SPORT
HARPO ’ s MARKS
The media is dubbing Penrith Panthers the Greatest Team of the Modern Era following their hard-fought win over Melbourne Storm in last month ’ s National Rugby league grand final .
Although I reckon if Nelson Asofa- Solomona had been in the Storm lineup instead of sitting on the sideline through suspension , the result would have been a lot closer and perhaps the Storm might have prevailed .
Big Nelson – all two metres and 115kg of him was easily the best forward on the paddock in the previous week ’ s preliminary final win over the Roosters . Anyway , getting a bit off track . I ’ m in a spin about what these socalled pundits refer to as the Modern Era .
Certainly , the Panthers are the best team running around in the first half of this decade but how far back does their definition of the “ Modern Era ” stretch ?
Down the 114 years since the birth of the game in Australia in 1908 , numerous
The St George Dragons slayed their rivals for 11 seasons , kicking off the run of triumphs with this 1956 grand final lineup . Pictured rear ( I-r ): J Ellwood ( selector ), Kevin O ’ Brien , Brian Orrock , Ross Kite , Norm Tipping ( coach ), G Price ( treasurer ). Middle ( l-r ): L Doust ( selector ), Bill Wilson , Peter Provan , Norm Provan , Tom Ryan , Sid Pert , J Osbourne ( selector ). Sitting ( l-r ): Frank Facer ( secretary ), Harry Melville , Ken Kearney ( captain ), Kevin Brown , Doug Fleming , A Mackie ( president ). Front ( l-r ): Brian Messiter , ball-boy , Bobby Bugden . teams have dominated their rivals at various stages throughout the decades . In particular , the South Sydney Rabbitohs who claimed that historic first premiership in tossing arch-rivals , Eastern Suburbs , 14-12 , in front of 4000 fans at the Royal Agricultural Ground ( Sydney Showground ).
In the years since that auspicious match , eight teams could be tagged “ Greatest Team of their Era ”.
In particular , the Rabbitohs , Balmain Tigers and Easts .
Not to mention the big daddy of them all , St George Dragons , who won 11 successive premierships between 1956 and 1966 !
Easts and Balmain dominated the first decade of the game – Easts getting the bikkies in 1911,1912 and 1913 and the Tigers landing premierships in 1915 , 1916 and 1917 .
Souths were the dominant club throughout the Roaring Twenties , claiming titles in 1925 , 1926 , 1927 , 1928 and 1929 after finishing runners-up in ’ 24 .
Then it was Easts ’ turn to dominate the game throughout the following decade , claiming titles in 1935 , 1936 and 1937 before finishing runners-up in 1938 .
The 1940s belonged to the Tigers who snared premierships in 1944 , 1945 , 1946 and 1947 and winding up runners-up in 1948 .
Souths were back on top soon !
After finishing runners-up in 1949 , the Rabbitohs won in 1950 and 1951 , were runnersup again in 1952 before snaring successive titles in 1953 , 1954 and 1955 .
The 1952 grand final
Barrier with RiseTONY BRASSEL
MIDNIGHT DYNAMITE exploded out of the boxes and ran his rivals ragged in scoring very smart W ’ Farm 795m trial win on October 7 . Bjorn Baker looks to have a smart one in this lightly raced 3YO .
VALETUDO is a lightly raced import out of the Waller yard . The Zoustar mare had two outings in first Aussie campaign , running 2nd and then winning a Benalla maiden . Was never off the bit in 4th in 795m trial at W ’ Farm on October 15 .
CHISHOLM is an unraced I Am Invincible filly out of the Price-Kent stable . Showed abundant speed to lead and then cruise away for impressive win down the running in 792m trial W ’ Farm on October 15 .
HIGHWIRE FLYER flew the barrier and nothing got within cooee of her from go to whoa in winning 789m trial at W ’ Farm on October 15 .
KING OF DRAGONS handled the mud with aplomb in showing great speed to easily win 789m trial at W ’ Farm on October 24 . Don ’ t miss this 3YO when he resumes .
