1948 SEASON
Western Suburbs District Rugby League Football Club – First Grade Premiers 1948
Back: A Mc Guiness, W Kelly, D Peel, W Taylor, W Barclay, A Bressington, J Snare
Third Row: J Reidy, W Spooner, R Liston, N Kensey, G Ackling, F Smith, W Anderson,
Second Row: E McFayden, R Rowe, J Lackey, K Hansen, W Horder, P Leal, B Green, J Rubinson,
Sitting: J Neill (President), L Moses (Secretary), C Hudson, B Purcell, J Walsh (Captain), L Rodda, D Milton, J Edgar (Treasurer), J Smith (Coach)
Front W. Keato, J Taunton (Ball Boy), F Stanmore
Wests became the Premiers after fourteen years. They also became the Club Champions (based on all three grades) for the first time in the club’s history. They were Minor Premiers by four points after the normal season so had a double chance in the Finals. After losing a semi-final to Balmain 8-7, they challenged Balmain again and won the Premiership in a controversial finish. Balmain hotly disputed Kevin Hansen’s try but Kavin Hansen was equally adamant that there was no double movement.
The blockbusting Kevin Hansen – Balmain disputed his try in the Grand Final
Although losing Cliff Peime to a coaching role in Parkes, Wests picked up Frank Stanmore from Cessnock and Col Maxwell returned after coaching Newcastle for two years; two hugely important transfers. Under coach Jeff Smith and Captain “Duck” Walsh the team increasingly coalesced as the season progressed.
Captain “Duck” Walsh on yet another rampage up the middle
Col Maxwell and Frank Stanmore went on to represent in City Firsts and also NSW against Queensland. Col Maxwell was not only selected for the Kangaroo tour but was also selected as Captain.
In a successful season, the Reserves went down to the Premiers, Newtown, in the Grand Final, 4-7. A squad also toured New Zealand at the end of the season.
A young Keith Holman was carving them up in 16 Reserve Grade games. He came on once in Round 10 in First Grade, replacing an injured Neville Hogan, the start of a stellar career.
Western Suburbs DRLFC First Grade team that played in the Grand Final 1948
Back: W Brown, D Milton, P McLean, K Hansen, W Horder, C Hudson,
Front: N Hogan, F Stanmore, E Bennett, J Walsh (C), W Keato, J Lackey, L Rodda
Western Suburbs District Rugby League Football Club – Third Grade Runners-Up 1948
Back: A Bressington, R Craig, B Green, J Caffrey
Middle: W Tebbutt, P Long, G Vaughan, C Cooper, R E Epthorpe, H Chapman
Front: J Neill (Pres), J Nicholls, B Keating, S Cruise (C), R Beaver, J Green, A McGuiness (Hon Sec)
In Front: J Taunton (Ball Boy)