Kevin Ryan

One of the true 'hard men' of the game, Ryan had already forged a fearless reputation as a tough competitor in international RU before joining St George in 1960. Originally from Ipswich, Ryan was also Queensland Amateur Boxing Champion and was beaten in a trial for the 1960 Rome Olympics. He first played RU for Brisbane Brothers as a 19-year-old in 1954, and was a regular member of the Queensland state side for the next six seasons. He made his RU Test debut on the 1957-58 Wallaby tour of Britain, France and Nth America and played in 5 Tests before turning professional. Ryan was a member of seven grand final winning teams with St George (1960-66) and was sent from the field in the first of these wins, against Easts. Having started his career in the amateurs as a speedy second row forward, Ryan went on to prove his skill as a ball-playing prop. He played for NSW in 1962 and toured with the Kangaroos the following year. Ryan played in just four matches on tour (no Tests) after breaking his leg but played in two Tests against France the following year. In 1966 Ryan represented NSW against Great Britain but was not called into the Australian Test team. At the end of year he signed with C’bury as captain-coach and indirectly brought about the end of St George's reign as premiers. Under Ryan's guidance the Berries defeated the 11-times premiers in the final but went down to Souths in the grand final a week later. Ryan continued on as C’bury coach after his retirement before pursuing a career as a NSW Labor politician. A practicing lawyer since 1970, he held the State seat of St George from 1976-84 and served in the Wran Government before being dumped by his party. Ryan sought and successfully won the position of president of the Players Association and fought for the rights of players in much the same style as he played - head down and straight ahead. In 1991 Ryan won an important victory through the courts that led to the defeat of the NSWRL's draft system before being deposed in 1993.