The Wests Tigers acknowledged players from the 1961 Grand Final at their home game with St. George Illawarra at the Sydney Football Stadium on Friday 5th August. Not only did the club fly several players down from Queensland for the occasion, but they also paid for accommodation at Coogee's Crown Plaza Hotel and held a function at this hotel and also at the Hirer's Box at the game.
Stephen Humphreys and the Tigers wanted to recognise the match and the players of both teams, Wests and St. George, from that Grand Final that was played almost 50 years ago.
The former players were introduced to the crowd before the kickoff and were humbled when Benji Marshall and his team mates paid homage to their efforts with handshakes and hugs.
"We certainly didn't expect that ", said three-time Kangaroo, Noel Kelly (28 Tests). "With such an important match only minutes away, they had more important things on their minds, but they still found time to graciously come to us."
Among the former Wests players at the function were Dave Barsley, Ken Bray, Bill Brown, Nev Charlton, Peter Dimond, John Hayes, Don Malone, Fred Norden, Don Parish, Carl Ross, Arthur Summons and Harry Wells.
Bill Carson, Dennis Meaney, Kevin Smyth and coach Jack Fitgerald have passed away, but their families were represented at the function.
Peter Armstrong, Bob Bugden, John King, Ed Lumsden, Norm Provan and John Raper represented the 61 St. George team.
Although not involved in the 61 Grand Final, Arthur Beetson and Tom Raudonikis were also in attendance. Beetson played 74 first grade games in five seasons with Balmain, while Raudonikis made 204 top grade appearances with Wests in his 11 seasons with the club.
Many of the former players who were present have given great service to Australia on the Test arena, both at home and overseas. As well as Noel Kelly (28 Tests), Arthur Beetson (28), Bob Bugden (2), Bill Carson (2), Peter Dimond (10), John King (15), Ed Lumsden (15), Don Parish (3), Norm Provan (18), John Raper ( 39), Tom Raudonikis (29), Kevin Smyth (2), Arthur Summons (9) and Harry Wells (29) have played Test Football. Between these men, there are a total of 229 Test Matches.
Summons and Provan are the models for the Winfield Cup, but the photograph which was used for this trophy was taken from the 1963 Grand Final, which was between the same two clubs.
The Wests Tigers were happy to hold such a successful event and plan to do similar things in the coming seasons.