IT MIGHT have been 35 years ago but Sydney Roosters players will this weekend know each and every name of the famous 1975 Eastern Suburbs premiership-winning side. Showing a sentimental and traditional side, Roosters management has commissioned a special jumper for Sunday's blockbuster against St George Illawarra at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The jersey is a replica of that worn by the Jack Gibson-coached team that famously beat the Dragons 38-0 in the 1975 grand final, also at the SCG.
The old Roosters emblem will be back and the name of each member of the 1975 grand final side emblazoned on the sleeve.
All the legends are there - Arthur Beetson, Ian Schubert, Bruce Pickett, John Brass, John Rheinberger, Bill Mullins, John Peard, John Mayes, Kevin Stevens, Ian Mackay, Elwyn Walters, Grant Hedger, Ron Coote, Barry Reilly, Des O'Reilly and coach Gibson.
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Roosters forwards Jared Waerea-Hargreaves and Frank Paul Nuuausala were at the SCG yesterday to speak about the club's history and what they knew about the 1975 grand final.
"It is sensational coming to the SCG," Waerea-Hargreaves said. "There is a lot of history.
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"When you see all the big cricket names on the boards in the Members Stand, it gives you a real buzz. I saw all those names when I was warming up here once for the Manly under-20s.
"I don't know too much about the club's history but people often tell me that the 1975 Easts side was one of the greatest teams ever.
"I know they wore the Roosters jumper with great pride. I didn't follow rugby league growing up [in New Zealand] but when people at the club talk about its great history, the '75 side always comes up.
"They tell me how much admiration the players had for the Easts jumper."
Waerea-Hargreaves was not named in the Roosters side last night but is still expected to play if he overcomes a hip injury.
Nuuausala is also New Zealand-born but has learnt about Gibson's wonderful side.
"There is a lot of history at this club and it will be a dream to play at the SCG," Nuuausala said. "You always hear about the 1975 side, Artie Beetson and the white boots [infamously worn by Saints fullback Graeme Langlands]."
Asked how he would feel running out in front of 40,000 fans, Nuuausala said: "It will give me goosebumps. I know there will be a lot of Roosters fans out there. They could make the difference in the end."
The match will pit one versus two on the competition ladder.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...earts-on-sleeves/story-e6frexnr-1225900831008
