Not Chooks related but have a read & tell me what you think.

[Mickie Lane]

I attended Chris Lawrence's Testimonial lunch today at Le Montage & I got to say that Chris Lawrence is a true champion the NRL was so lucky to have him play in it for 14 years. He truly is in the same mold as Brett & Josh Morris.
Born & bred out near Camden & comes from a great family & attended St Gregory's College same school & area that Robbo grew up in, his tribute speech about what the game of Rugby League has given him & his over coming of injuries was just so moving you could see alot of people wiping tears from their eyes. The sacrifices & pain these guys go through for us to be entertained is UNBELIEVABLE, he had a terrible training accident whilst the Tigers were in NZ & was bleeding profusely from his head & nose but that day in NZ the Ambulance service was on strike & he was actually taking on so much blood through his mouth from the injuries to his head & nose that he nearly died.
I spoke to Gary Freeman & told him he was unreal at the Chooks, others that were there were Benny Elias, Blocker, Robbie Farah, Tim Moltzen, Beau Ryan, John Morris, Garry Jack, Les Mara & a bunch of very pretty ladies.
I know most of you couldn't care less but it would be so good for the game & for the diehard Wests Tigers fans if the Tigers could firstly make the top 8 & then possibly the top 4. A lot of those old Tigers supporters remind me of my pop who was brought up in Paddington in the late 1880's early 1900's, rough around the edges but gems of people. I love the game of Rugby League & all the characters it brings.
Easts to win.

[Random Rooster]

Chris Lawrence has always been a great role model on & off the field. Achieved a lot in his career considering his dodgy hamstrings.

Looking at the Tigers 2022 player squad....makes me appreciate being a Chooks supporter more

[King Salvo]

I attended Chris Lawrence's Testimonial lunch today at Le Montage & I got to say that Chris Lawrence is a true champion the NRL was so lucky to have him play in it for 14 years. He truly is in the same mold as Brett & Josh Morris.
Born & bred out near Camden & comes from a great family & attended St Gregory's College same school & area that Robbo grew up in, his tribute speech about what the game of Rugby League has given him & his over coming of injuries was just so moving you could see alot of people wiping tears from their eyes. The sacrifices & pain these guys go through for us to be entertained is UNBELIEVABLE, he had a terrible training accident whilst the Tigers were in NZ & was bleeding profusely from his head & nose but that day in NZ the Ambulance service was on strike & he was actually taking on so much blood through his mouth from the injuries to his head & nose that he nearly died.
I spoke to Gary Freeman & told him he was unreal at the Chooks, others that were there were Benny Elias, Blocker, Robbie Farah, Tim Moltzen, Beau Ryan, John Morris, Garry Jack, Les Mara & a bunch of very pretty ladies.
I know most of you couldn't care less but it would be so good for the game & for the diehard Wests Tigers fans if the Tigers could firstly make the top 8 & then possibly the top 4. A lot of those old Tigers supporters remind me of my pop who was brought up in Paddington in the late 1880's early 1900's, rough around the edges but gems of people. I love the game of Rugby League & all the characters it brings.
Easts to win.

Not sure that Big Jack Gibson was a fan of Freeman especially when he signed with Penrith and didn't tell the Chooks - came out in the press i seem to recall - Big Jack said if that's the case you can go now. Whizz off

Gees Les Mara - not long out of jail i assume and be still on parole- Received a 20 year sentence for conspiring to import cocaine (baggage handler case) back in 2005 or so with a non parole period of 13 years I recall.

Went on the run for 18 months until they caught him- The Old courts/Police don't like that and usually give the person more years.

[Mickie Lane]

Not sure that Big Jack Gibson was a fan of Freeman especially when he signed with Penrith and didn't tell the Chooks - came out in the press i seem to recall - Big Jack said if that's the case you can go now. Whizz off

Gees Les Mara - not long out of jail i assume and be still on parole- Received a 20 year sentence for cocaine importing back in 2005 or so with a non parole period of 13 years I recall.

Your on the mark King.
Believe it or not but he was on our table today we actually picked him up at Lilyfield to take him. The company I work for know him personally, I spoke to him briefly about his stint.
Spoke to him about his days at the Tigers he spoke about Greg Oliphant & Greg Cox, I didnt realise till he told me that he ended his career at Newtown, he's such a knock about.

