Player in Focus - Andrew Sultana

Player profiles are back after a week off, chasing our feathery mascot!

This week, we catch up with our five-eighth, Andrew Sultana

Position: Halfback or five-eighth

Height: 176cm

Weight: 84kg

Date of Birth: 20 April 1992

Which NRL team did you follow as a kid? St. George Illawarra

Junior club: Kingsgrove Colts and Helensburgh Tigers

What is your earliest football memory? Wearing oversized shoulder pads!

What advice would you give younger players? Play every game as it were your last

Which sport would you play if not rugby league? Rugby Union

Best advice received: Do what you've always done and you'll get what you've always got

What was your first job? Landscaper (Gee, haven't really had anything to comment on as yet...)

Which three people would you invite to dinner and why? The Jersey Shore Crew! (HOLY HELL! I'd mock, but I wouldn't be able to stop...)

Greatest fear: No comment (Unsure if playing the tough guy or not prepared to admit to any)

What's the worst thing on your Ipod? 99 Red Balloons (For the record, I had never heard of it, so I looked it up on youtube. I want that three minutes of my life back...)

What was your most embarrassing moment? Missing a goal from in front (You've had a good life so far!)

Vale Dr Bob McInerney

It was with great sadness that the Magpie family lost one of our most colourful characters last week with the passing of Dr Bob McInerney.

Bob was, and will always be, an institution with the Magpies, serving as club doctor throughout four decades from the days of Pratten Park, Lidcombe and Campbelltown.

Bob was a contrast in styles, proudly wearing his fibro credentials yet also famous for his Rolls Royce.

A gynaecologist by trade, it was no unusual for Bob to be whisked away from a Magpies game to help deliver a baby, only to return later, his black and whites never far from his heart.

 We can only hope that Bob passed on a flag to all those newborns!

 When people talk about the characters of Wests, the McInerney name carries just much weight, affection and as many fond memories as Masters, Donnelly, Raudonikis, Keato, Summons, Holman and McMillan.

 Bob's life will be celebrated in St. Mary's Catholic Church, corner Miller and Ridge Streets, North Sydney on Thursday, June 5, 2014 commencing at 10.00am.

At the conclusion of the Mass attendees are invited to attend a morning tea in the Ron Dyer Centre (adjacent to the church). RSVP to assist with catering would be appreciated by Monday June 2nd to dr.rjmcinerneymemorial@gmail.com

The cortege will leave for Macquarie Park Cemetery for a private family funeral following the morning tea.

In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate those considering a donation to be made to a special work of the Sisters of St. Joseph:-
St. Anthony's Family Care
9 Alexander Avenue
Croydon 2132

Rnd 10 - Ron Massey Cup - Team List

The Western Suburbs Magpies take on the might of the Cabramatta Two Blues and Magpie legend Shannon Gallant at Campbelltown Sports Stadium this Saturday, May 31.
Kick-off: 1.00pm

Referee: Chris Treneman

WESTS – 1. SAM AIGA 2. JEROME MOSE 3. RUSTY BRISTOW 4. NU AKERIPA 5. BRENTON COWAN 16. TRENT JENNINGS 7. ANDREW SULTANA 8. JARRAD SZCZUDLO 9. DAYNE CRAIG 10. SAM HOLLIS 11. MASON TALOULA 12. SHANE LALOGAFAU 13. SONNY BRISTOW 15. RONNIE PALUMBO 17. LUKE WILLIAMS 19. FRED TEVAGO 22. GEORGE KHOURY COACH: LEO EPIFANIA

TWO BLUES – 1. SHANNON GALLANT 2. BRETT MANNING 3. PIERCE SAPSFORD 4. VINNIE UELESE 5. JAMES ANTHONY 6. DAVE FARKAS 7. BOBBIE GOULDING 8. MITCHELL SIMPSON 9. SAXON FISCHER-GRAY 10. ADRIAN HA’HANGANA 11. BRAD CROAD 12. MORRIS HIGHMAN 13. HENRY TAUFAAO 14. JAMIE BLEWITT 15. AARON TERAKI 16. JAMES LIVOCK 17. TIFA IUTA COACH: JASON WILLIAMS

Epilepsy Action Australia and Wests Offer Up a Great Prize!

