Playing Career
Vital Statistics
- Full Name
- Peter Maxwell John Sterling
- Nickname(s)
- Sterlo
- Born
- Thursday, 16th June, 1960
- Current Age
- 65 years and 287 days
- Place Of Birth
- Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia
Honours & Awards
Based only on data available in the RLP database. This information should be used as a guide only.
- The Ashes
- 1982, 1986, 1988
- World Cup
- 1985/1988
- Test Series
- France vs Australia 1982/83, New Zealand vs Australia 1983, Australia vs New Zealand 1986
- State of Origin
- 1987, 1986
- City vs Country Firsts
- 1982
- NSWRFL/NSWRL Premiership (NRL)
- 1981, 1982, 1983, 1986
- Midweek Cup
- 1980, 1986
- Dally M Halfback Of The Year
- 1983, 1984, 1986, 1987
- RLW Player of the Year
- 1984, 1986, 1987
- Clive Churchill Medal
- 1986
- Dally M Player Of The Year
- 1986, 1987
- Golden Boot Award
- 1987
- Rothmans Medal
- 1987, 1990
- Ken Stephen Medal
- 1992
- International Hall Of Fame
- 2006
- National Rugby League Hall Of Fame
- 2006
Biography
The title of Peter Sterling's biography, Sterlo: The Story of a Champion (1990) best sums up the career of the P’matta and Australian Test halfback. Queensland-born but raised in the Riverina, the blond-haired teenager came to Fairfield Patrician Brothers on a scholarship in 1978. Sterling was a five-eighth then but incredibly, made his first grade debut as a stand-in fullback in the major semi-final replay against Manly in 1978. Sterling was always tipped for stardom, from his early high school days to his baptism in P’matta's top grade. Shifting to halfback (Mick Pattison was the first grade pivot at the time) he made his State of Origin debut in 1981 and played in the club's first grand final victory. After another grand final success in 1982, he toured with the Kangaroos. Sterling was in such great form that he kept Steve Mortimer out of all five Tests on the unbeaten tour, forming a champion partnership with Brett Kenny at club and Test level. It has been said that his major strength was that he did everything brilliantly -he possessed an immaculate kicking game, was a courageous defender, a great tactician and a masterful ballplayer. Sterling played in one Test against NZ in 1983 and made it three grand finals in a row with the Eels. Having already showed a liking for English club football, he played for Hull in 1983-84, vacating his Test spot, and it would not be until 1986 that he would recapture the top halfback position. Sterling was inspirational in Hull's Yorkshire Cup victory and in early 1985, played one of the best games seen in a losing side in the Wembley Challenge Cup final. Sterling drove his side from a 28-12 deficit to ultimately go down to a Brett Kenny-inspired Wigan, 28-24. England had seen something very special! Sterling, who first captained NSW Country in 1984, returned to concentrate on his Australian career in 1986 and after playing in three Tests against NZ, won the inaugural Clive Churchill Medal in P’matta's 4-2 grand final win over C’bury. Sterling made his second Kangaroo tour that year and for the second time, played in every Test on an unbeaten tour. Tests against NZ (1987) and Great Britain (1988) followed and he was also NSW captain in the promotional State of Origin match at Veteran's Stadium (USA) in 1987. However, it was his great efforts with the declining P’matta club that gained ultimate recognition in his later career. (Sterling produced what is regarded as his perfect game in the club match against Easts in 1987). Voted ‘Dally M’ Player of the Year in 1986-87 and prestigious Rothmans Medal winner in 1987 and 1990, Sterling also won the ‘Golden Boot’ award for the finest player in international league (tied with NZ's Hugh McGahan) in 1989. A recurring shoulder injury ended his career in 1992 but his easygoing manner coupled with a sharp intelligence has seen him easily make the transition to media commentator with Channel 9. In 2006 Sterling was inducted into the ARL Hall of Fame.