MAJESTUOSO PHOENIX is an unraced 3YO gelding out of the Maher stable . Wound up 7th of 10 in 785m trial at W ’ Farm on October 15 but he is under no pressure whatsoever all the way . Watch out for this bloke . loss to Wests , 22-12 , was chockful of controversy .
Both sides were missing star players to the 1952-53 Kangaroos tour of England and France – Wests were without Keith Holman , Frank Stanmore and Arthur Collinson and Souths , Clive Churchill , Col Donohoe and Greg Hawick .
Many who attended the match believed it was a “ hot dook ” with referee George Bishop making several suspicious rulings which heavily favoured Wests who won the penalties 15-4 .
Bishop announced his retirement immediately after the match !
Then of course we head to the Dragons ’ momentous 11 straight grand final victories before Souths were again the dominant team , winning in 1967 and 1968 , were runners-up in 1969 before claiming titles in 1969 , 1970 and 1971 . Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs ’ turn came to dominate - after finishing runners-up in 1979 , they claimed successive titles in 1980 , 1981 and 1982 before finishing runners-up in 1983 and 1984 .
The last team to dominate rugby league ranks was Canberra Raiders who posted successive title victories in 1989 and 1990 before finishing runners-up to Panthers who claimed their first premiership victory in 1991 .
South Sydney have won the most premierships , holding aloft the winner ’ s ’ trophy on 21 occasions .
Then comes Easts Roosters and St George ( 15 ), Balmain-Wests Tigers ( 12 ), Manly-Warringah and Canterbury- Bankstown ( 8 ), Brisbane Broncos and Penrith ( 6 ), Melbourne Storm and Parramatta ( 4 ), Canberra Raiders and Newtown ( 3 ), Newcastle Knights and North Sydney Bears ( 2 ) and Cronulla Sharks ( 1 ).
CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF RIVERSTONE DOLPHINS !
Thursday the10th October 2024 marked a significant milestone for the Riverstone Dolphins RSL Youth Swimming Club . The date commemorated the 30th season for the mighty Riverstone Dolphins , commencing originally in 1994 with learn to swim lessons on Saturday mornings , the Riverstone Dolphins Swimming Club has expanded over 30 years to become a stalwart in the local Riverstone area . During the regular competition season every Thursday night at 6.30pm the Dolphins are out en masse at the Riverstone Swimming Centre , where the beautiful 50m outdoor pool is the home aquatic centre for the Dolphins .
After three decades of operation , the membership of the Riverstone Dolphins has expanded dramatically and with the considerable growth in the Riverstone and surrounding areas , it is anticipated that the thirtieth season will be the biggest one yet . The Dolphins committee have been hard at work to generate sponsorship for the Club to help support new initiatives which will include club training tees and squad coaching , and there are hopes that they will be able to offer morning squad training with support from Blacktown City Council .
President of the Riverstone Dolphins , Mr Craig Miller is encouraging new and old families to register soon to avoid any disappointment .
“ Riverstone Dolphins really is Australia ’ s friendliest swim club , we provide a safe and welcoming environment for developing swimmers to experience race nights , and improve their personal best , which is core to our values and our offering at the Dolphins ,” said Craig .
Mr Miller commented that the age-range for Club Swimmers had changed over time . Toddlers , called ‘ bubble swimmers ’ race 12.5m with adult assistance and floatation devices and increasingly , families of three generations of swimmers have become the norm !
Mr Miller would also like to say a thanks to all the sponsors that have come on board to help keep costs down for club swimmers .
Mr Warren Kirby MP for Riverstone said “ For 30 years the Riverstone Dolphins Swimming Club has been an integral organisation for swimmer development in the Riverstone area . The ongoing operation of the club by incredible families and a dedicated committee is a demonstration of the outstanding service the Dolphins provide in Riverstone ”
“ The committee encourages anyone from the local community that has ever wondered about joining a swim club , to join us .
For more info on how to join the Dolphins visit their website – www . riverstonedolphins . com . au .
30 ISSUE 44 // NOVEMBER 2024 theindependentmagazine . com . au BLACKTOWN CITY INDEPENDENT