Just a few notes and highlights on the career of Johnny “Monkey” Mayes, to the best of our knowledge.
Bondi United Junior.
Eastern Suburbs 1968 – 1972; Player No #586.
1967 – Graded at Eastern Suburbs.
1968 – First Grade debut Eastern Suburbs.
Manly Warringah, 1973; Player No #220
Scores 4 trys v. Penrith in Round 19,
16 trys for season.
1973 – Manly Warringah, Premiership winner.
1973 – Rugby League Week Player of the Year.
* 24 games.
Eastern Suburbs 1974 – 1977; Player No #586.
1974 and 1975 Premiership Winner.
1975 – Competitions Leading Try Scorer with 16.
1976 – Played against St Helen’s at the S.C.G in a World Cup Challenge match
*211 Grade games, 110 games in First Grade.
* 55 Trys
2025 – Awarded Life Membership.
Representative Career.
City Second’s 1973.
City Second’s 1975.
1975 Selected in Australia’s World Cup Squad. Playing in the 24–8 win over New Zealand at Carlaw Park in Auckland and the 18–6 win over Wales at the St Helens Ground in Swansea. His final game for Australia came in a 16–13 loss to England at Central Park in Wigan.
North Newcastle 1978 – 1980
*Special mention from the outset must be made to our Club Officials in late 1977, Brian Gibson, Peter Anderson, Jimmy Price and the supporters club (and anyone else who I may have mistakenly overlooked) on their foresight in bringing John to our Club.
1978 – North Newcastle Captain. Playing under Non-Playing Coach Garry Leo.
1978 – Newcastle Representative. 5 games, including Captaining Newcastle v. New Zealand at the No 1 Sport Ground.
1979 – North Newcastle Captain/Coach, winning the Premiership against Cessnock.
1980 – North Newcastle Non-Playing Coach.
1980 – Secretary Manager of North Newcastle Leagues Club at Tighes Hill.
* 48 games First Grade Games.
*Named in the Bluebags Team Of The Century.
Lakes United 1982- 1983
1982 – Lakes United Non-Playing Coach
1983 – Lakes United Non-Playing Coach
*Relocates to Evans Head.
I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of everyone here at the North Bluebags to pay tribute to John for his kindness and friendship.
For all of John’s achievements, (which are many) he would have to be the humblest man. Just by attending a Bluebags Function/Reunion you would see all and sundry gravitate towards him. To say John was loved, admired and highly respected here at the North Newcastle Bluebags would be a massive understatement.
John will always be remembered as our last great leader, culminating in leading us to our 15th title in 1979, a record for that time, which was eventually surpassed years later by the Western Suburbs Club.
On a personal note, I would like to acknowledge Johnny’s mateship and kindness towards my father Charlie Woolston (Chasa), for many years, right up and until his passing.
I remember walking with John and my father as a young bloke across Moore Park, and into the SCG for the 1980 Canterbury vs Eastern Suburbs Grand Final, knowing full well that Johnny was a big player and had won 3 premierships not that far back, right across the road on that hallowed turf. I also remember a conversation as we walked, with John saying to me about his love of the Eastern Suburbs Club and the supporters in the “Turner Grandstand” at the old Sydney Sports Ground.
Vale Johnny Mayes, who will live long in the hearts of all here at the Bluebags, a leader, a mentor and a fantastic mate to all.
Our Condolences go out to Margaret, Bradley, Adam, Glen, Marnie and all their respective families, and to all his former teammates and friends at all clubs.
Regards Matt W.
