Bob O'Reilly
Robert O'Reilly | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 16, 1949 Brisbane, Australia |
| Occupation | Rugby league footballer |
| Years active | 1967–1981 |
| Known for | Playing as a prop forward for Parramatta Eels, Eastern Suburbs Roosters, Penrith Panthers; Australia national team player |
Robert Edward O'Reilly (born 16 February 1949) is a retired Australian professional rugby league athlete whose career spanned from the 1960s to the 1980s. Playing predominantly as a prop forward at both state and international levels, he featured mainly in the New South Wales Rugby League premiership representing the Parramatta Eels, while also having stints with the Eastern Suburbs Roosters and Penrith Panthers.
Playing career
Known by the moniker The Bear, O'Reilly enjoyed a fifteen-year tenure in Sydney's top-grade rugby league, making his debut for Parramatta at age eighteen in 1967. He later returned to the club in 1981 to contribute to their first-ever premiership triumph. Throughout his career, he earned nine Test caps for Australia and participated in seven World Cup matches, playing a role in the Kangaroos' 1970 World Cup championship. As the first junior product from Parramatta to represent Australia, O'Reilly developed his early skills with Guildford. He is officially recognized as Kangaroo No. 450 on the Australian Players Register.
Ten years after his initial representative honors, O'Reilly was instrumental in Parramatta's maiden premiership victory during the 1981 season. He held the record for the highest number of first-grade appearances at Parramatta with 284 games until Geoff Gerard eventually surpassed this milestone.
Accolades
In recognition of his contributions, O'Reilly was awarded Life Membership by the Parramatta Club in 1981. His enduring legacy was further acknowledged in 2002 when he was voted by fans to be included as a prop in the Parramatta Legends team and was inducted into the Parramatta Hall of Fame.
External links
Published sources
- Whiticker, Alan & Hudson, Glen (2006) The Encyclopedia of Rugby League Players, Gavin Allen Publishing, Sydney
- Apter, Jeff The Coaches: The Men Who Changed Rugby League (2014), The Five Mile Press Scoresby, Victoria
- 1949 births
- Living people
- Australia national rugby league team players
- Australian rugby league players
- City New South Wales rugby league team players
- Clive Churchill Medal winners
- Parramatta Eels players
- Penrith Panthers players
- New South Wales rugby league team players
- Rugby league players from Brisbane
- Rugby league props
- Sydney Roosters players
- 20th-century Australian sportsmen