Good Old Days..

[happy_tiger]

"John Donnelly ran straight at me, spat in my face and said ‘You’re dead’. "

Former Eastern Suburbs five-eighth Gary Warnecke shares a great yarn about his first grade debut


The Mole
May 02 2020

No rugby league player ever forgets his debut - but for former Eastern Suburbs five-eighth Gary Warnecke his maiden outing in the top grade was nothing short of terrifying.

After a brief appearance from the bench in 1979, Warnecke made his starting debut the following year against the most feared team of the era - the dreaded Western Suburbs Magpies.

And before a ball was kicked in the game at the old Sydney Sports Ground, the Magpies made their intentions for Warnecke very clear.

“We ran out first and were standing in a circle warming up when Wests took the field,” Warnecke recalled.

“I was a bundle of nerves, minding my own business, when (Wests prop) John Donnelly ran straight at me, spat in my face and said ‘You’re dead’.

“I was stunned… I shit myself. He got to me.”

Fortunately for Warnecke, he got over that pre-match ‘spray’ to shine for the Roosters.

He scored the try that turned the match as the Roosters won a brutal encounter, and went on to have a fine career, including playing in that year’s grand final.

Said the same thing to Kerry Boustead in his NSWRL debut as well

 

[twentyforty]

The good old days, yes, in these current isolated, quiet times my mind does reflect on ‘the good old days’ especially the freedom one had as a child and teenager growing up in the sixties and seventies. My dad was a mad South’s supporter having grown up in Zetland but he didn’t influence my brother and me, so being North Ryde boys and going to Holy Cross we fell into supporting our local district team which was Balmain.
I first played footy for Gladesville Bowling and Sports Club as a hooker with memories of Ian Thompson, who went onto play for Australia, being one of the props. Holy Cross at this time played Rugby Union before switching to league. Being a hooker in the good old days meant your job was to win the scrum. The battle for scrum possession was a fun part of the game. My best effort was to go a whole game at Birchgrove Oval and not lose a scrum.
One of my early memories of going to the footy was when Leichhardt Oval really was an oval. Back in the sixties one cold, rainy day we were playing North Sydney and the crowd was really small. I was sitting with my best mate Pete when behind us some mad looking bloke with T-shirt on started shadow boxing and shouting out tigers! Tigers! and then imploring us all to join in with him. From then on we always looked forward to seeing that ‘mad’ bloke do his thing…you all know whom I am writing about! Also great memories of walking to and from the ground, doubles tickets on the main game and the bloke selling peanuts.
I remember going to what I think was the first ever rugby league game at the SCG on a Sunday which was between Balmain and St George in 1966. We won 10-3 with Keith Barnes kicking 5 goals including one from halfway. In 1969 Pete and I went to the semi final at the SCG against Souths which we lost by a point which wasn’t too bad after Arthur Beetson got sent off for fighting. Next week we went to the game against Manly to see who would get into the Grand Final and was thinking it was all over until at the last moment George Ruebner made a great run to score in the corner which left Len Killeen, being one of the first round the corner kickers in Australia, the task of kicking the winning goal from the sideline. He calmly stuck his heel in the ground, placed the ball in the divot, stepped back a couple of places and kicked it between the posts. We, of course, go on to win the Grand Final from there.
Hmm the good old days were good but it has been great also to go through all the changes, I loved the footy then and I love it now.
P.S. My Alzheimer’s test every year as I get older is to be able to name the entire Balmain 1969 premiership team by positions off the top of my head starting with Bob Smithies, Len Killeen, George Ruebner (replaced by Syd Williams) Allan Fitzgibbon……

Enjoyed reading your post Mort.
They were great times, either watching or playing footy at Birchgrove.
Your father or grandfather wasn’t a ships captain was he? Or an industrialist entrepreneur?

 

[ovoevo]

Speaking of the "Good old days" - the first St. Helens player I got an autograph of (back in the day when everyone invaded the pitch at the end of the game!) was the former Balmain (and IIRC Western Suburbs) winger/full-back Ross Conlon. I think he played something like eighteen games for us in the 85/86 season and scored a number of tries. His goalkicking was a real bonus for us, too. I also got the signature of St. George prop, Pat Jarvis, who was playing for us after he'd picked up a lengthy ban in Australia (for what I can't remember).