Epilepsy Action Australia has teamed up with rugby league’s Western Suburbs Mapgies and Wests Tigers to offer a very special opportunity to a young child with epilepsy!

We are running a FREE competition with the grand prize being a wonderful opportunity to spend a day at the footy!

We’re not just talking tickets to an NRL game either! 

The lucky winner will get to spend a pre match warm up with the Western Suburbs Magpies Ron Massey Cup team before their game against the Guildford Owls at Campbelltown Stadium on 28 June.

You will then get to watch the game from the Magpie’s bench, with the players, right on halfway! After the game, join Wests in the rooms to experience the aftermath! When Magpies clear the room, then come the Wests Tigers, who will take on the Canberra Raiders at 5:30pm!

As a memento of your day out, you will also receive a framed photo of your experience and a Wests supporters pack, including a Magpies special edition t-shirt, football, beanie and more!

To enter, simply tell us in 50 words or less why your epilepsy impacts on your playing sport and what going to this game would mean to you and send your entry to epilepsy@epilepsy.org.au with your name, date of birth and suburb!

Entries are open to any child born in the year 2000 or later and close on 6 June with the lucky winner to be announced on 10 June.
Transfers to and from the game and any accommodation required will be at winner’s expense.

Magpies Step Up!

This weekend at Campbelltown the Wests pathway comes to fruition!

Tomorrow at 1-10pm, Wests Tigers will take on Newcastle in the NSW Cup with a high quality 9-7 combination in Dayne Craig and Michael Stevens! Stevo played last week against the Sharks in a 30-28 victory for Wests and backs up this week, while Dayne steps up in place of Joel Luani, who in turn is taking the place of Robbie Farah.

Make sure you get out to Campbelltown early to see our boys go around in the black and white, as Wests Tigers NSW Cup play all Campbelltown games in our magnificent colours!

Then, on Wednesday night, things get even better for the Magpies!

Despite not making the final, good news comes out of Harold Matts team, with five-eighth Hosea Leuea selected for the Baby Blues in the U/16s to take on Queensland at Suncorp Stadium!

The Wests Pathway is working! Congratulations to Dayne, Michael and Hosea!

Arthur Summons drops in on Boys in Blue

The NSW Police Rugby League held its annual City Vs Country match in Wagga Wagga on Wednesday 21st May 2014,

From this game, a NSW team is selected to play against Queensland Police.

This year's game is to be played before State of Origin 3 in Brisbane.

The City team is selected from Officers Playing in the Metropolitan Police Competitions which has 7 teams competing in it.

The Country team was selected from officers who played in the annual Country championships. 

On Tuesday 21.5.2014, Arthur Summons came to the City training session and addressed the players and gave a wonderful insight into his Playing career and the challenges that current players face. 

He spoke about the famous photograph John O'Grady took of himself and Norm Proven after the 1963 Grand Final.

The match was held the following day and Captain of the City Team was former Wests Player Robbie Mears. City won 40-14. 

Player (Rather, MASCOT!) In Focus - Morris!!!

This week the Ron Massey Cup takes a partial week off, with our boys putting their feet up.

We thought we'd give the guys some breathing space as a result and let them have a week without profiles. So, in their place, we've invited everybody's favourite Magpie, Morris, along to get to know him!

Morris and Ned Kelly at the SCG in 2013

What position do you play? Left wing and right wing!

Favourite colour: I have two! Black and White! (I like where this is headed!)

Weight: Half a stone, because people always say they can kill two birds with one stone, but they haven’t got me yet!