- ALAN WHITICKER
Playing Career Statistics
All statistics shown in this section are based only on data available in the RLP database, and are not necessarily a complete and/or 100% accurate representation of a player's career. This information should be used as a guide only. If you see a question mark (?), it denotes that the figure is not available.
To view a list of corresponding matches, click on the List button.
| Representative Career - International | Comp Wins | App | T | G | GK % | FG | Pts | W | L | D | Win % | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tests (Senior International Matches) | - | 18 | 4 | - | 1 | 16 | 16 | 2 | 0 | 88.89% | List | ||||
| The Ashes | 3 | 9 | 1 | - | - | 3 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 88.89% | List | ||||
| World Cup | 1 | 4 | 1 | - | - | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 75.00% | List | ||||
| Tour Matches | Australia | - | 28 | 13 | - | 1 | 45 | 26 | 2 | 0 | 92.86% | List | |||
| Test Series | 6 | 15 | 2 | - | 1 | 8 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 93.33% | List | ||||
| Representative Career - Australia | Comp Wins | App | T | G | GK % | FG | Pts | W | L | D | Win % | ||||
| State of Origin | 2 | 13 | - | - | - | - | 6 | 7 | 0 | 46.15% | List | ||||
| City vs Country | - | 2 | - | - | - | - | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0.00% | List | ||||
| City vs Country Firsts | 1 | 4 | 1 | - | - | 3 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 25.00% | List | ||||
| Club Career - Australia | Comp Wins | App | T | G | GK % | FG | Pts | W | L | D | Win % | ||||
| NSWRFL/NSWRL Premiership (NRL) | 4 | 228 | 48 | 1 | 15 | 190 | 143 | 81 | 4 | 62.72% | List | ||||
| NSWRFL/NSWRL Finals | - | 21 | 4 | - | - | 14 | 14 | 7 | 0 | 66.67% | List | ||||
| Preseason Cup | - | 8 | 1 | - | - | 3 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 50.00% | List | ||||
| Midweek Cup | 2 | 21 | 5 | - | 1 | 19 | 14 | 7 | 0 | 66.67% | List | ||||
| Challenge Cup AU | - | 1 | - | - | - | - | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.00% | List | ||||
| Club Career - UK | Comp Wins | App | T | G | GK % | FG | Pts | W | L | D | Win % | ||||
| English Championship | - | 24 | 6 | - | - | 24 | 19 | 5 | 0 | 79.17% | List | ||||
| Challenge Cup | - | 6 | 2 | - | - | 8 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 66.67% | List | ||||
| Regal Trophy | - | 5 | 1 | - | - | 4 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 80.00% | List | ||||
| Yorkshire Cup | - | 1 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | List | ||||
| UK Top Division | - | 24 | 6 | - | - | 24 | 19 | 5 | 0 | 79.17% | List | ||||
| Overall | App | T | G | GK % | FG | Pts | W | L | D | Win % | |||||
| First Class | 341 | 77 | 1 | 17 | 296 | 269 | 124 | 5 | 78.89% | List | |||||
Test Matches - By Team | |||||||||||||||
| Team | Years | App | T | G | GK % | FG | Pts | W | L | D | Win % | ||||
| Australia | 1982-83, 1986-88 | 18 | 4 | - | 1 | 16 | 16 | 2 | 0 | 88.89% | List | ||||
World Cup Matches - By Team | |||||||||||||||
| Team | Years | App | T | G | GK % | FG | Pts | W | L | D | Win % | ||||
| Australia | 1982-1988 | 4 | 1 | - | - | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 75.00% | List | ||||
Australia - By Team | |||||||||||||||
| Team | Years | App | T | G | GK % | FG | Pts | W | L | D | Win % | ||||
| NSW | 1981, 1983-84, 1986-88 | 13 | - | - | - | - | 6 | 7 | 0 | 46.15% | List | ||||
