Eric Cain

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Eric Cain
Buddy Cain.jpg
Personal information
Born2 March 1954
Coonabarabran
Died24 April 1984
Coonabarabran
Playing information
Position Wing
Club
YearsTeamPldTGFGP
1972 South Sydney 11003
1978–79 Western Suburbs 3690027
Total37100030
Source: [1]
As of 4 January 2023

Eric "Buddy" Cain (1954-1984) was an Australian former professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1970s. He played for Western Suburbs and South Sydney in the NSWRL competition. He was described as an "exciting, yet erratic" player. [2]

Playing career

Cain played his junior rugby league for Zetland in the South Sydney district. He made his first grade debut for South Sydney in round 22 of the 1972 NSWRFL season, the last before the semi-finals. With Souths losing 5 players to the flu, including Bob McCarthy and Denis Pittard, Cain was called upon to play fullback, scoring a try in the 39-22 loss to Wests. [3] Cain made 41 appearances for South Sydney across all grades in his time at the club, but never played first grade with them again.

Six years later, Cain signed for Western Suburbs in 1978. Cain started at fullback before moving to the wing to accommodate John Dorahy. In round 19, he gained attention for a try against Parramatta. Coach Roy Masters said, "Buddy evaded Mick's cover defence and waved him goodbye as he slowed down before scoring a try. When I remonstrated with Buddy for his mocking the venerated Cronin, he argued he was entitled to exuberance." [4]

Cain played 22 games throughout the 1978 NSWRFL season as the club claimed the Minor Premiership. He also played for Wests in the major semi-final loss against Cronulla and the preliminary final defeat to Manly. The following season, Cain played 14 games for Western Suburbs as they again reached the finals. Cain played in their elimination final loss to Canterbury. This would also be Cain's final game in the top grade. [5] [6] [7]

He was said to have died while training after leaving Wests. [2]

References

  1. ↑ "Eric Cain - Career Stats & Summary - Rugby League Project". www.rugbyleagueproject.org. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  2. 1 2 Gary Lester (1995). Clouds of Dust, Buckets of Blood. Playright Publishing. p. 221. ISBN   9780949853523.
  3. ↑ "Souths Missing Players". The Rugby League News . 24 August 1972.
  4. ↑ Roy Masters. "Only coaches can effectively encourage players to ditch the disrespect". Jimboomba Times.
  5. ↑ Alan Whiticker/Glen Hudson: The Encyclopedia of Rugby League Players. (1995 edition) ISBN   1875169571
  6. ↑ "Western Suburbs first grade players". www.westsmagpies.com.au.
  7. ↑ "South Sydney Rabbitohs Rugby League Player Report - Eric Cain". www.ssralmanac.com.


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