On Saturday evening, at the conclusion of the premier grade match versus 2018 champions Associates, the last great Cottesloe side to win a championship are gathering for a reunion in the clubrooms. Ten years ago, a fit and powerful Cottesloe side, under the tutelage of life member Ian Fowler, bullied Palmyra to run out easy winners on a score of 26-6. Several of the men who togged out for that particular squad are still involved with the club today. Ryan Westaway captained the side then and ten years on, is now head coach. Tim Parks and Kieran Stringer were just a young whippersnappers in the squad and are now the leaders of the first grade side. Sam Parker was a young full back and now is a veteran who plays across the grades. Other men such as Karl Leary, Ed Melville, Shaun Nankervis, Richard Brown and Dave Curtin all have played until recently or occasionally pop in to provide advice for (or more likely drink a beer with) the two blue when they are in town. It was a fantastic side who shut down a fancied and typically stacked Palmyra side and ran out easy winners, chocked full, top to bottom, of stone cold Cottesloe legends. So make sure you join in the festivities and introduce yourself to this great group of lads as its likely you may never have as many of them in one room, ever again. Caro Cotter was the designated photographer back then and is busy rustling up old photos and memories and with Katie’s help, is going to put up a very special slideshow for Cottesloe supporters and members to reminisce upon. To help jog the memory for what was an historic day for the club, here is the match report from the West Australian.
Cottesloe Too Good For Palmyra | The West Australian, 21 Sep 2009
Starting Lineups:
1. Shaun Nankervis
2. Regan Johns
3. Mark Darling
4. Kieran Stringer
5. Matt Battershall
6. Josh Gugich
7. Richard Brown
8. Matt Aiken
9. Mark Swanepole
10. Dave Cloete
11. Ben Mitchell
12. Ryan Westaway
13. Sam Rarasea
14. Todd Edwards
15. Sam Parker
16. Josh Sims
17. Tom McArthur
18. Karl Leary
19. Charlie Brigden
20. Ryan Hodson
21. Tim Parkes
22. Dave Kirton
Coach: Ian (Chook) Fowler
Assisted by: Nigel Leggett & Dave Kirton
Manager: Craig Fairhall
Physio: John Verity
Strength & Conditioning: Mick Byers
