Brian Carlson

Brian Carlson rates as one of the most talented and inventive backline players to represent Australia. A product of the Norths Newcastle club, he was graded in 1951 (playing against France) before representing Country, NSW and the Kangaroos the following year. The 19-year-old winger played in four Tests against Great Britain and France on tour and topped the try-scoring list with 29 tries. Carlson was a natural athlete with a fine step and swerve and a great kicking game. In 1954, he moved to Wollongong Souths but a ruptured kidney injury almost ended his life. The much-travelled international recovered however, and linked with Newcastle Souths two years later. In a great comeback, he forced his way back into the Australian Test team in 1957. Carlson had signed with Blackall (Queensland) that year but a contractual dispute actually saw him stranded without a club. This did not stop the national selectors from choosing him for the World Cup competition, with the fullback finishing as top-scorer (28pts - 2t, 11g) as well as being named ‘Player of the Series’ after Australia's historic victory. After the completion of World Cup commitments, Carlson signed with Norths and later formed an uncanny understanding with champion winger Ken Irvine. In the First Test against NZ in 1959, which Australia won 9-8, Carlson was chosen as fullback and was also named Test captain. He appeared in Tests against Great Britain (1958 and 1959-60) and France (1959-60 Kangaroo tour) and it was his goal that hit the posts in the Second Test loss that denied Australia the Ashes. After playing in the 1960 World Cup, he achieved the honour of captain-coaching Australia on the NZ Tour of 1961. At the end of the 1962 season Carlson quit North Sydney to captain-coach Souths Newcastle. The League world was saddened by his death in 1987, aged 54 - the year before the Newcastle Club re-entered the NSWRL.