The MIghty Bears: History of the North Sydney RLFC

Reviewed by Sean Fagan of RL1908.com

Format: Video tape - six volume series - available now.
Format: DVD - progressively released from Nov. 2006.
Available from: North Sydney Leagues Club

Volume One: 1870-1960 (VIDEO NOW - DVD Nov. 2006!)
Volume Two: 1960-1970 (VIDEO NOW - DVD Nov. 2006!)
Volume Three: 1970-1980 (VIDEO NOW - DVD 2007!)
Volume Four: 1980-1985 (VIDEO NOW - DVD 2007!)
Volume Five: 1985-1990 (VIDEO NOW - DVD 2007!)
Volume Six: 1990-1999 (VIDEO NOW - DVD 2007!)

The North Sydney Bears have released all SIX Volumes of their video history series, The Mighty Bears.

The series provides an in-depth look at the history of the North Sydney rugby league club. The opening volume looks at the formation of the club in 1908 and the game's first steps on the northern side of the harbour, through interviews with historians, supporters, families of players, and some of the game's 'elder statesmen' including Frank Hyde.

Fred Orriell (who has recently celebrated his 100th birthday) provides some great recollections about Norths v Glebe and the Burge Brothers in 1913. He also talks of seeing poet Henry Lawson in North Sydney. Also included are interviews of men now passed-on, notably Harry 'Mick' Kadwell, Roy Thompson and a rare recording of Duncan Thompson.

Naturally, a highlight of the first volume is North Sydney's greatest triumphs, in the 1921 and '22 seasons where they won the premiership. The video looks at the players who comprised these teams, and what made 'The Shoremen' so great in this era.

The coming of the Harbour Bridge causes a large challenge to North Sydney club, built upon the working-class village community. However, many of their homes are bulldozed to make way for 'the monster'. The Depression too hits hard.

As the decades roll-by, the amount of film and video footage increases in the documentary. The huge crowd and some of the on-field action from the 1943 Grand Final is seen, as well as the personal recollections of players such as Hyde.

An unexpected surprise was the inlusion of some colour footage of club matches from the Sydney competition in the 1950s, with Bears games against St George, Manly and Eastern Suburbs. Volume One concludes at the end of the 1950s, with the arrival of Ken Irvine.

'The Mighty Bears' video series is (obviously) a must for all North Sydney fans. But anyone interested in the history of rugby league would be well-advised to get their hands on Volume One at least.

Volume Six - which covers from 1990 to 1999 - is a tremendous three hours of memories of Norths' best decade. Rather than dwell on the broken promises, split competitions, and the bad weather that ultimately brought down its place in the NRL, the video celebrates the most successful era of the Bears' history.

Featuring interviews with all the great North Sydney players of the 1990s, funny moments with Roy and HG Nelson ("Toooole"), action highlights, it is a great way to remember a great club.

“The Mighty Bears” has been produced by Richard Bradley.

Available from: North Sydney Leagues Club

MORE BOOK & DVD REVIEWS