 ROBERT
STONE
SPIRIT
AND DEDICATION TO COMMUNITY
IN SUMMARY
Born in 1956, Robert Stone played rugby
union as a youngster and then switched
to rugby league as a teenager. He played
for Kogarah Marist Brothers before being
graded at St George in 1974, when only
17-years-old.
Robert played first grade for the St
George Dragons from 1975-85. He appeared
in 170 first grade games, scoring 26
tries (81 points).
A front row forward and second row forward,
'Stoney' was part of a ruthless pack
which won the 1977 premiership. Robert
Stone played in both the 1977 Grand
Final and the 1977 Grand Final replay. |
 A
life member of the St George Football
Club, 'Stoney' played 281 all-grade
games for the St George Dragons; third
in the all-time list of longest serving
players behind only Norm Provan (283)
and Billy Smith (297).
He won a premiership in all three grades
(thirds in 1974, seconds in 1976 and
firsts in 1977).
A rugged forward with pace, Stone scored
a memorable runaway try in the Grand
Final replay of 1977.
Robert Stone gained representative honours
in the City-Country clash of 1977 and
was a New South Wales representative
in the first State of Origin clash of
1980.
In 1984, Stone was Dragons captain 15
times out of 24 appearances.
In 1986, he left Sydney football to
become captain-coach of Picton. He went
on to become a school teacher.
He returned to St George as an administrator
in 2000 and on August 7, Robert was
appointed Executive Officer of the St
George Football Club and subsequently
joined the Board of the St George Leagues
Club.
He was instrumental in the push to have
the Dragons return to Kogarah Jubilee
Oval in 2003.
Robert Stone was diagnosed with tumours
in 2003 and 2004.
On 1 August 2005, 'Stoney' passed away,
aged 49.
|
|
1962
- First Victory Lap
In 2005,
during the funeral service at St John
Bosco church in Engadine, Robert Stone's
lifelong friend and teammate Randall
Barge told the packed gathering of
his mate's early days growing up in
Blakehurst. He rekindled memories
of a kid who could walk at eight months
and swim by his first birthday.
In 1962, the mighty St George Dragons
won their seventh successive Rugby
League Grand Final. With his dad Harry
in hot pursuit, six-year-old Robert
Stone jumped the Sydney Cricket Ground
fence to run alongside his hero, St
George legend Norm Provan.
"The crowd cheer him on,"
Barge told the gathering.
|
1974
- Junior and Graded at 17 years old
Robert Stone was graded
as a lock forward with St George in
1974 while still 17-years-old. A star
in the making, Robert had a sensational
year in the Under 23s (third grade)
scoring 15 tries in 23 matches. Under
the coaching guidance of Kevin Dredge,
the third graders won 20 of their 24
matches in 1974.
With the first grade side not qualifying
for the semi-finals for the first time
in 23 years, many observers considered
Saints to be a spent force. But the
young Dragons gave fans a hint of what
was to come when they swept aside Canterbury,
winning the Grand Final 27-3 and taking
out the third grade title.
In his first year as a Dragon and some
12 years since he first invaded the
pitch to run alongside Norm Provan,
Robert Stone had tasted the triumph
of his own victory lap at the SCG.
|
1975
- First Grade Debut
During an interview
in 2002, Robert named his selection
in first grade as one his favourite
football memories.
"My two favourite memories of
Rugby League are of scoring that try
in 1977 and being told at Kogarah Oval
one Tuesday night that I had been selected
in First Grade."
In 1975 Robert, now 18-years-old, made
11 first grade appearances for St George,
scoring three tries.
He did not play in the 1975 Grand Final
and was spared the 38-0 loss to Easts
that year.
|
1976
- Reserve Grade Champions
Robert Stone was a
member of the St George side that won
the Reserve Grade premiership in 1976.
But a first grade title, still beckoned.
|
The 1977 Premiers
Click on pic for larger image
Back row:
Robert Stone, Craig Young,
John Jansen, Rod Reddy,
Robert Finch, Stephen Butler,
Ted Goodwin, Bruce Starkey.
