Billy Cann

Billy Cann was the first genuine utility player and also the first of very few prolific try scoring forwards. Over his decorated career he played in every position except for Fullback and Halfback, however the bulk of his career saw him playing in the forwards. By the time he retired in 1917, he had scored 77 tries across his entire career from just 159 games.

Born in Sydney in 1882 to his British father and Irish mother, William Askew Cann was the second youngest of five children.

Played Rugby Union for Souths, but grew dissatisfied with the selectors for constantly overlooking him for representative honours. He was quick to change codes to the rebel Rugby League when it was looking for players in 1907 to play a series of games against the touring New Zealand professional side. He played in all 3 games and in 3 different positions for each game, showcasing his amazing versatility at that stage of career. In the first game he was in the back row, then he shifted to wing for the second match before playing at hooker in the third game. It would be as a forward though that he would make his name in Rugby League.

In 1901, as an 18 year old, Cann played for the Cleveland junior side in the Southern Sydney competition, regularly playing at centre. The following year he accepted the role on the club’s committee to be a delegate. He would spend much of his adult life serving on committee’s and boards, such was his devotion. In 1902, he was joined at the Cleveland club by his younger brother Syd. Billy Cann remained at the Cleveland club til the end of 1903. In 1904 he was elevated to the South Sydney second grade side after impressing in a pre-season trial game.

In 1905, Cann received his first rep honour when named in a Combined Second Grade team taking on a Combined Borough side as the undercard to the Northern Districts v New Zealand tour game in Newcastle.

Cann made his first grade debut on July 29, 1905 for South Sydney, playing solidly in his sides 21-4 win over Eastern Suburbs. Some of his team mates that day were future Rugby League players, such as Son Fry, Arthur McCabe, Bill Spence, Johnny Rosewell and Arthur Hennessy.