Mark Harris (rugby league)
Mark Harris was an Australian rugby league footballer who played for the Eastern Suburbs (1970–79) and North Sydney (1980–81) clubs. He also represented the Montreal Alouettes in the Canadian Football League.
Playing career
A destructive hard running centre, Harris made 190 appearances for the Roosters and a further 33 for the Bears. A Brisbane junior, Harris was playing in Papua New Guinea for the Koni Tigers club when recruited by Eastern Suburbs. Harris was a member of some of Eastern Suburbs greatest teams, winning premierships with that club in 1974 and 1975. Harris was also a member of the 1974 and '77 pre-Season cup winning sides, the 1975 and '77 midweek cups and the Roosters side that thrashed St Helens in the first World Club Challenge ever held, in the 1976 season. Harris also won the prestigious media award 'Rookie Of The Year' in his first season, and in 1972 he won another prestigious award taking out the Sun-Herald player of the year award. Harris played out the final years of his career with the North Sydney club.
During the 1976 NSWRFL season, Harris played as a centre three-quarter back for Eastern Suburbs in their unofficial 1976 World Club Challenge match against British champions St. Helens in Sydney.
American football career
Harris turned down a place on the 1973 Kangaroo tour to trial with an American football team, the Philadelphia Eagles. After failing to get a contract, Harris played Canadian football for the Montreal Alouettes in the Canadian Football League. Harris played 7 matches as a long range kickoff specialist during the 1973 CFL season.[2][3]
Representative career
Harris played in just the one test match for Australia, that was against New Zealand in 1972. However, he represented Australia in the 1970, 1972, 1975 & 77 World cups.
Later years
Harris was a member of the National Rugby League judiciary in 2000.[1]
References