Ron Coote
Year inducted: 2017
True Blue number: 588
Born: October 25, 1944, Kingsford, NSW
Clubs: South Sydney Rabbitohs, Eastern Suburbs Roosters
Position: Lock/Second Row
Premiership Career: (1964-78) 257 games, 88 tries, 264 points (Souths 1964-71, 148g, 49t, 147p; Easts 1972-78, 109g, 39t, 117p)
First Grade debut: South Sydney Rabbitohs vs Eastern Suburbs Roosters at Sydney Sports Ground on 5 April, 1964
Representative honours: Australia 23 Tests (1967-75); NSW 13 Interstate matches (1965-75)
Other honours: NRL Hall of Fame 2008, ARL Team of the Century 2008, NSW Team of the Century 2008, NSWRL Player of the Year 1969-70, 1975, 1977
Souths junior Ron Coote rose through the grades at the Rabbitohs to lead their charge to premiership glory, before having a similarly transformational effect on the Roosters after he switched clubs in 1972. Coote appeared in an amazing nine grand finals in eleven years, but also stood a class above in representative matches for New South Wales and Australia. Since retiring he has been the driving force behind the Men of League foundation, doing an immeasurable amount of good work on behalf of the game.
New South Wales Rugby League respects and honours the Traditional Custodians of the land and pay our respects to their Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the stories, traditions and living cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the lands we meet, gather and play on.
