Ian Schubert

A member of the unbeaten Australian Schoolboy tour of England in 1972, Ian Schubert was the teenage fullback sensation of Easts’ 1975 premiership-winning team. Originally from Comboyne near Wauchope, Schubert was recommended to coach Jack Gibson by former Test prop John Wittenberg, the two men owning properties in the Wauchope area. Schubert posted a remarkable debut season with Easts in 1975 - especially after Russell Fairfax had the misfortune to break his leg in an Amco Cup match and Schubert switched from wing to fullback with devastating results. The long-striding teenager was unstoppable in the club’s grand final thrashing of St George and was selected in Australia's World Series team. Although he went on to make two Kangaroo Tours (1978 and 1982) he was fated never to play in a Test match during his seven-year international career. Moving to Wests in 1981, Schubert’s initial stint with the Magpies was uninspiring (although he did win the reserve grade premiership with the club in 1981). Schubert returned to Easts in 1982 and his good club form after moving into the forwards resulted in his shock inclusion on the 1982 Kangaroo Tour. Schubert played in 12 minor tour matches in England and France but could not break into the Test team on the historic, unbeaten tour. Linking with Manly on his return to Australia, he was a lock in the Sea Eagles’ grand final loss to P’matta in 1983. After two seasons with Manly, Schubert returned to the Magpies (playing for English club Leigh in 1986-87) and gave great service to the club until his retirement in 1989. Joining the Bulldogs as a lower grade coach, he stood down from that position in early 1993 and moved into marketing with Easts where he spent a short time as acting Chief Executive in 1994. Schubert later worked within the NRL as a salary cap auditor.