Andrew Farrar

Rock-hard centre was signed by C’bury chief Peter Moore whilst a 17-year-old on the Australian Schoolboys tour of England in 1979. The gifted, tough teenager from Cowra settled into the role of centre/five-eighth with the club and, after making his NSW debut, won two premierships with the club’s Warren Ryan-coached teams in 1984-85. Farrar landed the field goal that proved to be the difference in C’bury’s 7-6 win over St George in the 1985 grand final while, in the following year’s State of Origin series, he was a frequent try-scorer on the wing. He had to wait until 1988 to earn an Australian jersey, gaining a place in the World Cup final in NZ after playing a major role in the Bulldogs' grand final win over Balmain. Farrar produced a characteristically robust display in Australia’s 25-12 victory but did not represent his country again. In 1990 he was awarded a testimonial year with the Bulldogs but surprised many by walking out on the club to link with his former coach Warren Ryan at Wests. After two seasons with the Magpies, the Country Origin rep chose to see out his career with English champions Wigan. I’warra coach Graham Murray lured Farrar out of retirement to play one final season with the Steelers in 1994 and Farrar proved his value by appearing in all 22 matches that year. Farrar worked his way through the coaching ranks with the Steelers and was the club’s first grade coach when the club amalgamated with St George in 1998. Farrar signed on as assistant coach to David Waite with the newly formed St George I’warra Dragons but took over as first grade coach after Waite’s resignation midway through the 2000 season. After a troubled season in 2002 Farrar chose to stand down as coach in favour of former clubman Nathan Brown in 2003 despite taking the club to the play-offs.