WESTS …. a 100-year retrospective of Brisbane`s famous

WESTS …. a 100-year retrospective of Brisbane’s famous club
by Mike Higgison (Rugby League Historian)
“A general meeting was convened for Monday 19th of April 1915 in the Carlton Club Hotel for the purpose of considering the question of
amalgamating Nth Brisbane and Toowong Football Clubs, the object being to make a stronger combination in the interests of the
Queensland Rugby League.
Mr R C Draney Asst Hon Sec QRL was appointed to the chair others present being Messrs D Hickey W Doherty A Williams T Healy G
Bohane D Harvey W Graham A E Calligan B Ambrose O Hardy Andrew C Westbrook H Sunderland F Cumberland.
Mr Draney explained the object of the meeting and after much discussion it was decided to amalgamate the clubs to be known as Western
Suburbs Football Club.”
These were the opening notes in the official meeting minutes as penned by honorary secretary, Fred
Cumberland. (Pictured right)
And so it was, on 19 April 1915 – six days before the legendary landing of military troops on the shores of the
Gallipoli peninsula – at the Carlton Club Hotel, that Wests was formed through the amalgamation of the North
Brisbane and Toowong football clubs. Mr. Alby Williams was elected the club’s first president, and he would
later become the club’s first life member. A remarkable feature of that first year was the active part of Fred
Cumberland, who undertook the triple role of Secretary, Treasurer and club captain. His commitment to the
game saw him recognized with BRL life membership in 1928. Cumberland passed away in 1968.
THE FIRST GAME - The club’s first official match took place in torrential rain at the Brisbane Exhibition Grounds on the 2 nd of May
1915. Drawn to play against the seasoned Bulimba club, the first footballing success of Wests – or simply Suburbs as they became
affectionately known - came in the form of a magnificent 13-0 victory. Utility forward Tom Healy is credited with officially scoring
the club’s first try. Another forward, Ernie Hampson also scored a try, while winger Dobbyn Hickey scored a try and kicked two
goals. The full side that day was J.McGrath, D.Hickey, A.Kelly, D.McLaughlin, M.Hickey, H.V.McCabe, F.Cumberland, T.Healy,
T.Callaghan, C.Meekin, W.Dunn, D.Harvey and E.Hampson. The referee was the colourful A.E.Ambrose.
FORMATIVE YEARS – The club incredibly qualified for the grand final in its inaugural year,
unluckily going down to the league’s powerhouse club Valleys 10-9. However, the underlying
story of the club was that of lack of player numbers, poor player commitment both on and off
the field, and disappointing commitment of some officials and supporters. With the club in
turmoil and as a consequence, nearly folding after its first year, a special meeting was then
called by president Alby Williams. The incredible turnout and subsequent commitment of those
who attended, was the only thing that kept the club alive and into 1916. Mick Scott, Tom
Sweeney and Jack McGuire were then won over from rugby union, and teamed up with other
greats Norm Potter, Bill Richards, Jim Bennett, and Bill Dunne, to create a most formidable
football side. Wests methodically destroyed the local competition with dazzling football the
likes of which the Brisbane public had never seen. Losing only 2 games that year, Wests met
Valleys in a fiery grand final rematch, and came out victors 4-2 in the first-ever tryless match.
For the next 6 years, the “Paddo Boys” from the Western Suburbs club re-wrote every
conceivable league record, including two seasons as undefeated premiers in 1920 and 1922,
under the inspirational leadership of international Norm Potter (pictured). Historians and longtime club supporters alike, regard this as the golden era of Wests.
CLUB COLOURS - Originally, club officials agreed upon red and royal blue as the official club
colours, reflecting the red and black colours of 1909 foundation club North Brisbane, and the
black and blue colours of the strong Toowong junior club. However, due to the Great War, blue
dye (like so many other things at the time), were in short supply, thus black was adopted in its
place. In lieu of losing blue from the jersey design, the club elected to wear dark blue shorts
instead. This design was written into the original club constitution. Since then, the club colours
have never changed, however there have been some jersey design changes. Material shortages
during WW2, saw the club wear second-hand junior club jerseys which were a dark red (almost
maroon) with a black V. On returning to the constitutional (four inch wide) red and black bands
after the war, the next major change was the addition of the panther logo in 1968. In 1976, Wests
became the first Queensland club to display a sponsors logo – the famous QRX - on their jerseys
and shorts. 1982 then saw the introduction of the State League concept, where Wests adopted an all
red strip with a single black band across the torso and sleeves. In 1989, the club decided to revert
once again back to the traditional red and black hoops strip. For two seasons during the late 1990’s,
the order of the black and red hoops were reversed, for television reasons.