[Jacks Fur Coat]

I attended Chris Lawrence's Testimonial lunch today at Le Montage & I got to say that Chris Lawrence is a true champion the NRL was so lucky to have him play in it for 14 years. He truly is in the same mold as Brett & Josh Morris.
Born & bred out near Camden & comes from a great family & attended St Gregory's College same school & area that Robbo grew up in, his tribute speech about what the game of Rugby League has given him & his over coming of injuries was just so moving you could see alot of people wiping tears from their eyes. The sacrifices & pain these guys go through for us to be entertained is UNBELIEVABLE, he had a terrible training accident whilst the Tigers were in NZ & was bleeding profusely from his head & nose but that day in NZ the Ambulance service was on strike & he was actually taking on so much blood through his mouth from the injuries to his head & nose that he nearly died.
I spoke to Gary Freeman & told him he was unreal at the Chooks, others that were there were Benny Elias, Blocker, Robbie Farah, Tim Moltzen, Beau Ryan, John Morris, Garry Jack, Les Mara & a bunch of very pretty ladies.
I know most of you couldn't care less but it would be so good for the game & for the diehard Wests Tigers fans if the Tigers could firstly make the top 8 & then possibly the top 4. A lot of those old Tigers supporters remind me of my pop who was brought up in Paddington in the late 1880's early 1900's, rough around the edges but gems of people. I love the game of Rugby League & all the characters it brings.
Easts to win.

Good stuff mate. Hearing you speak about Chris Lawrence and what the game means to him and the sacrifices he made hits home. It's why I rail against criticism of those who play the game esp at the top level for our club. It's a tough school out there.

[Batemans Bay Rooster]

Nice post. Lawrence was a champion for the tigers. I remember reading when he had that facial injury how traumatized his young daughter was when she saw him after it. Reminiscent of Aubo for us. Never shirking the task, always very much a team man. I bet they'd love to have someone of his ability and character in their side now.

[Thirteen]

Great thread Mickie. Glad you enjoyed your day.

[Rooster_6]

Yeh Lawrence deserved a lot more love for his time at the Tigers, unfortunately playing for an unsuccessful club meant he had plenty of detractors and critics during his playing time there internally amongst the supporter base.

The similarities between he and Aubo are many, I’m always glad Aubo went out when we were on top as the legend he did and got the plaudits he deserved.

[Roosterfarian]

Glad you enjoyed the night Mickie mun.

Wasn’t he a chooks supporter as a kid?

[Paddo Colt 61]

Two great old clubs. "Sons of Noel Kelly" is an interesting fan site which gives prominence to past glory (not that there was all that much) and days when Ashfield was Wests heartland bordering Balmain. Also lots of references to great junior clubs like Enfield Federals who supported Federation back in the day when some other clubs called themselves "Royals" - go figure for a working class sport but there has always been lickspittle around.
Agree with you Mick on Garry Freeman who turned Easts around when he arrived. One of the club's most wholehearted imports.

If I may, this is also League unrelated but today is a tragic day - Julian Assange (the most courageous Australian I can think of) is to be deported to The Evil Empire and if anyone doubts that epithet, just take another look at that US gunship murder of innocents in Iraq that Assange exposed - not just that but all of the truth telling that Wikileaks engaged in and which shone a true light on the mendacity of all involved in US hegemony including us. We, all of us, must protest in the strongest terms to our cowardly leaders (and I include the ALP which has also been disgraceful throughout the entire episode). It's a quick google to find the contact for your local federal member. Assange is a modern Australian hero and those liars, apologists, racists, spineless careerists and killers should not be allowed to destroy him.

[Jacks Fur Coat]

Mods....would you consider deleting the above post? Getting way too political and coercive for a footy forum.

[The Brain]

we almost signed him,,, dropped him at the last minute.

[Thirteen]

Mods....would you consider deleting the above post? Getting way too political and coercive for a footy forum.

Mods would you consider deleting the poster too?

[Jacks Fur Coat]

Mods would you consider deleting the poster too?

Haha...if only. Can only assume the mad old buzzard has incriminating pics.

[Paddo Colt 61]

Mick began with "not chooks related" which I'd suggest gave some licence for my Chooks unrelated. Unrelated but crucially important for press freedom, holding to account and all that - principles dear to ol' Jaxie and 13 going on past opinions. When Barnaby the Beet rooter fulminates against Assange's arraignment something must be wrong boyz. Hopefully now you will get on that keyboard and protest to your local member. He's Ostrayan FGS, a citizen of the land you both love.