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Eddie Root

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

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

Competitions Won

Interstate Series
1927, 1929, 1930
NSW City vs Country Firsts
1929, 1932
NSWRFL Premiership (NRL)
1925, 1926, 1927, 1928, 1929, 1931, 1932
City Cup
1924, 1925

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.

Playing Career Statistics

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

Representative Career - International Comp WinsStartsIntAPP3ST3PTTG2FGFGPtsBin5BinOffWLDWin% 
Tour MatchesNew South Wales FirstsNFI-25-258-83--30---168164.00%List
Tour MatchesAustraliaAUS-15-153-3---9---95160.00%List
Tour MatchesMetropolisMTR-1-1----------1--100.00%List
Interstate Series 314-143-3---9---95-64.29%List
Representative Career - Australia Comp WinsStartsIntAPP3ST3PTTG2FGFGPtsBin5BinOffWLDWin% 
NSW City vs Country Firsts 24-43-3---9---22-50.00%List
NSW City vs Country 24-43-3---9---22-50.00%List
Club Career - Australia Comp WinsStartsIntAPP3ST3PTTG2FGFGPtsBin5BinOffWLDWin% 
Country Carnival -4-41-1---3---31-75.00%List
NSWRFL (NRL Premiership) 7135113644-442--136--49837172.06%List
NRL Finals -12-124-4---12--1111-91.67%List
City Cup 2123156-6---18---112273.33%List
Overall StartsIntAPP3ST3PTTG2FGFGPtsBin5BinOffWLDWin% 
First Class 187419162-625--196--413254569.11%List

Australia - By Team

TeamYears StartsIntAPP3ST3PTTG2FGFGPtsBin5BinOffWLDWin% 
Metropolis1923, 1926-27, 1930 3145-51--17---4--100.00%List
NSW Firsts1927-30, 1932 25-258-83--30---168164.00%List
NSW City Firsts1928-30, 1932 4-43-3---9---22-50.00%List
NSW City Probables1932 1-1----------1--100.00%List

NSWRFL (NRL Premiership) - By Year

TeamSeason StartsIntAPP3ST3PTTG2FGFGPtsBin5BinOffWLDWin% 
SouthsSouth Sydney19231923 NSWRFL 5-52-2---6---5--100.00%List
SouthsSouth Sydney19241924 NSWRFL 7-71-1---3---52-71.43%List
SouthsSouth Sydney19251925 NSWRFL 112----------2--100.00%List
SouthsSouth Sydney19261926 NSWRFL 18-1810-10---30--2162-88.89%List
SouthsSouth Sydney19271927 NSWRFL 14-146-6---18---122-85.71%List
SouthsSouth Sydney19281928 NSWRFL 15-156-6---18---105-66.67%List
SouthsSouth Sydney19291929 NSWRFL 8-84-41--14---8--100.00%List
NewtownNewtown19301930 NSWRFL 12-127-71--23---56141.67%List
SouthsSouth Sydney19311931 NSWRFL 12-121-1---3--193-75.00%List
SouthsSouth Sydney19321932 NSWRFL 13-134-4---12---121-92.31%List
SouthsSouth Sydney19331933 NSWRFL 6-6----------51-83.33%List
St GeorgeSt George19351935 NSWRFL 15-153-3---9--178-46.67%List
St GeorgeSt George19361936 NSWRFL 9-9----------27-22.22%List

NSWRFL (NRL Premiership) - By Team

TeamYears StartsIntAPP3ST3PTTG2FGFGPtsBin5BinOffWLDWin% 
South Sydney1923-29, 1931-33 99110034-341--104--38416-84.00%List
Newtown1930 12-127-71--23---56141.67%List
St George1935-36 24-243-3---9--1915-37.50%List

Your Say

  • Anonymous
    21 Jul 2021 3:17pm

    Born October 5, 1902. Not June 26.

  • Anonymous
    2 Mar 2023 2:19am

    Wrong birth date.

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Contributions: Greg Fiveash, Max Turner, Rugby League Tables, Andrew Ferguson, Tony McCarron, Shawn Dollin, Alan Katzmann, Paul Carter, Wests Archives, Bill Bates, Tim Costello

Sources:2006 Official Rugby League Annual