Macquarie Kookaburras – Celebrating the ’98,’99 & ’00 Premierships, 25 years on

Nearly a quarter of a century ago, organisers were franticly putting the finishing touches on venues all around Sydney, and attempting to get the trains to stay on the tracks, in readiness for what would eventually be the best Olympics ever.  At an unrelated venue in north-western Sydney, the then Macquarie University Kookaburras were putting the finishing touches on what would eventually be a third premiership in a row in the Sydney Football Association.

This week at that same venue, the Club will celebrate those flags with a special Three-Peat Premiership Reunion.

“The Kookas” hadn’t managed any substantial success since their inception in 1969.  There had been some individual glory, but it wasn’t until the arrival of Mick Cockerton as coach in 1998 that things changed, and changed rapidly.  Made up of a mixture of local boys, tough-as-nails Navy recruits and ex-pats from other states, Cockerton molded his team into a premiership threat straight away.  They didn’t have it all their own way though.  Losing the second-semi final to Sydney Uni, and having to beat Manly (who’d won 2 of the last 4 flags) in the prelim to get another crack at the “Students” They went on to take the premiership in emphatic style by 62 points.

The next season, a few players moved on, and a few moved in and like the year before, it was the long road to glory.  First, losing the qualifying final, and then defeating UNSW in the first semi-final and beating Manly again in the prelim.  After trailing at halftime in the decider, a typically “spirited” speech by the coach launched the boys into action.  The Kookas came from behind, booting 7 goals to 3 in the second half to once again prevail over the Sydney Uni.

In 2000, with 11 changes to the 1999 champions, the Kookas were up against it.  The finals were played at Sydney Uni, having previously been at Holroyd, and after losing the second semi had to go the long way for the third year running, facing off against Holroyd-Blacktown in a bruising prelim final.  The Grand Final was close all day, with the Kookas inaccuracy keeping the Students in it.  When the “home team” hit the front in the last quarter it seemed as though a combination of Sydney Uni’s week off, and the Kookas tough road might just be a bit much.  Never count out a champion though.  Perhaps it was the omen of wearing green and gold in the home of the Olympics, or the rewards of Cockerton’s tough training regime, but the Kookas got off the mat, hit the front and claimed an historic third consecutive premiership.

Many of those same players, including all three of the premiership captains, Patrick Sim, Peter Conduit and Donald Ollington will come from far and wide again this week to relive and no doubt embellish their heroics at the reunion.  Those that still have hair have gone a bit greyer and are a bit slower off the mark, but 25 years later it’s proof of the permanent bond that winning one, let alone three flags can create.

All that’s left to do now is cheer the current crop to victory and everyone will “join in the chorus”.

1998 Macquarie University Premiership Team		1999 Macquarie University Premiership Team		2000 Macquarie University Premiership Team