Max Gray

Max Gray was an Australian Rugby League footballer who played in the 1930s and 1940s. He played for Western Suburbs in the NSWRL competition.

Max Gray
Personal information
Full nameMax Gray
Playing information
PositionSecond-row, Lock
Club
Years Team Pld T G FG P
1934–40 Western Suburbs 45 7 0 0 21
Source: [1]

Playing career

Gray made his first grade debut for Western Suburbs in Round 1 1934 against Balmain at Leichhardt Oval. In the same season, Western Suburbs went from wooden spooners in 1933 to winning the minor premiership and premiership in 1934.

The change in form was attributed to the fact that Western Suburbs lost players such as Frank McMillan and Alan Ridley who were away on tour with the Australian team when the club finished last but returned for the start of the 1934 season.

Gray played in the 1934 grand final victory over Eastern Suburbs at the Sydney Sports Ground. The final had been delayed for over a week due to heavy rain and Wests went into the match as underdogs with Easts boasting players such as future immortal David Brown, Viv Thicknesse, Ray Stehr, Andy Norval and Cliff Pearce. As of the 2019 season, no other team since Western Suburbs has come from last place to winning the premiership the following year.

Gray was captain-coach of West Wyalong when they won the 1938 Group 9 premiership.[2][3][4]

Gray returned to play with Western Suburbs until the end of 1940 before retiring.[5][6]

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References
  1. "Max Gray - Career Stats & Summary - Rugby League Project". Rugbyleagueproject.org.
  2. "Exciting Fights". The West Wyalong Advocate. West Wyalong: National Library of Australia. 13 August 1938. p. 1. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
  3. "Maher Cup". The West Wyalong Advocate. West Wyalong: National Library of Australia. 21 June 1938. p. 1. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
  4. "West Wyalong - Group 9 Premiers". The West Wyalong Advocate. West Wyalong: National Library of Australia. 2 August 1938. p. 2. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
  5. Barrett, Chris (21 September 2010). "The wooden spoon to premier gold? Roosters run recalls league history". The Sydney Morning Herald.
  6. Alan Whiticker/Glen Hudson: The Encyclopedia of Rugby League Players. (1995 edition) ISBN 1875169571


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