Front row: Harry Bath (coach),
Graham Quinn, Mark Shulman,
Steven Edge (c), Rod McGregor,
John Chapman, Ken Boothroyd
(trainer).
Ballboys: David Fleming,
Darren Fleming.
NB: Mark Shulman was replaced
by John Bailey in the Grand
Final Replay. Rod Reddy
was replaced by Barry Beath
in the second half of the
Grand Final Replay. |
 ONE
FROM THE VAULT
RADIO 2SM PROMO 1977 GRAND
FINAL - CLICK HERE |
|
1977
- Bath's Babes
GRAND FINAL No. 1 - HISTORIC 9-ALL
DRAW
Sydney Cricket Ground, 17 September
1977: Geoff Greenwood's, 'Australian
Rugby League's Greatest Games' described
the first 1977 Grand Final between
the St George Dragons and the Parramatta
Eels as being 'The Game Of The
Century'. A bold claim but one
that almost certainly has the backing
of those fortunate enough to witness
this extraordinary match.
Parramatta boasted an experienced
outfit. Saints on the other hand were
a side of youngsters. Dubbed, 'Baths
Babes' after their coach Harry Bath,
the Dragons were deemed too inexperienced
to roll over the Eels. Initially,
the punters agreed but in the days
prior to the Grand Final, the betting
market narrowed.
Frank Hyde, Rugby League veteran and
doyen of the airways, couldn't pick
a winner. In one of his regular media
announcements, Frank exclaimed, "I
wouldn't be surprised if this match
finished in a draw"... and Frank
was spot on.
More
> CLICK HERE
GRAND FINAL REPLAY - SAINTS SMASH
EELS 22-0
Sydney Cricket Ground, 24 September
1977: Led by hooker Steve Edge
(c), their coach 'the old fox', Harry
Bath and trainer Ken Boothroyd, the
mighty Dragons won the Grand Final
Replay with a resounding 22-0 victory
over the Parramatta Eels.
The young powerhouse pack of Craig
Young, Rod Reddy, Robert Stone, Bruce
Starkey and John Jansen were simply
too ruthless and too good in rolling
over the top of their opponents.
After 180 minutes of bone-crushing
football, Saints were finally declared
the champions of 1977.
More
> CLICK HERE
 Click
on image to see video.
(29 Mb) Thanks to Dragonheart. |
That
Grand Final Try (video)
In the middle of this historic
occasion was 'Stoney'. A try to Jansen
gave Saints a 7-nil lead at half time.
Then in the second half, a 30 metre
dash from Robert Stone brought the
crowd to its feet. 'Stoney' scored
under the posts to give Saints the
winning advantage.
Robert rated this as one of his favourite
football memories, after being selected
to play first grade. But the run has
extended over time with Stoney' often
joking how he received the ball in
the in-goal before running the length
of the field.
MORE
> CLICK ON IMAGE >>
The
Phantom Biter
To this day, there are Parramatta
forwards who jokingly claim they were
'eaten alive' by the St George pack
of 1977. The' culprits' were believed
to be 'Rocket' Rod Reddy and Robert
Stone.
But no one has owned up and no Parramatta
players have ever named names.
At the height of the controversy,
a close friend of Robert Stone even
contacted the papers to say: "He
couldn't be the biter, he hasn't got
enough teeth left!"
The mystery of the Phantom Biter became
rugby league folklore when misinformed
Parramatta fans hurled lolly teeth
at Reddy and Stone in the late 1970s.
During the funeral service at St John
Bosco church, Steve Edge recounted
that whenever Stoney was pressed for
information, he simply said, "Rocket
did it!" The gathering responded
with bursts of laughter. Stoney, through
his mate Steve Edge, put the question
back where it belonged, unanswered
and still in folklore.
|
|
 1980
- State of Origin
 Before
1980, New South Wales Blues verses
Queensland Maroons clashes had become
lopsided and predictable affairs.