 

[Jolls]

Speaking of the "Good old days" - the first St. Helens player I got an autograph of (back in the day when everyone invaded the pitch at the end of the game!) was the former Balmain (and IIRC Western Suburbs) winger/full-back Ross Conlon. I think he played something like eighteen games for us in the 85/86 season and scored a number of tries. His goalkicking was a real bonus for us, too. I also got the signature of St. George prop, Pat Jarvis, who was playing for us after he'd picked up a lengthy ban in Australia (for what I can't remember).

I was over on exchange with a mate in the UK in 94 when the Ashes tour was on. We based ourselves out of the Lamb (if I recall) in St Helens. Had a cracker of a time and got to all of the tests and most of the games - really enjoyed the atmosphere for the game against St Helens. Siro took the first hit up if I recall.

We were really well received and hosted in St Helens. If was a fantastic experience.

 

[matchball]

I remember the good old days when year after year we would run 9th with a 50/50 win loss record and so close to finals yet fault out on last game of the season.

Miss those days.

 

[Merlot]

when 3 potatoe scollops or a paddlepop cost 5c

 

[jadtiger]

when 3 potatoe scollops or a paddlepop cost 5c

 

[Stevec]

Enjoyed reading your post Mort.
They were great times, either watching or playing footy at Birchgrove.
Your father or grandfather wasn’t a ships captain was he? Or an industrialist entrepreneur?

Got a lot of similar memories .Barnes kicking goal from halfway to beat the Saints
Never forget George Ruebner try barrelled everyone like a Sherman tank and we won in 69 mainly due imo to having a crafty halfback David Bolton

 

[Siberian Kitten]

I liked it back when a player could play the ball without having the dummy half leaning all over him. It was better when there was a strict hands-off rule, but the DH could rake for the ball. It's annoying when refs call that the ball's not been played properly or knocked on when there's obvious DH interference.

I also wish refs would only call knock-ons when the ball actually goes forward. Refs like Kline seem to think sloppiness = a knock on, no matter which way the ball goes. Then again, the NRL rewarded Kline for maybe the worst decision in NRL history with a GF, so there's no hope there.

I also wish they would change the knock-on rule so players can juggle and regather. It shouldn't matter if it touches the opposition. In the old days there were some epic juggles that today would be called. They killed a fun part of the game - crazy juggles in heavy traffic.

Also, they should ditch the interchange. If you can't play 80 minutes, tough luck. That would get some of the less fit big boppers out of the game who are driving small, skilful players - who are the most fun to watch - to play overseas.

 

[Halbrowne61]

The good old days, yes, in these current isolated, quiet times my mind does reflect on ‘the good old days’ especially the freedom one had as a child and teenager growing up in the sixties and seventies. My dad was a mad South’s supporter having grown up in Zetland but he didn’t influence my brother and me, so being North Ryde boys and going to Holy Cross we fell into supporting our local district team which was Balmain.
I first played footy for Gladesville Bowling and Sports Club as a hooker with memories of Ian Thompson, who went onto play for Australia, being one of the props. Holy Cross at this time played Rugby Union before switching to league. Being a hooker in the good old days meant your job was to win the scrum. The battle for scrum possession was a fun part of the game. My best effort was to go a whole game at Birchgrove Oval and not lose a scrum.
One of my early memories of going to the footy was when Leichhardt Oval really was an oval. Back in the sixties one cold, rainy day we were playing North Sydney and the crowd was really small. I was sitting with my best mate Pete when behind us some mad looking bloke with T-shirt on started shadow boxing and shouting out tigers! Tigers! and then imploring us all to join in with him. From then on we always looked forward to seeing that ‘mad’ bloke do his thing…you all know whom I am writing about! Also great memories of walking to and from the ground, doubles tickets on the main game and the bloke selling peanuts.
I remember going to what I think was the first ever rugby league game at the SCG on a Sunday which was between Balmain and St George in 1966. We won 10-3 with Keith Barnes kicking 5 goals including one from halfway. In 1969 Pete and I went to the semi final at the SCG against Souths which we lost by a point which wasn’t too bad after Arthur Beetson got sent off for fighting. Next week we went to the game against Manly to see who would get into the Grand Final and was thinking it was all over until at the last moment George Ruebner made a great run to score in the corner which left Len Killeen, being one of the first round the corner kickers in Australia, the task of kicking the winning goal from the sideline. He calmly stuck his heel in the ground, placed the ball in the divot, stepped back a couple of places and kicked it between the posts. We, of course, go on to win the Grand Final from there.
Hmm the good old days were good but it has been great also to go through all the changes, I loved the footy then and I love it now.
P.S. My Alzheimer’s test every year as I get older is to be able to name the entire Balmain 1969 premiership team by positions off the top of my head starting with Bob Smithies, Len Killeen, George Ruebner (replaced by Syd Williams) Allan Fitzgibbon……

