Whether it’s this weekend or sometime in the future, our time at TG Millner is coming to an end. But before Eastwood move on to a new, exciting future, we asked some club greats about some of their best memories at one of the great Australian rugby fields. 

John Cullen – Eastwood legend

“I originally played for Western Suburbs but when they were relegated from first grade, a friend convinced me to join Eastwood in 1953. That was the year Tommy Millner purchased the land for around £7000. He was a terrific fella and we all just called him Tommy. His only condition when he bought the land was that he never wanted to be paid back. 

“It was seven acres completely covered with trees. It didn’t look anything like a rugby field. 

“But we all got stuck in and began clearing the field. I was young, so it was my job to climb up as high as I could and put a rope around the trees. One of the fellas had a Ford Mercury, so we tied the rope to the back of his car and dragged the trees down that way. 

“When we got the trees down, we then had to get rid of the wood, so most weekends we’d have a BBQ and a few drinks around a big bonfire. They were great times. 

“Eventually we bought an old army shed for 150 quid and that was our first clubhouse. Some of the foundations from that original work are still there today. 

“When we cleared the trees, we started to level the playing surface and that took a long time. 

“The Jacobs’ family had a chicken farm across the road, so we took the chicken droppings from there and fertilised the ground that way. 

“It was thirsty work and at the end one long day, we stood there enjoying a beer and watched one of the biggest storms you’ll ever see roll through. 

“We were screaming for it to hit the field and it did and the grass grew like buggery after that.” 

Tim Donnolly – Eastwood first grade 1999-2006

“I was a 70kg teenager straight out of school when we won the comp in 1999 and have great memories of that entire season.  From hearing my name in the first grade team list before the start of the season, to winning the club’s first premiership and the celebrations that followed, it was just an amazing time. 

“The other memory that jumps out at me is winning the 2006 Shute Shield at TG Millner. I was captain and it was my last game for the club before I went overseas. 

“My brother scored a charge-down try late in the game to beat Uni and I kicked the conversion to put the game out of reach. It was the week after my grandfather passed away and he used to watch every week on ABC so it was special on a number of levels.        

 “I feel incredibly lucky and grateful that rugby has given me so much over so long and TG Milner is literally where it all started. 

“From playing my under 6 grand final there to ultimately being able to play professionally, it all began with going up there as a 3 or 4 year old with my dad. 

“Even off the field, TG had a huge impact on my life. I met my wife – whose grandfather actually captained 1st grade in the 1960’s – after an Eastwood function. We now have three kids and I now get to coach my two boys. 

“I also got a start in my second career at Macquarie through people I knew and met at Eastwood and TG Millner and I’m still there 14 years later. So many of the most important parts of my life can be traced back to Eastwood and TG Millner one way or another and that is what makes it so special to me.”

Barry Taylor – Eastwood legend

“I still remember being a member of the very first Eastwood first grade team to play at TG Millner. We played Gordon on April 13, 1963 and beat them 16-12. 

“It’s also special to me personally as it’s where I proposed to my future wife Lyn, under the big tree at the edge of the ground.”

Brett Papworth – Eastwood President

“I have a lifetime of memories at TG Millner, as our Junior Grand Finals were always played on the hallowed turf. It was always the dream to run out as a proper grown up on TG.

“We beat Randwick in ‘87 when they had ten Wallabies and we had a couple (although we would have a couple more in future years). Mind you, they did win the premiership…..

“I was there when Country beat Sydney with the ‘up the jumper’ move, which was subsequently outlawed back in the 70s.

“It has been special for any people for different reasons: It was the home of Country Week for many years; It was always a ground that hosted Representative games at junior, school and senior level; and it has been the centre of my rugby universe for almost 50 years.

“It will will all be a bit emotional when it is time to leave.

“In 50 years time, the people of Eastwood rugby will have a different, but equally special history!”

Rob Frost – Eastwood General Manager

“My family first moved into Vimiera Rd in 1913. I watched the ground being built and walked past it every day on my way to High School. I think my best memory is nearly scoring a try in the corner in a Grand Final for St Albans, Epping in 1970 something. Bloody John Lawson….”

“For a lot of years, particularly before the residential development around it, it was the destination of choice during and after the rugby. You couldn’t get into the place in the 70s and 80s, it was that popular. In those days it had a real aura about it. Times change but there are lots of great memories of the glory days.”

Ed Craig – Current Eastwood First Grade

“In my first year of grade we beat a super-star Sydney Uni team in a mudpit at TG. They were captained by Tom Carter and had Paddy Ryan, Sam Talakai and Tolu Latu in the front row.

“I got rucked by Lachie Swinton and had to go off for 10 stitches just before halftime, but got back on the field in the second half and we held on to ground out a gutsy win. 

“It’s the Toyota Corolla of rugby grounds. It’s super reliable, does the job, hasn’t changed and has been going forever. For me personally, there’s been so many big moments in my life at the ground and those memories won’t fade quickly.”

John Manenti – Former Eastwood coach

“There are so many great memories and the years and details get blurred.

“If I had to pick one stand out, it’d be the semi final against Southern Districts in 2015.

“By memory we’d had a win each in the regular series both by a point and we we’re trying to go back to back and to do that we needed to beat a very good Souths team, which we managed to do 32-28. 

“TG has been a great home for rugby and for the Eastwood community. The crowds have enjoyed a great atmosphere and entertaining rugby while having a beer or sitting in the stands. After the match kids would kick the footy around while the players and partners would party into the night.”