukemia. He has an interesting story to tell about his first game, Johnny Raper and Ron Coote.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8bxGzhX4hU

To right they were.
People think the Chooks got rorted in the 2010 GF but the 1972 GF was the biggest rort of all time. Manly drop the ball over the Roosters try line & the ref awarded the try.

[Louis N]

To right they were.
People think the Chooks got rorted in the 2010 GF but the 1972 GF was the biggest rort of all time. Manly drop the ball over the Roosters try line & the ref awarded the try.

Totally dudded Mickey. Freddie Jones try was one, then there was Ray Branighan strolling over after a forward pass that even the commentators called from the grandstand. But they were the days when Manly or Canterbury had free reign on forward passes. And we had two tries disallowed from Armstrong and Coote.. It was the greatest stitch up since Wests got robbed playing St George in the 63 grand final.

[bondi paul]

Totally dudded Mickey. Freddie Jones try was one, then there was Ray Branighan strolling over after a forward pass that even the commentators called from the grandstand. But they were the days when Manly or Canterbury had free reign on forward passes. And we had two tries disallowed from Armstrong and Coote.. It was the greatest stitch up since Wests got robbed playing St George in the 63 grand final.

Indeed it was a stitch up Louis - Ref Keith Page really has it in for us over numerous seasons. I know players from that time who played in the game and they know they were rorted.

[bondi paul]

Ok for some here on the Pen the theme of the post being a trip down memory lane has been memorable yet some could find it boring or us old chooks living in the past. Certainly. it was in my youth and I have fond memories and upsetting ones however i was thinking earlier today that its great for young fans on here to have some snippets of history via certain era's, players and events that have been raised, in particular by Louis N ( as in Louis Neumann a former player capt coach and south african )so there is a some knowledge of who and what have made this club what it is.If it wasn't so i would not have supported the club and team for as long as i have.

[Louis N]

Thanks again Louis. Although before my time always enjoy stories re dual internationals..

i also remember when league produced doctors

I think it was in 62 that we had a centre Dr Bill Roney. I remember we had to beat St George to be chance to make the top 4. We won 7 to 6. Roney marked the great Reg Gasnier and ended up getting Frank Hyde's man of the match. Also a member of that Easts side was Dr Merv Cross who became the expert on knee reconstructions on his retirement.

Also to Bondi Paul. Glad you remembered Louis Neumann - one of my all time favourites and as tough as they come. A lot like Boyd Cordner.

Yes it is old time stuff and part of our history. They were the guys who dug the well so to speak and the reason we started following Easts. That was my first season as a supporter. Unfortunately we finished 5th that year.

[The Axe]

Louis. You are right. You memories are our club’s history. Please continue to contribute such memories.
most enjoyable

[bondi paul]

Louis. You are right. You memories are our club’s history. Please continue to contribute such memories.
most enjoyable

Nicely said Axe. Louis you have a fine memory as a great and longtime supporter of the Roosters. Thanks for being so informative of the rugby converts during the times mentioned. That 72 GF was on the nose. I knew players who played that day and their pre match fear with ref Keith Page immense ... the rest history. I have always thought of Ben Cummins being like a Keith Page reincarnate. Anyway onwards and upwards for 2018.

[eddie]

it was in my youth and I have fond memories ............................ .

Are you more a Messinger fan, or did Dave Brown make you reconsider?

Both were locals

[bondi paul]

Are you more a Messinger fan, or did Dave Brown make you reconsider?

Both were locals

eddie - your comment so very very funny. yes, correct about both messenger and brown being locals.fact. both sides of my family were friends of both and cricket local jack fingelton who shared local honours when brown was playing. dismissed.