1975 SEASON
Western Suburbs First Grade 1975
Back Row: Shane Day, Geoff Foster, Mick Liubinskas, Russell Mullins, Tim Murphy, Jim Murphy, Don Rogers, Stephen Knight
Front Row: Don Parish (Coach), John Donnelly, Tom Raudonikis (Captain), Chris Wellman, Robbie Parker, John Dorahy
1975 was an up and down year. There were some very good performances against top teams but some disappointing losses to teams lower on the table. In the end, they lost a play-off for fifth against Parramatta, 18-13. The big gains of the year were John “Dallas” Donnelly (an immediate crowd favourite), Tim Murphy from Balmain, Don Rogers, back from Canterbury, and outstanding fullback, Chris Wellman, from Cronulla-Sutherland. There were also promising debuts from Ken Hey (son of the legendary Vic), Trevor Scarr and Peter Young. John Dorahy was the leading points-scorer with 185 points, while Russell Mullins was the top try-scorer with 13 tries.
Tom Raudonikis and John Donnelly represented in City Firsts and Seconds respectively and both for NSW and in the Australian World Series, a remarkable first season achievement for Donnelly. Except for breaking an arm in the last game of the season, Donnelly would almost certainly have joined Tom Raudonikis in the Kangaroo team that toured New Zealand, Great Britain and France.
The highlight and lowlight of the season was Western Suburbs beating the Auckland team Otahuhu 11-7 at Carlaw Park to become the first Australian team to take out the New Zealand Grand Slam. Unfortunately, Life Member, Bernie McCabe took ill on the tour and passed away in Queenstown. It was a severe blow to the team.
Hall of Famer John “Dallas” Donnelly had a meteoric debut year in 1975