On this day in 1963, promising local junior Bob McCarthy begins an illustrious career in the first match of the season, as part of the Souths team that loses 19-9 to Canterbury at Belmore Sports Ground.
McCarthy will play all 18 games of the year and, before long, will be joined in the pack by a fiery forward from Kurri, John Sattler. Making his first appearances in reserve grade later in the season is a tall, lanky lock named Ron Coote.
