Alex Burdon

Tradition has it that ‘Bluey’ Burdon's broken arm on NSW's tour of the Northern Rivers district was the catalyst that led to the breakaway of Rugby Union players to a newly formed ‘professional’ code in 1907. Although this has been debunked in Ian Heads’ excellent history of the NSWRL, ‘True Blue’ (1992), Burdon's disenchantment at not being compensated for his injury was indicative of the ill-feeling that indirectly led to the formation of Rugby League in this country. Captain of the Sydney RU Club Burdon had played for NSW since 1901 and made Test appearances against NZ in 1903 and 1905 but along with a host of other great amateur players, he took part in the three match series against the visiting NZ ‘All Golds’ in 1907. Referred to as both ‘Alec’ and ‘Alick’ Burdon, he was promptly disqualified for life by the Metropolitan Rugby Union. In January 1908 he was named foundation captain of the Glebe Club – the first ‘professional rugby’ club to officially affiliate with the NSWRL – while his brother Dick was named club treasurer. Although he played only four club matches during 1908 and missed every representative match Alex Burdon’s standing in the game can be measured by the fact that he was named as a selector for the pioneer Kangaroo Tour that year (not surprisingly, he chose himself). Burdon played in two Tests on tour - captaining Australia in the Third Test of the Ashes series - and appeared in 23 other matches. Burdon later became an Test selector and coached Australia during the 1932 Ashes series. The man who became part of rugby league folklore died in 1943, aged 64.

Career Statistics

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