Don Parish

Dubbo fullback first came to the Wests Club in 1957 where he began his career with district club Wentworthville before playing several lower grade games with the Magpies. Returning to Dubbo Parish represented Country and NSW in 1959 before being a non-playing reserve in the Test series against NZ. An excellent goal-kicker Parish toured with the 1959-60 Kangaroos and played in 12 matches (no Tests) and scored 55pts (7t, 17g). Returning to Wests he played in the 1961 and 1963 grand final losses to St George but failed to land a goal in either match. Parish made his Test debut on the 1961 NZ tour and was the leading point-scorer with 58pts (4t, 23g). In the 12-10 First Test loss in Auckland he had the distinction of becoming the first Australian fullback to score a try in a Test match. In 1962 he played in Australia's First Test loss to Great Britain, which was his last international match. After a long career Parish left the Magpies and captain-coached Wollongong Wests during 1968-70 (premiers in 1969) before returning to the Magpies as coach from 1972-76. His time with Wests can be viewed as a success (finalists in 1974 with Parish named 'Coach of the Year') but his two years with Penrith (1977-78) were unfulfilling.

Career Statistics

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