THE PANTHER – The Panther emblem was conceived at the end of the 1967 season by then assistant secretary, Mr. Jim Orr. Dozens
of designs for the new logo had been submitted for consideration before the oval design of the leaping panther submitted by Frank
McMillan, was finally ratified by the committee. This new logo and presentation of it on the club jersey was officially launched at
Lang Park on 30 March 1968. The 1980’s version of the club logo of the panther head inside the “Q”, came into being in 1981 when
the Brisbane league standardized all the club logos.
FAMOUS NAMES – A cavalcade of the game’s top administrators have been
produced by Wests. The “grand old man of football”, Mr. Peter Scott (pictured) was
the first president of the BRL in 1922. Mr. Scott retained this position until his death
in 1956, at the age of 92. He also had the honour of being a life member of both the
BRL and QRL, and the league also honoured him with the naming of one of the
seasons annual trophies after him. Peter’s son Mick Scott, was the BRL’s first
chairman from 1923-1925, was the first life member of the BRL. He was also a
Brisbane selector, club secretary and Wests life member. Frank Burke was a life
member of Wests and the QRL, and was honoured with the naming of Lang Park’s
first grandstand in 1961. Jack McMahon was a life member of Wests, a club delegate
to the BRL, a BRL delegate to the QRL, and a life member of both the BRL and
QRL. Tom Purtell, who was a 1932 and 1936 premiership player, state representative
in 1935 and 1936, club official, Wests life member in 1944, presided over the club
for 20 years, and had the honour of having our home ground named after him. Other
notable names include Ernie Keefer, J.C.Slaughter, Charlie Hurst, Gordon Treichel,
Hugh Kelly and Keith Hobbs, all of which earned the honour of club life
membership and most holding honorary positions at both the BRL and QRL.
HOME GROUNDS – The first training ground for the Wests club was situated at the Domain near the Botanical Gardens. Training
nights were Tuesday and Thursday commencing at 8:00pm. The club then trained at Albert Park for a number of years, followed by a
return to the Botanical Gardens. During 1926, the club eventually based itself at Lang Park, where they remained until 1972. During
their Lang Park years, the hill at the northern end of the ground was affectionately nicknamed ‘Panther Hill’.The following year, the
club’s new facilities at Purtell Park were ready, with the first senior games played there in 1974. The first match played at Purtell Park
was a Woolies pre-season match against Redcliffe on 17 March 1974, in front of a crowd of approximately 18,000.
NOTABLE PLAYERS – Simply listing the club’s international representatives does not do justice to a club steeped in tradition of
rugby league excellence. Interestingly, Wests international players list comprises players covering every role in a rugby league team.
Following is a snapshot of past rugby league greats, all who proudly wore the red and black :- Cec Aynsley, Jim Bennett, Barry and
Shaun Berrigan, Eric Bishop, Craig Bowen, Arch Brown, Jason Bulgarelli, Norm and Wayne Carr, Arty Connell, Mark and Steve
Crear, Tony Currie, Ken Day, Henry Denny, Sam Faalafi, Harry “Mucker” Fewin, Duncan Hall, Josh Hannay, Justin Hodges, Neil
Holding, Harold Horder, Alan Hornery, Arthur ‘Spragg’ Hunt, Viv Irwin, Rod Jensen, ‘Ack’ Jones, Chris Kahler, Reg Kay, Adrian
Lam, Kevin Langer, Des Lea, Peter Luppi, Mark Maguire, Col McAlister, Ray McCarron, Greg McCarthy, Ken McCrohon, Jamie
McDonald, Aaron Morgan, Barry Muir, Shane O’Flanagan, Greg Oliphant, Warren Orr, Andy Platt, Garry Prickett, Norm Pope,
Norm Potter, Tom and Jack Purtell, Steele Retchless, John Ribot, Bill Richards, Geoff Richardson, Horrie Robertson, Ian Robson,
Alan Rothery, Brad Rowcliffe, Michael Ryan, Stan Ryan, John Sattler, Brett Seymour, Wayne Stewart, Daniel Strickland, Graham
Strutton, Tom Sweeney, Semi Tadulala, Rob Tanielu, Rob Thompson, Brad Thorn, Richie and Jason Twist, Shaun Valentine, George
and Paul Vautin, Alex Watson, Brent Webb, John White, Noel White, Alan Wieland, Col Weir, Bill Whitmore, Stan Williams, Henry
and Max Williamson.
