- Mark Harris (rugby league)
-
Mark Harris was an Australian rugby league footballer who played for the Eastern Suburbs (1970-79) and North Sydney (1980-81) clubs.
A destructive hard running centre, Harris made 190 appearances for the Roosters and a further 33 for the Bears. A Brisbane junior, Harris was playing in Papua New Guinea for the Koni club when recruited by Eastern Suburbs. Harris was a member of some of Eastern Suburbs greatest teams, winning premierships with that club in 1974 and 1975. Harris was also a member of the 1974 and '77 pre-Season cup winning sides, the 1975 and '77 midweek cups and the Roosters side that thrashed St Helens in the first World Club Challenge ever held,in the 1976 season. Harris also won the prestigious media award 'Rookie Of The Year' in his first season, and in 1972 he won another prestigious award taking out the Sun-Herald player of the year award. Harris played out the final years of his career with the North Sydney club.
Harris trialled with the American Grid Iron team, the Philadelphia Eagles, in the early part of his career, In 1973 Harris played with the Canadian' Grid Iron side, Montreal Allouettes, a move that cost him a place on the Kangaroo tour, and although successful he turned his back on the American game because he was only being used in the limited role of a long range kicker.
During the 1976 NSWRFL season, Harris played as a centre three-quarter back for Eastern Suburbs in their unofficial 1976 World Club Challenge match against British champions St Helens RFC in Sydney.
Harris played in just the one test match for Australia, that was against New Zealand in 1972, however he represented Australia in the 1970, 1972, 1975 & 77 World cups.
Since his retrement the burly centre has taken on a role as a National Rugby League judiciary member. It was said that, during his career, there was not a more fearsome sight, in rugby league for an opposition defender than seeing a rampaging Mark Harris heading in his direction.
References
- Whiticker, Alan and Hudson, Glen (2007). The Encyclopedia of Rugby League Players. Wetherill Park, New South Wales: Gary Allen Pty Ltd. p. 609. ISBN 978-1-877082-93-1.
Australia squad - 1977 World Cup Final winners (5th title) 1.Graham Eadie • 2.Allan McMahon • 3. Mick Cronin • 4. Russel Gartner • 5. Mark Harris • 6. John Peard • 7. John Kolc
8. Greg Pierce • 9. Ray Higgs • 10. Arthur Beetson (c) • 11. Terry Randall • 12. Nick Geiger • 13. Greg Veivers
14. Denis Fitzgerald • Coach: Terry FearnleyAustralia squad – 1975 Rugby League World Championship winners (4th title) Graeme Langlands (Capt./Coach) • Chris Anderson • Arthur Beetson • Ray Branighan • John Brass • Ron Coote • Mick Cronin • John Donnelly • Graham Eadie • Terry Fahey • Denis Fitzgerald • Bob Fulton • Mark Harris • Ray Higgs • John Lang • Ian Mackay • Allan McMahon • John Mayes • John O'Neill • John Peard • Tim Pickup • Greg Pierce • George Piggins • Lew Platz • Jim Porter • John Quayle • Terry Randall • Tom Raudonikis • Johnny Rhodes • Steve Rogers • Paul Sait • Ian Schubert • Gary Stevens • Ross Strudwick • Greg Veivers • David Wright •Australia squad – 1970 Rugby League World Cup final winners (3rd title) 1 Eric Simms • 2 Lionel Williamson • 3 John Cootes • 4 Paul Sait • 5 Mark Harris • 6 Bob Fulton • 7 Billy Smith •
8 John O'Neill • 9 Ron Turner • 10 Bob O'Reilly • 11 Bob McCarthy • 12 Ron Costello • 13 Ron Coote (c) •
14 Ray Branighan • 15 Elwyn Walters • Coach: Harry BathEastern Suburbs Roosters squad - 1974 NSWRFL Premiers (10th title) 1. Russell Fairfax • 2. Jim Porter • 3. John Brass • 4. Mark Harris • 5. Bill Mullins • 6. John Peard • 7. Johnny Mayes
8. Ian McKay • 9. Elwyn Walters • 10. Ken Jones • 11. Arthur Beetson (c) • 12. Bunny Reilly • 13. Ron Coote
14. Greg Bandiera • 15. Harry Cameron • Coach: Jack GibsonCategories:- Australian rugby league players
- Sydney Roosters players
- North Sydney Bears players
- Australia national rugby league team players
- Living people
- Rugby league centres
- Australian rugby league biography stubs
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
