1958 SEASON
Western Suburbs DRLFC First Grade 1958 Runners Up
Back: Buddy Bowman, Doug Jones, Nev Charlton, Bill Carson, Mark Patch, Darcy Russell
Front: Peter Dimond, Darcy Henry, Bede Goff, Harry Wells, Bernie Kelly, Keith Holman, Don Malone
1958 saw new recruits in Buddy Bowman (ex-Canterbury), Rees Duncan (ex-Manly), Doug Jones (Newcastle) and, significantly, the 19-year-old Peter Dimond from Dapto.
New coach, Vic Hey, was credited with a masterstroke in the semi-final by putting Peter Dimond into the five-eighth position where he terrorised the St George inside backs in a 34-10 win. Many judges consider that it might have been more effective to use the surprise tactic in the Grand Final because St George adapted and came out with a plan to bash Wests into submission. Keith Holman and Peter Dimond were both taken out early with vicious head-high tackles, Bernie Kelly was a passenger after being knocked out and both Neville Charlton and Bill Carson played on with significant leg injuries. Added to the fact Kel O’Shea was forced out on the morning of the match after failing a fitness test, it was a great effort to only go down 9-20. Bede Goff was given a special mention in the Annual Report for how he had developed into one of the game’s best hookers.
Bill Spooner, a club stalwart for more than 40 years, passed away and both Senior and Junior leagues would feel his passing.
Wests were Third Grade Premiers with a young Dave Barsley to the fore, while the President’s Cup team also were Premiers. Three important buys for the following season, Dick Poole. Ian Moir and Ken Bray were also foreshadowed in the Annual Report.
Western Suburbs DRLFC 3rd Grade 1958 Premiers
Back: Kevin Ryan, John Conna, John Taunton, Garry Russell, George Downie, Joe Ryan
Front: Dave Barsley, Peter Bowne, John Buttenshaw, Brian Isaac (Captain), Roger Buttenshaw, John Chapman, Max Carter, Marty Driscoll (Ball Boy)
Western Suburbs DRLFC President’s Cup 1958 Premiers
Back: S Addison (Ass Secretary), J Cobcroft (Selector), W Jennett, B Wilson, P Hickey, W Lenehan, B Tagg, J Hayes, M Lee (Trainer), W Beaver (Secretary)
Middle: J Dunn (Treasurer), K Stacey, L Wyatt, R McNamara (President), G Theodore (Captain), E Hooper (Coach), R Small, R Moore, R Shepherd (Selector)
Front: D Davidson, C Ainsworth, J Buttenshaw (Vice Captain), L Scotts (Ball Boy), D Barsley, J Rochester, B Beeton,
Absent: K Hilton (Selector), J Walsh (Selector)