Bert Gray (rugby league)

Alfred Bert Gray (1890–1967) was an Australian rugby league footballer who played for Glebe in the NSWRL competition in the 1910s and 1920s. He represented New South Wales and Australia.

Bert Gray
Personal information
Full nameAlfred Bert Gray
Born1 August 1890
Glebe, New South Wales, Australia
Died17 December 1967(1967-12-17) (aged 77)
Bondi, New South Wales, Australia
Playing information
PositionLock, Second-row, Hooker
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1912–26 Glebe 102 33 1 0 101
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1913–22 New South Wales 19 8 0 0 24
1920–21 Australia 4 1 0 0 3
1915–23 Metropolis 4 0 1 0 2
Source: [1]

Background

Born in Glebe, New South Wales to parents Ernest and Jane Gray, Gray learnt the game of rugby in the Glebe rugby union juniors before switching to rugby league.[2] His younger brothers Paddy[3] and Frank were also first-grade rugby league players. Another brother, Tom, played reserve grade for Glebe.[4]

Playing career

Gray played in twelve first grade seasons for Glebe between 1912 and 1926. Following a three season absence while serving in World War I,[2] Gray returned to first grade in 1919.

Gray was selected to represent Australia during the 1920 Ashes series against Great Britain. He was selected again for Australia for their tour of Great Britain in 1921–22. He played just five matches during this tour after suffering a knee injury.[2] This knee injury hampered the remainder of his career, and was ultimately the cause of his retirement in May 1925.[2]

Gray came out of retirement for the 1926 season after the twelve month break afforded him a chance to rest and recover.[5]

He played in the 1922 Grand Final for the Glebe team that was defeated by North Sydney Bears 35–3.[6]

Post-playing career

Gray was a selector for Australia, New South Wales, and Metropolis for a total of 20 years until retiring in 1952.[7]

Death

Gray died on 17 December 1967, aged 77.[8]

References
  1. "Albert Gray - Career Stats & Summary - Rugby League Project". Rugby League Project.
  2. ""Bert" Gray: Great Forward Retires". Evening News. Sydney. 6 May 1925 – via Trove.
  3. "Brothers All". Daily Telegraph. Sydney. 21 July 1924 – via Trove. Bert Gray, an international player, and A. Gray were the pick of Glebe's forwards. The latter is a State representative cricket player.
  4. "The Three Grays". Evening News. Sydney. 14 June 1926 – via Trove.
  5. "Bert Gray to Play". Daily Telegraph. Sydney. 12 May 1926 – via Trove.
  6. Alan Whiticker/Glen Hudson: Encyclopedia of Rugby League Players. 1995. ISBN 1875169571
  7. "Selector Retires". Sydney Morning Herald. 14 February 1952 – via Trove.
  8. Sydney Morning Herald: Death Notice .- 18/12/1967
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