George Hunter (rugby league)

George Hunter (1928–2009) was an Australian rugby league player of the 1940s, 50's and 60's, who also coached the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles first grade team. Hunter played in two New South Wales Rugby League First Grade Grand Finals as well as coaching Manly-Warringah in a Grand Final.

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Club career

Hunter began his rugby career playing as a junior player with the Abermain Reds Rugby League club. In 1945, he began his senior career with the Kurri Kurri Bulldogs. Over the next 15 years, Hunters career took him to several New South Wales Rugby League premiership teams. In 1959, he announced his retirement due to injuries suffered that year, but in 1960, North Sydney enticed him out of retirement for one last season to capitalize on his experience in their competition against cross-town rivals South Sydney.

Year Team Position
1945 Abermain Reds
1946 Kurri Kurri Bulldogs
1947 Yass United
1948 Kurri Kurri Bulldogs
1949 Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles Captain
1950 Warialda Captain-Coach
1951
1952
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
1953 Jindabayne Captain-Coach
1954
to
1959
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles Captain
1960 North Sydney Bears

Representative career

Hunter represented NSW Country v City in 1948. He represented NSW V Queensland in 1954 scoring a try in their 18-13 victory. Hunter also played for City against Country and for Possibles v Probables Kangaroo Tour selection games.

Coaching career

Hunter was captain-coach of Warialda Premiereship winning team in 1950, and of Jindabyne in 1953.

After retiring from playing, he went on to coach Manly-Warringah's third-grade team from 1965 to 1967 and then their first-grade team in 1968 and 1969, including their entry into the 1968 Grand Final.

References