[Article 14299]The Tommy Raudonikis Grandstand Story

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The naming of the grandstand at Lidcombe Oval was held on Sunday the 29th of May 2022 the weather was excellent

There were many ex Wests and Newtown players and also supporters from both teams present for this event

Thanks to my roving reporter/photographer Nathan Cole I am able to bring to you this pictorial of the day

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The day starts with arriving at Lidcombe Railway Station

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The Famous Railway Hotel

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Times have changed…the Old scoreboard can now screen photos

This photo is of the 1963 Wests Grand Final team

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The goalposts are a wee bit shorter than the old ones but they still work

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Tommy and the boys looking at the old goalposts

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And since the 1930’s the players still have to run across the bike track…some things will never change

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Speaking of the good old days lets go back to 1969 and Tommy has been chosen to play his 1st First Grade game for Wests

Tom had recently turned 19 years of age

This game was played at Lidcombe Oval on the

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The weekend team list

Toms first time on this list

Although a few weeks early this short mention was made about Tom

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Toms 1st First Grade game

Tom never played any other Grade than Firsts in the 10 years he was at Wests

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Unfortunately for Tom and Wests it was a clean swept for Saints

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Lidcombe Oval was also the ground that Tom score his 1st First Grade try on March the 30th 1970

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Back to 2022

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Terry Donnellan, Alan Fallah, Dr Peter Di Michiel, Brian Cook, John Cattell and Mick Pinkerton

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A Wests supporter drinking the beer that we drink around here….

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Go Wests and join the League of Magpie Legends with Lidcombe Oval XPA.

A first-grade drop that runs rings around the opposition like a nimble half back (Tommy) with its lively tropical flavours

This beer is sure to bring the cheers on game day

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John Cattell, Mick Pinkerton, Brian Cook , Kerry Gibson, Vicki Liubinskas,

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Alan Fallah, Michael Duke, Brett Clark, Nathan Cole,Terry Donnellan,

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 Kris Ford, Nathan & Charlie Cole, Tony Ford, Samuel Ford & Mitchell Cole

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John Cogger and Michael Duke

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Steve Blyth and Jim Myers

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Steve played with Tom at Wests and Newtown

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Jim Myers

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The Official naming of the Lidcombe Oval Grandstand begins

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Rick Wayde, Trish Brown and Tim Sheens

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Photo thanks to Pete Parkinson

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Its now official the Lidcombe Oval Grandstand is now

The TOMMY RAUDONIKIS OAM Stand

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Part of the crowd that were on hand to witness Trish Brown open the stand

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After the naming of the Stand it was time to play for the Tommy Raudonikis Cup

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I am sure Tommy was there in spirit for this game

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The Final score was 21 all

A good result on the day

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It was smiles all round for both teams after the game

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Thanks to Nathan Cole a few exclusive behind the scenes photos of the Wests dressing rooms

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The scenes in the Wests dressing room were a little different in Tom and Roy Masters day

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Note the kids on the bike track

Always a full house at Lidcombe Oval when Wests played Parramatta

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