Rd 3, Magpies v Roosters, 1968

Western Suburbs Magpies v Eastern Suburbs Roosters
Round 3, Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, 1968

The 1968 NSW Rugby League competition consisted of twelve teams, following the inclusion of Cronulla and Penrith the year prior (1967). All teams in the competition were Sydney based. The 1968 season saw the South Sydney Rabbitohs claim the premiership — their 18th overall. The Eastern Suburbs Roosters finished the season by making the finals, while the Western Suburbs Magpies finished 7th.

This match was the first of two clashes between the Roosters and Magpies for the season, with the Roosters winning both encounters. Although a Magpies home game, it was classed as the “Match of the Day” and was therefore played at the Sydney Cricket Ground on a Saturday afternoon.

This short eleven-minute video features highlights of the game, broadcast by the ABC. The Magpies showed some razzle-dazzle, free-flowing football in the first half, taking an 8–2 lead at the halftime break. The Roosters returned serve in the second half, running away with a 21–8 victory.

A few points of interest to watch for:
The Roosters were coached by the Master Coach himself, Jack Gibson, and featured talented players such as Ron Saddler, Johnny Peard, Kevin Junee, and Barry “Bunny” Reilly. The Magpies were captained and coached by the very tough Noel Kelly. The scrums were contested and there were only 4 tackles per set.

You’ll notice the referee standing close to the ruck and not standing on the five yard defensive line. There are no trainers on the field delivering messages or attending to players— only St John Ambulance paramedics attending to injured players. Referee Keith Page, like all referees of that era, shows zero tolerance for verbal abuse, sending off a Western Suburbs player for dissent.