DOB: 13 March 2010, but my family has been in the business since 21 April 1928!

NRL team you followed as a kid: WESTERN SUBURBS!!!

Junior club: Wow, so many to mention! Eagle Vale-St Andrews, Fairfield United, Forbes, Bellingen, Zetland, Werris Creek, Ourimbah and many more! (I think maybe Picton and Glen Innes saw Morris too!)

Earliest football memory: Falling in love with the black and white jersey at Penrith Park!

Morris and Arthur Summons at the SCG in 2013

Produest Magpie moment? Carrying on the legacy of a champion magpie man and true gentleman in my Uncle Mark the Magpie and wearing these feathers that are such an important symbol of our proud club!

Sport you’d play if not footy: AFL, for the Collingwood MAGPIES!

Best advice received: Keep calm and hate Manly!!! (What a great guy!)

Morris and big Bruiser Clark at The Entrance last year

Most embarrassing moment? So many times I have tripped over things because my big magpie head doesn’t let me bend down to see the ground! A few years back at Penrith I actually walked on a photographer taking pictures on the sideline too, who wasn't too impressed!

Three people you’d invite to dinner: Greg BIRD, Captain Jack SPARROW and former Magpies fullback Danny PEACOCK! (I nominate Sheryl Crow to provide some music…)

Greatest fear: Heights! (What the hell?!)

Morris and his Uncle Mark at Lidcombe in 2012

Favourite song: We are the boys from Western Suburbs and Shake a Tail Feather!

What is your greatest footy highlight? Everytime I get to lead the boys out into battle is such a great honour and thrill but last year I had the privilege of being involved in the heritage round at the SCG to commemorate the 1963 GF and lead the parade of ex magpies champions around the ground in front of 22,000 fans. It was right up there with the best day of my life to represent the Wests faithful!

Sleeve Sponsorships: Only TWO left!

Our individual sleeve sponsorship packages have been tremendously popular this season and now we are down to our last two!

You can still get in on our sleeves for $1000, which will get you:

* Your Name or Logo advertised on the Right Sleeve of your favourite players / jersey;

* The jersey (black or white) at the end of season;

* A framed photo with the player in his jersey;

* An opportunity to spend some time with the player on a selected pre-match preparation;

* Have name / logo announced pre-match and when tries are scored by the player / jersey at all our home games;

* Advertising on our website and social media sites;

* 3 and possibly 4 of our games in 2014 will be prior Wests Tigers , which provides great advertisement;

* Free entry to all Wests Magpies home games; and

* A Wests Magpies Heritage T Shirt!

$1000 gets you this great package and will ensure your involvement and support of Wests Magpies for 2014.

For information call Bob Cairns – 0414 946 330

WORK WANTED

How would you like to get one of Mighty Magpies on your staff?

Our barnstorming centre Rusty Bristow is currently looking for work as a forklift driver.

If you can help, please email admin@westsmagpies.com.au

Rnd 9 - Ron Massey Cup - Match Report

Western Suburbs and The Entrance played out a heartstopping 24-24 draw at Lidcombe last Saturday before a boisterous crowd.

Wests piled on the early pressure and registered the first try of the day after seven minutes, a passing movement to the right seeing Sam Aiga swerve his way over. Dayne Craig pulled the conversion wide, the Magpies up by four.

The Entrance gave up a penalty off the back of quick play the balls from the set off the restart and Wests took full toll, Sonny Bristow slotting through on the left this time. Dayne Craig made amends for his earlier miss, putting the Magpies into double figures.

The Entrance started to settle into a groove and, courtesy of a Magpies error, went over in the opposite corner through Alan Mulia Malau after offloads from Ryan O’Hara and Faailonga Foini. Matt Killick nailed the touchline kick, Wests ahead by four after 19 minutes. 

The Magpies nearly took advantage off the restart, ill discipline seeing both Alan Munro and Jake Fitzpatrick sent to the bin by referee Ryan Jackson, but the final pass on a backline powerplay went into touch.