Some name coaches include Ron Raper, Gary Grienke, Wayne Treleaven, Barry Muir, John Lohman, Tony Currie, John Sattler, Kev
Lingard, Ted Verrenkamp, Duncan Hall, Hugh Kelly, Don Oxenham, Norm Pope and Graeme “Scotty” Macrae.
Pictured (left to right) - Paul Vautin, Brad Thorn, Tony Currie, Barry Muir, Adrian Lam.
Pictured (left to right) – Norm Carr, John Sattler, Duncan Hall, Craig Bowen, Alex Watson.
CONTROVERSY – The Wests club has also been involved in more than its own fair share of controversies. In 1918, the game’s
hierarchy (QRL) and Wests officials when head to head in a fierce dispute over the “Ricketty Johnston” affair. The League had
stripped Wests of competition points for playing Albert Johnston, a Balmain signing, whom the League regarded as a “ring-in”. Wests
challenged the ruling on earlier precedents but the league stood firm, resulting in Wests response to forfeit the remainder of the
season. This incident set in motion a series of events that would eventually see the formation of the Brisbane Rugby League (BRL) in
1922. In 1956, referee Col Wright was forced to abandon the major semi-final between Wests and Brothers, when test duo Duncan
Hall and Alex Watson refused to leave the field after being sent off. And it didn’t get any easier once “Mister Personality” himself,
Barry Muir, joined the club in 1958. Speaking his mind freely, Muir often upset the officialdom with his antics, including leading
Wests to walk off Lang Park in a match against Valleys in 1968, not to mention the unsavory incident which ended his Brisbane
career later that year. Although many years after finishing his playing career, John Ribot was embroiled in the Super League war
during the 1990’s, some describing this time as the game’s darkest days.
Pictured (left to right) – Albert “Ricketty” Johnston, Duncan Hall, Alex Watson, Barry Muir, John Ribot.
HALCYON DAYS – Wests were synonymous with the Brisbane rugby league’s halcyon days of
the 1970’s. Early on, Lang Park doubled as the Panthers home and the league’s headquarters in
those days, when massive Lang Park crowds and record suburban attendances flocked each week
to witness a true glamour side of rugby league. Names like Warren Orr, ‘Yogi’ Thompson, Richie
Twist, Arty Connell, Wayne Stewart, Ian Robson, Bob Green and Ray McCarron raised the bar on
rugby league spectacle, as they graced Brisbane football fields and thrilled the masses. Coming oh,
so close to premiership glory in both 1970 and 1972, many thought the long premiership drought
would continue, when even the signing of the great John Sattler could not prevent the Panthers
downward spiral to the wooden spoon in 1974. However, the club turned it all around under the
leadership of new coach Ron Raper and superstar, duel-international Geoff Richardson. Coupled
with emerging young talent of the likes of Norm Carr, Greg Oliphant, Greg McCarthy, Steve
Crear, John Ribot and Garry Prickett, the Panthers took all before them as they won the club’s first
back-to-back premierships, and became a fixture at the top of the game for the rest of the decade.
This was at a time when the old adage once again emerged, that when Wests were doing well the
game was doing well. How prophetic that was ….
HONOUR BOARD – With Wests playing in the grand final in their inaugural season, then winning it only a year later, a precedent of
premiership success and a high playing standard were established early in the club’s history. This is one aspect of the Wests club
which has become part of everyday life.
First Grade : 1916, 1920(undef), 1922(undef), 1932, 1936, 1948. 1952, 1954, 1975, 1976, 1992, 1993
Second Grade : 1926(undef), 1933(undef), 1934(undef), 1947, 1957, 1965, 1976
Third Grade : 1923, 1927, 1930(undef), 1931(undef), 1933, 1934, 1950, 1951, 1955, 1959, 1964, 1977
Fourth Grade : 1969
Colts Grade : 1986, 2002
2nd Division : 1975, 1990
U/23 : 1979
U/21 : 1978, 1987
U/18 : 1931, 1980, 1982
U/17 : 1987
U/17 Fred Harrold Flag : 1981, 1983, 1985
THE TROPHY ROOM – Besides premierships the club has won, Wests are no strangers to accumulating silverware throughout many
seasons. The club’s first grade record alone, is one that many other clubs could only dream of matching.
