Eddie Root

Coaching Career

Vital Statistics

Full Name
Edward Alexander Root
Born
Thursday, 26th June, 1902
Died
Wednesday, 7th May, 1986 (Aged 83 years and 315 days)
Place Of Birth
Alexandria, New South Wales, Australia

Known Family Links

Son
Stan Root

Biography

Eddie Root enlisted in World War I at age 16 before forging a brilliant career as a League forward. Root played in seven of South's premiership titles (1925-29 and 1930-31) but despite playing in 14 matches for NSW between 1927-32, did not play in a Test. A tough prop, he was sent off in the 1926 final against University but Souths held on, 11-5. Root achieved his highest rep honour when chosen to tour with the 1929-30 Kangaroos, playing in 15 matches. On his return he was forced to play for Newtown because the NSWRL changed the club boundaries while he was away (players had to play for a club according to the district in which they lived.) Root changed his address and continued his great association with the Rabbitohs before seeing out his career as St George captain-coach in 1936.
- ALAN WHITICKER

Additional Notes

Birth date has been confirm by various records to be 26 June 1902.

Served in WWI - Service Number N76203 however Eddie enlisted on 31 March 1917, which means he was 14 years and 9 months old not 16. The South Sydney Sentinal reports on this fact (though incorrectly giving his birthdate as the 20th), and says he served "at the front." Several other sources call him a Digger. Eddie's service record shows he was discharged in April 1917 when it was discovered he was underage.

Coaching Career Statistics

All statistics shown in this section are based only on data available in the RLP database, and are not necessarily a complete and/or 100% accurate representation of a player's career. This information should be used as a guide only. If you see a question mark (?), it denotes that the figure is not available.

To view a list of corresponding matches, click on the List button.

Competitions
Competition   Games W L D Win %  
NRL 13 3 10 0 23.08% List


Club Career

NRL/NSWRL - By Year

Team Season Games W L D Win %  
St George NSWRFL 1936 13 3 10 0 23.08% List

NRL/NSWRL - By Team

Team Years Games W L D Win %  
St George 1936 13 3 10 0 23.08% List

Your Say

  • Anonymous
    21/07/2021

    Born October 5, 1902. Not June 26.

  • Anonymous
    02/03/2023

    Wrong birth date.

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Contributions: Greg Fiveash, Max Turner, Andrew Ferguson, Rugby League Tables, Shawn Dollin, Alan Katzmann, Paul Carter, Bill Bates

Sources: 2006 Official Rugby League Annual