Jim Matthews (rugby league)

Jim Matthews (Leighton, NSW) was a rugby league footballer who played for the Canterbury Bulldogs, Eastern Suburbs clubs in the New South Wales Rugby League (NSWRL) competition.

Matthews, a five-eight, played 17 matches for the Canterbury Bankstown side in the years (1962–63) before joining Eastern Suburbs the following season at a time when Easts were experiencing the bleakest period in the clubs history, they won just 2 matches in ’64, 3 in ’65 and were winless in ’66. Under new coach, Jack Gibson, Matthews was appointed captain and in a dramatic turn around led Easts to consecutive semi finals. At the end of the 1968 season he left Easts and returned to rural NSW where he played out the remainder of his career in the Illawarra competition.

Said to be a tough and rugged player, the five–eighth is recognised as Eastern Suburbs 543rd player. Matthews played 70 matches for the Sydney Roosters and scored 138 points, coming from 8 tries, 53 goals and 4 field goals.

References

Whiticker, Alan and Hudson, Glen (2007). The Encyclopedia of Rugby League Players. Wetherill Park, New South Wales: Gary Allen Pty Ltd. p. 609. ISBN 978-1-877082-93-1.

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