Rather than hang on, The Entrance used their two man shortage to fire up, and they touched down on 25 minutes, Faailonga Foini crashing over next to the posts. Killick’s simple kick split the uprights, The Entrance hitting the front with 14 minutes to the break.

Wests finally took advantage of their two man break on the half hour, with Corey Brown touching down out wide after a three man overlap for Wests. Dayne Craig was having an off day with the boot, putting the kick wide, leaving Wests ahead by two.

The Entrance peppered Sam Aiga with short kicks in behind the line for almost the entire first half, and they found paydirt with just two minutes left in the half, Jake Fitzpatrick following through to snap the ball up and touch down under the posts. Matt Killick’s simple conversion successful, The Entrance took an 18-14 lead to the interval.

Wests found a sft spot in the Tigers’ line after just four minutes into the second stanza, but Mason Talolua was forced into the goalpost, resulting in a knock-on over the line according to referee Jackson.

From the ensuing set, Alan Munro burst through the Magpie line and sold a dummy to Sam Aiga, Munro going all the way to touch down under the posts for a 24-14 lead, courtesy of Matt Killick’s successful conversion.

Wests needed to score first in the second half and, after some heartstopping moments, did so after Dayne Craig waited for the Tigers’ defence to go wide, barging over from acting half. Craig converted his own try and Wests were back in the hunt after 55 minutes at 24-20.

Frustration crept in as The Entrance received a penalty for some roughing up in the play the ball, the Tigers taking the chance to kick for goal through Matt Killick, the kick pushed across the face of goal after 58 minutes.

The Entrance pinned for a lifting tackle, Wests piled the pressure on the orange line and, with the forwards tiring, Dayne Craig barged over for his second. After getting hurt in scoring the try, Craig gave the kick to Junior Vaivai, who pulled it wide, the scores locked at 24 with 15 minutes to the end.

The Magpie faithful erupted as Rusty Bristow appeared to touch down after an Andrew Sultana bomb, only for the referee to call the bat down from Tom Satterswaite as having gone forward.

The Entrance received a penalty fr a shoulder charge with five minutes to go, enraging the Lidcombe faithful. However, Matt Killick sprayed the goal wide, the scores still locked with four minutes to go, with Junior Vaivai slicing a field goal attempt wide in the final minute, the final result a 24-24 deadlock.



WESTERN SUBURBS 24 (Dayne Craig 2, Sam Aiga, Sonny Bristow, Corey Brown tries; Dayne Craig 2 from 4, Junior Vaivai 0 from 1)
THE ENRANCE 24 (Alan Mulia Malau, Faailonga Foini, Jake Fitzpatrick, Alan Munro tries: Matt Killick 4 from 6)


Halftime: Wests 14 The Entrance 18

Penalties: Wests 6 The Entrance 9


Western Suburbs

1. Sam Aiga
6. Trent Jennings
5. Corey Brown
3. Rusty Bristow
2. Tom Satterswaite
4. Junior Vaivai
7. Andrew Sultana
8. Shane Lalogafau
9. Dayne Craig
20. Sam Hollis
11. Nu Akeripa
17. Luke Williams
13. Tunui Maurangi

10. Jarrad Szczudlo
12. Mason Talolua
18. Sonny Bristow
19. Fred Tevago



The Entrance

1. Matt Killick 
2. Sunai Fatialofa 
3. Alan Mulia Malau 
4. Brad Chatfield 
5. Harley Ridge 
15. Tyler Hepi
7. Jake Fitzpatrick © 
17. Sinbad Kali
9. Jye Newton 
10. Dylan Theuerjahr 
11. Troy Adams 
12. Alan Munro 
13. Tim Baldwin 

8. Faailonga Foini 
14. Shane Wooden 
20. Ryan O’Hara 
21. Ryan Jowett

LIDCOMBE GEAR SALE!

