The Western Suburbs magpies family wish former player Trevor Cogger a very happy birthday for January 30.Trevor is perhaps the last great clubman from the Lidcombe era to play for the magpies. He could play anywhere in the backline but was at his best when playing five eighth. Trevor came up from the juniors through the Berala Bears (the same club as Alan Neil) and is a life member of that club.
Contrary to popular belief, Trevor made his 1st grade debut in round 3 against Canterbury at Belmore in 1981 which was not the game that Trevor gained widespread media attention for. That game was the following year but also against the bulldogs this time at Lidcombe. The legend is that after Trevor completed his lower grade game duties, he settled down on the hill with his mates and a meat pie (some say he had a beer as well) to watch the 1st grade game when the public address system message came out, "Trevor Cogger please report to the Wests dressing room". The rest is folklore - Trevor scored 2 tries - his first in the top grade and the magpies won 16 to 7.
In all, Trevor played 308 games for the magpies scoring a club record 88 tries and included 160 first grade games with 48 tries. He was the magpies leading tryscorer in the 1985 season with 9 tries. His playing career spanned 11 seasons - 1981 to 1991. His last game for the magpies was the 1991 Prelliminary semi final against Canberra with the magpies going down 22 to 8. He also had a stint in England with Leigh during the 1985/6 season. He played in the last game Wests played at Lidcombe Oval (August 31 1986 against Easts) and the first official home game Wests played at Campbelltown - March 7 1987 against Parramatta (although he did play for Wests against Easts at Campbelltown on June 1 1986 but this was designated as an Easts home game).
Trevor is a Life Member of the Western Suburbs Magpies, was named in the Wests team of the eighties as five eighth and is in the magpies Hall of Fame. His younger brother John also played briefly for the magpies in the mid 80's.
Trevor played for the magpies at a time when mostly the club was fighting for survival season after season but always remained loyal to the magpies knocking back rival offers from wealthier clubs. A truly great clubman - a magpie legend.
Happy birthday Trevor.
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