VALE JOHN STEPHEN WALL
John passed away on 13th May after a long period in a local nursing home – he was aged 86.
In the fifties and sixties he was probably the best known Eastwood footballer. He was educated at Homebush Boys High, where he wasn’t considered good enough for the school First XV. Someone blundered there because on leaving school he only had one season with Eastwood Juniors before starting in grade football at lock in 1952 and then graduating to the front row where he tallied 227 games, finally retiring in 1966.
John represented NSW on four occasions and also Metropolitan, North Harbour, City Colts and Barbarians. He played for the Probables in trials to select the 1953 Wallabies to South Africa. At one stage he was Eastwood’s leading try scorer with 8 tries– in a set move he was given the ball from a 5 metre penalty and used his 110 kg weight (heavy in those days) to barge over.
Outside of football, John was an active member of the Bilgola Surf Club boat crew, where in 1955, they were Metropolitan Champions and 2nd in the Australian Championships.
John also enjoyed participating in the many country trips that the Club undertook in the fifties and sixties and he was vice captain of the Club team to New Zealand in 1962.
John served for many years on various Club committees, Licensed Club and VRG where his opinions were most valued.
Our sympathies are extended to John’s family.
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