| NSW City Seconds | 1981-82 | 2 | - | - | - | - | 2 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | List | ||||
| NSW City Firsts | 1982 | 1 | 1 | - | - | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100.00% | List | ||||
| NSW Country Firsts | 1983-84, 1986 | 3 | - | - | - | - | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0.00% | List | ||||
| NSW Country | 1987-88 | 2 | - | - | - | - | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0.00% | List | ||||
| Overall | 1981-1988 | 21 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 12 | 0 | 42.86% | List | ||||
NSWRFL/NSWRL Premiership (NRL) - By Year | |||||||||||||||
| Team | Season | App | T | G | GK % | FG | Pts | W | L | D | Win % | ||||
| Parramatta | NSWRFL 1978 | 2 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 1 | 0 | 50.00% | List | ||||
| Parramatta | NSWRFL 1979 | 6 | - | - | - | - | 2 | 4 | 0 | 33.33% | List | ||||
| Parramatta | NSWRFL 1980 | 16 | 3 | - | - | 9 | 9 | 6 | 1 | 56.25% | List | ||||
| Parramatta | NSWRFL 1981 | 25 | 8 | - | 1 | 25 | 17 | 7 | 1 | 68.00% | List | ||||
| Parramatta | NSWRFL 1982 | 27 | 8 | - | - | 24 | 21 | 6 | 0 | 77.78% | List | ||||
| Parramatta | NSWRFL 1983 | 19 | 5 | - | - | 20 | 15 | 4 | 0 | 78.95% | List | ||||
| Parramatta | NSWRL 1984 | 26 | 4 | - | 1 | 17 | 18 | 8 | 0 | 69.23% | List | ||||
| Parramatta | NSWRL 1985 | 12 | 2 | - | - | 8 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 58.33% | List | ||||
| Parramatta | NSWRL 1986 | 23 | 5 | 0 | / | 1 | 0.00% | 4 | 24 | 16 | 6 | 1 | 69.57% | List | |
| Parramatta | NSWRL 1987 | 20 | 6 | - | 2 | 26 | 10 | 10 | 0 | 50.00% | List | ||||
| Parramatta | NSWRL 1988 | 13 | 1 | 1 | / | 1 | 100.00% | - | 6 | 6 | 7 | 0 | 46.15% | List | |
| Parramatta | NSWRL 1989 | 14 | 5 | - | - | 20 | 8 | 6 | 0 | 57.14% | List | ||||
| Parramatta | NSWRL 1990 | 21 | 1 | - | 7 | 11 | 12 | 8 | 1 | 57.14% | List | ||||
| Parramatta | NSWRL 1991 | 1 | - | - | - | - | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.00% | List | ||||
| Parramatta | NSWRL 1992 | 3 | - | - | - | - | 1 | 2 | 0 | 33.33% | List | ||||
NSWRFL/NSWRL Premiership (NRL) - By Team | |||||||||||||||
| Team | Years | App | T | G | GK % | FG | Pts | W | L | D | Win % | ||||
| Parramatta | 1978-92 | 228 | 48 | 1 | 15 | 190 | 143 | 81 | 4 | 62.72% | List | ||||
English Career - By Year | |||||||||||||||
| Team | Season | App | T | G | GK % | FG | Pts | W | L | D | Win % | ||||
| Hull | 1983/84 | 8 | 1 | - | - | 4 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 87.50% | List | ||||
| Hull | 1984/85 | 28 | 8 | - | - | 32 | 30 | 8 | 2 | 107.14% | List | ||||
English Career - By Team | |||||||||||||||
| Team | Years | App | T | G | GK % | FG | Pts | W | L | D | Win % | ||||
| Hull | 1983-84 | 36 | 9 | - | - | 36 | 28 | 7 | 1 | 77.78% | List | ||||
Contributions:
Rugby League Tables, AJ Lucantonio, Andrew Ferguson, Greg Fiveash, Shawn Dollin, Paul Carter, Alan Katzmann, Steven Russo, Max Turner, Jason Ganter, Bill Bates
Sources:
David Middleton's Rugby League Yearbook (1987-88 to present), Match Video, Rothmans Rugby League Yearbook (1981-82 to 1999), Irvin Saxton's Record Keepers' Club
Your Say
10 Jun 2011 11:12am
Sterling is one of two players to get a 10 in Rugby League Week on 2 occasions which he got both times playing for Parramatta.In 1986 he got a 10 after Parramattas 36-6 over St George in the First ever Game at Parramatta Stadium on March 16.In 1987 he also got a 10 after Parramattas 32-2 win over Eastern Suburbs at Parramatta on May 26.