Any Queenslander playing in the Sydney
competition automatically qualified
for the NSW side and this contributed
to the Blues dominance. Subsequently,
interest in the state rep fixture
declined and crowds were dwindling.
On 8 July 1980, Rugby League's first
ever 'State of Origin' was played.
QLD ran out 20-10 victors, much to
the delight of the 33,210 who packed
into Lang Park. Thanks to the foresight
of QLD officials, state football had
been resurrected and its future was
assured.
Robert Stone was part of NSW's first
ever State of Origin team. Team mate
Steve Edge later recalled the lead-up
to the match when NSW coach Tommy
Raudonikis revealed his plan for the
'cattle dog' call that would signal
an all-in brawl. Most players sat
quietly but Stoney was enthused at
the prospect and couldn't wait to
get on the field.
Dubbed 'state against state, mate
against mate', State of Origin clashes
often saw players up against club
team mates. The inaugural State of
Origin was no different when Robert
Stone came on as replacement and found
himself playing against Queenslander,
and fellow Dragon, Rod Reddy.
Since then, the State of Origin concept
has surpassed all expectations to
become one of the premier events on
the Australian sporting calendar and
the toughest rugby league series in
the world.
|
Mr Stone the teacher.
Baldface School in Blakehurst,
1982.
Thanks to Ribs.
Click on picture for larger
image. |
School
Teacher
Robert Stone was a
school teacher throughout his football
career. Teaching was Robert's other
passion and he taught kids for years
throughout the district.
It was no surprise to see students from
Engadine lining the roadside at Robert's
funeral procession.
In his Sydney Morning Herald
column, Roy Masters later wrote:
"Of all the duties required of
a coach, dropping players is the worst.
Stoney made the task horrendous. A schoolteacher,
he insisted on detailed explanations
for his relegation and always had logical
alternatives."
In The Telegraph, Grantlee
Kieza wrote: "His former
colleagues at schools in Blakehurst,
Engadine and Padstow Heights where Stone
taught school, recalled him as a man
who made everyone laugh but whose practical
jokes never hurt anyone."
Stoney ended his teaching career at
Engadine Public School as an Assistant
Principal. Prior to this he worked at
Baldface, Marton and Padstow Heights
schools. He was also active in the Primary
School Sports Association (PSSA).
|
St George v Balmain match at
Kogarah (Round 13, 26 May, 1984).
Click on pic for larger image. |
1984
- Captaincy
In 1984, Robert Stone
was captain 15 times (for 13 wins) out
of 24 appearances (23 games + 1 replacement).
During the year he led a squad of 33
first graders which included Craig Young,
Graeme Wynn, Michael O'Connor, Steve
Morris, Brian Johnston, John Dowling,
Michael Beattie and Steve Rogers.
1985
- Final Season and Released
In 1985, Saints were
minor premiers and favourites to take
out their 16th title. In what was a
tremendous year for the club, St George
had grand final teams in all three grades.
After winning the third grade and reserve
grade deciders, Saints ultimately went
down by the narrowest of margins in
first grade with Canterbury winning
7-6.
After suffering injuries in the semi-final,
Robert Stone found himself on crutches
and was denied an opportunity in Grand
Final. |
With just 11 first grade appearances
in 1985, Stone became an inspiration
in reserve grade and was named 'Reserve
Grade Player Of the Year' by the club.
Then over the off-season came the news
that the club would not be renewing
Robert Stone's contract. With 281 all
-grade games under his belt, Stone was
closing in on Billy Smith's record of
297 match record.
"I was shattered," said Stone.
"I had been keen to play another
year."
A highly contentious decision which
riled supporters and some players, it
was the opinion of many that the club
had ignore Stone's contributions as
a loyal clubman as well as his good
form in both reserve and first grades.
The administrators responded by saying
they needed to bring up new forwards,
but this was countered by Robert Stone
who correctly pointed out that some
of the forwards were being blooded too
early. He was willing to play for match
payments just to help the club he loved.
