In 1919, Wests were again a fairly settled side with only six new debutants added to the First-Grade team. These additions were in the main experienced players which added further depth to the Club. A number of former players had either returned or would return from the war during the season and some would go on and contribute to the playing strength over the coming years. Among these was the distinguished war veteran Westley Easterbrook.
1919 was not without its problems as the Spanish influenza took hold. Ernest “Fogey” Palmer, one of the Lithgow quartet that came down to play with Wests in 1910, succumbed rapidly to influenza in the middle of the year. In September it was reported that after a final between Cooma and Nimmitabel, a “loving cup” (cup filled with drink) was passed around and within days, six of the thirteen Cooma players succumbed to influenza.
At the Annual General Meeting in April 1919, there was some reflection on the decade past. It was noted that Wests have made good, after getting little else but kicks and liniment for nine or ten years: the last season was a great success, and each First-Grade player collected a bonus of 40 Pounds. The affluence was commented on by Easterbrook, a returned Anzac, who noting an item on the balance sheet for “coffee and refreshments,” remarked, in an awe-struck manner; “What! refreshments? I remember when we couldn’t afford six penneth of oranges.”
It seems that Wests had made it and in 1919 the Club had another relatively good year, finishing fourth in the regular competition and once again winning the City Cup competition.
