Adam SutcliffeLaurie Daley: A Canberra Legend
January 2nd 2007 01:28
A-Z of Australian Rugby League Greats of the past 25 years
Each Tuesday, we will profile an Australian rugby league greats of the past 25 years. The players profiled aren’t necessarily all representative players, but individuals that have provided their fans with the commitment, dedication and sacrifice for the greater good of their club.
Daley, Laurie
Date of Birth - 20/10/1969
Position – Five-Eight, Centre
Nickname – Lozza
Clubs –
Canberra – 244 matches 1987 – 2000, 87 tries, 44 goals and 9 field goals for 445 points
State of Origin – NSW, 23 matches 1989 – 99, 6 tries, 1 goal for 26 points
International Career – Australia, 34 Tests 1990 -99, 11 tries, 2 field goals for 46 points
One of rugby league's superstars, Laurie Daley was the dominant five-eight at club, Origin and Test level throughout the 1990's. Establishing a formidable halves combination with Ricky Stuart for Canberra and NSW, Daley was regarded as a smart playmaker who could beat an opponent with either creative footwork or superior brainpower.
Finishing his stellar career with 244 first grade games and three premierships with the Canberra Raiders, Daley was first spotted as a 16 year old playing for the Junee Diesels in 1986 as a hard running centre. He made his first grade debut just one year later, partnering rugby league legend Mal Meninga in the centres, and his international debut beside Meninga before his 19th birthday.
Daley starred as a try scoring centre admidst a powerful Raiders backline, and was the competitions second top try scorer in the 1989 seaon with 16 tries. 'Lozza' was shifted to five-eight for Canberra in 1991, where his game adavnced to another level, becoming proficcient at setting up his outside men for try scoring oppurtunities.
Daley's State of Origin career started quietly compared to his first grade career, with him not really dominating until the mid-1990's. However, he did captain his State on 13 occasions, partaking in five NSW series wins in an arena that was dominated by Queensland victories.
Laurie Daley represented Australia admidst a golden run for the Kangaroos, featuring in 34 Test matches and captaining his country 6 times. Making his debut as a centre, Daley went on to become Australia's first choice five-eight option, constantly denying players like Trent Barrett, Matthew Johns, Anthony Mundine and Kevin Walters from national honours.
Daley inherited the captaincy of his beloved Canberra team in 1998, after being controversially deputised by teammate Ricky Stuart until his deaprture to the Bulldogs in 1998. Unfortunately Daley's career was dogged by troublesome knee injuries, and he was forced into retirement in season 2000.
Laurie Daley is today a full-time rugby league commentator for FoxSports, and an assistant NSW Origin Coach.
Cheers,
StephenP
*Photo courtesy of www.rl1908.com
Each Tuesday, we will profile an Australian rugby league greats of the past 25 years. The players profiled aren’t necessarily all representative players, but individuals that have provided their fans with the commitment, dedication and sacrifice for the greater good of their club.
Daley, Laurie
Date of Birth - 20/10/1969
Position – Five-Eight, Centre
Nickname – Lozza
Clubs –
Canberra – 244 matches 1987 – 2000, 87 tries, 44 goals and 9 field goals for 445 points
International Career – Australia, 34 Tests 1990 -99, 11 tries, 2 field goals for 46 points
One of rugby league's superstars, Laurie Daley was the dominant five-eight at club, Origin and Test level throughout the 1990's. Establishing a formidable halves combination with Ricky Stuart for Canberra and NSW, Daley was regarded as a smart playmaker who could beat an opponent with either creative footwork or superior brainpower.
Daley starred as a try scoring centre admidst a powerful Raiders backline, and was the competitions second top try scorer in the 1989 seaon with 16 tries. 'Lozza' was shifted to five-eight for Canberra in 1991, where his game adavnced to another level, becoming proficcient at setting up his outside men for try scoring oppurtunities.
Daley's State of Origin career started quietly compared to his first grade career, with him not really dominating until the mid-1990's. However, he did captain his State on 13 occasions, partaking in five NSW series wins in an arena that was dominated by Queensland victories.
Laurie Daley represented Australia admidst a golden run for the Kangaroos, featuring in 34 Test matches and captaining his country 6 times. Making his debut as a centre, Daley went on to become Australia's first choice five-eight option, constantly denying players like Trent Barrett, Matthew Johns, Anthony Mundine and Kevin Walters from national honours.
Daley inherited the captaincy of his beloved Canberra team in 1998, after being controversially deputised by teammate Ricky Stuart until his deaprture to the Bulldogs in 1998. Unfortunately Daley's career was dogged by troublesome knee injuries, and he was forced into retirement in season 2000.
Laurie Daley is today a full-time rugby league commentator for FoxSports, and an assistant NSW Origin Coach.
Cheers,
StephenP
*Photo courtesy of www.rl1908.com
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