Ron Bailey

A brilliant centre in his day, Ron Bailey was the first C’bury player to both represent and captain Australia. Originally from Newcastle, and a Newtown player before the war, he was unlucky not to tour with the 1937-38 Kangaroos. Bailey spent the 1939-40 season playing for Huddersfield and on his return to Australia, played for Waratah-Mayfield in the Newcastle competition. In 1941 he took over as captain-coach of C’bury and led the club to its second premiership title in defeating St George in the 1942 grand final, 11-9. 1946 was undoubtedly Bailey's greatest year; captaining NSW, gaining selection in the First Test against Great Britain before taking over from Joe Jorgenson as Test captain in the Second Test in Brisbane. The Lions won the match in Brisbane 16-5 but Bailey withdrew from the Third Test team – after again being named captain - because of an ankle injury and Australia ultimately lost the Ashes series. Following C’bury’s loss in the premiership final against Balmain that year Bailey returned to West Maitland as captain-coach.