Graeme Wynn
Encyclopedia
Graeme Wynn is an Australia
n former professional rugby league
player for the St. George Dragons
and the Western Suburbs Magpies
in the New South Wales Rugby League premiership
. His position of choice was at second-row forward, where his height and strong build made him among the most powerful runners in the game during the 1980s.
of Parramatta
, Graeme stunned the rugby league world in 1979 with his powerful running wide of the rucks propelled by long, powerful legs. His ability to break defensive lines created attacking runs and tries for St. George that year as they won their second premiership in three years. Although he was beaten by his brother to selection in representative teams, Graeme was named "Rookie of the Year" and the following year played for New South Wales
and went on to be selected in the Australian squad for that season's New Zealand
tour.
Wynn did not play in a Test and in the following years was subject to a serious knee injury and then to a suspension for twelve matches for biting an opponent. Nonetheless, due to his skill as a goalkicker, he remained a vital part of St. George's big forward pack right up to their minor premiership win in 1985. However, Wynn was disappointing in that game and after that lost form badly apart from a few games (such as the opening match at the Sydney Football Stadium where he scored two barnstorming tries) and in 1989 and 1990 he was relegated permanently to reserve grade.
Warren Ryan
, however, thought Wynn still had something left in him and he won a first-grade berth with the Western Suburbs Magpies
in 1991 and played solidly. Graeme won a new contract at the age of thirty-two but was used mainly as a reserve and retired at the end of 1992.
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n former professional rugby league
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
player for the St. George Dragons
St. George Dragons
The St George Dragons was an Australian Rugby league football club in St George, Sydney, New South Wales that played in Australia's top-level Rugby league competition from New South Wales Rugby Football League in 1921 until 1998; in 1999 they formed a joint venture with the Illawarra Steelers,...
and the Western Suburbs Magpies
Western Suburbs Magpies
The Western Suburbs Magpies are an Australian rugby league football club based in the western suburbs of Sydney, New South Wales. Formed in 1908, Wests, as they are commonly referred to, were one of the nine foundation clubs of the first New South Wales Rugby League competition in Australia...
in the New South Wales Rugby League premiership
New South Wales Rugby League premiership
The New South Wales Rugby League premiership was the first rugby league football club competition established in Australia. Run by the New South Wales Rugby League from 1908 until 1994, the premiership was the state's and later the country's elite rugby league competition...
. His position of choice was at second-row forward, where his height and strong build made him among the most powerful runners in the game during the 1980s.
Career
The younger brother of rugby league player Peter WynnPeter Wynn
Peter Wynn is an Australian former professional rugby league player for the Parramatta Eels in the New South Wales Rugby League premiership competition. He is the younger brother of fellow rugby league player Graeme Wynn. His position of choice was in the second row...
of Parramatta
Parramatta Eels
The Parramatta Eels are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the Sydney suburb of Parramatta. The Parramatta District Rugby League Football Club was formed in 1947, with their First Grade side playing their first season in the New South Wales Rugby Football League...
, Graeme stunned the rugby league world in 1979 with his powerful running wide of the rucks propelled by long, powerful legs. His ability to break defensive lines created attacking runs and tries for St. George that year as they won their second premiership in three years. Although he was beaten by his brother to selection in representative teams, Graeme was named "Rookie of the Year" and the following year played for New South Wales
New South Wales Rugby League team
The New South Wales rugby league team has represented the Australian state of New South Wales in rugby league football since the sport's beginnings there in 1907. Administered by the New South Wales Rugby League, the team competes in the annual State of Origin series against arch-rivals, the...
and went on to be selected in the Australian squad for that season's New Zealand
New Zealand national rugby league team
The New Zealand national rugby league team has represented New Zealand in rugby league football since intercontinental competition began for the sport in 1907. Administered by the New Zealand Rugby League, they are commonly known as the Kiwis, after the native bird of that name...
tour.
Wynn did not play in a Test and in the following years was subject to a serious knee injury and then to a suspension for twelve matches for biting an opponent. Nonetheless, due to his skill as a goalkicker, he remained a vital part of St. George's big forward pack right up to their minor premiership win in 1985. However, Wynn was disappointing in that game and after that lost form badly apart from a few games (such as the opening match at the Sydney Football Stadium where he scored two barnstorming tries) and in 1989 and 1990 he was relegated permanently to reserve grade.
Warren Ryan
Warren Ryan
Warren Ryan is former rugby league football coach and player from Sydney, Australia. He is considered as one of the most influential coaches in recent times. Ryan also played 1st Grade Rugby League for the St George Dragons and Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks....
, however, thought Wynn still had something left in him and he won a first-grade berth with the Western Suburbs Magpies
Western Suburbs Magpies
The Western Suburbs Magpies are an Australian rugby league football club based in the western suburbs of Sydney, New South Wales. Formed in 1908, Wests, as they are commonly referred to, were one of the nine foundation clubs of the first New South Wales Rugby League competition in Australia...
in 1991 and played solidly. Graeme won a new contract at the age of thirty-two but was used mainly as a reserve and retired at the end of 1992.