Jump to content

Ron Saddler

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Ron Saddler
Personal information
Full nameRonald William Saddler
Born(1942-03-14)14 March 1942
Lake Cargelligo, New South Wales, Australia
Died12 May 2016(2016-05-12) (aged 74)
Playing information
PositionCentre
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1963–71 Eastern Suburbs 22 13 0 92
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1967–68 New South Wales 6 2 5 0 16
1967–68 Australia
1969 NSW City Firsts 1 0 0 0 0
Coaching information
Representative
Years Team Gms W D L W%
1967 New South Wales 1 1 0 0 100
As of 13 April 2021

Ronald William Saddler was an Australian rugby league footballer who played in the 1960s and 1970s. A New South Wales and Australian international representative three-quarter back, he played in Sydney's NSWRFL Premiership for the Eastern Suburbs club.

Originally from Euabalong, New South Wales, and of Wiradjuri descent,[1] Ron first played rugby league for Tweed Heads. Saddler also played for the Sydney club Eastern Suburbs from 1963 to 1964 and 1966–71.[2]

An Aboriginal centre, Saddler was selected for the 1967/68 Kangaroo Tour, playing in 12 matches, but no tests. Saddler has been allocated Eastern Suburbs player number 529.

He was the first indigenous player to captain New South Wales, six years before Arthur Beetson.

Ron Saddler's former Sydney Roosters teammate Kevin Junee, another 1967–68 Kangaroo, said "Saddler got the nod as the Blues' captain in 1967 because he was respected by teammates and opponents alike".

Upon his retirement from Sydney, he captain-coached Murwillumbah Brothers for a number of years in the 1970s. He resided in the Murwillumbah Area until his death in May 2016.[3]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Remembering Ron Saddler: New South Wales' First Indigenous Captain". Sydney Roosters. 18 May 2023. Archived from the original on 25 July 2023. Retrieved 25 July 2023.
  2. ^ RugbyLeagueProject.org profile
  3. ^ David Middleton – League Historian. 'Forgotten Indigenous Star' 4/02/2013
Sporting positions
Preceded by Coach

New South Wales

1967
Succeeded by
Harry Bath
1968–1972

Sources

[edit]
  • Whiticker, Alan & Hudson, Glen (2006) The Encyclopedia of Rugby League Players, Gavin Allen Publishing, Sydney