Originally published on September 27, 1969

Today the curtain goes down on the 1969 Rugby season when the grand finals in the First, Reserve and Third Grades are played on the Sports Ground. The First Grade grand final will be given a wide spectator interest through television.

Twenty-two years is a long time between drinks and First Grade premierships! But it is a fact that Eastern Suburbs are on the verge of breaking the drought and winning a First Grade premiership for the first time since 1947.

Consistent performers throughout the 1969 season, Easts finished the competition rounds seven points clear of Sydney University.

They have built up an enviable defensive record, allowing an average of only eight points a match. No side has scored a try against them in the last four matches.

Let there be no bones about it, the 1st XV is a very experienced team, with an aggregate 901 plus First Grade games to their credit.

Highest individual appearances are: John Cox 87, John Radovic 61, Richard Handley 57, Michael Hickman 101, Chris Dawson 42, Paul Dawson 33, Ian Denovan 123, C. P. Crittle 138, Laurie Fahy 57 and Andy Tyler 107.

Youth too is on their side, particularly in the backline. Hickman, for example, the back with most First Grade games to his credit, is 23 years old. Breakaway Chris Dawson is 21.

Two of Easts’ biggest assets are the team coach and team captain, “Barney” Walsh and Peter Crittle. Walsh coached University to successive premierships in 1953, 1954 and 1955. He played for both University and Eastern Suburbs, playing well in excess of 100 First Grade games.

Crittle’s skills as a player and captain are well known. His ability to put Barney Walsh’s off-the-field tactics into on-the-field action has much to do with Easts’ success this season.

Crittle’s Hopes

Though he has had eleven seasons in senior football, and is one of Australia’s most travelled representative footballers, Crittle is yet to play in a premiership-winning team. Gordon have not met Easts present front row of Fahy, Tyler and Bailey. Since this combination has been leading the pack, Easts have not lost a match.

They are competent in all aspects of front row football, and have earned a healthy respect from other teams in the competition.

Reserves meet Manly

Easts’ Reserves meet Manly in their grand final, and again both teams have recorded a win over each other this year. Both Easts and Manly have been at the top of the Reserve Grade table for the past three years.

Manly defeated Easts in the 1967 grand final, while Easts defeated Manly in the final last year and went on to win from Gordon in the grand final.

This season Manly defeated Gordon in the final, and meet Easts today.

Ten year wait for Thirds

The last time Easts’ Thirds contested a grand final was in 1959, though they have reached finals in recent years. Easts finished the competition with the best record of any team — nineteen wins, one draw and two losses.

It’s an object lesson for those who believe in football fundamentals, as Easts’ coach, Peter Wheeler, does.

The team is endowed with an experienced pack of forwards, prop Peter Falk having over 200 club games to his credit. The back row of Travers, Lockhart and Wilson is rugged and fast, while the remainder are good, young, reliable toilers.

The backs are consistent in attack, with wingers Linden and Nicol fast finishers.

Snell’s Record

Mention of the Thirds must remind Easts supporters of the coaching record of ‘Slogger’ Snell — probably without parallel in Sydney Rugby.

A former Australian halfback, Snell coached Easts’ Thirds, and Thirds only, for fifteen seasons from the early ’40’s to late ’50’s.

When he retired from coaching his record was 15 seasons, 13 semi-finals, 11 grand finals and eight premierships.

Two of today’s coaches, Len Martin (Reserves) and Peter Wheeler, played under Snell in those days.

It’s 16 years since Easts have had all teams in the grand finals.

Club does well

But win, lose, or draw today, 1969 must rate as one of the most successful years in the 69-year history of the club. The club won the 1969 Club Championship by 70 points, just failing by three points to break Randwick’s record aggregate of 416, set in 1966.

The junior teams over the last three years have had consistent success, with the Under 20A team at the front winning four successive premierships and three City of Sydney Championships.

Manly have history 

Manly’s Reserve Grade team which plays Eastern Suburbs in today’s grand final maintain a proud club tradition. Since 1920, when the Grade commenced, after being known as Caird Shield since 1930, Manly won in 1921, 1922 and 1923 undefeated.

Altogether, the club has won the premiership 14 times; Reserve Grade is therefore Manly’s strongest grade over the years.

It was in 1967 that Manly and Eastern Suburbs last played in a grand final. Manly, minor premiers, won that grand final 21-6, scoring three tries without having their line crossed.

Today’s captain, Warwick Sainsbery, Geoff Day and Morrie Lee are the only three forwards remaining of that combination. Warwick was also a member of the 1965 premiership team.

Team coach today, Barry Taylor, was captain of last season’s Reserve Grade team and the 1967 team. He has proved his ability as a very good coach and trainer.