I happen to live 2 doors down from the Stone family and they have been treasured friends of my family and all those on our street since we have known them. Growing up with Robert Stone's children as a youngster, I would often find myself at their house having Robert throw me into his pool in a humorous attempt to teach me to swim. We all have very fond memories of Robert in our street in Yarrawarrah. He was a kind compassionate man who looked out for the other neighbours. As I look out my front window now I see a parade of cars coming to pay their respects to Robert, which gives a good indication of the great effect that he had on people. We are all very saddened by the news.
I visited the Stone family with my mother last night to offer our best wishes. His wife Anne and family by his side. He looked very peaceful and Anne jokingly remarked that she expected him to jump up at any momment and yell "Sucked in, I had you going didn't I?"
For he was a strong man with a big heart.
- RobertSz - 2 August 2005

And whilst the 1977 GF replay is an obvious standout, I'll try my best to descibe what I thought was his best home and away game, which was at the back end of his career.

Last Round 1983. Saints were nowhere midway through the year with a big injury toll. But they rattled home to win their last 7 or so home and away games straight.

In this last Round they played eventual premiers Parramatta at Kogarah. The house full sign went up about an hour before kickoff, such was the magnitude of the occassion. Saints had to win against Parra who were running second. They were 2 points out of the top 5, with Easts holding fifth spot. Easts had to be beaten by Souths, and Saints had to win for there to be a playoff for fifth the following Tuesday night. No for and against differential separating fifth back then.

Saints came out pumped from the outset and absolutely smashed Parra all over the park. They were ably led by two oldhand ex backrowers playing prop, Robert Stone and John Jansen. Craig Young had a season ending injury many weeks prior, and Stoney had basically taken on his role of leading from the front - with great success.

In this game Parra had two big older forwards in Geoff Bugden and Stan Jurd, and a great young in form prop called Paul Mares who had been cutting them up for weeks. Every time he got the ball early he was smashed by Stoney. And if Stoney didn't get there in time he'd make sure he got there late - even real late. He gave away a few penalties - but what the heck. The result? Let's just say that all three went missing a bit. They were given a real forwards lesson and Saints won the up front battle thanks to Stoney, JJ and Chris Walsh.

But better still midway through the second half, Saints were up 20-2 and whilst comfortable, the crowd knew one more try and it was over. Stoney went into dummy half about 10m out pushing away Johnny Dowling, took a scoot with the ball, threw a giant dummy that fooled David Liddiard and Steve Sharp, straightened up and plowed over the line carrying two defenders. The crowd went mad with about 10 or so jumping the fence and running onto the field trying to embrace Stoney, who in turn was being embraced by teammates. Game over. Just as a sidelight Johnny Dowling gave the Parra players the 2 fingered salute as they were gathered behind the tryline.

By this time word had got around the ground that Souths were giving Easts an absolute bath, so it was party time on the hill with everyone buzzing. Fulltime and the crowd couldn't contain themselves, with what seemed like thousands of fans charging onto the ground to embrace the Saints players. I can clearly recall the Parra players and referee running for their lives. Some of the Saints players did the same, but the forwards just hung around savouring the win with the fans. Stoney was in there somewhere.

A great day indeed, and history shows Saints went on to beat Easts on the Tuesday night, and then backed up the following Saturday to knock Balmain out of the semis. Three massive wins in the course of six days - and they reckon they do it tough these days. Unluckily knocked out the following week 24-22 by Canterbury with plenty of dubious refereeing decisions thrown in - a sign of things to come.

That 1983 team laid the platform for the great 1984/1985 sides who both should have won comps. And that platform was laid by Stoney and co.
- SmithtownSaint - 2 August 2005

I have little doubt what will be on the players minds before the game tomorrow night, the black arm bands on for Stoney. There will be real emotion for this one.
- Ribs - 4 August 2005

A few days later, a large basket filled with Saints gear lobs at the doctors office with a note attached saying that it was for the little boy from the waiting room a few days before.

