Rex Norman
FullnameHercules Rex Clive Norman
Birth date8 August 1891
Birth placeSydney, New South Wales, Australia
Death date30 December 1961 (aged 70)
Death placeGuildford, New South Wales, Australia
Club 1Annandale
Year1start1910
Year1end14
Appearances 156
Tries 19
Goals 10
Fieldgoals 10
Points 127
Club 2South Sydney
Year2start1915
Year2end17
Appearances 233
Tries 212
Goals 20
Fieldgoals 20
Points 236
Club 3Eastern Suburbs
Year3start1918
Appearances 312
Tries 31
Goals 30
Fieldgoals 30
Points 33
Club 4South Sydney
Year4start1919
Appearances 47
Tries 40
Goals 40
Fieldgoals 40
Points 40
Club 5Eastern Suburbs
Year5start1920
Year5end22
Appearances 534
Tries 57
Goals 545
Fieldgoals 50
Points 5111
TeamaNew South Wales
Yearastart1921
Appearancesa1
Triesa1
Goalsa4
Fieldgoalsa0
Pointsa11
TeambMetropolis
Yearbstart1911
Yearbend15
Appearancesb3
Triesb1
Goalsb0
Fieldgoalsb0
Pointsb3
Updated21 June 2019
Source[1]
Newyes

Rex Norman (1891–1961) was an Australian rugby league footballer and cricketer, who represented Australasia in rugby league and New South Wales in both sports.

Rugby league career

Norman played 13 seasons in first grade in the NSWRFL, playing for Annandale between 1910 and 1914, South Sydney between 1915-1917 and 1919, and Eastern Suburbs Roosters in 1918, and 1920–1922. He was one of four brothers along, with Bernard, Roy and Ray, who played in the NSW Rugby Football League first-grade competition. Rex and Ray became only the second set of brothers to represent Australia, behind Viv and Bill Farnsworth. Rex was selected for Australasia for the 1921–22 Kangaroo tour of Great Britain. He played in 21 tour matches but did not play a test match.[2][3]

Norman was the NSW Rugby Football League's top point scorer in 1921.[1]

Cricket career

Norman also played first-class cricket for New South Wales, appearing in seven matches from 1918 to 1920. A left-arm fast-medium bowler, he took 31 wickets at 26.83.[4]

Later years

Norman finished his long career in Canowindra, New South Wales, captain-coaching both the local rugby league team and cricket team. Whilst playing cricket against a touring professional side, Norman bowled a young Don Bradman for a "duck". His nickname in the small country town was "Rocker".[5]

In 1953 Norman coached[6] the NSW Country Rugby League Firsts side to a 28-27 victory over City Firsts.[7]

References

  1. ^ rugbyleagueproject.org
  2. ^ Alan Whiticker/Glen Hudson: Encyclopedia of Rugby League Players. 1995 (ISBN 1875169571)
  3. ^ "Men's Honour Roll". Sydney Roosters. Archived from the original on 27 March 2019. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
  4. ^ Rex Norman cricketarchive.com
  5. ^ Anon (28 June 1928). "Rocker Buys" Baby Norman". Canowindra Star. W. Muller.
  6. ^ "Rugby League News". Trove
  7. ^ "City vs Country (Firsts) 1953 - New South Wales City Firsts 27 lost to New South Wales Country Firsts 28 - RLP"