1943 – 2022
Wests Player number 602 (1962)
Wests Life Member number 65
Jim played for the Magpies from 1961 to 1971 & again in 1973
In total Jim played 192 games of which 128 were in First Grade.
Jim, an uncompromising second rower, lock or front rower was graded in 1961 from the
South Strathfield club.
Jim was just 18
Jims debut for Wests in Grade was against Newtown
In 1961 Wests won the Third Grade Premiership Jim was a member of this winning team
Jim made his First Grade debut in 1962
Jim with his half back from the 1962 GF Don Malone at a PPM reunion
In the 1962 Grand Final against St George, Jim was involved in an
altercation with St George enforcer Billy “Bluey” Wilson which lead to the
latter being sent off in the early minutes of the second half
In 1963, Jim was selected in the Sydney Seconds side to play Country Seconds
He was named as a reserve for the famous 1963 Grand Final & greatly
regretted not being selected to take the field for that match.
But Wests and Jim won the Ampol Cup in 1963
This game was played after the Grand Final
Wests 17 beat Parramatta 11
In 1965 Wests won the State Cup by beating Parramatta in the final Wests 16 – 14
Jim scored a try in this game
Jim is third from the left back row
A few of team photos from the Kelly Kids era
Jim was unwanted by Wests in 1972 when he captain-coached Nambucca Heads to
premiership success
In 1973 he was brought back into the fold by coach Don
Parish for one final season with the Magpies, making a total of 12 seasons
in which he wore the famous black & white
Jim continued his career after 1973 with successful captain-coaching roles
at Griffith (1974), Goulburn United (1975 & 76), Coffs Harbour Jetty (1977),
Coffs Harbour (1978), Woolgoolga (1979 & 1980) & Sawtell in 1982
In recent years, Jim had been living on the outskirts of Coffs Harbour
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Reflections & Tributes for Jimmy
Don Parish
I remember Jim Cody as being pound for pound one of the toughest forwards I played with! Sydney Rooster’s lock Victor Radley reminds me of him.
I recall one game at Pratten Park when he took Norm Proven on and lucky for Jim it turned into a ground wrestle otherwise Norm would have ended up with saw knees.
Besides being tough Jim was a great guy and will be sadly missed at our reunions.
Barry Glasgow
Great footballer, tough as they come. Great bloke. Great practical joker. Never a dull moment when Jim was around.
Always glad he was on my side!
Don Hall
Tough player. Great player & great bloke!
John ‘Chow’ Hayes
A naturally strong guy with a great physique. A terrific sense of humour and a cheeky grin, who never took things too seriously.
A great teammate!
Carl Ross
Jimmy had no fear, knew how to defend himself and always glad he was on my side and not the opposition.
Champion bloke!
Tony Ford
Champion footballer and teammate who would do anything for you!
Champion bloke!
Steve Knight
When I first came over to play for Wests from Rugby Union, we were playing touch footy at training at Lidcombe Oval.
Jimmy hung one on me. I waited my time and hung one back on him. We were great Mates ever after
Shane Day
Whenever I hear the name Jim Cody, I say to myself…what a tough man!
More importantly, Jim was always great company
John O’Bryan
I remember watching Jimmy play and I was lucky enough to play with him in the 1973 season.
A very tough fellow for his size and one on one, a very honest human being who I looked forward to catching up at every reunion!
Geoff Foster
I didn’t have a long time with Jim but his toughness both in body and mind was 10/10.
I learned very quickly not to play him in euchre especially with his usual partner at the Crossways Hotel South Strathfield.
RIP Champion
Neville Sinclair
Thank you for the opportunity to contribute as an admirer of Jim as a player and person.
As a younger player in the years 1969 to 1973, the mention of Jim Cody was synonymous with RESPECT.
The playing group respected his authority on the field, and the opposition likewise.
There was no one better at keeping the ‘peace’ when Jim Cody was in the side.
When the team needed a change of pace, (or ‘peace’) on the field, he led the way.
Truly a Magpie legend. REST IN PEACE
Gavin Miller
I first met Jim when he took over as Captain/ Coach at Goulburn United.
Jim came to Goulburn with a highly respected reputation after playing 159 games for Western Suburbs and also a reputation as a tough no nonsense player and coach and that certainly proved to be the case.
Jim was able to attract John Coveney and Ross Cale to the club from Narromine and it didn’t take long before both players were picked up by the Bulldogs and Penrith in 1976.
Jim also decided to give a fresh faced and very inexperienced centre by the name of Gavin Miller a start in first grade. After a few games Jim contacted his old club Western Suburbs and at the same time the Roosters were showing plenty of interest in Me.
Due to the significant nurturing and guidance Jim provided, I decided to stick with Jim’s recommendation and signed up with West Magpies.
I will always consider Jim as a friend who played a significant part of my career and providing the stepping stones for an incredible experience in Rugby League.
My heart goes out to Jim’s family and friends.
I became a man and a better person for knowing one Jim Cody.
I was 16 when Jim played me in first grade in Goulburn.
I’ll never forget my connection with him knowing how he made sure I was protected at such a young age playing first grade.
No doubt his connection with me although only a short time had a significant effect on my future development as a resilient player!
Rest In Peace…love you Mate!
Mick Liubinskas
My first meeting with Jim was as a fresh faced 17-year-old called up from u/23s to Reserve grade in 1973.
We were playing Souths at Lidcombe Oval. I partnered Jim in the 2nd row. I didn’t know much about this block of granite as I was fresh out of Jersey Flegg, but that changed after 5 minutes when Jim took the ball up and was smashed by 3-4 Souths players. He got up quickly and eyed off the Souths players…one in particular.
Next ruck we kicked through and Souths had the ball, then this one particular player took the ball up and Jim moved with ease and ironed him out with the best ball and all tackle you would see. The player, Bob Moses, lay motionless on the ground. Jim stood there and stared at him and walked back to me. The Souths players were going off at him, but he just looked and stared back at them, turned to me and said ‘let’s get this party started’.
Bob Moses was carried off on a stretcher and we went on to win the game.
It was certainly an eye opener to play with a bloke as tough as they came and it was a privilege and highlight to pack down alongside him!
I have nothing but great memories of playing more games with him and feeling bullet proof with him in the team.
A great bloke and a great Wests teammate! Farewell Jim Cody.
Jim and Mick