From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia John Donnelly (rugby league)
John Donnelly (rugby league)
John Donnelly as Captain/Coach of the Byron Bay side. However, Don-
Personal information nelly who suffered from epilepsy throughout his career,
drowned after suffering an epileptic seizure while surf-
Nickname Dallas
ing in the beach at Byron Bay, New South Wales.
Born Gunnedah, New South Wales, Australia In 2004 Donnelly was named at prop in the Western
Suburbs Magpies Team of the Century.[2]
Died 1986
Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australia
Playing information References
Club [1] Country Rugby League Player of the Year at
crlnsw.com.au
Years Team Pld T G FG P
[2] westsmagpies.net (2008). "Western Suburbs Team
Gunnedah of the Century". Wests Archives. Western Suburbs
Magpies R.L.F.C. http://www.westsmagpies.net/
1975–85 Wests Magpies 144 6 6 4 34
archives/2008/php/wests_totc.php. Retrieved
1985–86 Southend Invicta 2009-11-28.
• The Encyclopedia of Rugby League Players - Alan
Total 144 6 6 4 34
Whiticker, Glen Hudson
Representative • John Donnelly at eraofthebiff.com
Years Team Pld T G FG P Persondata
197?–?? New South Wales 4 0 0 0 0 Name Donnelly, John
Alternative names
1975–78 Australia 4 0 0 0 0
Short description
John "Dallas" Donnelly was an Australian professional Date of birth
rugby league footballer of the 1970s and 80s. An Aus-
Place of birth Gunnedah, New South Wales
tralian Kangaroos and New South Wales Blues represen-
tative, he played for the Western Suburbs Magpies be- Date of death 1986
tween 1975 and 1984 in the New South Wales Rugby Place of death Byron Bay, New South Wales
League premiership.
Donnelly who was also commonly known by his nick-
name "Dallas", referring to his size, came from the New
South Wales country town of Gunnedah, representing
New South Wales and winning the award for country play-
er of the year in 1973.[1] He moved to the Wests club in
1975 and quickly gained a reputation that grew to almost
cult status for his fiery on-field play as well as his off-field
larrikin persona.
With Wests, Donnelly formed part of one of the most
dominant forward packs in Australian Rugby League his-
tory under coach Roy Masters in the late 1970s, earning
test selection for Australia in 1978 against New Zealand.
By the 1980s however, he was plagued by increasing
weight problems and constant suspensions, subsequently
moving to English club Southend Invicta for the
1985-1986 seasons.
Donnelly returned to Australia in 1986 immediately
after his season in England where he took on a position
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=John_Donnelly_(rugby_league)&oldid=461411146"
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia John Donnelly (rugby league)
Categories:
• People from Gunnedah, New South Wales
• Australian rugby league players
• New South Wales rugby league team players
• Western Suburbs Magpies players
• Australia national rugby league team players
• Kent Invicta players
• Southend Invicta players
• 1986 deaths
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