1962 SEASON

Western Suburbs DRLFC First Grade Grand Finalists 1962
Back: P Dimond, J Cody, G Russell, D Meaney, J Hayes, N Kelly,
Seated: D Malone, K Smyth, K Bray, A Summons (C), F Norden, D Barsley, G McDougall,
Ball Boy: J Beaver

1962 could be characterised as the Runners-Up year. Western Suburbs were runners-up in First Grade, Second Grade and the Club Championship. The Grand Final loss of 6-9 to St George was an incredibly tough game; a forward slog on a mud-heap where nine cautions were handed out. Peter Dimond came literally within inches of scoring an equalling, or potentially match-winning, try. Kel O’Shea had been ruled out with pneumonia (replaced by Garry Russell) and Don Parish was out with the flu. Don Parish had been the season’s leading point-scorer so he was obviously a big loss. Kel O’Shea had played his 100th game during the season and his captaincy was also missing. Peter Dimond had been the leading try-scorer as well during the season with 12. It was a heart-breaking finale to a very good season.

Wests lost a lot of good players before the season started; Harry Wells, Keith Holman, Mark Patch and Nev Charlton who moved to Eastern Suburbs. They gained, however, Gil MacDougal and Brian Henderson from Balmain and Jim Cody, Carl Ross, Bob McGuinness and Don Hall all made First Grade debuts.

One of the features of the year was the start of a pre-season competition under lights. The Craven ‘A’ competition was a huge financial and spectator success.

Arthur Summons, Don Parish, Bill Carson (who had come through the Juniors) and Peter Dimond all made the Test side against Great Britain, while Kevin Smyth was selected for City Seconds.

Western Suburbs DRLFC Reserve Grade Grand Finalists 1962
Back: B Henderson, R McLaughlin, D White, G Downie, D Hall, J Ryan, W Martin, B Kowald
Sitting: R McGuiness, W Hinkley, C Ross, R Buttenshaw (C), J Mowbray, K Gentles, W Brown
Ball Boy: J Beaver