Graeme Sams

Graeme Sams

Personal information
Full name	Graeme Donald Sams
Born	(1946-11-13)13 November 1946
Died	31 January 1999(1999-01-31) (aged 52) Sutherland, New South Wales
Playing information
Position	Centre, Second-row, Lock
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 1967–70 Cronulla Sharks 70 7 0 0 21 1971–74 St. George Dragons 69 10 0 0 30 1975–77 Cronulla Sharks 11 0 0 0 0 Total 150 17 0 0 51
Source: Whiticker/Hudson

Graeme Donald Sames (1946-1999) was an Australian rugby league footballer who played in the 1960s and 1970s. ^[1]

Career

A Sutherland Junior, Graeme Sams was graded with the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks in the club's foundation year in 1967. He started as a tenacious centre who went on to become a whole hearted lock forward for the Sharks. After four seasons, he was enticed to join St. George Dragons by Frank Facer and club coach Jack Gibson in 1971. Sams stayed with the Dragons for four seasons until a chronic knee injury stifled his career. He re-joined the Sharks in 1975 and battled away with injuries until his last year in 1977 when he featured in 11 first grade games. He announced his retirement at the end of the 1977 season, aged 31. ^[2]

Graeme 'Sambo' Sams was diagnosed with cancer in the late 1990s. ^[3]

Death

Graeme Sams died on 31 January 1999, age 52 ^[4]

References

1. Alan Whiticker/Glen Hudson: Encyclopedia of Rugby League Players, 1995. ISBN   1875169571
2. Rugby League Project https://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/players/graeme-sams/summary.html
3. The LEADER 24/1/1999 - "Former Dragon Shark Graeme Sams to be Reemembered 20 Years On" https://www.theleader.com.au/story/5868822/family-friends-to-remember-sams-20-years-on/
4. Sydney Morning Herald - Death notice 2/2/1999