28 Mar 2012 3:48pm
Sterling is actually now one of 3 Players to get a 10 on Two occasions in Rugby League Week.Because since I wrote that previous comment.Paul Gallen has now received a 10 on 2 occasions in Rugby League Week Since then.
23 Apr 2012 1:03pm
Simply the best, had the pleasure of watching the great half Back play through the Eightys era of the Eels premiership years .Thanks Sterlo for the memories so many great performances too many to list , you will always be up there with the greats of the game.
26 May 2012 11:38pm
Thanks Sterlo for the memories. One of the greatest halfback in rugby league history. You were the engine room of Parramatta's great side of the 1980's
2 Jul 2012 10:16pm
grew up watching him play and he is one of the reasons why i grew to love the game.. what is also great is how much of a champion human being he has proven himself to be over the years through his commentary.. Sterlo is a total class act..
6 May 2016 8:26pm
Sterlo, you demonstrated the true value of the halfback role in league. You gave all the Parra fans the satisfaction of following the best team of the 1980s. You need to come back to the Eels as their senior coach!
24 Jul 2017 2:20am
I HAD THE PLEASURE OF WATCHING PETER STERLING PLAY FOR HULL FC IN 1983/1984 SEASON.HE WAS AND STILL IS THE BEST SCRUM HALF THAT EVER PULLED A HULL FC SHIRT ON. AND I WISH HE COULD HAVE STAYED FOR A LONGER PERIOD.HE IS FONDLY REMEMBERED BY MANY HULL FC FANS.HE DESERVES HIS PLACE IN THE AUSTRALIAN RUGBY LEAGUE HALL OF FAME.HE PLAYED IN THE BEST CHALLENGE CUP FINAL OF ALL TIME, WHEN PLAYING AGAINST WIGAN.PETER WILL ALWAYS BE WELCOMED IN HULL,AND THE RUGBY LEAGUE FRATERNITY OF THE UK.THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES.
2 Mar 2018 9:53pm
peter stirling
In my opinion is one of the most underrated players not just of his generation, but of all time.
He was a man not natually gifted of a large frame!
The saying " not how big the dog is in the fight ! but how big the fight in the dog ! is relevant here !
A huge interlect , tiny ego and a huge heart and a huge talent !
this is from a life time Manly supporter 1
Peter Stirling is one of the few individuals that is respected by his pears from all corners for his enderavers on the field and his post playing contribution.
he or Mal should be our next immortal .
24 Apr 2018 4:01pm
having semisolid sterlo at the peak of his career and watched many fine halfbacks over the years, I can say that Peter Sterling was simply the best.
5 Aug 2018 3:32pm
Stereo rates as one of the best halfbacks of all time>
Surely he deserves to be considered as a future immortal
2 Apr 2019 8:20pm
Should be a immortal
1 Apr 2020 12:34pm
John Lennon once said “there was nothing, suddenly there was Elvis. Then there was everything.” Well that’s how I see Peter sterling. There were great halfbacks before him but he was the first that changed halfback so much that they all had to be good kickers, they all had to have game management skills. They had to plan well ahead and get to certain points on the fields for certain kicks to be relevant. The likes of Andrew Johns and Jonathan Thurston might have perfected what sterlo and later Alfie and Ricky Stuart created. But it’s easy to polish a marble statue. It’s insanely difficult to see a statue in a slab of marble.
19 Jul 2020 5:29pm
Hopefully he gets to see his beloved eels win another premiership this year
16 Oct 2022 9:22pm
I've only ever seen him on commentary but I've heard he had great hair back then.
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