Wests will help you get decked out in black and white at Lidcombe when we play The Entrance!

There will be black polos and white polos, both with Wests Magpies and Wests Ashfield logos are reduced to $20-00 each for members.

 We also have beanies and scarves, left over jerseys, spray jackets and hoodies, with prices advertised on Saturday.

Player in Focus: Jerome Mose

This week we catch up with perhaps the most versatile player in the Wests team, Jerome Mose. Last season Jerome played every position except prop and halfback and has settled into the threequarter line for 2014.

Position: Wing, centre, second row, lock (Jerome's just being modest here)

Height: 189cm

Weight: 95kg

Date of Birth: 10 July 1992

Which NRL team did you follow as a kid? Parramatta

Which junior club did you play for? Liverpool City and Cabramatta

What is your earliest football memory? Every game from U/6 to U/15, I would miss at least five tackles a game! (Me too!)

What advice would you give young players? It's nice to be important, but it's important to be nice

What sport would you play if not rugby league? touch or oz tag

What is the best advice you have received? You Only Live Once

What was your first job? Asphalter

Which three people would you invite to dinner and why? Cee, Lucy and Miracle as they've been to every game! (Let's start a register for an end of season dinner on that basis! That's a helluva party!)

What is your greatest fear? Spiders

What's the worst thing on your Ipod? Spice Girls

What's your most embarrassing moment? I went to jump the fence at school and I fell over instead, right in front of a group of girls who laughed

Rnd 9 - Ron Massey Cup - Team List

The Western Suburbs Magpies take on the The Entrance Tigers at Lidcombe Oval this Saturday, May 17th.

Kick-off: 3.00pm
Referee: Ryan Jackson

WESTS – 1. SAM AIGA 2. TOM SATTERTHWAITE 3. RUSTY BRISTOW 4. JUNIOR VAI VAI 16. JEROME MOSE 6. TRENT JENNINGS 7. ANDREW SULTANA 8. SHANE LALOGAFAU 9. DAYNE CRAIG 10. JARRAD SZCZUDLO 11. NU AKERIPA 12. MASON TALOLUA 13. TUNUI MAURANGI 14. GEORGE KHOURY 17. LUKE WILLIAMS 18. SONNY BRISTOW 19. FRED TEVAGO COACH: LEO EPIFANIA

TIGERS – 1. MATT KILLICK 2. SUNAI FATIALOFA 3. ALAN MULIA MALAU 4. BRAD CHATFIELD 5. HARLEY RIDGE 6. SCOTT JONES 7. JAKE FITZPATRICK © 8. FAAILONGA FOINI 9. JYE NEWTON 10. DYLAN THEUERJAHR 11. TROY ADAMS 12. ALAN MUNRO 13. TIM BALDWIN 14. SHANE WOODEN 15. RYAN O’HARA 16. SINBAD KALI 17. TYLER HEPI COACH: JAMY FORBES

Rnd 8 - Ron Massey Cup - Match Report

Western Suburbs began a seven game home stand with a convincing 36-14 victory over Kingsgrove at Campbelltown Stadium.

The Magpies were looking to make it three wins on the trot after defeating last year’s Grand Finalists in Wenty and Mounties, while the Colts were desperate to go one better after last week’s heartbreaking 26-26 draw against Windsor.

In scenes reminiscent of last year’s century effort against the Colts, Wests could not have started better as a right side hitup by Keni Gauvet resulted in an offload to Junior Vaivai, Jerome Mose inside to notch the opening try. Dayne Craig’s kick made it 6-0 inside two minutes.

Kingsgrove were struggling to slow the Magpie ruck down, and Michael Stevens took advantage by slipping an inside ball for Sam Aiga who busted the line open, Andrew Sultana backing up on the outside to touch down for a 12-0 lead courtesy of Dayne Craig’s conversion.

