Laurie Spina
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| Personal information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Laurie Spina | |
| Date of birth | 21 May 1963 | |
| Place of birth | Queensland, Australia | |
| Youth clubs | ||
| Years | Club | |
| Herbert River | ||
| Senior clubs* | ||
| Years | Club | Apps (points) |
| 1983 - 1984 1985 - 1989 1990 1995 |
 North Sydney Bears Sydney Roosters Cronulla Sharks North Queensland |
36 (48) 98 (76) 22 (20) 13 (4) |
|
* Professional club appearances and points |
||
Laurie Spina (born May 21, 1963) is an Australian former rugby league footballer.
Contents |
[edit] Early Career
Laurie Spina was continually a stand-out player during his junior years in the Herbert River local league competition. His commitment and consistency landed him his first Foley Shield match against previous year title holders, Mt Isa. From that day Laurie Spina never looked back, taking out man of the match honours on his debut. He continued to represent Herbert River and was even a squad member of the undefeated Herbert River team in 1982 and that very remarkable drawn Foley Shield final in Townsville against Townsville.
[edit] North Sydney Bears & Eastern Suburbs Roosters
After the unforgettable Foley Shield final, Sydney talent scouts pencilled his name down and in 1983, Laurie was playing in the New South Wales Rugby League premiership for the North Sydney Bears.
After two seasons with the North Sydney Bears, the halfback moved to the Eastern Suburbs club where he stayed until 1989, in his 5 years at the Roosters Spina played in 98 matches and scored 19 tries. In 1987 many judges thought Spina would wear the Maroon for Queensland in the State of Origin series after playing in the 'Queensland Country' team against the 'Queensland City ' in a much-publicised match at Lang Park when he played alongside Sam Backo, another Ingham product, but a young Ipswich player, Allan Langer took his chance.
[edit] Cronulla Sharks
After spending the 1990 season with Cronulla Sharks, the New South Wales club dropped into a period of poor form and financial troubles, but the appointment as coach of rugby league Immortal, Arthur Beetson, helping to turn on-field problems around. During this time Laurie moved back to his home North Queensland and once again played for Herbert River.
[edit] North Queensland Cowboys
His form stayed with him at Herbert River and when the North Queensland Cowboys entered the Australian Rugby League competition in 1995, Spina again played the game at the top level with the Townsville based newcomers. During the Cowboys debut season, Laurie Spina incredibly played the house down getting himself in line once more for another crack at State selection. Unfortunately for him selectors chose Papua New Guinea captain Adrian Lam.
Laurie now manages his canefarm in Macknade, 15km outside the rural town of Ingham, Queensland. Laurie plays an important role of managing young talent playing for the local Herbert River Junior Rugby League club. Laurie also has an annual U11 footy tournament named after him played at Dairy Farmers Stadium.