PURE CLASS.
- Dragons-Is-Their-Brand - 2 August 2005

It was explained, when Robert got sick, this is what Stoney and his famiy said out loud every night. I don't think you have to be religious to get something out of it. Thanks to RobertSZ at leagueunlimited.com for the transcription.

A prayer for today
Everyday we need you, Lord, but this day specially. We need some extra strength to face whatever is to be. This day more than any day we need to feel you near, to fortify our courage and to overcome our fear. By ourselves we cannot meet the challenge of the hour. There are times when human creatures need a higher Power - to help them bear what must be borne And so dear Lord, we pray - hold on to our trembling hands and be with us today.
- Rex C Hunt - 9 August 2005

So when my parents transferred me to Bald Face Primary School in 1982 I was ecstatic to find that my new Year 4 teacher was none other than Robert Stone. Having recently been part of the first NSW Origin team, Stoney’s reputation, as far as a ten year old was concerned, was that of a very big, tough dude. I wasn’t a huge ten year old either.

Suddenly my attention to school changed and for the first time in my life I actually looked forward to it. By the end of that year, I topped the class easily (sadly it was all down hill for my grades after that, and from ten, that’s a long fall). Anyway, Mr Stone’s reputation and superstar status wasn’t the only reason he was able to get the best out of kids. He had one of those enormous wooden chalkboard triangles that he called The Bermuda Triangle. Now the real Bermuda Triangle’s mystery wasn’t quite as scary as the wooden version for the sole reason that when you misbehaved, it came down on your fingers. Of course he didn’t do this hard, no damage was ever done to any fingers but the sight of Robert Stone and a big chunk of wood towering over you was enough to make you sit down and listen quietly. Except one kid. There is always one kid.

This kid was a Roosters supporter and an obnoxious little bastard too, much like me the year before I met Robert Stone. If Saints lost, we knew to shut up. Dad told me so. But this kid’s dad didn’t tell him so he always piped up and reminded Mr Stone that Saints lost. Talking in class meant the Bermuda Triangle. We got of lot of laughs that year.

The other reason why we, to the most part, behaved was our Physical Education sessions. We had two buildings with grass between the two and our way to get fit was to run between them before Mr Stone knocked us flying with a half inflated volleyball. That Roosters kid should have shut the hell up, honestly. Bang. The best bit was as soon as you were flogged you helped him flog the others. Awesome.

I did feel the wrath of the Bermuda Triangle once for something or other I did and of course I figured I was harshly done by, given my grades. I shouldn’t have been victim so I joined forces with the Roosters kid. They played the Roosters at Kogarah that week and I borrowed his jumper for the team’s entrance to the ground. I reached over the fence and yelled “GO THE ROOSTERS!” He saw it, shook his head and went and did his thing. I had to work hard that following week and the volleyball wasn’t kind to me.

Now my dad was never going to get through the year without a chat to my teacher about just how my grades were going (yeah sure) and along comes Parent Teacher Night. Imagine it, I’m stoked anyway because why the hell not, he’s a Saints player and I’m out after dark. But dad was pumped. He had a few things he wanted to say about how Saints were traveling that year and bugger it, given the chance so would I (Rylesy, it’s a 10, not a 7). So we go to Parent Teacher Night and it’s a raging success. I’m killing it at school so that part of the conversation lasted about 30 seconds. Then it was: “Stoney, it’s a 10, not a 7”. Kidding, he never said that and to be honest I can’t remember what was said. But Saints lost the next week so whatever it was didn’t work.

It was a shame I didn’t suck at school and repeat Year 4 because that was the only year I ever had as far as enjoying school was concerned. Robert Stone, amongst his talents at keeping us all quiet, was a sensational teacher and a gentle giant. He had my respect as a ten year old kid but gained so much more over the years that followed. To me, Robert Stone will always be a true legend and I admit to shedding more than a few tears at his tragic loss. RIP Stoney.

Ribs - 26 March 2008
(Forum Sevens artcle - link)