Club Championship : 1932, 1933, 1934, 1950, 1952, 1956, 1957, 1960, 1975, 1976
Minor Premiers : 1920, 1922, 1936, 1948, 1950, 1952, 1954, 1958, 1972, 1975, 1993
Presidents Cup : 1933, 1941, 1948, 1952, 1955, 1956, 1958, 1960, 1969, 1972
BRL Pre-Season Competition : 1970, 1975, 1976, 1983, 1992, 1997, 1999
Old Buffers Cup : 1922, 1925, 1933, 1934
One Round Cup : 1917, 1918, 1919, 1920
Pike Cup : 1932, 1934, 1948, 1950, 1952, 1954
Peter Scott Memorial Trophy : 1972
Patrons Cup : 1936, 1937, 1941(outright)
Kaye Cup : 1931
Peter Hickey Cup : 1952
Quinlan Cup : 1936
Fullarton Cup : 1936
Redcap Cup : 1951
BRL Knockout Competition : 1971
QRL Post-Season Knockout Cup : 1916, 1917
BRL Special Competition : 1939, 1950
THE WESTS FAMILY – Wests have always enjoyed the largest following of all the Brisbane clubs, benefiting from the western
suburbs district always being a major rugby league stronghold. Many affiliate junior clubs emerged in the area, including the likes of
Ithaca, Police Boys, Paddington, Kelvin Grove and Toowong. In 1956, the Wests-Ithaca club changed its name to Western Suburbs
Juniors, and merged with the Police Boys club. Over the next 20 years, the Wests club was heavily involved in the creation of other
junior affiliate clubs, such as Mitchelton, Arana Hills, Samford, Centenary, Kenmore and Inala. In most cases, the red and black
colours along with the panther logo were also adorned.
CHANGING TIMES – Tough times began to fall on the famous Wests Panthers during the 1980’s. Changing demographics of the
area and the emergence of the Broncos with their Leagues club at the site of the junior club, were the catalysts for the slow demise of
the Wests club. Financial strains continued to haunt Wests, while affiliations with a number of NRL clubs (Adelaide Rams, Auckland
Warriors, North Qld Cowboys and the Brisbane Broncos) proved unsuccessful in re-establishing the club to its former glory years.
Although qualifying for the 1998 Qld Cup grand final, it was not enough to stem the club’s woes. A winless 2003 season
subsequently proved the last for the Panthers in the top grade, club management electing to focus purely on the lower grades with a
view to ensuring the club’s future. Participating in the lower grades through to 2005, the club re-invented itself in 2006 when it
merged with the new Hills District team now playing out of the Arana Hills junior club. Under the guidance of coaching supremo
Craig Ingebrigtsen, the Western District Panthers roared back to the fore with a colts premiership in 2008, followed by a FOGS Cup
premiership in 2009. Under the leadership of passionate Panther Tony Currie, the club then relocated itself back to its spiritual home
at Purtell Park in 2010, until the club elected to go into hiatus at the end of the 2012 season, while the QRL formulated its new
second-tier structure for the game.
BACK TO ITS ROOTS – In 2015, the new Brisbane Rugby League competition was launched, with an all-new West Brisbane
Panthers team emerging in the 10-team format. Not unlike the game’s upheaval in 1922 from which the original BRL competition was
created, Wests are again a foundation club in Brisbane’s rugby league landscape and the premier competition. The new concept of the
club, is as a combined entity involving all the traditional Wests subsidiary junior and senior clubs. It’s a trail-blazing structure that
was first mooted some 30 years ago, and its hoped that the changed times and attitudes will see it embraced to finally have Wests reestablish itself in the top echelon as part of the statewide competition.
While red and black remain the team’s colours, and the panther adorns the chest of every player, the legacy and future of Wests will
always remain strong. Sing it loud and proud, boys …..
Are we good, are we good,
Are we any bloody good,
We are the boys from the old panthers.
You can take your Wynnum-Manly,
And Brothers too.
Throw in the ………,
And we’ll - come - through.
Are we good, are we good,
Are we any bloody good,
We are the boys from the old panthers.
W–E–S–T–S
Wests you bloody beauties.
Up the old black panthers.