1994 SEASON
Western Suburbs First Grade 1994
Back Row: John Tyson (Trainer), Jason Alchin, Paul Langmack, Damien McGarry, Brandon Pearson, Mark Afflick, BBQ Bob Murray
Middle Row: Gaven Williams (Physiotherapist), Darren Willis, Ken McGuinness, Stephen Kearney, Peter Shiels, Neil Tirney, Andrew Leeds, Brent Stuart, Josh White, Peter Di Michiel (Club Doctor)
Front Row: Dennis Regan (Trainer), Steve Georgallis, Dale Fritz, Wayne Ellis (First Grade Coach), Jim Serdaris (Captain), Brian Cook (Reserve Grade Coach), Glenn Grief, Paul Smith, Mark Cannon (Co-ordinator)
Ball Boys: Joshua Hardgrove, Andrew Small, Corey Small, Paul Turner
1994 was a season full of drama. There was an almost complete changeover of playing personnel. Half the First-Grade team left – Mark Bell to Penrith, Darren Britt (Canterbury), David Gillespie and Terry Hill to Manly, Jason Lidden (Penrith), Jason Taylor (Norths), Joe Thomas (Illawarra), Kyle White (Parramatta) and Russell Wyer to Newcastle. The disruption to all grades was obvious, with only 6 wins and 2 draws in the season, conceding a massive 650 points. Defence obviously needed to be tightened.
In their place came a large number of imports, including Paul Smith from Penrith, Dale Fritz (Illawarra), Neil Tierney (St George), Darren Brown (Souths), Brent Stuart (a Kiwi who had played for Halifax in 1992) and Jim Serdaris from Canterbury. Paul Smith demonstrated his fast pace and finishing ability with a season try tally of 18, while Brent Stuart’s form culminated in selection in the New Zealand team, alongside teammate Stephen Kearney. However, from his first appearance, where he was clearly the best player on the field, Jim Serdaris had a magnificent season and was eventually selected in the Kangaroo Squad.
New Zealand Test Player Stephen Kearney
The drama occurred after the Round 16 loss to Illawarra 40-18 when Coach Warren Ryan was sacked, to be temporarily replaced by Wayne Ellis. The news that Tom Raudonikis would be the coach in 1995 filled the club with optimism that improvement was around the corner.
Promising Junior, Ken McGuinness, quickly promoted to First Grade, was awarded the “Try of the Year” with an incredible effort against Norths in a televised match, where the ball went through 15 pairs of hands. “Mark the Magpie” was deservedly voted the Best Mascot in the Winfield Cup competition.
Reserve Grade 1994
Back Row: Ewan McGrady, Matt Morin, Scott Hardy, Andrew Willis, Mark Afflick, Brad Hepi
Middle Row: John Tyson (Trainer), Jason Benge, Jason Eade, Darrien Doherty, Justin Dooley, Brad Hughes, Dale Fritz, Brandon Pearson, Dennis Regan (Trainer)
Front Row: Mark Cannon (C0-ordinator), Kyle White, Bob Campbell, Manoa Thompson, Bill Dunn, Ciriaco Mescia, Chris Williams, Brian Cook (Coach)
Ball Boys: Andrew Small, Joshua Hardgrove, Paul Turner, Corey Small, Adam Noyce
Western Suburbs U21s President Cup 1994
Back Row: Joe Grima, Damian Kennedy, Shaun Appleby, Aseri Lang, Adam Prior, Fil Finekifolau
Middle Row: Rhys Griffin, Daniel Letufuga, Col Saukuru, Adam Donovan, Steve Hokin, Mick Tomrik, Gary Dowse
Front Row: Peter Roby (Trainer), Nathan Hodges, Adam Doyle, Mark Brimble, Kain Cross, Peter McDonald, Ken McGuinness, Doug Rawlings (Coach)
Ball Boys: Andrew Small, Joshua Hardgrove, Adam Noyce, Corey Small