World Cup Legends Tour

Career Snapshot:
Graham Eadie, affectionately known as “Wombat” to his fans, (born November 25, 1953, Woy Woy, New South Wales) was one of the greatest players in rugby league during the 1970s and probably the best fullback to emerge under the six-tackle rule. His 1,917 points in first grade and 2,070 points in all grades were both records at the time of his retirement, and he was a key factor behind Manly-Warringah’s dominance of the competition during the 1970s.
Eadie was graded by Manly in 1971 and showed immediate promise in the lower grades that season. The following year with the retirement of Bob Batty, he established himself as the team’s first grade fullback and his powerful running style was already a serious danger to all Manly’s opponents. Though not excessively tall at just under 180cm, Eadie’s solid, almost tank-like build of around 97kg (15 stone) gave him abundant pace and so much strength that once he was on the move, few opposing defenders were ever able to stop him when he ran into the backline. At the same time, Eadie was an accurate line kicker and extremely safe under the high ball in an era when the “bomb” was coming into prominence.

Reference : Whiticker, Alan and Hudson, Glen; The Encyclopedia of Rugby League Players (3rd edition); published 1998 by Gary Allen Pty. Ltd.; 9 Cooper Street, Smithfield, New South Wales, 2164.

NRL Centenary of Rugby League Tribute DVD
on Graham Eadie (used with permission)