George Green (rugby league)

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E. G. Green (born 17 December, 1883 in Grafton, New South Wales), known as George Green was the first player of colour to play first grade rugby league in Australia. He played for the club sides Eastern Suburbs (1908-11), North Sydney (1912-16), (1918-22) and Newtown (1917) in the New South Wales Rugby Football League premiership.

A utility forward, Green made his debut playing for the Eastern Suburbs club in 1908 season, rugby league's founding year in Australia. He played in the Eastern suburbs side in 1911, the year that club won their first premiership. He moved to the North Sydney club the following year where, apart from a brief stint with Newtown in 1917, he played out the remainder of his top-grade career. In 1916 Green Captained the North Sydney club and was a vice-captain with the club in its only two premiership winning seasons – 1921 and 1922.

Green was described as a crowd favourite, a whole-hearted player who often came up with an important play at vital times in a match. Both on and off the field Green is described as being a gentleman.

Green was made a vice president of the North Sydney club. Following his retirement from the major rugby league competition in Australia, Green spent time coaching the Cessnock club in rural NSW.

[edit] References

• The Mighty Bears; Andrew Moore
• History Of The NSW Rugby League Finals; Steve Haddan

George Green did not play for Newtown.