In his book, The Legend Lives On,
Ian Heads wrote: "It was strongly
rumoured that players left St George
at that time - because of the treatment
meted out to Robert Stone. So too there
were fans so disgusted with the club's
stance that they walked away from football."
In 12 seasons as a player, Stoney had
given his all for the Dragons.
The
SCG Decision and the Kogarah Factor
In another controversial move, the club
announced its intention to change home
grounds.
 Much
loved by Saints fans and players and
derided by the opposition teams and
supporters, Kogarah Jubilee Oval had
been the home of St George since 1950.
In a sign of things to come, Jubilee
Oval was considered to be below NSWRL
standards. Kogarah Council and the St
George Club battled over the funding
for a new western stand and the move
to the newly refurbished Sydney Cricket
Ground was on the cards.
The failure to renew his contract and
the move to the SCG motivated Robert
Stone to stand against Club President
Danny Robinson. Stone proved to be a
serious contender and in a close tussle,
he lost by just one vote.
In August 2005, former Dragons coach
Roy Master wrote of Robert Stone's love
for Kogarah Jubilee Oval:
"He worshipped the ground where
he was graded in 1974 and played until
the end of the 1985 season, when the
Dragons moved to the SCG, seeking the
corporate dollar, which was then almost
non-existent.
The St George committee had kept the
move to the SCG secret. One training
night, aware that a newspaper was going
to break the story the following day,
the committee instructed me, as coach,
to inform the three grades.
The players gathered, I spoke, and Stoney
alone exploded, branding the move counterproductive.
He was right, of course, but the law
in those days was that coaches coached,
players played and officials administered."
Robert Stone's belief that the move
was counterproductive would ring true.
Indeed other factors should be considered
as players, coaches and club officials
should perform regardless of the venue.
But the facts show the move away from
Kogarah coincided with a disastrous
run and a curse that would endure for
years to come. After being minor premiers
in 1985, the Dragons failed to make
the semifinals in all three grades in
1986. The first graders failed to make
a semifinal appearance for the next
six seasons. From 1986-1988, Saints
played 'home' games at the SCG and Canterbury's
Belmore Sports Ground. To the casual
observer, the Dragons looked utterly
homeless.
There was a sigh of relief from fans
when Saints found their way back to
Kogarah in 1989. Attendances for home
games almost doubled as the magic of
Jubilee was once again realised. There
was still some work to do. But Saints
did rebuild and in 1992-1993 they were
winning again with two consecutive grand
final appearances.
|
|
1986
- Picton and the Country League
In 1986, Robert
went to the bush. He headed off to
Picton, south of Sydney, where he
became captain-coach in a country
league competition. Under Stone's
leadership, Picton won the next two
premierships. During his hiatus, Stone
ventured back into Sydney to coach
the Western Suburbs Magpies reserve
grade side.
|
2000
- Return to St George
In 1999, St George
and Illawarra entered into a joint venture.
In August of 2000, realising the club
needed to maintain its original identity
within the joint venture, officials
decided to appoint a chief executive
of the Kogarah-based Dragons. The committee
invited Robert Stone to take the post
of Executive Officer of St.George District
RLFC and it was Danny Robinson who made
the official offer.
2003
- Return to Kogarah
Robert Stone was
instrumental in the push to have the
Dragons return to Kogarah Jubilee Oval
in 2003.
In
1999, St George and Illawarra joined
forces in an agreement which included
a 50/50 home game split between Kogarah
Jubilee Oval and WIN Stadium in Wollongong.
This agreement however didn't last past
one season with it being announced that
Saints would be leaving Kogarah. After
winning back Jubilee in the 1980s, fans
again found themselves without a home
ground in the St George district.
Similar to before, the ruling body (now
the NRL) had deemed Kogarah to be below
standard. In 2000, the new Dragons joint
venture opted to play their home games
at two venues, the Sydney Football Stadium
and Wollongong.
