Bob Fulton
Robert Fulton | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1 December 1947 Stockton Heath, Warrington, Cheshire, England |
| Died | 23 May 2021 (aged 73) St Vincent's Hospital, Darlinghurst, Sydney, Australia |
| Other names | Bozo |
| Occupation(s) | Rugby league player, coach, commentator |
| Years active | 1966–1998 (player and coach), 1997–2021 (commentator) |
| Known for | Player and coach for Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles; captain and coach of Australian national rugby league team; rugby league commentator |
Robert Fulton (1 December 1947 – 23 May 2021), affectionately known as "Bozo", was a prominent figure in Australian rugby league, excelling as a player, coach, and commentator. He is widely regarded as one of the most outstanding rugby league athletes in Australia during the 20th century.
During his playing tenure, Fulton secured three premiership titles with the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles throughout the 1970s, captaining the team in the final championship win. He earned 35 caps representing the Australian national side, seven of which he served as captain. Transitioning into coaching, he guided Manly to premiership victories in both 1987 and 1996. Additionally, Fulton led the Australian national team in thirty-nine Test matches and held roles as a selector for both New South Wales State and national teams. At the time of his passing in 2021, he was active as a radio commentator with 2GB.
In recognition of his exceptional contributions, Fulton was named among the inaugural four post-war "Immortals" of Australian rugby league in 1981 and was selected for Australia's team of the century in 2008.
Background
Born in Stockton Heath, Warrington, Cheshire, England, Fulton relocated to Australia with his family when he was four years old.
Playing career
Fulton began his senior football career at age 18 with Western Suburbs competing in the Illawarra Rugby League, where he also represented Country Seconds.
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
At 19, Fulton signed with Manly-Warringah in 1966 and quickly established himself as a capable or . In 1967, he earned selection for State representation and made history as the youngest player to captain a Grand Final when leading Manly against Souths in 1968.
Over a decade from 1966 to 1976, Fulton played 219 games for Manly, amassing 520 points through 129 tries, 10 goals, and 56 field goals—a club try-scoring record that stood until it was surpassed in 2006. He contributed to premiership triumphs in 1972—where he also finished as the league's top try scorer—1973, and 1976. A highlight includes scoring two tries during the infamous 1973 "bloodbath" match against Cronulla, securing victory for his side.
In 1976, Fulton departed Manly to join the Eastern Suburbs on a three-year deal, leaving behind his status as Manly’s record try scorer.
Warrington Wolves
Following the conclusion of the 1969 NSWRFL season, Fulton spent the 1969–70 English season with Warrington near his birthplace. He featured in sixteen fixtures, crossing for sixteen tries and adding one field goal before returning to Manly for the subsequent season.
Eastern Suburbs Roosters
Fulton's tenure at Eastern Suburbs comprised fifty-six appearances primarily playing at . He led the club’s try-scoring charts in his debut season and was part of the squad that won the pre-season cup. In 1978, he played a key role in Easts' mid-week cup final victory over St George. Elevated to captain-coach in 1979, his career was curtailed after eight games due to a persistent knee injury forcing early retirement.
Representative career
Fulton made his international debut for Australia during the 1968 final held at the Sydney Cricket Ground, contributing to Australia's triumph over France by 20–2—his first of three World Cup wins. At just nineteen years old in 1967, he captained and coached NSW City in a selection match but missed inclusion on the 1967 Kangaroo Tour, serving instead as backup to Tony Branson at . Subsequently, he became a regular fixture for Australia over eleven seasons.
His representative honours include touring New Zealand in 1971 and participating in both the 1973 and 1978 Kangaroo Tours. Fulton featured prominently in home Ashes series against Great Britain during 1970 and 1974, as well as contests versus New Zealand in 1972 and 1978. He competed across four World Cups (1968, 1970, 1972, and 1975), playing pivotal roles in Australia's victories in three editions: 1968, 1970, and 1975. His outstanding performance earned him World Cup Man of the Series honours in 1970. Unfortunately, a knee injury that ended his playing days also prevented participation with the successful Australian squad of 1977.
As captain of Australia, Fulton led during the second and third Tests against New Zealand in the 1978 series and all five Tests on that year's Kangaroo Tour, which included an uncommon series defeat by France (2–0)—Australia's last lost series until 2005. Under his leadership, Australia recorded four wins alongside three losses.
Fulton was top try scorer on both Kangaroo Tours: accumulating twenty tries across five Tests and nine tour matches in 1973, followed by nine tries from five Tests and ten tour games during the 1978 campaign.
Overall representative statistics include sixteen appearances for New South Wales, twenty Test matches for Australia, fifteen World Cup games, plus twenty-two additional minor internationals while on tour.
