A blast from the past: Gus McKernan remembers Brawny’s debut
A blast from the past: Gus McKernan remembers Brawny’s debut
Footy fans, I have the Football Record from Round 14, 19 July, 1992, Western Suburbs versus Hills at Wagener Oval, the day Anthony Brawn debuted along with another youngster, Toby Knight. The senior coach was Trevor Clisby, a rugged and highly respected defender, who had fractured his ankle earlier in the season. Note that the club was then known as Hills so as not to alienate prospective youngsters from coming to our club from Baulkham Hills. Needless to say, few came anyway, even though Baulkham Hills only had a 2nd Division senior team. Western Suburbs were far too strong that afternoon, winning 27-23-185 to 6-10-46, our goalkickers being Stephen Barratt with three, singles to John Murray, Paul Whelan and Brawn. Best players (my selections) were Murray, Paul Gooley, David Thomas, Michael Carey and Barratt. Wests had several big goal scorers, Nathan Lenton with eight, Jason Beverstock, five, and Andrew Taylor, four. Season 1992 was a bleak one for the Demons, with a 5/10 record plus two draws, incredibly both against East Sydney who finished bottom, one spot above Hills. The second of those draws came at Trumper Park in Round 17 and I can still picture Stefan Carey’s third and final goal, kicked from almost on Glenmore Road to tie the scores. Coincidentally, it was Stefan’s senior debut with Hills and he went on to be a handy player with the Swans and later, Brisbane. Just another stroll down memory lane, Gus McKernan