Ken McCaffery

Easts junior signed with Toowoomba at the instigation of the legendary Duncan Thompson in the early 1950s - the move ultimately fulfilling McCaffery's major ambition to play for Australia. After starring for Queensland the halfback/centre toured with the 1952-53 Kangaroos as a utility back. McCaffery scored 9 tries in 12 matches but did not make his Test debut until the following year on the tour of NZ. As vice-captain of that tour he was a centre in all three Tests against the Kiwis and scored two tries in Australia's Second Test victory. He then took on Great Britain in the 1954 Ashes series before representing Australia in the inaugural World Cup competition. McCaffery captained Queensland in 1953-54 and moved to Brisbane Valleys in 1955-56. His final Test appearance was against France in the Second Test in 1955 and he later returned to Sydney to play with Norths. Although he played a vital role in Australia’s undefeated win in the 1957 World Cup McCaffery's time with Norths was frustrating in that the club did not reach its full potential. After his retirement he became a commentator with Channel 9, a School's Liaison Officer for the NSWRL and Assistant Secretary to the NSWRL before being approached to take on the Club Secretary role at C’bury after the boardroom 'coup' of 1969. McCaffery returned to Norths as club secretary in 1980 but two controversial decisions led to him leaving the club. In 1982 he sacked successful coach Ron Willey for being too ‘negative’ in his coaching style and appointed Greg Hawick, who had not coached in Sydney for almost 20 years. When the club faced a player revolt and Hawick resigned the knives were out for McCaffery and he was voted out of office the following year. His son Paul flew the family flag as a player with Norths for much of the 1980s.