John Brass

Regarded as one of the most successful converts from the amateur code during the modern era John Brass was a classy centre renown for his great handling skills and brick-wall defence. A Randwick centre with 12 RU Tests to his credit, Brass switched codes on a record $30,000 contract to play with Easts in 1969. The following year he captained both his club and state before becoming a dual international when he played in all three Tests against the Ashes-winning Great Britain side. Brass declined to tour with Australia's victorious World Cup squad in 1970 due to business and family reasons but was a mainstay of the Roosters' great sides of the 1970s. Although missing the 1972 grand final loss to Manly because of injury, Brass played in both 1974-75 grand final successes with Easts. An accomplished inside centre and prolific goal-kicker, he scored 213pts during the 1974 season. After making himself available for rep duty in 1975, he captained Australia to victory against the Kiwis in a World Series match before touring Great Britain for the latter half of the short-lived competition. After leaving Sydney in 1976, Brass represented Country while captain-coach of the Tweed Heads ‘Seagulls’ in 1977-78. In 1998 Brass was appointed as a News Ltd representative on the NRL Board.