The Cessnock Goannas will celebrate the 40th anniversary of their legendary 1977 premiership this weekend.
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The Goannas defeated the Maitland Pumpkin Pickers 21-17 in the first grade grand final, with tries to George Ambrum, Henry Tatana and Peter Davies, and captain-coach Tatana kicking six goals.
The team consisted of G Redgrove, G Payne, G Ambrum, M Goldman, T Williams, N Stevens, J Fairns, D Pemberton, P Davies, R Everson, H Tatana, B Holden, W Jowett, D Moore, R Mullard and W Jobson.
Cessnock’s reserve grade side (led by Gary Johns) won their grand final and the under-18s side also took out the premiership, making it a year to remember for the Goannas.
The Goannas will take on the Pickers at home this Saturday, which is also the club’s Old Boys Day.
The side will don specially-made replica jerseys (featuring 1977 sponsor Oak), and a reunion dinner will follow at Cessnock Leagues Club on Saturday night.
Take a look back at footage of the 1977 grand final (including the famous ‘biff’ between a pumpkin and a goanna) in the Facebook post below.
