Congratulations to William Keith Barnes AM, who this week was inducted into the 2015 NSW Hall of Champions.
One of the finest goal-kickers in rugby league, Keith, as he was known, set a point-scoring record in his 14 seasons with Balmain and made 17 appearances for Australia including 14 as captain.
Joining the Balmain Tigers in 1955, Wales-born Barnes moved straight into first grade, amassing the record for most points in the process.
Following a stellar career that resulted in 1519 points from 11 tries, 742 goals and one field goal, as well as three grand finals, 17 Tests for Australia and 11 interstate matches for NSW, he was an administrator of the game.
Barnes was General Manager of the Balmain Leagues club, later CEO of the Tigers Football Club, andalso was a commentator, a journalist and a manager of the NSW and Australian sides.
Barnes was named in both the Wests Tigers’ and Balmain Tigers’ Teams of the Century in 2000, and inducted into the Australian Rugby League Hall of Fame in 2007.
The Keith Barnes Medal is awarded to the best back at the Wests Tigers club.
Congrats to Keith on another tremendous honour.
