Paul Harragon
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| Personal information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Paul William Harragon OAM | |
| Date of birth | 12 October 1968 | |
| Place of birth | Kurri Kurri, New South Wales, Australia | |
| Height | 193 cm (6 ft 4 in) | |
| Weight | 111 kg (17 st 7 lb) | |
| Nickname(s) | The Chief | |
| Club information | ||
| Position(s) | Prop-forward / Second-row | |
| Current club | Retired | |
| Number | 10 | |
| Youth clubs | ||
| Years | Club | |
| Lakes United | ||
| Senior clubs* | ||
| Years | Club | Apps (points) |
| 1988–1999 | Newcastle Knights | 169 (76) |
| Representative teams | ||
| 1992–1998 1992–1998 |
New South Wales Australia |
20 (8) 20 (12) |
|
* Professional club appearances and points |
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Paul "The Chief" William Harragon OAM (born 12 October 1968) is an Australian rugby league identity. He was raised in the New South Wales town of Kurri Kurri, and played for Lakes United in the Newcastle competition. He joined the Newcastle Knights in 1988 and made his first grade debut in 1989 against the Balmain Tigers.
Harragon was one of the most imposing players of the 1990s, weighing in at around 111kg and standing at 193cm, perfect for his position in the front or second rows. He represented and captained Country, New South Wales and Australia. He was named man-of-the-match in the second game of the 1994 State of Origin series and led the Knights to the 1997 ARL premiership title in a thrilling grand final against Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles.
Harragon excelled at the State of Origin level, making 20 consecutive appearances for New South Wales between Game I 1992 and Game II 1998 and is considered one of the toughest, most passionate men to ever grace that arena. He holds the records for the most consecutive Origin games by a New South Welshman and most appearances by a NSW forward. A devastating runner of the football, he was famous for throwing himself at the defensive line in fearsome displays of determination. He is remembered for his ongoing fiery attacking and defensive clashes with Queensland hardman Trevor Gillmeister and Manly prop Mark Carroll.
In 1999, Harragon participated in the first rugby league game to be played at Stadium Australia and Terry Hill scored the first try, not Harragon. Later that year, after playing 169 first grade games in a career lasting ten years, Harragon retired due to an ongoing knee injury mid-season.
Harragon has since become a media personality, working for local Newcastle station NBN Television, before joining Channel 9 as a member of The Footy Show panel (on which his "That's Gold" segment has become immensely popular), and as a football commentator. He is also a director and a life member of the Newcastle Knights, and is spokesman for NIB Health Funds and Subway.
On Saturday 1 September 2007, his single "That's Gold" debuted at #8 on the ARIA Singles chart and #2 on the ARIA Physical Singles Chart. The song was distributed by Destra Entertainment/MRA Records. "That's Gold" is a parody of Spandau Ballet's 80s hit "Gold".
Paul Harragon lives in Newcastle with his wife Pam, his daughter and two sons.
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