Greg Conescu
Encyclopedia
Greg "Turtle" Conescu is an Australian former professional rugby league
footballer of the 1980s. An Australian international and Queensland State of Origin representative hooker, he played all of his club football in Queensland with Norths Devils
(with whom he won the BRL premiership in 1980) Gladstone Brothers, Redcliffe
and the Brisbane Broncos
.
in 1980 and also played for Gladstone Brothers
and Redcliffe Dolphins
. While playing for Norths, Conescu made his debut for both the Australian Kangaroos and Queensland
. In 1987 he played for Redcliffe in the BRL grand final.
In 1988, Conescu entered the New South Wales Rugby League premiership
with the Brisbane Broncos
, playing in the club's first ever match in 1988
. He continued to represent Queensland at State of Origin
level that year, and was again selected in the Australian Kangaroos side. Despite being the incumbent Australian and Queensland hooker, he was surprisingly dropped to reserve grade by coach Wayne Bennett in favour of a young Kerrod Walters
.
for his contribution to Australia's international standing in the sport of rugby league.
As part of State of Origin's 25th anniversary in 2005, the Australian Rugby League
announced the 25 greatest players for both Queensland and New South Wales, with Conescu named for the Queenslanders.
Conescu was named as a reserve in an all-time greatest Norths Devils
team announced in 2008.
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...
footballer of the 1980s. An Australian international and Queensland State of Origin representative hooker, he played all of his club football in Queensland with Norths Devils
Norths Devils
The Northern Suburbs Devils, Norths for short, are a rugby league club representing the northern suburbs of Brisbane, Australia. The team colours are sky blue, navy blue and gold. They play in the Queensland Wizard Cup, and, through their predecessors, are one of the oldest clubs in...
(with whom he won the BRL premiership in 1980) Gladstone Brothers, Redcliffe
Redcliffe Dolphins
The Redcliffe Dolphins are a rugby league team from the city of Redcliffe in Queensland, Australia. The Redcliffe Dolphins were founded in 1947, accepted into the Brisbane Rugby League premiership in 1960, and since 1996 have played in the Queensland Cup....
and the Brisbane Broncos
Brisbane Broncos
The Brisbane Broncos are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the city of Brisbane, the capital of the state of Queensland. Founded in 1988, the Broncos play in Australasia's elite competition, the National Rugby League premiership. They have won six premierships and two...
.
Playing career
Conescu achieved Brisbane Rugby League premiership success with the Norths DevilsNorths Devils
The Northern Suburbs Devils, Norths for short, are a rugby league club representing the northern suburbs of Brisbane, Australia. The team colours are sky blue, navy blue and gold. They play in the Queensland Wizard Cup, and, through their predecessors, are one of the oldest clubs in...
in 1980 and also played for Gladstone Brothers
Queensland Rugby League Central Division
The Central Division of the Queensland Rugby League is responsible for the promotion, administration and facilitation of rugby league throughout Central Queensland. The Division's boundaries take in Miriam Vale and Gladstone to the south, out to Winton in the west and north to Moranbah. There are...
and Redcliffe Dolphins
Redcliffe Dolphins
The Redcliffe Dolphins are a rugby league team from the city of Redcliffe in Queensland, Australia. The Redcliffe Dolphins were founded in 1947, accepted into the Brisbane Rugby League premiership in 1960, and since 1996 have played in the Queensland Cup....
. While playing for Norths, Conescu made his debut for both the Australian Kangaroos and Queensland
Queensland State of Origin Team
The Queensland rugby league team have represented the Australian state of Queensland in rugby league football since the sport's beginnings there in 1908...
. In 1987 he played for Redcliffe in the BRL grand final.
In 1988, Conescu entered 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...
with the Brisbane Broncos
Brisbane Broncos
The Brisbane Broncos are an Australian professional rugby league football club based in the city of Brisbane, the capital of the state of Queensland. Founded in 1988, the Broncos play in Australasia's elite competition, the National Rugby League premiership. They have won six premierships and two...
, playing in the club's first ever match in 1988
Brisbane Broncos 1988
The 1988 Brisbane Broncos season was the first in the club's history. The new venture team, competed in the New South Wales Rugby League's 1988 Winfield Cup premiership and, despite a strong start to the season, failed to make the finals...
. He continued to represent Queensland at State of Origin
Rugby League State of Origin
State of Origin is an annual best of three series of rugby league football matches contested by the Maroons and the Blues, who represent the Australian states of Queensland and New South Wales respectively...
level that year, and was again selected in the Australian Kangaroos side. Despite being the incumbent Australian and Queensland hooker, he was surprisingly dropped to reserve grade by coach Wayne Bennett in favour of a young Kerrod Walters
Kerrod Walters
Kerrod Walters is an Australian former rugby league footballer of the 1980s and 90s. A Queensland State of Origin and Australian international representative hooker, he played most of his club football with the Brisbane Broncos, with whom he won the 1992 and 1993 NSWRL Premierships...
.
Accolades
In 2000 Conescu was awarded the Australian Sports MedalAustralian Sports Medal
The Australian Sports Medal was an award given during 2000 to recognise achievements in Australian sport.Recipients of the award included competitors, coaches, sports scientists, office holders, and people who maintained sporting facilities and services. Over 18,000 Medals were...
for his contribution to Australia's international standing in the sport of rugby league.
As part of State of Origin's 25th anniversary in 2005, the Australian Rugby League
Australian Rugby League
The Australian Rugby League is the governing body for the sport of rugby league in Australia. It is made up of state bodies, including the New South Wales Rugby League and the Queensland Rugby League...
announced the 25 greatest players for both Queensland and New South Wales, with Conescu named for the Queenslanders.
Conescu was named as a reserve in an all-time greatest Norths Devils
Norths Devils
The Northern Suburbs Devils, Norths for short, are a rugby league club representing the northern suburbs of Brisbane, Australia. The team colours are sky blue, navy blue and gold. They play in the Queensland Wizard Cup, and, through their predecessors, are one of the oldest clubs in...
team announced in 2008.