Tommy Anderson

Tommy Anderson had a career that was full of amazing achievements in a very short period of time, before a clash with the great Dally Messenger seemingly ended it.

Born in Sydney in 1887, the only son of Thomas and Mary, Tommy Anderson was one of the few players to line up for the league despite being just 20 years old and having yet to make his name in Rugby Union.

He had been performing admirably in Rugby Union lower grades, while also excelling as a wrestler in his teenage years. A bulldozing and speedy winger, who had a great ability for ‘bumping’ defenders heavily as he ran with the ball, earning him a reputation as being one of the hardest players to stop when running at top speed.

He played in South Sydney’s first premiership game of Round 1, 1908, recording the first try and points scored for the South Sydney club, when he crossed for a try late in the first half against Norths. His form was brilliant from that opening clash, earning him a place in the Australian side for the third test against New Zealand. Anderson scored a try in the first Test win by Australia. Anderson again created another first when he scored the first try for NSW against QLD. He went on to score 4 tries in his state debut, which saw the Blues record a 43-0 drubbing of the Maroons.

It came as no surprise when he was named in the Kangaroo squad to travel to England. Unfortunately, he was barely used on the lengthy tour, playing in just 5 minor games, while also being unable to retain his place in the Test side.

In 1909 after returning home from the tour, Anderson played in 7 games for Souths and scored an impressive 11 tries, topping the try scorer list for the competition. He scored two tries in a spiteful semi-final clash against Newcastle, helping Souths to reach their second final in 2 years. After missing the 1908 final win due to the Kangaroo tour, Anderson would’ve been keen to play in the 1909 final. However a protest by the Balmain club saw them forfeit the game and deny Anderson of a second final appearance.

His try scorer proficiency was diminished in 1910, however his ability wasn’t. The competition was much stronger thanks to an influx of Rugby Union players joining the League.

In Round 12, 1910 the career of Tommy Anderson seemingly came to an end, despite him playing a handful games after. Souths came up against Easts who were led by the impeccable Dally Messenger. They decided to target Dally with a constant barrage of heavy clashes courtesy of the best and heaviest ‘bumper’ in the game, Tommy Anderson. Using his size and speed to great advantage, Anderson targeted Messenger all game, regularly hitting him with heavy impacts, however Messenger seemed unfazed by it all, seemingly as he was so used to such treatment every time he played. By the end of the game, Messenger was quite nonchalant about the attention he received, while Anderson was reportedly shaken. It’s unsure if this was due to injury, or the fact that he failed to put Messenger off his game, despite dishing out his heaviest punishment to a player.

Many players and spectators alike believe this match ended Anderson’s promising career, as he played with less skill and fervour afterwards. He finished the season with Souths, finally getting to play in a final, however the game ended in a tryless 4 all draw against Newtown. Newtown were awarded the Premiership as they finished higher on the ladder.

Anderson linked with Balmain for 2 games in 1911, struggling to earn a place in their first grade side who were so poor that they finished the season in last place.

After taking the 1912 season off, he moved to Newtown and played in their opening game of the 1913 season, ironically against Easts, whose side sported Dally Messenger’s brother, Wally Messenger, in the centres. This was Anderson’s last game in the top grade. He was named as an emergency reserve for the next 4 games by Newtown, but didn’t play in any of them. A career that started like a wildfire had petered out quietly to its end just a few short years later.

Anderson joined the army in late August 1915, however his ill-discipline saw him draw the ire of the military on several occasions. He then suffered from a series of knee and foot injuries, some of which were from his footballing days.

First he suffered from a septic foot. Two months later he injured his knee in an accident while serving at Hill 60 in Ypres. After getting his knee repaired somewhat he then suffered a few bouts of venereal disease. He then went absent for several weeks before returning with septic dermatitis.

Another accidental knee injury saw him back in hospital for a lengthy period before he was discharged in August 1918.

His health conditions hampered his athletic ability upon returning to Australia, rendering his career over. Eventually he succumbed to his deteriorating health, falling ill in 1928, he died aged just 41 at the Randwick Military hospital.