Ronald William Saddler was an Australian rugby league footballer who played in the 1960s and 1970s. A New South Wales and Australian international representative three-quarter back, he played in Sydne's NSWRFL Premiership for the Eastern Suburbs club.
Originally from Euabalong NSW of Wiradjuri descent, Ron first played rugby league for Tweed Heads, Saddler played for Sydney club Eastern Suburbs in the years 1963-64 and 1966–71.[1]
An Aboriginal centre, Saddler was selected for the 1967/68 Kangaroo Tour, playing in 12 matches, but no tests. Saddler has been allocated Eastern Suburbs player number 529.
He was the first indigenous player captain New South Wales - 6 years before Arthur Beetson.
Ron Saddler's former Sydney Roosters teammate Kevin Junee, another 1967-1968 Kangaroo, said "Saddler got the nod as the Blues captain in 1967 because he was respected by teammates and opponents alike".
Upon his retirement from Sydney, he captain-coached Murwillumbah Brothers for a number of years in the 1970s. He resided in the Murwillumbah Area until his death in May 2016.[2]
References
- ^ RugbyLeagueProject.org profile
- ^ David Middleton - League Historian. 'Forgotten Indigenous Star' 4/02/2013
Sources
- Whiticker, Alan & Hudson, Glen (2006) The Encyclopedia of Rugby League Players, Gavin Allen Publishing, Sydney