A pumpkin-headed character and a giant goanna battling on the sidelines – ahh the 1970s.
A lot of things have changed since this amusing sideshow to the 1977 Newcastle Rugby League grand final between Maitland and Cessnock.
But the fierce Coalfields rivalry remains and in the lead-up to Saturday’s trial match between the Pickers and Goannas, we were delighted to discover a post on the Goannas Facebook page featuring footage from the grand final won by Cessnock.
In the interest of the opposing Maitland fans we also tracked down some footage of the 1973 grand final featuring Terry Pannowitz, Brian Burke and a very young Robert Finch.
If you have any images, film or just memories from this golden period of the Pickers and Goannas’ history email them to michael.hartshorn@fairfaxmedia.com.au
