Kurri Bulldogs first grade will play in specially designed jumpers to honour the 1945 grand final winning side when they play their last home game against third placed Macquarie on Saturday.
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It will be start of a tradition on Old Boys day where the first grade side will honour a side from previous years.
The 1945 side reputed to be the best team to play for Kurri. It included Australian international Noel White, Welsh international Denis Boocker, NSW representative Viv Madge plus a number of Country representatives. A total of eight of the team were nominated for Kurri’s Team of the Century in 2010.
During the year they defeated Balmain and Canterbury in rounds of the State Cup and were beaten by one point in the semi-final after a conversion from the sideline after the bell against North Sydney at Kurri Sportsground.
The side for the Grand final was: 1.G.Madge, 2.N.White, 3.W.Kirkwood, 4.D.Boocker, 5.E.Tucker, 6.V.Madge, 7.J.Jones, 8.R.Atkinson, 9.W.Sweeney, 10.S.Stoddart, 11.W.Close, 12.R.Laverick and 13.C.Perry
Surviving members of the side and Kurri legends Noel White and Viv Madge will be attending and along with nominated Old Boys including Kurri’s last Australian rep Jeff Masterman who will present the current side with their jumpers.
Noel played 53 games with Kurri, represented Newcastle, Country, Queensland, NSW and Australia. He was the first player to be selected for Australia while playing with Kurri. He is one of only seven players to represent NSW, Queensland and Australia in the same season and is the oldest living Kangaroo at 89. He finished his career due to injury at only 23.
Viv played 153 games for Kurri, represented Newcastle, Country and NSW. He captained Kurri, Coalfields, Newcastle and Country in one year and is immortalised in a mural on the Kurri hotel. The jumpers will carry the name of the team members and also each player in their respective positions.
During the day a silent auction will be held in the Old Boys shed to bid for each jumper. Only Old Boys, players and committee members will be eligible to bid.
The Old Boys Sportspersons night will be held on Friday, September 21 at Kurri Bowling Club with guest speaker former Australian cricketer and TV personality Greg Ritchie. Tickets will be on sale at the ground, Kurri Bowling Club, Jason Linnane 0417 419 408, Jeff Polglase 0409 140 206.
