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Bob Burgess
From the "Old Collegians Rugby News", August or September
1981(Mortlock Library) - referring to an article in the Sunday Mail of May 18th 1975.
"500 UP - WHAT A MAN
Way back in 1954 Bob Burgess joined the Old Collegians Rugby Club when it fielded a single
team and the whole of the State boasted only 6 clubs.
His career has embraced 21 seasons and includes 3 years as the State hooker. No one has
been able to work out accurately how many games Bob has played - but it is over the 500
mark.
Five times he was in an Old Collegian's premiership first grade side & was made a club
life member in 1971, an honour bestowed an only six others. This remarkable man was born
in Adelaide and educated at Barker College, Sydney, where he played public schools rugby
until he arrived back in Adelaide in 1953.
Rugby's a tough game, probably tougher than Australian Rules yet only two South Australian
league footballers have been able to achieve more than 500 A Grade games.
Not to be outdone his brother Jack captained the Tasmanian Rugby side."
Bob was 39 when this article was published and the day before he had been promoted to
First Grade to play Burnside at Parkinson Oval in honour and recognition of his services
to the club and the State. Yet this isn't the end of the story. In the six years since the
article has been published Bob has continued to play for Old Collegians and he has now
passed the 600 plus game mark having played in our Seconds, Thirds & Fourths grade
sides this year. In addition to his amazing feats on the Rugby field he has been a staunch
& hard working Club member and has been a Club President, Club Captain, General
Committee Member (3-4 years), Selector & First Grade Capt./Coach (lost to West Torrens
in the West Parklands in the semis in the 60's).
After hearing about his seeminqly never ending efforts I cornered the man and posed a few
questions which I thought you, dear reader, might like to ask him yourself.
Ed: What was your biggest moment in Rugby?
Bob: Playing hooker against the 1966 British Lions.
Ed: What was your biggest disappointment in Rugby?
Bob: Sitting on my bum in a game against Southern Suburbs after an opponent had kicked
three of my front teeth out.
Ed: Who do you regard as Old Collegians' greatest player?
Bob: Rod Hauser (Ed. He went on to play half back for Australia)
Ed: Who do you regard as Old Collegians' best player today?
Bob: Um, Sean Beaton has to be due to his dedication & consistent form.
Ed: Who has been Old Collegians' best coach in your opinion?
Bob: Now thats putting me on the line (a pause) I'd say for First Grade Coach John Davies
as he is a great tactician and has very sound technical knowledge about the game. Then
again. Max Mitchell was a great motivator .... he could get one hundred players to jump
through a fiery hoop if the situation arose.
Ed: How do you compare this year's team in First Grade to the Premiership teams of the
past?
Bob: I haven't seen a great deal of First Grade this year but the standard has improved.
We used to win through heavy, stolid forward packs; we'd simply win the ball, have the
half back kick ahead and the forwards would again get the ball. It's not what you'd call
open Rugby but we did win a few Premierships that way. Today's team appears to be far more
mobile and balanced.
Ed: What about Bob Burgess the Rugby Player in the future?
Bob: Well, Pete, I’ve got a few injuries.... guess if they'll clear up ... .. yep,
I’ll be back next year.
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