Wests found themselves unable to hold on to the football and Kingsgrove hit back at the halfway point of the first stanza, Misieli Vaikeli getting one back for the Colts. Jordie Hodges’ conversion was successful, the Colts back to within six.

Kingsgrove failed to complete their set from the restart and, as so often happens, they paid the ultimate price, Sonny Bristow barging over for Wests. Dayne Craig kept his 100% record intact for an 18-6 lead to the black and whites.

The grind was not favouring Kingsgrove who gradually conceded dominance, Tunui Maurangi going through some soft defence to touch down under the posts and, after Dayne Craig’s kick, Wests led 24-6.

Kingsgrove looked to score just before the break after a Magpies knock on, but put the ball down themselves and, with the siren sounding in the background, Wests threw caution to the wind in going left, Tom Satterswaite on the end of a sweeping passing movement. Michael Stevens pushed the kick wide, the Magpies leading at halftime by 28-6.

Neither side started the second half with much respect for the touchline, but it was Kingsgrove who paid, a delightful flick from Mason Talolua allowing Andrew Sultana to wrap around and notch his second. Tom Satterswaite took over the kicking from Michael Stevens without success, the Magpies taking just eight minutes in the second half to extend their lead to 32-6.

A handling error from Kingsgrove allowed Junior Vaivai to almost beat his man on the outside, but the Colts’ defence held firm. It didn’t so much two tackles later though, George Khoury barging over from dummy half. Junior Vaivai’s kick hit the posts, Wests ahead 36-6 with 25 minutes remaining.

Kingsgrove were having no luck with ball in hand, and they finally found success from the kicking game with 19 minutes remaining, a towering bomb from Abbas Miskie put down by Wests, Jayden Tavae on hand to pick up the crumbs. Jordie Hedges hit repeated Junior Vaivai’s feat of hitting the post with the conversion attempt, the Colts facing a 26 point mountain to take anything from the match.

A penalty for holding in the play the ball allowed Kingsgrove to build some pressure and they again resorted to their kicking game as Wests moved up quickly in defence, a chip wide from Abbas Miskie putting Dwayne Brown over. Jordie Hedges shanked the kick, the Magpies taking their 36-14 lead through to the end, the final ten minutes a scrappy affair.

While the second half was scrappy, Kingsgrove can take heart from a second half which finished all square at 8-8.


WESTERN SUBURBS 36 (Andrew Sultana 2, Jerome Mose, Sonny Bristow, Tunui Maurangi, Tom Satterswaite, George Khoury tries; Dayne Craig 4 from 4, Michael Stevens 0 from 1, Tom Satterswaite 0 from 1, Junior Vaivai 0 from 1)
KINGSGROVE 14 (Misieli Vaikeli, Jayden Tavae, Dwayne Brown tries; Jordie Hedges 1 from 3)

Halftime: Wests 28 Kingsgrove 6

Penalties: Wests 2 Kingsgrove 6


WESTERN SUBURBS

1. Sam Aiga
2. Tom Satterswaite
3. Rusty Bristow
4. Junior Vaivai
5. Jerome Mose
6. Andrew Sultana
7. Michael Stevens
8. Tunui Maurangi
9. Dayne Craig
10. Jarrad Szczudlo
21. Keni Gauvet
18. Sonny Bristow
13. Shane Lalogafau

14. George Khoury
16. Luke Williams
19. Fred Tevago
20. Mason Talolua



KINGSGROVE

1. Jordie Hedges
2. Dwayne Brown
3. Jayden Tavae
4. Misieli Vaikeli
5. Coleman Edmond
6. Aidan Carney
7. Abbas Miskie
8. Billy Tsikrikas
9. Rhys Norman
10. Richard Pohahau
17. Sam Matakaiono
12. Matthew Douglas
13. Jade Ferguson

14. George Keates
15. Jason Briot
18. Moses Manufeka
21. Mitch Subotin