It appears I was along for a pretty similar ride.
Thanks for the memories !

 

[Halbrowne61]

Got a lot of similar memories .Barnes kicking goal from halfway to beat the Saints
Never forget George Ruebner try barrelled everyone like a Sherman tank and we won in 69 mainly due imo to having a crafty halfback David Bolton

It was often said that Bolton and Peter Provan coached the team as much as Nosser.
The going down injured ploy to slow down South’s sounds like it could have been a Bolton ploy.
Nothing much has changed in regards to needing a “crafty no 7”.

 

[jadtiger]

It was often said that Bolton and Peter Provan coached the team as much as Nosser.
The going down injured ploy to slow down South’s sounds like it could have been a Bolton ploy.
Nothing much has changed in regards to needing a “crafty no 7”.

That is back in the days when England could match Australia in the game and even win a series(late 60's early 70's).As much as i like beating the poms it would be nice to see competitive matches against the Northern Hemisphere teams again

 

[twentyforty]

Got a lot of similar memories .Barnes kicking goal from halfway to beat the Saints
Never forget George Ruebner try barrelled everyone like a Sherman tank and we won in 69 mainly due imo to having a crafty halfback David Bolton

The casual way Killeen would twist his heel in the turf..once,twice, then stand the leather ball on its point, a couple of steps back and over she goes. He could kick goals from anywhere.
Goal kicking is more of an art form now with the kicking tees, dance moves and positive affirmation with a fixed gaze on the ball’s expected trajectory.

 

[ovoevo]

Got a lot of similar memories .Barnes kicking goal from halfway to beat the Saints
Never forget George Ruebner try barrelled everyone like a Sherman tank and we won in 69 mainly due imo to having a crafty halfback David Bolton

Dave Bolton was an outstanding player. I saw some footage of him at six with Alex Murphy at seven for the British Lions. What a combination that was!

 

[Mort]

Enjoyed reading your post Mort.
They were great times, either watching or playing footy at Birchgrove.
Your father or grandfather wasn’t a ships captain was he? Or an industrialist entrepreneur?

Enjoyed reading your post Mort.
They were great times, either watching or playing footy at Birchgrove.
Your father or grandfather wasn’t a ships captain was he? Or an industrialist entrepreneur?

No, Twentforty my father wasn’t a sea captain but you could say he was a bus captain as he drove the 500 bus from Ryde to the Circular Quay and back again for a living most working days of the week during the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s. Those times being the ‘good old days’ for us older fans here. Most of that journey goes along Victoria Road which for me acts like a river in those times along which flows so many of my memories of growing up.

I lived in a red tiled, fibro shelled war service house in North Ryde as my father served in The Second World War. Most of the houses in the suburb seemed to be the same and the life experience of all those who grew up in them may have also been somewhat similar. For some, If not many, of the fathers the war would take some getting over and everyday life wasn’t always easy. For some of the mothers it would mean new responsibilities like getting a job. My mother worked in and then managed the St Vincent De Paul shop in Rozelle for almost the rest of her life. For the children it could be a little difficult living inside the house (although that did teach us resilience and self sufficiency) but outside the suburban surrounds were truly our playground. Freedom is a much tossed around word these days but surely in my mind no one could have been freer than a child running around the streets of North Ryde in those good old days!

