Coaching Career
All information provided below is based only on data available in the RLP database and should be used as a guide only.
Vital Statistics
- Full Name
- Robert Henderson Graves
- Born
- Wednesday, 1st September, 1880
- Died
- Saturday, 15th February, 1958 (Aged 77 years and 167 days)
- Place Of Birth
- Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Biography
Balmain RU forward made his amateur Test debut in 1907 against NZ but was then a member of the rebel NSW side that took on the NZ ‘All Golds’. Graves joined Balmain's newly formed ‘professional’ club the following year and had the honour of captain-coaching the Tigers during their first six seasons. The hardy forward became the first clubman to represent Australia when he played against NZ in 1908 and was also a pioneer Kangaroo tourist in 1908-09. Graves played in the second row in the Third Test at Birmingham as well as in 20 other matches on tour. One of the founding fathers of the Balmain Club, Graves’ final two Test appearances were against NZ in 1909. In the Third Test in Sydney, Graves became the club's first Test captain when he led Australia to a 25-5 win to wrap up our first series win against the Kiwis. Incredibly he did not play in another representative match during his career.
- ALAN WHITICKER
Additional Notes
Balmain international was almost 39 when he played his final game of first grade for Annandale in 1919. He was born on 1/9/1880 but as he got older he 'changed’ his year of birth to 1883.
Coaching Career Statistics
To view a list of corresponding matches, click on the List button.
| Club Career - Australia | Comp Wins | Matches | W | L | D | Win% | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NSWRFL (NRL Premiership) | - | 76 | 33 | 41 | 2 | 43.42% | List | |||||||
| NRL Finals | - | 1 | 1 | - | - | 100.00% | List | |||||||
| City Cup | - | 3 | 1 | 2 | - | 33.33% | List | |||||||
| Overall | Comp Wins | Matches | W | L | D | Win% | ||||||||
| First Class | 79 | 34 | 43 | 2 | 43.04% | List | ||||||||
NSWRFL (NRL Premiership) - By Year | ||||||||||||||
| Team | Season | Games | W | L | D | Win% | ||||||||
| BalmainBalmain | 19081908 NSWRFL | 9 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 33.33% | List | |||||||
| BalmainBalmain | 19091909 NSWRFL | 11 | 9 | 2 | - | 81.82% | List | |||||||
| BalmainBalmain | 19101910 NSWRFL | 14 | 8 | 6 | - | 57.14% | List | |||||||
| BalmainBalmain | 19111911 NSWRFL | 14 | 3 | 11 | - | 21.43% | List | |||||||
| BalmainBalmain | 19121912 NSWRFL | 14 | 6 | 8 | - | 42.86% | List | |||||||
| BalmainBalmain | 19131913 NSWRFL | 14 | 4 | 9 | 1 | 28.57% | List | |||||||
NSWRFL (NRL Premiership) - By Team | ||||||||||||||
| Team | Years | Games | W | L | D | Win% | ||||||||
| Balmain | 1908-13 | 76 | 33 | 41 | 2 | 43.42% | List | |||||||
Contributions:
Greg Fiveash, Shawn Dollin, Andrew Ferguson, Rugby League Tables, Tony McCarron, Darth Orion, Alan Katzmann, Max Turner, Bill Bates, Michael Borg
Sources:
RFL Player Registers
Your Say
9 Aug 2011 10:53am
Bob Graves was my Great Uncle, my Grand Mothers brother. My dad never spoke of him even though he knew I loved "The Tigers". I had no idea he existed. I must have walked past his home in Rozelle so often without knowing who lived within. Shame. I would have loved to talk to him. He must have had some great stories to tell. I have been fortunate in meeting his Grand Daughter & she was able to show me his wonderful memorablia. Amazing. This included Balmain's first ever Best & Fairest award. A solid gold minature football, engraved. Simply beautiful.
22 Feb 2017 1:50pm
Robert Henderson Graves was my great grandfather, who died 5 years before my birth, sadly. I am extremely proud of his achievements as a pioneer of Rugby league.
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