Manly knew they were in for a tough game when they came to Lidcombe Oval to take on the Western Suburbs Magpies in 1978. I am not sure they expected it to be this tough however.
Footy for a different era. They’re pros today. Back then two weeks suspension, you’re going fishing, now you’ve lost thousands in salary and match fees.
Listen to John Gray (0.30) “we weren’t the style of people who went around doing that type of thing”. Exactly why people from the west hate Manly! Go the Magpies!!
I've followed the Tigers since way back in the Balmain days. But I'm a dead set Westie who grew up about five miles west of Lidcombe and I couldn't wait for these games. Wayne Smith went to our school. I missed playing first grade league with him at school by about a year. Growing up I knew that we were looked down on and the news pumped up any crime news and made us look worse. But on the footy field, there was a bit of the get square. If Balmain had to amalgamate with another club, I'm glad it was Wests. Two honest teams that some players took the short money to play for. Two clubs that deserved a bit more luck in the Finals when the "glamour" clubs knocked us out. Maybe I'm getting old, but the game ain't what it used to be. Seems bloody sterile now. Roach and Donnelly would have had their measure. Cheers to all you Westies. (Anyone ever go to Lidcombe Dancers Club back in the day? I went a number of times and one night about six of the Magpies showed up half shot and they were up for a scrap, was the impression I got. Wild boys.) Years after Wests left Lidcombe I was in a sports comp at Lidcombe Oval and we used the Wests changing room. You could feel the old aggro in the air. And I just remembered: I think the first First Grade game I ever saw was Balmain vs. Wests at Lidcombe with my Dad. We stood on the hill at what I think was the western end, but my directions have faded with my memory. Keith Barnes was still playing. Great memories of the game, and of going to the footy with my Dad.
Wayne Smith was a teacher at my primary school. He was an arrogant prick. When he got knocked out by Steve Knight it was awesome. And on Monday we let him know. We all ended up on detention, but it was well worth it.
I would go to Lidcombe all the time with my relatives, we were mad maggies supporters. I remember some Manly dude yell out to my Auntie “Why don’t you just go back to your westie homes?” To which Auntie replied “At least we own ours!” 🤣🤣
The young Western Suburbs Magpies still play at Lidcombe Oval in 2024. You should look up their fixture list and get back there with your support….its a great day out.
48 Comments
Footy for a different era. They’re pros today. Back then two weeks suspension, you’re going fishing, now you’ve lost thousands in salary and match fees.
Win Lose or Draw
Funny to see a bloke take one last drag of a cigarette before running on to the field . Priceless .
when blokes were allowed to be blokes
Bring back the Magpies
Good old days in sydney when boys hit like girls 😁
I'd get killed before seeing today's nrl
From the mid 80s there's less fibros wests vs silvertails manly
I like Lidcombe oval & I hate anz
stadium
Today's NRL fans are hoppers aka fraudies.
No point winning the fight if you dont win.
The magpies won no premieships in those days
Listen to John Gray (0.30) “we weren’t the style of people who went around doing that type of thing”. Exactly why people from the west hate Manly! Go the Magpies!!
I remember the Steelers vs Wests game in 1982 what a ed ward of a game that was
That was a hate from old times. Back then everyone loved to hate manly.
this is just absolute stupidity – dont care what you say with nostalgia – buffoons
Am I the only person who misses these days ?
traditional and cultural Australia i miss them
Good old days
Rip Tommy
Back then, Manly and their supporters were a bunch of nancy boys……much the same as they are today
But use won nothing I dont see any grandfinal win for west so use were just dickheads really
strange that randall got in ni trouble for the payback well done arko u cheat
I've followed the Tigers since way back in the Balmain days. But I'm a dead set Westie who grew up about five miles west of Lidcombe and I couldn't wait for these games. Wayne Smith went to our school. I missed playing first grade league with him at school by about a year. Growing up I knew that we were looked down on and the news pumped up any crime news and made us look worse. But on the footy field, there was a bit of the get square. If Balmain had to amalgamate with another club, I'm glad it was Wests. Two honest teams that some players took the short money to play for. Two clubs that deserved a bit more luck in the Finals when the "glamour" clubs knocked us out. Maybe I'm getting old, but the game ain't what it used to be. Seems bloody sterile now. Roach and Donnelly would have had their measure. Cheers to all you Westies. (Anyone ever go to Lidcombe Dancers Club back in the day? I went a number of times and one night about six of the Magpies showed up half shot and they were up for a scrap, was the impression I got. Wild boys.) Years after Wests left Lidcombe I was in a sports comp at Lidcombe Oval and we used the Wests changing room. You could feel the old aggro in the air. And I just remembered: I think the first First Grade game I ever saw was Balmain vs. Wests at Lidcombe with my Dad. We stood on the hill at what I think was the western end, but my directions have faded with my memory. Keith Barnes was still playing. Great memories of the game, and of going to the footy with my Dad.
face slapping warm up was all the prep west needed☝🏻
Unadulterated violence. Brilliant. Just glad not to have been good enough/tough enough/old enough to have been a league player from that era.
"Style of people"
Oh man.
Drive past Lidcombe Oval daily.The kids today have no idea what went on.
dirty bastard.
🦅🦅🦅
NOT ONE of the wests players would be any where else except in Gaol in these days with those tactics!
Dallas Hit Them. Aye, Oh Aye Man.
Ah you belted , you scratched, you eye gouged, you yelled and screamed, headbutted lockers called us nasty names…..but we still won the comp.😝
Back in the days when Australians sounded like Australians.
That high shot on the no4 reminds me of Edwards taking Bradley Clyde's head off in GB Vs Aus test. Great stuff!!
They should make a movie about wests
Westies was my team…..sadly now only history. Could never warm to that Balmain dominated bastard team that replaced my beloved Maggies.
Wayne Smith was a teacher at my primary school. He was an arrogant prick. When he got knocked out by Steve Knight it was awesome. And on Monday we let him know. We all ended up on detention, but it was well worth it.
I would go to Lidcombe all the time with my relatives, we were mad maggies supporters. I remember some Manly dude yell out to my Auntie “Why don’t you just go back to your westie homes?” To which Auntie replied “At least we own ours!” 🤣🤣
Wests were a super dirty team under Masters but they never won anything. Should have been thrown out of the competition..
Best not about this is the ridiculous sound effects 😂. Like watching looney tunes!
Used to go to lidcombe to watch manly because brookvale had no trains. Might have been there that day…
Now look at them they are pathetic a club in turmoil like south's in 2023
Great footy back then
Tough footy
Manly Forever ❤
80 minutes of fights occasionally interrupted by a bit of footy! Sensational!
Wests were the most feared team in Sydney because they were the dirtiest.
The young Western Suburbs Magpies still play at Lidcombe Oval in 2024. You should look up their fixture list and get back there with your support….its a great day out.