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Robert Finch

Playing 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

Nickname(s)
Sparrow
Born
Sunday, 8th July, 1956
Current Age
69 years and 337 days
Place Of Birth
Maitland, New South Wales, Australia

Known Family Links

Son
Brett Finch

Competitions Won

NSWRFL Premiership (NRL)
1977, 1979

Biography

1972 Australian Schoolboy rep was playing first grade with Maitland at age 16. Robert Finch was signed by St George in 1974 and was a reserve in the club’s grand final team thrashed 38-0 by Easts in 1975. He formed a solid, reliable partnership with Graham Quinn in the centres during the late 1970s and played in both the grand final draw and replay against P’matta in 1977. Two years later he won his second premiership when St George defeated C’bury in the 1979 grand final. Finch returned to the Newcastle competition in 1981 where he represented Country. His time as a lower grade coach with the Newcastle Knights produced two reserve grade grand final appearances (1993-94) without success. Finch later joined Super League and was associated with the short-lived Hunter Mariners and Adelaide Rams before moving to Canberra as football manager. When News Ltd sold its stake in the club Finch joined the NRL as Referees Co-ordinator.
- ALAN WHITICKER

Playing Career Statistics

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

Representative Career - International   Comp Wins Starts Int APP 3ST 3PT T G1FG FG Pts Bin5 Bin Off W L D Win%  
Tour Matches Newcastle Firsts (AU)NWF - 1 - 1 1-1 - - - 3 - - - 1 - - 100.00% List
Representative Career - Australia   Comp Wins Starts Int APP 3ST 3PT T G1FG FG Pts Bin5 Bin Off W L D Win%  
NSW City vs Country Firsts - 1 - 1 --- - - - - - - - - 1 - 0.00% List
NSW City vs Country - 1 - 1 --- - - - - - - - - 1 - 0.00% List
Club Career - Australia   Comp Wins Starts Int APP 3ST 3PT T G1FG FG Pts Bin5 Bin Off W L D Win%  
NSWRFL (NRL Premiership) 2 120 7 127 26-26 - - - 78 - - - 78 44 5 61.42% List
NRL Finals - 12 1 13 2-2 - - - 6 - - - 8 4 1 61.54% List
Preseason Cup - 14 4 18 2-2 - - - 6 - - - 7 10 1 38.89% List
Midweek Cup - 14 1 15 2-2 - - - 6 - - - 10 5 - 66.67% List
Challenge Cup AU - 1 - 1 --- - - - - - - - - 1 - 0.00% List
Overall   Starts Int APP 3ST 3PT T G1FG FG Pts Bin5 Bin Off W L D Win%  
First Class  150 12 162 31-31 - - - 93 - - - 96 60 6 59.26% List

Australia - By Team

Team Years   Starts Int APP 3ST 3PT T G1FG FG Pts Bin5 Bin Off W L D Win%  
Newcastle (AU) 1981   1 - 1 1-1 - - - 3 - - - 1 - - 100.00% List
NSW Country Firsts 1981   1 - 1 --- - - - - - - - - 1 - 0.00% List

NSWRFL (NRL Premiership) - By Year

Team Season   Starts Int APP 3ST 3PT T G1FG FG Pts Bin5 Bin Off W L D Win%  
St GeorgeSt George 19741974 NSWRFL   6 2 81-1 - - - 3 - - - 3 5 - 37.50% List
St GeorgeSt George 19751975 NSWRFL   9 5 141-1 - - - 3 - - - 8 4 2 57.14% List
St GeorgeSt George 19761976 NSWRFL   24 - 248-8 - - - 24 - - - 14 10 - 58.33% List
St GeorgeSt George 19771977 NSWRFL   25 - 255-5 - - - 15 - - - 19 5 1 76.00% List
St GeorgeSt George 19781978 NSWRFL   12 - 122-2 - - - 6 - - - 4 8 - 33.33% List
St GeorgeSt George 19791979 NSWRFL   23 - 233-3 - - - 9 - - - 18 5 - 78.26% List
St GeorgeSt George 19801980 NSWRFL   21 - 216-6 - - - 18 - - - 12 7 2 57.14% List

NSWRFL (NRL Premiership) - By Team

Team Years   Starts Int APP 3ST 3PT T G1FG FG Pts Bin5 Bin Off W L D Win%  
St George 1974-80   120 7 127 26-26 - - - 78 - - - 78 44 5 61.42% List

Your Say

  • Brett
    23 Jun 2014 7:30pm

    I remember Robert just entering First Grade at St George, and Saints were playing Balmain in the mid-week comp. What impressed me was his reading of the game and the timing of passes to create space.

    As a side I also had a few beers in the Tudor Hotel in Tamworth which was owned by his in-laws.

  • Ken Hutchings
    19 Sep 2023 2:07am

    I remember playing against Robert in the High School competition. He was far above every one else. I broke my thumb tackling him.

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Contributions: Rugby League Tables, Andrew Ferguson, Greg Fiveash, Shawn Dollin, Alan Katzmann, Paul Carter, Max Turner, Derek Farrar, AJ Lucantonio

Sources: News Reports, Irvin Saxton's Record Keepers' Club