Robert
Stone was also involved in the
decision by the Australian Labor
Party to select Mark Latham as
its new leader in 2003. Robert
McClelland was a crucial vote
in the battle between Latham and
Kim Beazley. On December 3, Latham
suggested that McClelland call
Stone who was his childhood friend
and who Latham knew casually as
a St George fan. McClelland called
Stone who advised him to vote
for Latham as "Putting Beazley
back in again would be like putting
me into a first-grade team again.
I'd be massacred. You have to
move on and try something different."
Joel McClelland voted for Latham
with Stone's advice being one
of the critical factors in his
decision which led to Latham being
elected voter by one vote.
- Wikipedia Feb 2006. |
History has a habit of repeating itself.
Memories of 1985, when Saints last left
Kogarah, were revisited when Saints
went from grand finalists to also-rans
in the space of one season. Grand finalists
in 1999, the Dragons hastily departed
Kogarah and then failed to qualify for
the semifinals in 2000.
The battle for Kogarah was long and
arduous for all concerned. Attempts
to improve and build stadiums at Barton
Park and Cahill Park never got off the
ground. Mainstream media had written
off any return to Kogarah and the Dragons
appeared to be moving out of St George.
Throughout this, volunteer supporter
group R2K were working tirelessly and
had established itself as an effective
lobby group in bringing Kogarah Jubilee
back onto the agenda.
Meanwhile Robert Stone was getting involved
at Club level. As chief executive of
the football club, Stone made it his
job to bring the Kogarah Jubilee ground
back up to scratch and under his direction,
the field itself was soon in pristine
condition.
The facilities however, presented
a much larger hurdle. After a visit
to stadiums in the UK, Stone returned
with renewed energy. Convinced that
suburban grounds were viable, Robert
worked overtime in getting the Dragons
back to Kogarah. Under his guidance,
funding initiatives were tabled in
2002 and the renewal of Jubilee was
underway. The hard work paid off and
in September, the club announced that
the Dragons would return to Kogarah
in 2003.
 With
the reconstruction deadline approaching,
'Bob the Builder' (as Robert was nicknamed)
was spotted shoveling gravel near
the western grandstand. While pondering
the scale of works that had been completed
at Kogarah Oval, Stone said, "We
thought we had no chance of getting
through it. Not only was it a community
project, and it was marvelous to see
the community coming behind us, but
I am sure that God is a Dragon."
Afterwards, fans dubbed the terrace
'Stoney's Slab'.
 On
4 May 2003, 'OKI Jubilee Stadium'
opened to see the Dragons first graders
play their first match at Kogarah
since 1999. A local derby in front
of crowd of 16,713, St George Illawarra
dominated proceedings in defeating
the Cronulla Sharks 28-12.
Kogarah Jubilee is a monument to
Robert Stone's commitment to club
and history. Even after his passing
in 2005, work still continued on improving
the facilities with modern lighting
towers and additional seating being
installed for the 2006 season.
|
|
2005
- Dragons
in depths of grief as Robert Stone
- very reluctantly - loses cancer
fight
 By
Roy Masters (Former Dragons coach
and writer for The Sydney Morning
Herald)
August 2, 2005
It's an overused expression to say
of a passionate follower of a football
club that red-and-green or blue-and-white
blood courses through his veins. In
the case of St George fans, it is
literally so, since everyone is born
with red-and-white blood corpuscles.
But can there have been a person who
bled more for the Dragons than their
chief executive and former prop Robert
Stone, who died yesterday at 6am at
the age of 49?
For 17 months Stone was suffering
from brain cancer yet continued his
duties at Kogarah, where he was responsible
for the operations of the St George
football club, as opposed to the combined
entity with Illawarra.
He attended the Oki Stadium match
against Cronulla and watched Friday
night's match against Sydney Roosters
on TV.
On full-time, he did a thumbs-up and
lapsed into a coma the following day...
More Articles
> click here
Wednesday,
3 August 2005: Funeral services
were held at St John Bosco Church
in Engadine at 12:00pm followed at
1.30pm by a service at the Woronora
Crematorium. Robert Stone is survived
by wife Anne and children Melissa,
Belinda and Michael.
