Michael Speechley

[greg]

Interesting thread about Michael Speechley on the Eels forum. The article mentioned all his previous clubs except us. (He played U23 in 1982 if I'm correct).

 

[Jeffles]

Did they mention his junior clubs? Usually people's lower grade credentials can be overlooked.

Am I correct to say he played in the 1982 3rd Grade Grand Final?

 

[greg]

Correct you are Jeffles. We lost 7-6 to the Eels. It was called Under 23's back then. Beaten by the eels in 81 and then in 82, oh the pain.

 

[mightybears]

he played most of 1983 in first grade

the article mentions souths and not newtown, he played more first grade at newtown
bugger all at souths and made his name at cronulla

 

[Jeffles]

Well if he played 1st grade at Newtown it is an oversight to omit it.

 

[mightybears]

Well if he played 1st grade at Newtown it is an oversight to omit it.

i'd imagine its the "out of the nrl, out of mind" mentality of the media [and some RL supporters!].

the whiticker and hudson has:
Newtown 1983-16 games
Souths 84 to 85-8 games
Cronulla 86 to 92-120 games
Parra 93 to 95-33 games

ignoring lower grade and junior matches

and a damn good tackler n defender he was
combine him with chris walker and you'd have a champion!

 

[bluebag43]

Yeah Mighty Bears, it is the "out of the nrl, out of mind" mentality. But for once the smarta**es have done us a favour, as it is something we don't obviously want to be associated with. We already have our share of ex players that are colourful identities!

 

[girvie]

I remember collecting footy cards in 94 and they had a set of 10 year tributes and Michael Speechley had one which listed all the clubs he played for. It was probably the first time i had heard of Newtown.

Speechley played his last game in 95. Would he have been the last of Newtown's 1983 side to be playing in the top grade?

 

[bluebag43]

Yes, I believe he would have been the last of Newtown's 1983 side to be playing top grade. An interesting point about Michael was that he started his career with Newtown in 1982 after coming through the Newtown junior league and finished his career playing for Newtown in the Metro Cup in 1996. He was instrumental in us winning the Premiership that year, as he oftened played injured to help out Col and the Club.

 

[colcaseysheadband]

Michael Speechley most definitley played first grade for the Jets,apart from Graeme O'Grady,Col Casey and Tommy R,I could say he is my all time favourite rugby league player.

.In any discussion of League defenders ,I never fail to nominate him as the best tackler I have ever seen,there may have been more powerful and aggresive tacklers but none more consistent.

Was he any relation to the several speechleys who have played for newtown over the years?(Frank Speechley is one name that springs to mind)

 

[newtownbluebags]

Graeme O'Grady, Great player! He came over from Wests from memory? and finished with St George? Y/N

 

[newtownbluebags]

Is there a link to the speechly blurb on the eels forum?

 

[bluebag43]

I'm sure he is related to the Speechley's that have played for Newtown.

 

[mightybears]

Michael Speechley most definitley played first grade for the Jets,apart from Graeme O'Grady,Col Casey and Tommy R,I could say he is my all time favourite rugby league player.

.In any discussion of League defenders ,I never fail to nominate him as the best tackler I have ever seen,there may have been more powerful and aggresive tacklers but none more consistent.

Was he any relation to the several speechleys who have played for newtown over the years?(Frank Speechley is one name that springs to mind)

not sure if it was here or the norths forum, but in discussion about the frank hyde/43 gf and who is still alive jeffles? said frank speechley was and that he was the grandfather of michael

 

[mightybears]

I remember collecting footy cards in 94 and they had a set of 10 year tributes and Michael Speechley had one which listed all the clubs he played for. It was probably the first time i had heard of Newtown.

Speechley played his last game in 95. Would he have been the last of Newtown's 1983 side to be playing in the top grade?

i remember at the time a media article saying he was the last ex newtown first grader to give the game away in the sydney comp

 

[Jeffles]

He was the last of the ex Jets players to give it away in Sydney. And I think ET was the last player to play who had ever played while the Jets were in the comp.

Bluebag and Is poke to Frank Speechley at Henson Park one day this year. From memory I think he said they were related but it was a bit distant. Something less direct than grandparent.

 

[mightybears]

my mistake

 

[colcaseysheadband]

Graeme O'Grady, Great player! He came over from Wests from memory? and finished with St George? Y/N

Full marks NBB, GO'G came over from the magpies with Tommy in 1980.

 

[newtownbluebags]

Col I'm pretty sure Steve Blythe came across from Wests about this time as well.

 

[greg]

Spot on NBB, and he got a grand final guernsey in 81 because Steve BOWDEN was suspended for throwing a few harmless Liverpool Kisses at Mark Broadhurst.