Harry Finch

For those of a similar name, see Harry Finch (cricketer), Harold Finch, and Henry Finch (disambiguation).
Harry Finch
Personal information
Full name Harry Alfred Finch
Born 1907
Newtown, New South Wales
Died 23 May 1949
Pagewood, New South Wales
Playing information
Position Winger
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1925–26 Easts 16 3 1 0 11
1927–34 South Sydney 62 38 0 0 114
Total 78 41 1 0 125
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1929–29 New South Wales 9 2 0 6 6
1929–30 Australia 0 0 0 0 0

Harry Alfred Finch (1907–1949) was a rugby league player in Australia's leading competition - the New South Wales Rugby Football League premiership in the 1920s and 1930s. Finch was also an Australian international who played for both the Eastern Suburbs and South Sydney clubs.

Career

Born Sydney, Australia, Harry Finch, a winger, made his first grade debut with Eastern Suburbs in the year 1925 as an 18 year old. He played 16 matches with Easts’ in the years (1925-6). In his second year at the club Finch, was selected to make his state debut for the New South Wales rugby league team in the interstate series against Queensland.

The following season, 1927, Harry Finch transferred to the South Sydney club where he played 62 matches in the years (1927–30) and(1933–34). Said to be an outstanding winger, Finch was a member of Souths' premiership winning teams in 1927 & 1928. Harry Finch made his Australian debut after being selected for the 1929–30 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain. He is listed on the Australian Players Register as Kangaroo No. 157.[1] On the tour Harry Finch didn't play in a Test but did represent Australia in 10 of the minor matches.

After retiring from Sydney football, Finch successfully captain-coached Cessnock to a premiership. He died suddenly at his home in Pagewood, New South Wales on 23 May 1949, aged only 42.[2]

Harry Finch is recognised as Eastern Suburbs 151st player.

References

  1. ↑ ARL Annual Report 2005.
  2. ↑ Sydney Morning Herald- death notice - 24/05/1949