John Peard

Infobox rugby league biography
playername = John Peard
fullname = John Peard
nickname = Bomber

---

caption =
country =
retired = yes
position = Five-eighth
currentclub =
dateofbirth = birth date and age|1945|01|15|df=yes
placeofbirth = Atherton, Queensland
countryofbirth = Australia
height = convert|5|ft|8|in|cm|0|abbr=oncite journal | author = | title = World Series | journal = Rugby League Week | issue =1975–1976 |pages = pg 85 | publisher = Rugby League Week Pty Ltd | location = Rushcutters Bay, NSW | accessdate =2008-06-07 ]
weight = convert|12|st|0|lb|kg|abbr=oncite journal | author = | title = World Series | journal = Rugby League Week | issue =1975–1976 |pages = pg 85 | publisher = Rugby League Week Pty Ltd | location = Rushcutters Bay, NSW | accessdate =2008-06-07 ]
club1 = Eastern Suburbs
year1start = 1966
year1end = 1971
appearances1 = 59
tries1 =
goals1 =
fieldgoals1 =
points1 = 53
club2 = St. George Dragons
year2start = 1972
year2end = 1973
appearances2 = 17cite web|title=John Peard's NSWRL first grade points listing|url=http://stats.rleague.com/rl/scorers/players/John_Peard.html|author=|publisher=Rugby League Tables|accessdate=2007-08-25]
tries2 = 3
goals2 = 0
fieldgoals2 = 1
points2 = 10cite web|title=John Peard's NSWRL first grade points listing|url=http://stats.rleague.com/rl/scorers/players/John_Peard.html|author=|publisher=Rugby League Tables|accessdate=2007-08-25]
club3 = Eastern Suburbs
year3start = 1974
year3end = 1975
appearances3 = 45
tries3 = 5
goals3 = 28
fieldgoals3 = 0
points3 = 70
club4 = Parramatta Eels
year4start = 1976
year4end = 1979
appearances4 = 58
tries4 = 16
goals4 = 63
fieldgoals4 = 0
points4 = 174
teamA = New South Wales
yearAstart = 1976
yearAend = 1977
appearancesA = 4
triesA =
goalsA =
fieldgoalsA =
pointsA = 2
teamB = Australia
yearBstart = 1975
yearBend = 1977
appearancesB = 11
triesB =
goalsB =
fieldgoalsB =
pointsB = 12
coachteam1 = Parramatta Eels
coachyear1start = 1980
coachyear1end =
coachgames1 =
coachwin%1 =
coachpremierships1 =
coachteam2 = Penrith Panthers
coachyear2start = 1982
coachyear2end = 1983
coachgames2 =
coachwin%2 =
coachpremierships2 =
coachteam3 = City Origin
coachyear3start = 1988
coachyear3end =
coachgames3 =
coachwin%3 =
coachpremierships3 =
coachteam4 = New South Wales
coachyear4start = 1988
coachyear4end =
coachgames4 =
coachwin%4 =
coachpremierships4 =
updated =
source =
new = yes

John "Bomber" Peard (born 15 January, 1945) is an Australian former rugby league player and later coach. He played for the Eastern Suburbs, St. George and Parramatta NSWRFL clubs in the 1960s and 70s. Peard's nickname, 'Bomber', came from his revolutionary towering punt kick, popularly referred to as a bomb, which terrorised opposition players. It has now became a common feature of the modern game.

Playing career

Peard played in Eastern Suburbs lower gades before making his 1st grade debut in 1966. That year the Roosters failed to win a game but the five-eight enjoyed more success over the next few years, semi finalist in 1967, '68 and winning the club championship before joinning former coach Jack Gibson at St George in 1972. In 1974 Peard, along with coach Jack Gibson, rejoined the Roosters for one of the most successful periods in the club's history. The five-eight was a key figure for the Roosters, winning back to back premierships in 1974 and 1975 and was a winner of mid-week and pre-season cups. In Easts 38-0, 1975 premiership victory over St George, Peard kicked 7 goals. At the end of the 1975 season Peard was selected to represent Australia in that year's world series.

Peard joined the Parramatta club the following year and was named 'player of the year' that season. He was unsuccessful in two further premiership deciders in 1976 and 1977 but once again gained selection for Australia. Injuries brought about an end to Peard's playing career at the end of the 1978 season.

Post-playing career

Peard moved on to coach Parramatta, Penrith Panthers and NSW as well as working for the ABC as a rugby league commentator.

Peard is a life member of the Eastern Suburbs club. The John Peard Cup, which commenced in 2004, was named in his honour. [cite news|title=Sydney Roosters and St. George honour former great|url=http://www.rleague.com/db/article.php?id=20833|publisher=Rleague.com|date=2004-07-01|accessdate=2007-04-01]

Peard suffered a life-threatening stroke in 2002 and he documents his rehabilitation in his autobiography "Fine Thanks Mate: John 'The Bomber' Peard on Football, Life and Second Chances", released in April, 2007. [cite web|title=Book Description|url=http://shop.abc.net.au/browse/product.asp?productid=163821|publisher=ABC Shop|accessdate=2007-04-01] As part of the book promotion he appeared on "The NRL Sunday Footy Show" on 1 April 2007.

Footnotes

References

*cite book | last=Peard, John and Writer, Larry |title=Fine Thanks Mate: John 'The Bomber' Peard on Football, Life and Second Chances |year=2007 |publisher="ABC Books" |location=Sydney, New South Wales |isbn=978 0 7333 2103 0 |pages=269

Persondata
NAME=Peard, John
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION=Australian rugby league player
DATE OF BIRTH=?
PLACE OF BIRTH=Queensland, Australia
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=