Ernie Norman

Easts junior, graded as a centre/five-eighth at the age of 17 in 1930, made his international debut just two years later. A NSW rep in 1931, Norman was selected for Australia in the opening match of the 1932 Ashes series following his game for Sydney against the visiting Lions. Norman was moved to the centres for the Second Test but he was injured in Australia's heroic 15-6 win in the 'Battle of Brisbane' and missed the deciding Test in Sydney. The following year he was unfortunately ruled out of the 1933-34 Kangaroo tour with torn knee ligaments but was later a member of the champion Easts' club that won three consecutive premierships (1935-37). Norman played in three Tests against NZ on the 1935 Kiwi tour after replacing the injured Vic Hey and was the preferred pivot against England in the 1936 Ashes series. Norman finally made a tour of England and France when he was the only specialist five-eighth selected on the 1937-38 Kangaroo tour. He played in two Tests against NZ and two against England on tour but following his retirement, lived in relative seclusion in the Eastern Suburbs area until his death in 1993, at the age of 80.