1988 SEASON

Western Suburbs Squad 1988

Back Row: Ian Freeman, Jason Stafford, Wayne Lambkin, Scott Tronc, Allen Geelan
Second Row: Steve McCoy, Trevor Cogger, Brian Brown, Gary Bukowski, Graham Mackay, Alan Fallah, Mick Taylor, Phillip Duke, Mark Beaven
Front Row: John Crow (Trainer), Danny Peacock, Gary Mcfarlane, Craig Teitzel, Dave Gallagher, Cameron Blair, Doug Rawlings, Terry Donnellan, Chris Blair, John Bailey (Reserve Grade Coach)
Seated: Earnie Garland, Dale Hall, Ian Howcroft, John Allanson, Ian Schubert, Laurie Freier (First Grade Coach), Peter Vale, Brett Gale, Dave Woods

The plan of injecting young talent was not yet bearing fruit with only four wins for the season but the foundations were there. An example was that 14 players were placed on Junior Scholarships. John Bilbija and Les White had gone to Souths and Jason Williams to Easts. In their place came a plethora of young players: Dave Gallagher, Jason Stafford, Craig Teitzel and Cameron and Chris Blair from Penrith. Cameron Blair was voted Dally M “Rookie of the Year”, while Jason Lidden was named the club’s “Rookie of the Year”. Ian Schubert, very deservedly, was named “Best Clubman”.

The feeling that the club was not yet achieving at the expected rate saw the resignation of Laurie Freier, mid-season, being replaced by John Bailey.

There were a number of significant milestones during the year. Scott Tronc was selected in the Queensland State of Origin team, while Ian Freeman, Allan Geelan and Alan Fallah all passed 100 Club games.

Trevor Cogger played in his 10th year and was given Life Membership.

     
Trevor Cogger with Scott Tronc in background, Danny Peacock and John Allanson – stars of the 1988 team

Steve McCoy, Jason Lidden and Alan Fallah put in the hard yards at training