1967 SEASON

Western Suburbs First Grade 1967
Back Row (left to right): John Hayes, John Elford, Don Parish, Noel Kelly (Captain), John Armstrong, Noel Thornton, Tony Ford, Jim Cody
Centre Row: Dennis Pittard, John Mowbray, Dave Barsley, Bob McGuinness
Front Row: Noel Dolton, Ken Stonestreet, Doug Walkaden, Pat Thomas, Roy Ferguson

1967 saw some significant additions to the team – Ken ‘Nebo’ Stonestreet from Eastern Suburbs, Noel Dolton (Parramatta) and Doug Walkaden from Manly-Warringah. Notable First Grade debuts were Tony Ford, Barry Glasgow, Bruce Beer and Rod Smith. Yet again, injuries significantly affected the season’s performance. Noel Kelly suffered a potentially career-ending injury in the first match and didn’t play again until the Second Round. Peter Dimond was suspended for four matches and then was injured. Jim Cody and Denis Pittard also suffered broken hands. Despite all these setbacks, Wests made a late-season charge, narrowly missing out on the semi-finals.

Don Parish, also top points-scorer with 104 points, was voted the club’s ‘Best and Fairest’, with Denis Pittard top try-scorer with nine.

Ken Stonestreet – One of the stars of the 1967 Season

Two major changes were the introduction of Cronulla-Sutherland and Penrith to the competition (Wests beat both teams during the year) and the intended movement to Lidcombe Oval after Ashfield Council banned Sunday football at Pratten Park.

The major achievement of the year was the Third Grade becoming Premiers after beating Balmain 7-2 in the Final. The team included future First-Graders in Brian Kowald, Rod Smith, Gus Gunton, Geoff Henry, Neville Hornery and Peter Burnicle.

Western Suburbs DRLFC – 3rd Grade 1967
Back: R Chilcott, A Allison, B Kowald, R Smith, G Gunton, N Hornery,
Front: G Henry, P Burnicle, K Storey, C Lewis (Captain), D Pickett, J Murphy, J McGrath
Ball Boy: Paul Beaver