The Western Suburbs Magpies family would like to wish Brett, Joe and Tony a happy birthday.
Brett Hodgson (Feb 12th) rose from the ranks of the Wests Junior League where he played for Ingleburn RSL & ESA (Eagle Vale/St Andrews). He made his 1st grade debut for Wests coming off the bench against South Queensland Crushers in rnd 11, 1997 and his first run on appearance was in rnd 13 against the roosters playing on the wing and scoring 2 tries but later became an accomplished fullback & goal kicker.Brett played 49 first grade games for the magpies scoring 18 tries and kicking 37 goals and 1 f/g. He was the magpies leading try and pointscorer in 1998 ( 10 tries and 67 points) and leading pointscorer in 1999 ( 56 points).
When the joint venture was formed, Brett chose instead to sign with Parramatta and played there from 2000 to 2003, playing in the 2001 NRL Grand Final and representing NSW in 2002. He joined the Wests Tigers in 2004 and played 102 first grade games for WT which included the 2005 premiership and another tilt at State of Origin. He was the NRL's leading pointscorer in 2005 with 308 points and also hold the record for the most points by an individual in a finals match.
Since leaving the NRL, Brett has played in the English Super League for Huddersfield and Warrington winning a Man of Steel award in 2009.
Joe Thomas (Feb 13th) was one of the Big 4 who joined Wests from Canterbury in 1991 along with coach, Warren Ryan. Joe played mostly at hooker but could also play lock. He rose through the Souths juniors to play for the rabbitohs making his first grade debut in 1984. He joined Canterbury in 1988 winning a premiership with them in his first year. He played 3 season for Wests - 1991-93 playing a total of 53 first grade games scoring 4 tries making his debut in rnd 1 against Balmain. After leaving Wests he joined Illawarra in 1994 before retiring soon after. He later coached lower grades at Sydney City Roosters.
Tony Cosatto (Feb 15th) was a centre and member of the successful Ashcroft High team that won all before them in 1985. He was graded by the eels that same year ( the Liverpool area was then part of Parramatta juniors)and made first grade debut for the eels in 1986. He joined the magpies in 1990 and played just the 2 seasons playing 43 first grade matches scoring 11 tries. He was the magpies leading try scorer in 1990 with 8 tries. Tony made his first grade debut for Wests in their 12 all draw with Brisbane in rnd 1, 1990 at Campbelltown. He joined the roosters (still called Eastern Suburbs then) in 1992 playing 2 seasons before retiring.
Happy birthdays boys.
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