CLASS ACT BY PLAYERS ON AND OFF THE FIELD

[Guest]

By Wayne Cousins

Noel Kelly couldn't but be full of pride as he enjoyed the celebrations inside the Wests Tigers dressing room at the Sydney Football Stadium on Friday night.

One of the proudest and toughest Magpies of them all, Kelly was among some of the Western Suburbs players from the 1961 grand final team that were amongst the well wishers following Wests Tigers win over St George-Illawarra Dragons.

As part of the Club's tribute to the 1961 team, Wests Tigers players wore the Magpies heritage strip for the match.

Aware how proud Kelly was following the thrilling victory over the Dragons, Wests Tigers second-rower Chris Heighington presented his game worn jersey and shorts to Kelly's grandson as a memento. It almost brought the man they called 'Ned' Kelly to tears.

The post match celebrations continued well into the night after originally starting at a '61 Grand Final re-union event at Crowne Plaza, Coogee, organised by Wests Tigers.

It was all part of the Wests Tigers tribute to the Western Suburbs team beaten in the grand final by St George Dragons.

Following a few beverages and plenty of light hearted banter, the Magpies boys travelled to the SFS on a bus to enjoy a function with their grand final opponents.

Prior to the NRL match, players from the '61 grand final teams were introduced to the crowd and lined up alongside the Wests Tigers and Dragons teams for the national anthem.

In a great sign of respect, Wests Tigers players, led by Captain Robbie Farah, went along the line and shook every Magpies players hand to acknowledge their achievements.

It was a class act by a classy team.

 

[innsaneink]

According to some the past should stay where it is, in the past.
This story shows how great it can be when past & present unite….great story, great night, great act by Heighno and a great club....glad i was there for part of it.

 

[AmericanHistoryX]

thats the magpie spirit my friend. Clouds of Dust, Buckets of Blood

 

[Balmain_Bug]

According to some the past should stay where it is, in the past.
This story shows how great it can be when past & present unite….great story, great night, great act by Heighno and a great club....glad i was there for part of it.

X 100000000.
:master:

 

[cunno]

The 1961 players have to be congratulated for how seriously they took the commemoration, many turned up for starters, they all made the effort to dress appropriately, most in suits and they added very well to the night by their presence on the field. One thing gave me a quick laugh though , just before the teams were about to walk out onto the field some quip started to play the old Western Suburbs song over the pa system 'we are the boys from western suburbs…...' it didn't get much past that before it was turned off and the wests tigers tune was played. Now I'm not trying to start a debate about team songs etc etc just thought it was humorous at the time.

 

[Cultured_Bogan]

Fantastic gesture by Rhino. A respectful notion to a legend.
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[Pokies]

I'm fairly sure in another thread i saw someone congratulate the team on the decision to walk down the line and shake hands with the Wests legends after the national anthem just before kick off. Its something that i also noticed at the time and was very proud of.
It not only adds to the spirit of the occasion but shows a great respect for these ex players.

Wonderful gesture by Heighington after the match. The players and the club should be commended for the way they treated the match and occasion.

 

[1_4_chicken_chips]

Would anyone expect anything less by Chrissie.Deadset champion bloke on and off the field.
Thats the sort of guy an Origin squad needs in it .

 

[Balmain_Bug]

Would anyone expect anything less by Chrissie.Deadset champion bloke on and off the field.
Thats the sort of guy an Origin squad needs in it .

The Origin Squad can go and get stuffed.

For years they have looked down upon the Wests Tigers players with great disdain as if they are retarded. NSW can go and get stuffed. Heighno is a legend, and pulling on the Black, White and Orange jersey of the WT is a greater privilage than anything else.

 

[alexaki]

Would anyone expect anything less by Chrissie.Deadset champion bloke on and off the field.
Thats the sort of guy an Origin squad needs in it .

The Origin Squad can go and get stuffed.

For years they have looked down upon the Wests Tigers players with great disdain as if they are retarded. NSW can go and get stuffed. Heighno is a legend, and pulling on the Black, White and Orange jersey of the WT is a greater privilage than anything else.

Well said Bug…most/all of the forumers on here would 1000% agree!