Bulldogs History Database
Ron Bailey
| Player # | 74 |
|---|---|
| Position | Centre, Five Eighth, Half Back, Lock |
| DOB | 3rd Mar 1914 |
| Junior Club | Maitland |
| Debut | 1941: Round 1 vs North Sydney |
| Other Clubs | Newtown |
| Rep | NSW Res(5), Aus(2) |
Ron Bailey was Canterbury's first great centre. He originated in Newcastle and joined Newtown in 1937 playing eight games.
A strong and fast centre, Ron then went to England and played with Huddersfield until the outbreak of World War II. He returned to Newcastle to play for Waratah Mayfield before following team mates, Eddie Burns and Roy McCallum to Canterbury for the 1941 season.
Ron was captain-coach in 1941 and losing narrowly 22-24 to Easts (Roosters) in the semi-final that year.
Handing over the coaching duties for 1942, Ron continued as captain of the team.
In total Ron captained Canterbury on 47 occasions including the 1942 Premiership winning team.
Ron continued through the war years and commenced 1944 as captain-coach. On this occasion, the teams fortune could not be lifted and after losing the first five games, Ron resigned his coaching duties. Reserve grade coach Cec Fifield took over for the rest of the season.
Ron's fortune changed in 1945 where he gained selection for NSW where he played a total of four games for NSW.
In 1946, Ron captained NSW before becoming the first Canterbury player to play for Australia.
Ron played two tests against Great Britain. In his second test Ron was made captain of Australia.
At the end of the 1946 season Ron returned to Newcastle.
In 2004, Ron was named at centre for the Berries to Bulldogs 70 Year Team of Champions. On April 1 2007, he was inducted into the Bulldogs Ring of Champions.
Do you have more information on Ron Bailey you'd like to send us?
