Nelson Hardy

Nelson 'Bill' Hardy (1905–1993) was an Australian rugby league footballer who played in the 1920s and 1930s.

Nelson Hardy

Nelson 'Bill' Hardy. N.S.W. state rep 1926
Personal information
Full name	Nelson Hardy
Born	(1905-09-08)8 September 1905 Rockdale, New South Wales, Australia
Died	31 March 1993(1993-03-31) (aged 87) Monterey, New South Wales, Australia
Playing information
Position	Centre
Club Years Team Pld T G FG P 1925–30 Eastern Suburbs 87 13 28 0 95 1936 St. George 2 0 0 0 0 Total 89 13 28 0 95 Representative Years Team Pld T G FG P 1926–30 New South Wales 15 2 8 0 22 1928 Australia 3 0 0 0 0 1925–30 Metropolis 3 2 6 0 18 1928–30 NSW City 2 3 0 0 9
Source: [1]

Hardy was playing first grade in the NSWRFL premiership for his side, the Eastern Suburbs club, at just 18 years of age. An accomplished centre or fullback Hardy played 87 matches for Easts in the years 1925–30.

In 1928, Hardy was a member of the Eastern Suburbs side that was defeated by South Sydney in that year's premiership decider. On 22 December 1928 Hardy took place in rugby league first night match, an exhibition match between that year's finalists Easts and Souths.

Hardy played in three tests for the Australia national rugby league team in the 1928 season against a touring Great Britain side and was a representative of New South Wales on 15 occasions throughout his career.

Hardy played out his career in England with the Warrington Wolves club. However, when he returned to Australia, he played as captain coach of Cessnock, New South Wales in 1935.[2] He then came back to Sydney and moved to the St. George District and had one season at the St. George Dragons in 1936, but injuries ended his final season early.[3][4]

Hardy's sons Kevin and Don played first grade for Eastern Suburbs while his grandson, Steve, was an Australian schoolboy rugby league representative who played for both the Cronulla-Sutherland and Eastern Suburbs clubs.

A glazier by trade Hardy was aged 87 at the time of his death in 1993.[5]

References

1. "Nelson Hardy - Career Stats & Summary - Rugby League Project". www.rugbyleagueproject.org. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
2. "For St. George". Labor Daily (Sydney, NSW : 1924–1938). 13 February 1935. p. 3. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
3. "FOOTBALL". St George Call (Kogarah, NSW : 1904–1957). 14 February 1936. p. 4. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
4. "NELSON HARDY OUT OF ACTION". Labor Daily (Sydney, NSW : 1924–1938). 26 March 1936. p. 11. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
5. SYDNEY MORNING HERALD (Death Notice) Death Notice : 3rd April 1993

Sources

• Whiticker, Alan & Hudson, Glen (2006) The Encyclopedia of Rugby League Players, Gavin Allen Publishing, Sydney
• (David Middleton), Rugby League Yearbook