Wests president Robert Downey issues passionate plea following the theft of his club’s Anzac Day jerseys

A Mackay club’s Anzac Day commemoration is in jeopardy following a theft with ‘no use’. Discover the details and read the president’s impassioned plea.

Wests Tigers Mackay 2024 Anzac Day jersey. 22 jerseys were stolen from the back of a coaches car. Picture: Supplied.

Wests Tigers Rugby League Club has been rocked by the theft of its Anzac Day jerseys just two weeks out from Rugby League Mackay and District’s commemorative round.

The jerseys were stolen from the back of a coach’s car which was parked at the Mackay Turf Club on Friday night.

Wests president Downey said the club was left “devastated” by the robbery, and issued and impassioned plea to the thieves to return the jerseys.

The car had been left at the Turf Club after Wests players and officials spent the day at the races for the Craig Menkins Memorial Day. Menkins was a Wests legend who historically coached the club to its first premiership in 36 years, and tragically died last year following a battle with brain cancer.

“We’d just got the jerseys, they looked awesome, they’re very distinctive they have a poppy-shaped V and they say lest we forget,” said Downey.

“(The thieves have) broken a window in the back of a car, the car was parked there overnight … he was doing the right thing not driving, and at some stage after the races they’ve come in broken the back window and grabbed them out.

“We’ve had a bit of a look around the area to see if they’ve been dumped, we just want the jerseys back, if whoever’s taken them can leave them somewhere public.

“We’re unlikely to get (another) set of jerseys made in the short time and Anzac Day is very big for our club.

Wests football committee member John Edwards is the president of the Marian RSL sub-branch, and player Andrew Dunkley is a veteran.

A design of Wests Tigers Mackay 2024 Anzac Day jersey. Picture: Supplied.

“We’re devastated, we just want the jerseys back and we don’t care about everything else,” said Downey.

The jerseys were in a bag when they were taken and Downey believes the thieves probably thought they were stealing tools.

“You’re never going to be able to wear the jersey, its so distinctive, you can’t sell them, there’s no use,” he said.

“It’s just caused a drama and they’re not going to gain anything out of it.”

The club had spent more than $1700 on the jerseys and was going to donate one to the RSL and auction after Anzac Day to raise money to support veterans. It’s unlikely another set of jerseys can be made in time for Wests Anzac Day match against Souths.

“It’s not only the club but it hurts a number of people,” said Downey.

“Our guys will still be out there at Walkerston doing the dawn march, it’s not gonna turn anyone off doing that but it’s just left a sour taste in everyone’s mouth.

“Rugby league’s a good outlet for youth to be around positive people and see people doing the right thing and get help if they need help, that’s what really upsets me about it, the club does so much for so many people.”

Downey’s message to the thieves was to simply return the jerseys, and he also extended an olive branch of support.

“If you’re doing it tough or whatever come down to the club and we’ll help you, if you need help we’ll help,” he said.

Downey also praised the greater Mackay community for its support, and said about 200 people lamented to him “how bad it was” at the Wests game on Sunday.

A Queensland Police Services spokeswoman confirmed police are investigating reports a car was allegedly broken into and had property stolen at a Peak Downs Highway, Ooralea address on April 12.

“Investigations are ongoing,” she said.