At the top of the list of freedoms was sport. As a male playing cricket in summer and rugby league in winter was everything in those times. When I think about it now my journey to get to the places to play those games and other activities usually involved Victoria Road. From Top Ryde to the City all stops. Playing footy at Ryde Oval, going to school at Holy Cross College, swimming at Ryde pool, Pizza Hut and the upstairs snooker room at Gladesville, one Sunday night in ‘70s about twenty of us listening to The Church playing at The Sawdust Hotel, sitting in the front seat of the old double decker bus as it went over the Gladesville Bridge, getting off across the road from the Tiger’s Leagues Club and taking that glorious walk down to Leichhardt Oval. These are just some scattered scenes among many memories of another time, another life...let’s just call them the good old days.

“So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.”
― F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby.

 

[Halbrowne61]

The casual way Killeen would twist his heel in the turf..once,twice, then stand the leather ball on its point, a couple of steps back and over she goes. He could kick goals from anywhere.
Goal kicking is more of an art form now with the kicking tees, dance moves and positive affirmation with a fixed gaze on the ball’s expected trajectory.

Is it an art form or could Len still kick goals the old fashioned way? I think he probably could,

 

[Halbrowne61]

No, Twentforty my father wasn’t a sea captain but you could say he was a bus captain as he drove the 500 bus from Ryde to the Circular Quay and back again for a living most working days of the week during the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s. Those times being the ‘good old days’ for us older fans here. Most of that journey goes along Victoria Road which for me acts like a river in those times along which flows so many of my memories of growing up.

I lived in a red tiled, fibro shelled war service house in North Ryde as my father served in The Second World War. Most of the houses in the suburb seemed to be the same and the life experience of all those who grew up in them may have also been somewhat similar. For some, If not many, of the fathers the war would take some getting over and everyday life wasn’t always easy. For some of the mothers it would mean new responsibilities like getting a job. My mother worked in and then managed the St Vincent De Paul shop in Rozelle for almost the rest of her life. For the children it could be a little difficult living inside the house (although that did teach us resilience and self sufficiency) but outside the suburban surrounds were truly our playground. Freedom is a much tossed around word these days but surely in my mind no one could have been freer than a child running around the streets of North Ryde in those good old days!

At the top of the list of freedoms was sport. As a male playing cricket in summer and rugby league in winter was everything in those times. When I think about it now my journey to get to the places to play those games and other activities usually involved Victoria Road. From Top Ryde to the City all stops. Playing footy at Ryde Oval, going to school at Holy Cross College, swimming at Ryde pool, Pizza Hut and the upstairs snooker room at Gladesville, one Sunday night in ‘70s about twenty of us listening to The Church playing at The Sawdust Hotel, sitting in the front seat of the old double decker bus as it went over the Gladesville Bridge, getting off across the road from the Tiger’s Leagues Club and taking that glorious walk down to Leichhardt Oval. These are just some scattered scenes among many memories of another time, another life...let’s just call them the good old days.

“So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.”
― F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby.

Mort, I’m sure we must have been at the same places at the same time, but you’ve forgotten Sunday night at the Drummoyne Rowers.
Thanks for bringing those days back to life.
All you could eat at the PH, hanging with the chicks on the grass at Ryde pool.
OMG wish I could step back into those days,

 

[jadtiger]

Is it an art form or could Len still kick goals the old fashioned way? I think he probably could,

Killeen was a great goal kicker and a not so fast winger,i remember the standing joke amongst us Balmain supporters was that he had 2 running speeds slow and stop but he always seemed to be able to get the job done.

 

[Bigtom]

It was often said that Bolton and Peter Provan coached the team as much as Nosser.
The going down injured ploy to slow down South’s sounds like it could have been a Bolton ploy.
Nothing much has changed in regards to needing a “crafty no 7”.

In an interview Bolton said that the slowing down tactics were definitely Nosworthy’s idea and were even practised in a few games before the gf

 

[Halbrowne61]

In an interview Bolton said that the slowing down tactics were definitely Nosworthy’s idea and were even practised in a few games before the gf

Thanks for that BT. It was so long ago I couldn’t remember.
Anyway, it worked, so maybe we can roll it out again against the Panthers tonight !🤣🤣