Gary Spears

Last updated

Gary Spears
Personal information
Full nameGary Spears
Born (1957-07-25) 25 July 1957 (age 65)
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Playing information
Position Lock, Second-row
Club
YearsTeamPldTGFGP
1977–82 Balmain 712006
1983–86 Canberra Raiders 442008
Total11540014
Source: [1]
As of 17 May 2019

Gary Spears is an Australian former rugby league footballer who played in the 1970s and 1980s. He played for Balmain and the Canberra Raiders in the New South Wales Rugby League (NSWRL) competition.

Playing career

Spears made his first grade debut for Balmain in Round 2 1977 against South Sydney at Redfern Oval. In the same year, Balmain reached the finals after finishing 4th. Spears played in the club's minor semi final victory over Manly-Warringah but did not play in semi final defeat against Eastern Suburbs.

Spears played with Balmain up until the end of 1982 with not much success as the club finished last with the wooden spoon in 1981 although they did reach the final of the Tooth Cup against Parramatta in 1980.

In 1983, Spears joined newly admitted Canberra who joined the premiership a year prior. Spears became a regular in the Canberra side over the next 4 seasons but the club missed out on playing in the finals in each year he was there. Spears retired at the end of the 1986 season. The following year, Canberra would reach their first grand final against Manly. [2] [3] [4] [5]

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References

  1. ↑ "Gary Spears - Career Stats & Summary - Rugby League Project". www.rugbyleagueproject.org. Retrieved 17 May 2019.
  2. ↑ "All time first grade player list". Canberra Raiders.
  3. ↑ Alan Whiticker/Glen Hudson: The Encyclopedia of Rugby League Players. (1995 edition) ISBN   1875169571
  4. ↑ "Tuesday Night Footy". South Sydney Rabbitohs.
  5. ↑ "Canberra Raiders debutants embrace history". Sydney Morning Herald.
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