1943 SEASON

1943 was not much better for Wests. The First-Grade team won three games and finished on the bottom of the table with Canterbury, although Wests had the better points differential. Team selection proved to be problematic throughout the season. and by Round 12 the players had enough and moved a vote of no confidence against the Selectors which was carried 27-3. The three Coaches took over team selection and Wests defeated Eastern Suburbs on the following weekend 16-0. Wests had only two further competition games which brought about a one-point loss to eventual premiers Newtown, and a five-point loss to Balmain in the final round.

While 1943 was a disappointing year for Wests, there was some positive signs emerging for the coming years. Wests defensive effort through the season was credible with six of its eleven losses being by five points or less. The second thing to note was that despite the loss of players and the disruption due to the war effort, there was a number of young talented players coming through the ranks which would be the foundation of Wests success in the later part of the decade. Dick Johnson, who had played NSW Firsts in 1941, was a key pick-up.

Western Suburbs DRLFC – Reserve Grade 1943

Back: J Neill (President), L Moses (District Secretary), R Gillam (Coach), C Fewtrell (2nd Grade Secretary), L Lackey (District Secretary)
Middle: H Martin, A Rice, J Woods, L Rigby, B Thompson, E Davies,
Front: J Snare, S Lothian, D Ibbett, W Taylor, S Ball, K Gardner, R Martin

Western Suburbs DRLFC President’s Cup /Inter District Squads

Western Districts:
Boots, Haywood, Stead, White (Penrith), Marshall, McIntosh, Campbell (Toongabbie), Spence, Lewett, Robertson (Fairfield), Rigby, Leabon, Ashpole, Sammut (Wentworthville), Cobcroft, Steel, Formari (St Marys)