As a mark of respect the Dragons Football
Office was closed on Wednesday and
the players wore black armbands in
their Friday night match on 5 August.
|
Click on pic for larger image. |
On
21 August 2005, during the round 24
clash between the Parramatta Eels and
the St George Illawarra Dragons at Kogarah
Jubilee, a sell-out crowd of 17,523
was on hand to witness pre-match entertainment
and a dedication to 85 years of Rugby
League for the St George DRLC.
St George veterans, including St George
team mates from the 1977 Grand Final
winning side, were also present as part
of the day's events.
This coincided with a special half time
tribute to Robert Stone.
Video footage on the big screen highlighted
the career and life of Robert Stone.
Throughout the tribute, those in attendance
sat in silent homage. Afterwards, the
crowd rose to a standing ovation as
supporters spontaneously acknowledged
Stoney's contributions to St George.
It was a fitting send off for one of
Kogarah's favourite sons. A friend to
all who knew him and and much loved
by family, Robert was also immensely
popular with supporters, players and
officials. A true clubman, Robert's
passion for Kogarah and genuine respect
for the proud history of the club has
earned him a place in what is the essence
of team spirit and the greatness of
St George.
|
|
Click on pics
for larger images.
|
ARL Development Legend Shield State Final
Former Rugby League greats Arthur Beetson
and Steve Mortimer battled it out from the
sidelines today as St Josephs Junee and
Clovelly Publc school, regional winners
of competitions named after these Rugby
League greats, played in the final of the
ARL Development Legends shield.
Twenty four regional winners from across
NSW converged at Cabramatta Sports Ground
to challenge for the title as winner of
the 7 aside Primary Schools event that involved
over 900 teams.
The final produced a fast and competitive
match with St Josephs Junee eventual winners
22 to 16 over Clovelly.
As a tradition of the day continued, Michael
Stone, the son of the late Robert Stone
presented the Robert Stone Award to St Josephs
Nyngan, an award presented to a Primary
School who shows great dedication to the
sport of Ruby League.
The HON John Fahey, Chairman of ARL Development,
praised the support of all Legends who have
lent their names to the regional competitions
and who attended the day.
Results
Semi Final – St Josephs Junee 30 defeated
Kingscliff P S Inverell 6
Semi Final – Clovelly Public School
36 defeated St Josephs Taree 18
Final – St Josephs Junee 22 defeated
Clovelly Public School 16
25/8/06 |
Robert Stone in the 1970s.
Robert Stone congratulates Coach Nathan Brown
in late 2003.
|
ROBERT
STONE
DRAGONS FACT FILE
|
First Grade Appearances
11 seasons (1975-1985).
170 games (147 run-on + 23 as replacement).
All Grade Appearances
12 seasons (1974-1985).
281 games - third behind Norm
Provan (283) and Billy Smith (297).
Grand Final Appearances
1974: U/23s (third grade) premiers.
1976: Reserves (second grade)
premiers.
1977: First Grade (2 Grand Finals).
Draw and then premiers.
Representative Appearances
1977: City.
1980: NSW.
Positions
Second row forward, prop forward.
First Grade Season Record
NB:
Games = run-on games.
Repl = games as replacement.
Tries were worth 3 points prior to 1983.
|
Year
|
Games
|
Repl
|
Tries
|
Pts
|
|
1975
|
10
|
1
|
3
|
9
|
|
1976
|
1
|
3
|
-
|
0
|
|
1977
|
26
|
-
|
8
|
24
|
|
1978
|
13
|
2
|
1
|
3
|
|
1979
|
9
|
6
|
3
|
9
|
|
1980
|
15
|
1
|
1
|
3
|
|
1981
|
18
|
-
|
3
|
9
|
|
1982
|
14
|
5
|
4
|
12
|
|
1983
|
10
|
1
|
1
|
4
|
|
1984
|
23
|
1
|
2
|
8
|
|
1985
|
8
|
3
|
-
|
0
|
|
Total
|
147
|
23
|
26
|
81
|
|
"I
have a firm belief that team spirit
/ friendship / culture is the prime
requisite for winning."
