Lionel Cooper

The discovery by Easts’ captain Ray Stehr of rookie Lionel Cooper playing Australian Rules in Darwin during World War II launched a remarkable rugby league career. After six games for Easts in 1945, Cooper was selected for NSW before playing in the Easts' team that defeated Balmain in the final. In 1946 the huge winger was selected in the Test series against Great Britain and was a try-scorer in the First Test draw. Cooper was named NSW ‘Player of the Year’ in 1946 but joined a growing band of Australian players who moved to English club football at the end of the season. At Huddersfield his deeds became almost legendary over a nine-year career - 432 tries including 71 for the 1951-52 season and 10 in one match (a record), a Challenge Cup final (1953) and a Championship Final victory (1949). Cooper's inspirational captaincy of Other Nationalities and British Empire sides gave an indication of what could have been had he remained in Australia.