Ron 'Solid' Coote

It was ironic that the career of the code's finest lock, Johnny Raper, would be immediately succeeded by another that would threaten his crown as ‘Prince of Locks’ – Souths’ legend Ron Coote. A Kensington junior, Coote’s tall, long-legged frame showcased his great running style complemented by devastating cover defense. Although Coote's early rep career was restricted because of Raper he did make his NSW debut in 1965, the year Souths made the grand final. Coote was a key member of the champion Souths teams that won grand finals in 1967-68 & 1970-71 – a run punctuated by the shock loss to Balmain in 1969 - and his stature as a Test star grew during this period. He toured with the 1967-68 Kangaroos, playing in two Tests against Great Britain (the first as lock and then as a second rower) and all three Tests against France. After playing in the 1968 World Cup and touring NZ, Coote’s career highlight came after the three-Test series against Great Britain in 1970. Injuries to Graeme Langlands and John Sattler saw Coote named captain of Australia’s World Cup team that ultimately won a brutal final against Great Britain at Leeds. Coote sat out the early part of the 1971 season because of a contractual dispute and it was no surprise to see him move to Easts, where his father Jack had played in the 1930s, the following year. Returning from a broken arm injury, he captained the Roosters in the 1972 grand final loss to Manly. Coote chose to stand down from rep football for three seasons (1971-73) but premiership success in 1974-75 revived his desire to play for Australia. After three Test appearances against Great Britain in 1974, he played in the 1975 World Series competition. Another broken arm injury in 1976, and a subsequent staph infection, led to his eventual retirement two years later but his place as one of the most distinctively players in the modern game - and the attacking partnership he formed with Bob McCarthy at Souths - will long be remembered. Coote later served as a member of the NSWRL Judiciary for much of the 1990s.