Tony Melrose

Former Australian Schoolboy RU captain toured England in 1977-78 with the Ella brothers, Michael O'Connor and Wally Lewis. After a meteoric 6 Test career and a premiership with P’matta RU club, the 20 year-old five-eighth changed codes to play for the Eels in 1980. Although he did not reach a similar level in rugby league, he was to a have a long and eventful career with four premiership clubs. Melrose proved a match-winner playing five-eighth, centre and occasionally fullback. He kicked the field goal that resulted in the draw against Manly in the last match at C’land Oval in 1981 but left the club after a falling out with coach Jack Gibson. At Souths in 1982, he was selected in one State of Origin match and seemed to on the verge of further rep honours but continually had to re-establish himself with a new club. Stints with Manly and Easts followed before he retired. In 1992 - more than a decade after he quit the amateur code - he won a court case to resume his rugby union career with Gordon.