Coaching career
Following his retirement from playing at Easts, Fulton took on the role of head coach for the Roosters. Initially, his club was among the few that opposed the introduction of the State of Origin series, dismissing it as the "non-event of the century." In his debut coaching season, he guided Easts to the 1980 Grand Final, where they were defeated by the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs. Fulton remained at the helm of the Roosters for two additional seasons.
Fulton then returned to Manly as their coach in 1983, steering them to a Grand Final clash with the Parramatta Eels, though once again ending in defeat. In 1987, he led the Sea Eagles, captained by Paul Vautin, to a premiership triumph over the Canberra Raiders in what was the final Grand Final held at the Sydney Cricket Ground. This achievement made him the first individual at Manly to secure premierships both as captain and coach. Subsequently, he took Manly to England for the 1987 World Club Challenge against reigning champions Wigan, narrowly losing 8–2.
In 1989, Fulton replaced Don Furner as coach of the Australian national team. Over a tenure spanning from 1989 to 1998, he oversaw 39 Test matches, recording 32 victories, one draw, and six defeats. His leadership included successful tours in 1990 and 1994, as well as guiding Australia to win both the 1992 and 1995 World Cup finals.
His Australian sides secured decisive wins in final Tests during three consecutive three-Test Ashes series (1990, 1992, and 1994) and also triumphed in the 1991 Trans-Tasman Test series.
Returning once more to Manly in 1993, Fulton led the team to three consecutive Grand Finals starting from 1995. His second and final premiership as coach came in 1996, when Manly-Warringah defeated St George 20–8 at the Sydney Football Stadium during their milestone 50th year.
Super League war
Amidst the turmoil of the Super League war, Fulton played an instrumental role as national coach alongside NSW State coach Phil Gould in securing player commitments that helped maintain stability within the ARL competition. A long-standing supporter of Kerry Packer, Fulton aligned with Packer’s commercial interests and broadcast rights efforts concerning the traditional rugby league framework.
Selector
Beginning in 1999, Fulton contributed as a selector for both the New South Wales and Australian representative teams.
Commentator
Starting in 1997, Fulton joined the ranks of the Continuous Call Team, providing commentary on radio stations such as 2UE and later 2GB, working alongside prominent figures including Ray Hadley, Erin Molan, and Darryl Brohman.
National service
Conscripted in 1968, Fulton was assigned as a Physical Training Instructor at the School of Artillery located in Manly, NSW. This posting enabled him to continue his professional rugby league career while fulfilling national service duties. Additionally, he conducted physical training exercises aboard HMAS Sydney during its deployment to South Vietnam.
Accolades
In 1981, Rugby League Week honored Fulton as one of the first post-war "Immortals," placing him alongside legendary figures such as Clive Churchill, Johnny Raper, and Reg Gasnier. He was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1985 and, in recognition of his contributions to rugby league, was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in 1994. Additionally, Fulton was awarded the Australian Sports Medal in 2000 and became a member of the Australian Rugby League Hall of Fame in 2002.
During the centenary celebrations of rugby league in 2008, Fulton was included among Australia's 100 Greatest Players (1908–2007) by the NRL and ARL. That same year, he was selected as an interchange player in the Team of the Century. Commentator Roy Masters speculated that Fulton’s adaptability across positions may have influenced his role outside the starting lineup.
Also in 2008, New South Wales recognized Fulton by naming him a in their rugby league team of the century. He received life membership at the Sydney Cricket Ground, where a plaque stands in tribute to his achievements, and he maintained membership within the Order of Australia (AM).
Fulton is distinguished as one of only two individuals to have participated in four separate Kangaroo Tours—twice serving as a player (1973, 1978) and twice fulfilling coaching duties (1990, 1994). The only other person with this distinction is Mal Meninga, who toured as a player on undefeated tours in 1982 and 1986 before captaining teams coached by Fulton in 1990 and 1994. Notably, Fulton uniquely held roles as captain and coach on different Kangaroo tours.
Personal life and death
Fulton was married to Anne and fathered three children: two sons, Scott and Brett—both of whom played first-grade rugby league for Manly—and a daughter named Kristie.
He passed away from cancer at age 73 on 23 May 2021 at St Vincent's Hospital located in Darlinghurst, Sydney. Following his death, New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian offered a state funeral. On 4 June 2021, Fulton was laid to rest at St Mary's Cathedral in Sydney, with numerous prominent figures from Australian sport and media attending the service.
Sources
- Whiticker, Alan (2004) Captaining the Kangaroos, New Holland, Sydney
- Andrews, Malcolm (2006) The ABC of Rugby League Austn Broadcasting Corpn, Sydney
- Hadfield, Dave (23 October 1992) "Fulton plays honorary consul" The Independent (UK)