Robert Stone - 2002 |
"Billy
Smith was always my favourite player.
He was many years ahead of his time
- The Joey Johns of the 60’s and
70’s. Billy had that competitive
edge and was one of the toughest men
I have met."
Robert Stone - 2002 |
"We
thought we had no chance of getting
through it. Not only was it a community
project, and it was marvelous to see
the community coming behind us, but
I am sure that God is a Dragon."
Robert Stone - 2003 (while pondering
the scale of works that had been completed
at Kogarah Oval). |
"Thank
you to all for your kind words of encouragement.
Things are a bit tough at the moment,
but it takes more than this to knock
over an old front-rower. Thanks for
your continued support. I hope to be
at Kogarah on Sunday."
Robert Stone - July 2005 (in response
to fan posts online). |
"He
was inspiring, committed, passionate,
tough, funny and caring, a friend to
all that had the pleasure of knowing
him."
Peter Doust - 1 August 2005. |
"In
all of these activities his leadership
qualities were outstanding as were his
qualities as a person."
Dragons press release - 1 August 2005. |
"Robert
Stone was a true saint in every way."
Steven Edge - 1 August 2005. |
"...the
other Immortals join me in extending
sympathy to Robert Stone's family.
Robert joined Saints while I was captain
coach and I have always respected him
— both on and off the field. He
will be sadly missed."
Graeme Langlands - 1 August 2005. |
"His
appointment [as Executive Officer] came
at a time of great instability for the
Dragons. Dragons' CEO Brian Johnston
had resigned, Anthony Mundine had retired,
David Waite was sacked and supporters
were rallying for the Sydney Football
Stadium home games to be returned to
Kogarah. His appointment brought stability
to the Club as he focused on reviving
the St.George juniors and preserving
the St.George identity and history."
R2K - 1 August 2005. |
"He
scored the opening try in the '77 grand
final replay with Parramatta, romping
20 metres, but teased teammates at reunions
that he had received the ball in the
in-goal and run the length of the field.
He took a turn during the last reunion
in May, sitting in his wheelchair on
"Stoney's slab", a concrete
block at Oki where former greats gathered."
Roy Masters - 2 August 2005. |
"It's
an eminently sensible idea in the most
pragmatic of sports that the honoree
sits there in the company of his former
teammates, listening to the eulogies
wash over him. But you couldn't do it
for Stoney because he simply didn't
believe he was going to die."
Roy Masters - 2 August 2005. |
"The
entire stadium could have been named
after him, given the efforts he made
to have it renovated and ensure the
Saints would stay at Kogarah."
Roy Masters - 2 August 2005. |
"He
met his wife Anne on August 8, 1975,
and was her best friend until the day
he died. His most memorable tries were
scored against his kids, Melissa, Belinda
and Michael in the backyard."
Grantlee Kieza (Telegraph) - 4 August
2005. |
"Sport
can be seen as many things. One thing
that Robert Stone's passing reinforced
in my mind is that true sporting teams
are like family."
Kevin Greene - State Member for George
River (NSW Parliament Hasard) - 14 September
2005. |
Comments from fans > Click
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Please note that this tribute site
is part of an unofficial supporters
website.
Many thanks to those who contributed
through their writings and to the
various publications who paid tribute
to Stoney. Thanks also to those who
sent in and posted images, video,
audio files and passed on their recollections:
Roy Masters, The Sydney Morning Herald,
Grantleee Kieza, The Daily Telegraph,
Ian Heads, members of the LeagueUnlimited
website and Dragons forum, members
of the Jubilee Avenue website and
Jubilee Avenue forum at NineMsn, SOTV,
R2K, the St George Leagues and St
George Football Club, and the St George
Illawarra Club. |
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