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.

Rex Norman
Personal information
Full nameHercules Rex Clive Norman
Born(1891-08-08)8 August 1891
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Died30 December 1961(1961-12-30) (aged 70)
Guildford, New South Wales, Australia
Playing information
PositionCentre, Wing, Fullback
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1910–14 Annandale 56 9 0 0 27
1915–17 South Sydney 33 12 0 0 36
1918 Eastern Suburbs 12 1 0 0 3
1919 South Sydney 7 0 0 0 0
1920–22 Eastern Suburbs 34 7 45 0 111
Total 142 29 45 0 177
Representative
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1921 New South Wales 1 1 4 0 11
1911–15 Metropolis 3 1 0 0 3
Source: [1]
As of 21 June 2019

Rugby league career

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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

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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

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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

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  1. ^ a b rugbyleagueproject.org
  2. ^ Alan Whiticker/Glen Hudson: Encyclopedia of Rugby League Players. 1995 (ISBN 1875169571)
  3. ^ "Men's Honour Roll". Sydney Roosters.
  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".