The NSWRL is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs legend, True Blue and former NSWRL director, Bob Hagan.
Hagan, 85, died at his home on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast but holds a unique place in the Bulldogs’ club history.
He is the only person in to have been a first-grade player, first-grade Head Coach and Chief Executive, after he took over that role from Peter ‘Bullfrog’ Moore in 1996.
Hagan, the older brother of two-time Bulldogs premiership winner (1985, 1988) Michael Hagan, played 45 games for the Belmore club over three seasons (1967-69).
A sturdy winger-centre Hagan played for NSW in 1967 alongside Ken Irvine, who he had opposed in previous interstate matches while in Queensland colours in the era before State of Origin began (1980).
The Blues beat the Maroons 14-8 at the SCG with Hagan’s captain in that game being Immortal John Raper, while a second Immortal in Reg Gasnier was the coach.
Hagan also played two Tests for Australia before retiring. He was head coach of the Bulldogs in 1971 and 1972.
In 2001 Hagan was both a NSWRL and ARL director.
The NSWRL extends its condolences to Hagan’s family, friends, colleagues and teammates.
