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In this podcast
PART A
3:31 – Welcome David Westley
4:10 – His upbringing in PNG
5:06 – His village growing up
8:13 - Finding out his Dad played league
10:10 - PNG genetics
12:30 - Leaving PNG for Australia
13:42 - Moving to Cairns in the 80’s
15:05 - Finding rugby league
16:05 - Losing his Father early in life
19:36 - Wally Lewis and shyness growing
21:00 - Playing in QLD rep teams with Sid Domic and Wendell Sailor
22:30 - Nearly signing for the Gold Coast instead of Canberra
24:12 - Tim Sheens and his eye for talent
24:49 - His first contract with Canberra
25:58 - The Raiders boarding house at Seiffert Oval
26:55 - Bruce Mamando
28:05 - Being coaches by Craig Bellamey in under 21’s
30:05 - His approach to the Raiders super stars
31:40 - Brutal training sessions between the front rowers (quote)
33:39 - Coming through the grades and preparing to play in first grade
34:50 - His run on debut against the Balmain Tigers
36:30 - 1993 the season that got away
37:10 - Motivation for 1994
38:00 - Who’s the fastest out of Mullins, Nadruku and Nagas?
38:15 - The excitement back in PNG
39:45 - Preparing for his first grand final
42:00 - Burying his sister with his grand final jersey
42:53 - His support system (quote)
44:02 - Involvement and love for Women’s rugby league
44:34 - Memories from the 94 grand final
45:45 - Concussions and head knocks
47:40 - Celebrating the GF win
48:45 - The pride of representing PNG
51:05 - How they signed with Super League
51:40 – Paul Osborne
52:33 – Being coached by Mal Meninga
53:38 – Who he learnt most from in coaching
54:35 – How the move to Parramatta eventuated
56:21 – His experience under Brian Smith
57:07 – Seeking a Father figure
59:35 – Knowing when he had to retire
1:00:45 – Finding his passion
1:01:21 – Coaching vs Playing
1:02:44 – Battles with mental health
1:05:04 – The passing of Quentin Pongia
1:06:42 – Life coaching with Tony Priddle
1:08:29 – The Grass Skirts Project
1:11:10 – The potential for a PNG NRL team
1:11:40 – 5 people he would invite to a private dinner party
PART B begins 1:18:00
DAVID WESTLEY
David Westley is a former professional rugby league player who played 143 first grade games for the Canberra Raiders, Parramatta Eels and Northern Eagles winning a premiership with the Raiders in 1994. David was born in PNG and represented his country of birth in 5 tests. Post footy he is the Head of Rugby League Sports and Social Impact at the Grass Skirts Project and is also well credentialed in coaching having coached the PNG National Women’s team and Strength and Conditioning for the PNG Kumals Men’s team.
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