Ferris 'Ferdie' Ashton

Ferris Ashton served in the Navy during the latter part of the Second World War before representing his country again on the sporting field. A first grade wicket keeper with Waverley, the burly second rower spent several seasons in Easts’ junior league (Bondi) before cementing a first grade position in 1950. Ashton represented NSW against France in 1951 and made his Test debut the following year. Ashton produced a sterling performance against NZ in Australia's 25-13 First Test win in Sydney (giving the final pass in three tries) and gained selection on the 1952-53 Kangaroo tour. Ashton played in two Tests against Great Britain and all three Tests against France on the tour. His last Test for Australia was the 25-5 loss to NZ at Christchurch in 1953 and scored the visitors’ only try. Ashton was a loyal clubman at Easts; captaining the club during the mid 1950s and captain-coach in 1954 (he also coached Second Division side University for a short period in the mid-1960s). He made his frank views on the game known to a new generation of League fans in the 1960s-70s as a member of Rex Mossop's Controversy Corner segment on Channel 7’s Sunday SportsWorld program.